Summer Sketchbooks: Why You Should Start One!

Capturing Summer Moments

Have you ever been sitting, or should I say melting, outside in the summer, admiring how bright the world seems during July and August? Have you ever wished to capture this feeling and store it in a mason jar, keeping it safe until January to experience the warmth again? I surely have!

While it may seem dramatic, I find myself longing for the warmth of summer and the bright colours of nature when I am driving through a snowstorm in the middle of January. I spend a fair amount of time (some may say too much time) living vicariously through pictures I took of the beach in July, or the boat I was blissfully tanning on in August. The pictures work for a while, however, I find looking at sketches I made of the lake’s sunset or the watermelon I ate with my cousins far more nostalgic. Flipping through my summer sketchbook allows me to relive those moments, transporting me back to the warmth spreading through my body. Dramatic? No. Just really not a fan of January weather!

How to create your own summer sketchbook

Step 1: Buy a sketchbook (I would argue this is a crucial step!). I prefer smaller sketchbooks so I can carry them with me and pull them out whenever inspiration strikes! If you are planning on using watercolours, opt for a mixed media sketchbook or watercolour sketchbook. Planning on using pencils and pencil crayons? Stick to drawing or mixed media sketchbooks. Both work just as good as the other (in my humble opinion).

Step 2: Find your inspiration! Carrying your sketchbook and art supplies in a tote bag while going on hikes, picnics, or to the beach allows you to create whenever inspiration strikes you on the head… oh wait, that may have been a frisbee!

Step 3: Create! Do not feel the need to create Picasso-level works of art in your summer sketchbook. This sketchbook should be an outlet for you to experiment with colour and get your ideas onto paper. I like to create loose, and often unfinished drawings of what I see in front of me. Liz Steel, an Australian sketcher, is a perfect example of drawing what you see. She creates sketchbook pages of objects and landscapes around her, adding short notes around the sketches to add a second layer of creativity! Pictured below are a few examples of her sketchbook pages.

To keep it simple, grab a sketchbook and start creating! There is something truly magical about the artistic process, and sometimes inspiration can strike at the most unexpected times. Whether you are lounging on a park bench with an iced latte or enjoying a quiet moment on the beach, having a sketchbook close by allows you to capture those fleeting ideas and feelings before they slip away. Not only will your sketchbook serve as a canvas for your imagination, but it will also become a cherished copy of your thoughts, doodles, and creative explorations.