starting a new sketchbook! ✎

draw & paint with me in my new midori sketchbook!

watch next ☞    • my favorite art books!  

✩ instagram:   / hadleyqueen  
✩ website: https://www.hadleyqueen.com


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I used to be super consistent in my old sketchbook, and I'd love to get back into that habit. I'm setting up this sketchbook to feel comfortable using it, and so I can start to bring it everywhere with me!

The first step to break it in is decorating the cover with stickers. This helps the book feel personalized, and it gets me to commit to it by using my precious and treasured stickers (like Miffy and Lisa Frank).

The next important step is to put my name inside. I also like to decorate this title page with some more tiny stickers and drawings. Be sure to include the date here, so you know when you created your artwork.

Step 3: inspiration! I like to use vintage/used books as references for drawings. It's nice to not have to think about subject matter too much; especially because starting a sketchbook can be daunting. My favorite books to use for this are old flower and gardening books. They have beautiful photography and cool layout design.

Then, finally, we're at the drawing stage (step 4)! I'm using a brush pen on the first page, so that I can't get too technical or particular with my drawing. I want to keep things loose and experimental. Sometimes it's actually better to have a "bad" first page because it'll help you feel less stressed about "ruining" the other pages.

Step 5: paint! I'm using watercolor to test the durability of the Midori sketchbook paper. It's thin, but it can hold a good amount. I like the way the pages crinkle when they have a little watercolor, it's yet another element to make the sketchbook less intimidating and more personal! So far, I've drawn a plant, a dog, a bow, and a decorative boarder.

The next spread, I paint tulips. On the left page, I draw them with pen and go over it with watercolor. On the right page, I draw with black acrylic ink and go over the flower petals with red Holbein acrylic gouache. Then I talk about my recent obsession with tulips, and I show some tulip drawings from my other sketchbook.

Step 6: collage! Collage is the perfect way to break in a new sketchbook. I love how pasting things inside adds a little bulk to the book. It's also a fun way to spruce up the page and push your creativity. I collaged a hot wheels car out of pink construction paper. Then, on the same page, I drew my favorite sweater with colored pencils.

Thank you for drawing with me as I start my sketchbook step-by-step!

#hadleyqueen #drawwithme #sketchbook