| Think of your last trip. Did the photos you made | | | | If you brought colored pencils along, now it is great |
| really express the sights, sounds and fun you had? | | | | time to go over your sketches and enhance the |
| Or are you like many of us...those photos are still in a | | | | drawings with color. And those ticket stubs to |
| digital camera or, stuck in the computer somewhere, | | | | museums and plays--get out your glue stick and put |
| so there is nothing to show or share from the trip. | | | | them in your sketchbook. They can be easily taken |
| That won't happen again if you take a sketchbook. | | | | off and repositioned later, but at least you have |
| Become a creative traveler, not just a passive one. | | | | done the initial work of sorting and general placement. |
| In this article, I offer three benefits of taking a | | | | Now you don't have a whole trip to put together |
| sketchbook on your next trip, including some "Art | | | | once you arrive home, and you will want to keep up |
| Secrets" to start drawing of what you see, and a | | | | every evening, refining your sketches and pasting in |
| short supply list to checkoff.. | | | | trip tschoctschkes. |
| 1. Using a sketchbook will allow you to sit down and | | | | THE "3 ART SECRETS" |
| focus on the charm and details. | | | | How do you start actually sketching. I will always |
| Many times we try to keep up with a group and find | | | | start with a still life model and break down the |
| a trip less than enjoyable because the pace just does | | | | process in the "3 Art Secrets". For example, take a |
| not allow us to experience it as we would like and | | | | pear:a. Hold it in your hand and block out the whole |
| nothing you see seems to make an impression. A | | | | shape. Put it on a lightly drawn grid or cross. Is it a |
| sketchbook is a perfect excuse to repair to a cafe, | | | | basic circle/square? Make one, whichever it is. Add or |
| take out your drawing materials and relax. Then, | | | | subtract small shapes to make it look like the outline, |
| instead of a blur, you can consider the magnificent | | | | like a coloring book drawing.b. Shade the shape. Look |
| details of the church on the piazza, as you block it | | | | for the lights/darks and pressure your pencil |
| out and start to fill in your scene. You will find | | | | accordingly.c. Details on the shaded shape. Does it |
| sketching is a pasttime that is both calming and | | | | have bruises, marks? Make them. Don't forget the |
| stimulating. | | | | stem. Now color it in with color pencils. |
| 2. You don't feel like a tourist anymore. | | | | You may want to take a drawing class. If time is |
| Have you ever felt like the classic tourist who has no | | | | short, check out a DVD from the library. |
| real connection to the area you are visiting? You are | | | | BASIC SUPPLIES |
| an observer, not a participant. Sketching makes you | | | | -any kind of pencil, #2's are fine. |
| part of the action. Suddenly you are busily involved in | | | | -sketchbook of any size; perhaps several if they are |
| recording what you see and experiencing sights and | | | | light enough for you to carry; just make sure you like |
| sounds in a new way. It's a bit challenging to take | | | | the size and you will use it. |
| out a sketchbook and make that first drawing, but | | | | -colored pencils; waterproof markers. |
| one drawing leads to the next and you'll feel less | | | | Use your sketchbook to records thoughts, |
| self-conscious as you keep at it and get better. You | | | | observations, small details which make the day |
| will find "Plein Air" drawing engaging and active. | | | | different and write them along the margins of your |
| 3. A sketchbook can be a scrapbook/journal which | | | | sketches. What was the weather like? What were |
| grows during the trip. | | | | people wearing? Was there music playing? Something |
| It becomes an activity in itself to sort and put | | | | cooking at an outdoor stand? So many things can be |
| together. Make the most of downtime or the nasty | | | | scribbled in which make your sketchbook uniquely |
| day when the group is stuck in the chalet. Everyone | | | | personal and fun. |
| is bored, but not you. This is a great time to refine | | | | Finally, don't forget another benefit, people may |
| your sketches, add color and get those bits and | | | | come up to you and just start talking. Why? Because |
| pieces, which collect on every trip, organized and in | | | | you are doing something new and interesting. |
| place. | | | | Certainly, you're not a tourist! |