Stimulating Creativity - Developing Sketchbooks

Sometimes when I want to upcycle or repurpose something, my mind goes blank.

I have a sudden fear of deconstructing or cutting it up, that I end up not touching it at all.

The project gets shelved and it is forgotten.

Everyone feels this way at some time or another - looking at a blank page (or anything!) and holding your pencil, wanting to put something down but can't.

I recently took up an online sketch book workshop taught by artist, Dionne Swift. You might be thinking why I took it as I don't draw, but the process of developing sketch books really helped me in building my creative stamina. 

Don't Fear the Blank Page

That's right, we were told to "pimp up" every blank page with everything and anything we had. Why, I even used nail varnish! 

Don't Overthink it

Sometimes overthinking will just make things complicated. Just let it go!

Things Are Not What They Seem

When  you develop your sketch book, you create a library of designs / patterns / colours for yourself to refer to. If you get stuck during a project, you can take your book and leaf through it for inspiration. Sometimes you might find something you like!

For me, I find that the whole process was relaxing and helped me look at objects differently. Developing your own sketchbook will definitely help you in idea generating ideas and designs for your projects. 

I have found it very useful in my weaving projects especially when it comes to choosing colours and patterns.

Here's my latest sakiori projects using waste textiles.

Disclaimer: I paid for and attended the online course. All views are my own.