Sketching small collections

I’ve shared this before, but since I’ve had so much fun with this idea recently, I thought I’d show it again: small sketched collections.

I like to put together sketchbook pages with what I call small collections – random objects I see or find, and then add to the page in 10-15 minute sketching sessions. That way, a page can be filled gradually whenever I see something that might be interesting to add.

This allows for two things:

  • it removes the pressure of sitting down for a sketching session long enough to fill the entire page
  • you can sketch a bit each day and still create a page with an interesting, coherent layout.

Plus, putting together these drawn collections is really fun!

I also talk about this in more detail in my new course, Creative Habits. For me, sketching a bit each day and building up pages by adding drawing after drawing to a visual collection has been a good way to keep creative for me lately.

Here are a few examples:

butterflies seedpods


Do you sketch like this? I’d love to hear how you put together your sketchbook pages.

Related posts:
https://juliabausenhardt.com/sketchbook-tour-summer-2022-small-collections-wildflowers-slow-drawing/

More ideas for layouts on sketchbook pages:
https://juliabausenhardt.com/layout-ideas-for-sketchbook-pages/

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Tips for creating great nature journal pages 1
Tips for creating great nature journal pages 1

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6 thoughts on “Sketching small collections”

  1. I do this to record what is happening in my garden, I sketch what is in bloom, what birds or bugs visit and note the date so I have a record for the future.

    Reply
  2. Still just a proto-sketcher, but I’ve been having so much fun with my pencil, eraser, and a few watercolors, thanks in large part to your encouraging videos.

    Will you be offering your guided sketching course again this year?

    Reply
    • This sounds like a great sketching kit!

      I will offer the guided botanical sketching course in June, and hopefully the Fundamentals course in September/October.

      Reply

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