Photography Tutorial: Why You Should Have an Artist's Sketchbook

Learn the basics of creating an artist's sketchbook and awaken your visual curiosity with Dara Scully

Of all the tools that artists use, there's one that is invaluable across all formats and mediums: an artist's sketchbook.

"For people who want to dedicate themselves to something creative, it is very important that they have something called visual culture," explains photographer Dara Scully (@darascully). Visual culture is essentially having a library of images, ideas, and inspiration that you can draw on when the time comes to create. The more things you see, the more sources of inspiration that you have. An artist's sketchbook is where you store this collection of information and inspiration, and that's why it's such an important part of any creative process.

In the video below, Scully explains how and why she uses an artist's sketchbook and shares the basics on how to start your own.

5 Tips on How to Use Your Artist's Sketchbook

1. Pay attention to everything

The more you develop your visual language, the more you'll start to notice new things that interest you. If you keep your eyes open, even a simple walk around the block can yield inspiration. Experiencing the work of other creatives, even those in different disciplines, is also a great way to expand your imagination and explore different aspects of creativity.

2. Experiment with inspiration

Even if you're a visual artist, you can still find inspiration in the written word. You can add lyrics or lines from books that intrigue you or even add your own texts, which can be poetic or practical. Try describing what about an image struck you, or what inspired you to make a certain sketch.

3. Always keep it nearby

Try carrying your sketchbook with you so that you can easily add ideas and images as soon as you see them. Doing this will help you capture your initial reaction and also removes the pressure of trying to remember something long enough to add it later. By recording things in the moment, you'll be able to gather a more diverse collection of references.

4. The format doesn't matter

While some people use a physical sketchbook, others prefer digital formats, like a blog, Tumblr, or folder on their computer. It doesn't matter where you store these images and ideas, the important thing is having a specific and dedicated place where you can save material so that you can easily reference it later.

5. There are no limits

An artist's sketchbook is a personal reflection of its owner, and much like a diary, it doesn't have to be shown to anyone else. Don't be afraid of filling it up, or of putting in references or ideas that feel like they might be "stupid" or "bad." If you limit what you include, you'll only limit your source of inspiration.

If you enjoyed these tips and would like to learn more about how to use an artist's sketchbook as a source of inspiration for your next creative project, you can discover more in the course 'Introduction to Narrative Photography' by Dara Scully.

You may also be interested in:

- Pictorial Portrait Photography, a course by Lídia Vives
- Conceptual Self-Portrait Photography, a course by Krishna VR
- Artistic Self-Portrait Photography, a course by Cristina Otero
- Photography for the Imagination, a course by Silvia Grav