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Thank you so much for sharing those excerpts from John Carlson's book! I bought it about a year or two ago and had read through it (still as a beginner) but am embarrassed to say that I must have read through it so eager to learn compositional technique and didn't allow the wisdom of his words to really sink in (how ironic, based on what he was saying!). The way you distilled his advice and encouragement was so meaningful and really resonated. Now I'm going to pull out my copy and re-read that section again (actually, the whole book) - w/ my highlighter! Because the sections you shared were so insightful. And profound. I had been feeling a little burned out - from work, stress, fatigue, and frustration (from not having the energy to be able to create). Messages like the ones you share through your videos keep me inspired and give me a boost of energy. Thank you!

Your last sketchbook is how sketchbooks are supposed to be used! They have traditionally been used for compositional studies. Sketchbooks are for studying and learning . They’re Not a collection of finished pieces, that is called an Art book.

Thanks for sharing the wonderful points made by the author. Certainly helpful. When I picked up a brush to dabble in painting last year, I really had no concept of technique and the fundamentals, I just dug in and started painting what I saw. I feel my first efforts were some of my best, unclouded by self scrutiny. But as I plodded on, I decided I needed to learn techniques so I could render exactly and properly what I wanted to express. I suppose it’s a learning curve that must be worked through, because the harder I tried to apply specific techniques, the worse my results. I started to resent it because I feel they now turned my happy renderings into work with poor results and dissatisfaction. But I can understand what you and the author are conveying…that the fundamentals, once truly mastered, will set you free to capture/create your true expressions intentionally, not accidentally. And this is my goal. Your journey is our journey! Keep sharing!

I can totally understand that. I posted a very loose sketch of a friend cooking one evening it received thousands of likes and shares

I never had a chance to study drawings much with my condition as a visually impaired, I never found someone yet who could teach me to draw with my eyesight, so my style is not really drawing, it is more painting using charcoal and paper because it is very hard for me to see the thin shapes or thin layers or thin pigments no matter how big or long it is, I only focused on the dark and thick pigments like charcoal, or anything that it’s dark against white paper or bright pens against dark paper, but I love to learn more about how to improve my skill with my eyesight, I only experiment with what works for me without any help from others or any teachers because nobody I find can teach me with my eyesight, and I can’t also afford to go to the art school. I think dedication is the number 1 teacher for us.

Maybe it's a journey, not a destination. I started drawing much later in life, and I often wonder if I will be around long enough to learn and gain the level of skill that allows me to create art. I frequently ask myself, as well as professional artists, teachers, coaches, and everyone in between, the following question: Can we not make 'art' at each level we attain on the path to that dreamy, ideal mastery of the fundamentals? I think you tried to answer that question. I believe the author of the book you discuss is also trying to answer that question. Great video. Please keep painting and sharing your journey. I appreciate your company on this journey. We who wrestle with Art.

I think I’ll buy the book and study it deeper. It seems to answer some questions I haven’t been able to put into words. Thanks a lot for making this video!

Aaaaa! You visited my home town! I hope you enjoyed your stay! I do similar things on my sketchbook, with coloured pencils and just lead peancils, fineliners and such. Great video to remind us what a sketchbook is really for! Thanks!

I use different sketchbooks for different purposes: I have one for doodles/sketches/thumbnails; one for figure drawing practice; one for watercolour practice; one for more finished drawings and paintings; and one more for reference, so with a lot of handwritten notes. That way I can be scrappy and loose in some books and more focussed and perfectionistic in others. Besides, I like buying sketch/art books so this gives me a good excuse lol.

Great reminder about practicing values and composition. It’s so true, there’s no substitute for thumbnail sketches. Thanks for a great video.

Very very useful ! thank you🙂

Thank you! Take care if yourself first ❤

Love this video and the work of this incredible artist. Can you please tell us his name? Thank you, and I really love your content so I am a new subscriber.

Here in our art colleges our teachers say at least 50 quick sketches on figures or animals or landscapes.. A day.. Some teachers say at least 100 human figures.. And 10 compositions practices offcorz just drawings.. Then practice water color and other mediums.. 😂

took notes, very helpful. Ty

Thank you this is very helpful!

Interesting video. I too have been feeling "stuck" or "artist block" and this video was very helpful. Your humble personality is very beautiful and your art work is amazing. God bless

I love the painting on the left side of the paper at 1:08

Thank you for this .. I do the same thing with my sketch books . I practice.. I play while painting .. ❤❤❤

This is excellent-thank you. I’m not a “working artist” so don’t feel a pressure to sell. When I take my sketchbook out plein aire I often am playing, experimenting with style or mediums. People will want to see what I’m doing and I rarely share. They’re not going to see a great piece of art, or even a good one and it puts an aspect of performance on what I’m doing that I don’t want. Your evolution of the use of your sketchbook is inspiring.

Yes! Thank you for this!! The “sketchbook tour” and “how to fill your sketchbook” videos all miss the point of a sketchbook and frighten the people watching them away from practicing and learning. Perfect, final “products” are what we are being shown. What happened to sketchbooks being a place to practice techniques, different sketches (hello) of the same thing from a few different angles or using different pens and pencils, or just doodles, mistakes, false starts? My sketchbook pages are mostly terrible looking - not TH-cam tour worthy. Sketchbooks have turned into finished painting books and no one’s technique improves, they just make “perfect” little paintings over and over and over again and nothing changes because it’s for TH-cam or Instagram and not for honest self expression and art.

Amazing!! Great thoughts and advice!! So inspiring!! Its not always about a finished piece, as is the process!!! And how the process makes you feel!!!

My sketchbooks are chaos, doodles, scribbles, finished drawings, unfinished, doesn't matter i just fill em with whatever. Zero stress about end results. My method is simply "i draw for myself" like a journal but with drawings, lol

Great job explaining what we all go through…..❤

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I skipped drawing for quite a long time because I always wanted to do a whole painting, but now I'll just pick my pencil and sketchbook and start drawing whatever I see

Such a good and wholesome video about the creative process. Thanks for sharing. Definitely got a new subscriber.

i found a stupid cheap sketchbook because i was so stressed by my nicer sketchbooks. It takes some mediums i like fairly well and took all the pressure off. even better its the size i’ve been wanting to work on again.

Thank you very much for sharing, it's very insightful

What an incredible gift to be given an artist's unfinished work and the honor of finishing it! He considers you a fellow artist. That is a huge compliment. I know it will be beautiful. What an amazing visit you had. You picked the print that immediately caught my eye when he showed you around the gallery. I happened upon your channel last night and saw your latest video. I'm a new subscriber. I live in the U.S.

Thank you for your honesty. I have also experienced brain fatigue but ride it out until the need to create returns. There's nothing wrong with that. Love your progress with sketch books... just began using them too two years ago and found much improvements in m speed, accuracy, and fluidity when working on my canvas paintings. Best of luck / God bless!!!!!! 😊❤

Cool i Have skechtbook tour too

Love your it painting ❤️

Thank you 🙏 I have so much blank spaces in my sketch books as only drawing one thing on a page but now I see I can do thumbnails . Now I see that contrary to advice I can use different mediums in one book

good to see you back Antonio :) and what a comeback!!!

I'm new to art and trying to figure out how to use sketchbook. ...it seems from what ive gleaned from others online is sketchbooks like how you are now using it is good. I would include the colors and colors mixed. I think also doing a small painting in the sketchbook (on single page w nothing on back page) in water color, acrylic, oil and gouche and probably charcol so you can see how it looks in diff mediums like you suggested. Keep going, but the refocus sounds great.

I think of my sketchbook as a workbook. Your idea of using different media is also what I do, and this immediately makes my sketchbook less "precious". I have used pencil, ball point pen, colored pencils, waterbrushes, - whatever is close at hand. I'll sketch the dog sleeping next to me on the couch, or the way the light glows from the nightlight in the kitchen. I have an advantage because I have no intention of selling my art; therefore, I don't have to have completed paintings or even very good ones. Good luck to you on your journey, and take time off whenever you need to in order to maintain the feeling of joy and play in your art.

Hello Antonio, thanks for your video. I appreciate your thoughts on sketchbooks. I have many. None of them are complete. I’ve recently admitted that I’m not comfortable with the format? I can’t seem to be comfortable with the dynamics of holding them , keeping the floppy side under control, etc. I like one sheet of flat paper. Just yesterday I cut a sheet of w/c paper into 5x8 pieces. With the idea of making a book when I accumulate enough pages. Let’s see how that goes. I’m also trying to do more thumbnails. I would love to hear about alternative sketchbook ideas.

Really helpful video!

New subscriber! 😎 Your other video a month ago about taking a break was great. I had to do something similar a couple of years ago. I work in health care, and the stress from Covid, always being short-staffed in the hospital, then getting a work related injury, and the physical/mental stress was causing suicidal ideation. Burn out is real, it’s great you recognized it and acted accordingly by taking a break. Start back slowly on your channel, as you feel like it. Your mental health takes precedence. This video was very helpful too! Here’s a quote you might like: “Your sketchbook is part journal, part best friend. You can see it as a testing ground for new ideas and as a place for documenting different experiences. Above all, though, your sketchbook is a place where you can recapture the excitement you felt for drawing when you were young and didn’t care if anyone was watching you.” [Drawing for Dummies by Jamie Combs and Brenda Hoddinott] Peace be with you ☮️

Thank you for this.

If your stamina isn’t high-make short video filled with your wisdom knowledge and experience You have meaningful content to share. We will be waiting for you👏👏👏❤️ Please 🐝there for us.

Great video Very informative thank yoh for sharing your ideas and techniques . I’m 75 making and teaching art all my life. You gave me excitement to fill my dormant sketchbooks new life👍👍👍👍

I bought some speedball bienfang sketchbooks on Amazon (and have had a few more expensive ones before). I make thumbnail sketches and value studies sometimes on there with ballpoint bic crystal pens. It takes any ink well except my pilot parallel pen, but I sometimes just loosen up with the bic pen and drop watercolor on it too, even tea or coffee sometimes (hibiscus tea and coffee make a good duo). I may actually turn to copy paper for thumbnails, in a binder or something. I’ve seen people make quick sketches or notes on napkins, like the original Harry Potter novel. It’s whatever works for me, right?

Very nice to see your journey. I am in the middle of USA.

My sketchbook is full of scribbles and is not presentable. The idea of making a sketchbook full of completed pieces came to me via youtube and now I struggle to just use it to figure things out for a painting. It's become "precious".Frankly, I feel making finished pieces in a sketchbook is a waste of time. I'd rather have a painting or a drawing for the wall. I also think a lot of sketchbook art is mostly graphic in style--which I don't do---or some form of therapy--- which I don't do. If I make something good a sketchbook, I can always take it out or photograph it for prints. Anyway, this was a helpful video. Thanks!

Thank you! I love hearing this put into words. I use the Kiliminjaro paint book for this reason. I really enjoy having the sketchbook paper interleaved with the watercolor paper.