30 Drawings in 30 Days

Sketchbook Diary

One of the most important attributes of any visual artist is visual acumen, or the ability to discern and recognize the interesting and intriguing visual cues around us. Through strong powers of observation, both of the external and internal world, artists build a repertoire of imagery, themes and approaches toward art production that provide them with the ingredients to build powerful compositions and visual ideas.

Beginning September 11 and continuing on to October 11, each student will be required to record in his or her sketchbook, one specific observation that the student has become aware of that day. This may take several forms:

1. a sketch of an interesting place, person or thing
2. a sketch from imagination regarding a new idea, form or technique
3. a written note, paragraph, poem, etc. that records an interesting encounter
4. a mixed media montage of events heard or seen on the news
5. or anything you find worth recording

The goal is to make you aware of how aware you are within your own environment and the abundance of new and powerful imagery and ideas available to the artist who remains viusally and intellectually vigilant of his or her surroundings.
Be sure to check out more of the sketchbook links listed in the earlier entry on sketchbooks for more ideas.