16. Sketching Round Up
Summer Postcards, Daily Practice, and a Mini Review
Hello fellow sketchers!
I hope this roundup finds you well. Here's what I've been up to this week:
Postcards of Summer Challenge
The "Postcards of Summer" challenge continues over at The Sketching Sisters (another substack publication I write with my sister, Nikki Hawkins). This week's prompts had me sketching more summer scenes, and I am using a continuous line with quick splashes of colour to create these postcards. I'm finding that these quick studies are not only improving my sketching skills but also helping me move outside my sketchbook, and I am loving seeing my collection of postcards start to pile up!
Daily Sketch Journaling Practice
Alongside the postcard challenge, I've been maintaining a daily sketch journaling practice.
It's amazing how even a 5-minute sketch from one moment in your day can build up into a lovely collection of little stories of your every day life!
From my morning coffee to the dog walk, these quick and loose sketches are becoming a lovely visual diary of my summer.
Peg & Awl Sendak Mini Artists Roll
Last week, I mentioned I had treated myself to a new art supply organiser, and I thought I’d share my thoughts with you! I've uploaded an unboxing video of the Peg & Awl Sendak Mini Artists Roll (along with a Kuretake small paint box, and a Pith Sketchbook!), which you can watch here:
Quick review: This roll is brilliant for sketching on the go. It's compact yet spacious enough to hold all my essential supplies. The waxed canvas is durable and water-resistant, perfect for outdoor sketching sessions. The roll's design allows easy access to all my tools, holding more than I really need, without letting me pack tooooo much! I bought mine from Jackson’s who only seem to carry the mini version in all black. I would have loved to get a different colour, but now I have the all black, I am actually really pleased with it! Maybe one day I will treat myself to the full size version in a different colour ;)
Introducing: Revolve - A Year of Sketching Outside
I'm excited to be starting a new project alongside Worcester Arts Collective called "Revolve." This year-long project will challenge me to create a small A6 piece of art every week, which I have decided will be made entirely on location, using minimal supplies. The goal is to help me establish a regular sketching practise outside on location, and to document a year in nature. Each piece will be a snapshot of a moment in time, captured in the open air with whatever the landscape has to offer. I'm excited to see how this project will evolve my artistic practice and perspective over the coming year. Stay tuned for weekly updates and glimpses into this outdoor art project!
What about you? What artistic projects are keeping your creative fires burning this summer? I'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.
Happy sketching!
Emma x
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I love your strong use of color, Emma! Especially in the kayak one. Beautiful! 🤩