I had reason to sift through my many Moleskine sketchbooks in search of little landscape roughs this week. I usually carry a pocket Moleskine around with me on my walks and often stop to scribble something down. It's never anything wonderful, just a form of shorthand, catching the design which I've spotted in a part of the landscape.
I understand my notes, though I don't know if anyone else would. Very often I'll draw them in a frame. Even though I've only started lino printing again recently, I've never stopped designing print ideas, knowing that one day I'd find time to recreate them. Some of them are very small indeed - this one below is about 5 cm/2" wide;
Sometimes I can *see* a whole colour print as I sketch and make notes accordingly.
Sometimes my notes come right out of my head and are so garbled that not many people except myself could work them out.
This o
17 Comments on Shorthand Sketches, last added: 10/24/2011
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thank you for sharing this. the insight into your creative process is indeed priceless. and it makes me feel much better about my own notebook scribbles.
I think they are wonderful, they are like photographers contact sheets, a try out and thought process.
Always fascinating to see how a work evolves. I'd really like to see some of your lino prints!
Your blog has been a treat to read for some time. I just had to post to say that, as someone who really can't draw, your sketches are really beautiful, not just as portents of things to come, but in their own right.
Nice to see what others put in their note books. I only started carrying mine around again four years back after many years of doing nothing about it. There are very few trees but lots and lots of mountains, hills and sea! Comes of growing up in a tree desert.
viv in nz
Gretel, I did look into the source of M le Roitelet and now have more reasons to admire your linoprint.
Now, on to your sketching. It really is marvelous how our mind will store a bit of what it was that lead us to do a particular sketch. The mind finds a clever filing system, that years later might just result in a memory being summoned by a tiny bit of graphite on paper.
I've always known this and been delighted by it. I think that my visual memory is much stronger than any other parts of my memory.
Do you notice this same thing?
Best wishes. xxo
Idf I could make sketches like yours I'd be delighted! I love the beech trees framing the landscape and many of them remind me of the lovely 1930s designs of Clarice Cliff and others. Very,very nice.
I love your sketches! Show more! xxx
Yes I thought of Clarice Cliff too - one of my favourites. Your designs may be simple sketches to you but they are amazing litle works of art in themselves - I can almost feel finished piece growing out of it!!! Thanks for sharing. x Jo
I couldn't imagine you using anything other than a "Moleskine" notebook!
I wish I could draw/sketch like you!! I could quite happily have all those little sketches framed and on the wall!!
Oh thank you for that - its so lovely to see your initial ideas! I too make little jottings and sketches - I am never without a book and a pencil, after all you never know when inspiration might strike! :D
Ahhh! Gretel,
I really enjoyed seeing all these drawings! I liked being able to imagine with you ;-D Great talent!!
Blessings Linnie
Just the flowing lines and organic shapes of your work are beautiful. You're right not to be afraid to share them. Thank you for doing so.
Great to see your original ideas and sketches. Thanks for sharing.
These sketches are so lovely and filled with energy and I'm glad you have shared them. I love your style and it will be good to see the finished prints that these inspire.
Have you given up with the Gocco? It was quite a fiddly process compared to rolling ink!
Have fun and take care.xxx
Nice sketch! You have a great talent. Keep it up.