The benefits of travel sketching for anyone. Why everyone should carry a sketchbook and try travel sketching -- Here is a list of why keeping a sketchbook is a small but beneficial part of every trip.
Jun! This was so nice to read, I think you really described all the reasons that sketchbooks are precious especially while traveling. I have always admired traveler’s sketchbooks when they are filled with colours and scribbles and notes. This winter I went to Egypt with the family and I took with me two new sketchbooks and one with postcards to be drawn. Such expectations! 😁 Hahaha… I have to say it was almost impossible to make the time to sketch in the places that I would mostly like to be alone and enjoy it. And then I had empty waiting time in places with nothing as exotic “Egyptian” as I would like. I still sketched and it was a wonderful way to fill my time but I certainly didn’t come back with the beautiful colourful sketchbooks that I had imagined. Next time I will only take a small one and if I fill it up, napkins are paper too. 😉
Thank you so much Silina for your comments and for writing about your experience in Egypt! I definitely know what you mean--some times the places where we most want to draw are the hardest places to sit and spend some time sketching. I've found that I'll try to draw after the fact, at the hotel or the place I'm staying when the image and place is still fresh in my memory and even use photos to assist. But still, that's great that you were able to sketch a bit--I would love to see what you did! It's a dream of mine to go to Egypt--I'm sure I would have so many expectations as well before going about what I'd like to draw!
Thank you Jun-Pierre for highlighting the power and poetry of carnets de voyage! You captured so well why they can capture memories in a deeper and more personal way, help you take in the moment at a deeper level. I really want to start doing it. I also wonder how you do that when traveling with someone else.
Thank you so much Agnès for your comment. I definitely think you could start doing it--even in a low key way, around your house or someplace local. When I'm traveling with someone else I'll usually ask ahead of time if and when there would be a time to do some sketching. That might mean going off on my own, or just doing some quick sketches while they're doing their own thing like reading a book or catching up on messages or what have you. If I'm with someone else (especially my kids) I also lower the stakes quite a bit, knowing that at any moment it might be time to go and to not be too "precious" about my drawing.
I really liked reading your writing of the sketch book with the 12 points of super interesting ideas, suggestions and deep insights. I can only make the nodding movements of my head while reading your thoughts which are so natural and convincing!
And these drawings of yours! I loved and appreciated watching them! They are all beautiful and again stirred the frisson in me!!!
Jun-chan, you are an artist, with full of talent, skill, techniques and great thoughts!
Beautiful work!
Thank you so much!
Jun! This was so nice to read, I think you really described all the reasons that sketchbooks are precious especially while traveling. I have always admired traveler’s sketchbooks when they are filled with colours and scribbles and notes. This winter I went to Egypt with the family and I took with me two new sketchbooks and one with postcards to be drawn. Such expectations! 😁 Hahaha… I have to say it was almost impossible to make the time to sketch in the places that I would mostly like to be alone and enjoy it. And then I had empty waiting time in places with nothing as exotic “Egyptian” as I would like. I still sketched and it was a wonderful way to fill my time but I certainly didn’t come back with the beautiful colourful sketchbooks that I had imagined. Next time I will only take a small one and if I fill it up, napkins are paper too. 😉
Thank you so much Silina for your comments and for writing about your experience in Egypt! I definitely know what you mean--some times the places where we most want to draw are the hardest places to sit and spend some time sketching. I've found that I'll try to draw after the fact, at the hotel or the place I'm staying when the image and place is still fresh in my memory and even use photos to assist. But still, that's great that you were able to sketch a bit--I would love to see what you did! It's a dream of mine to go to Egypt--I'm sure I would have so many expectations as well before going about what I'd like to draw!
Thank you Jun-Pierre for highlighting the power and poetry of carnets de voyage! You captured so well why they can capture memories in a deeper and more personal way, help you take in the moment at a deeper level. I really want to start doing it. I also wonder how you do that when traveling with someone else.
Thank you so much Agnès for your comment. I definitely think you could start doing it--even in a low key way, around your house or someplace local. When I'm traveling with someone else I'll usually ask ahead of time if and when there would be a time to do some sketching. That might mean going off on my own, or just doing some quick sketches while they're doing their own thing like reading a book or catching up on messages or what have you. If I'm with someone else (especially my kids) I also lower the stakes quite a bit, knowing that at any moment it might be time to go and to not be too "precious" about my drawing.
Jun-chan,
I really liked reading your writing of the sketch book with the 12 points of super interesting ideas, suggestions and deep insights. I can only make the nodding movements of my head while reading your thoughts which are so natural and convincing!
And these drawings of yours! I loved and appreciated watching them! They are all beautiful and again stirred the frisson in me!!!
Jun-chan, you are an artist, with full of talent, skill, techniques and great thoughts!
With our best wishes and love ❤️
Dad and Mom