For the Fun of It - travel sketchbooking

what worked for me in this trip

I just finished up my travel sketchbook (scrapbook/sketchbook), and I’m excited to share a little bit from it!

I love to travel and explore, but I really struggle to draw or sketch while I’m out and about. I think it’s because of the overstimulation of it all. I want to cram in as much as I can see of someplace new, and it doesn’t always make sense to stop and sketch for thirty minutes.

Also, to be honest, sometimes I get a bit shy drawing out in public! If it’s a familiar place like the LA zoo, I know my spots, and I know what people might say. But for a new place, a touristy place, people will come up and chat and it can be tough if you only have a limited time in a place!

Anyway, this is what worked for me!

the inspiration

I must give great credit to Sophie McPike for quite a bit of inspiration for how I set up my journal this time.

I got her new travel book “Fortuna” in the mail right before I left. One thing I love about her work is how each page feels both sketches and experimental but curated! I also really loved how she sticks in photos and tickets.

I also love how she’s always swatching, and trying materials on the margins of her pages.

Some Selected Pages!

First, I ended up regretting my choice of sketchbook, but here it is anyway! I ended up ripping out 3/4 the pages as studio scrap and they were simply too thin for most materials. Next time I’ll pick a shorter sketchbook with mixed media pages.

I started by swatching all my pencils I brought.

I also brought paints, but I regret it!! I am toooooo frazzled while travelling to fuss with paints, especially in hotel rooms (imagine if I dumped a cup of paint water on a bed- MORTIFYING).

One thing Sophie talks about is how she will take photos, and notes, and do her sketches after she' returns home. This was VERY appealing to me, so I tried that! I would take lots of photos on my rides, and do them at home over dinner. It was really relaxing, and a great way to cement the memories in my mind.

I glued in these little polaroids and the pages got all wrinkley!! Again, I regret the paper. But there was no going back.

These are not all the pages, but just a few of my favorites.

I would absolutely do it this way again! Do you sketch while you travel?

My amazing friend

violaine briat

just joined Substack! She’s going to be posting comics, and I’m just so excited to have another lovely delivery of her beautifully lively art in my inbox every week.

Did you know BOOKSiE LALA is now open?? It’s an amazing kids music and art studio in the heart of Los Angeles, founded by Emily Arrow (you might already know her music!). If you have kids, or want to learn music yourself, sign up for the BOOKSiE mailing list!! Also, if you visit BOOKSiE, check out the mural I painted! I’m so proud of Emily and all she’s accomplished.

ok love u bye