Lesson video

Hello, I'm Mr. Little.

Welcome to today's art and design lesson.

We're gonna be learning about the role of the sketchbook in developing your artistic voice, and that's from the unit Finding your artistic voice: an introduction to the creative process.

Are you ready to get started? Brilliant.

Let's go.

The outcome of today's lesson is to use your sketchbook to refine your own artistic voice and guide your own artistic choices.

There's three key words I want you to watch and listen out for in today's lesson.

The first one is develop, and that's to improve or refine, so to change or make better, artistic skills, ideas, or techniques.

And that's through practise or experimentation.

The second word is record, and that's the way to document ideas, observations, and creative processes for future reference or reflection.

The third key word is sketchbook, and that's the personal space that artists have to explore, experiment, and develop their skills and own artistic voice.

Broken today's lesson down into three parts.

And first of all, we're gonna look at how artists use sketchbooks.

Have a look at this sketchbook.

What are the different ways this artist has used their sketchbook? I have noticed the pictures and images, drawings and annotations the artist used.

They've made some notes, and they've linked some of their ideas together.

Here they've used secondary sources, so it looks like a photo in this example.

They've annotated, so they've written and they've drawn labels from certain parts, and they've annotated, they've captured their ideas through annotation or labels.

They've made some connections, so they've linked one thing in their sketchbook to another.

They've both compared and analysed different things.

So in their annotation, they've looked at what's the same or what's different, and they've given some further thought, comparing something to something else.

And then also, in response to this, they've sketched their own thoughts and ideas down.

And you might have made other observations or had other ideas about how to improve the presentation or composition of the pages too.

So a slightly different example here.

What are the different ways this artist has used their sketchbook? Here, this artist has put a title for this page and I think they've put Exploring Markmaking here.

Their annotation is a little bit more detailed.

They've put more of their thoughts and ideas down.

They've also tried a little bit of experimentation.

I think there's four different pieces of experimentation here.

They've also experimented with different surfaces.

On the left-hand side looks like paper, on the right-hand side here, it looks like a different surface.

Also, the experimentation with different tools and materials.

It might have been a pastel in one side or a pencil on the other.

Okay, so we've looked at two different examples of a sketchbook, and there's a third one here.

I want you to reflect on your own sketchbook now, and how does that help you develop your own artistic skills and voice? And how have you used your sketchbook? It might have been part of your creative journey for years now.

Let's take a moment to think back to the past and how it might shape the skills you have today.

Think back to when you first started using a sketchbook.

Perhaps that was in primary school or even outside of school, and you might have used one in your secondary school.

At first, it might have been about simple mark-making or perhaps experimenting with different mediums, pencils, crayons, or paints, and trying to get out techniques like shading, blending, or line drawing.

Those early sketches helped you get comfortable with different materials, and they probably laid the foundation for your technical skills.

Your sketchbook might have also been the place to reflect on and research on different pieces of art.

Maybe you added notes about what you liked in your work, or wrote down questions about what you wanted to improve.

So an artist's sketchbook is a special place for an artist to develop their own artistic voice.

And like I said before, they might use it to test out ideas or express thoughts and feelings.

They might use it to sketch from life, experiment with new materials, techniques, and mediums, warm up, perhaps, before starting a larger, more complicated project.

They might plan the layout, proportions, and colour, for example, of a piece of work.

They might gather visual inspiration and resources in one place.

Okay, time for a check for understanding.

Which of these is most likely to be found in an artist's sketchbook? Is it A, experiments with new materials, techniques and mediums, B, over-organized, neat, and overly structured work, C, visual inspiration and resources, or D, long, extensive written texts? So it's A, experiment with new materials, techniques and mediums. And also C, visual inspiration and resources.

Remember, sketchbooks aren't always overly organised, neat and structured, and they don't have long, extensive written texts.

Something lots of artists do in their sketchbooks is trying out new ideas and expressing their thoughts and feelings in their sketchbook.

Have you done this? Often, sketchbooks are a place, and they can be a private or a personal space, where creativity and emotion come together.

You can see in this example, this artist has included personal photographs and annotations.

Think about your sketchbook.

Have you used it this way? Sometimes, artists sketch from their daily life within their sketchbooks.

They might carry it around with them.

They might take it to all the places they go.

What would you record from your daily life? When artists sketch from daily life, they're training their eye to see detail, whether it might be the texture of a leaf, the way a light falls across a surface, or the unique expressions of people.

By drawing on what's around you, you learn to notice things that you might not otherwise see or you might overlook.

Daily life offers endless inspiration for sketchbooks, from quick studies of objects on your desk to drawings of people on a bus, even the way your pet might sit in the sunlight.

Sketching regularly from life builds essential skills like proportion perspective and shading, and it often helps you draw more confidently and intuitively over time.

Even quick, rough sketches contribute to your personal growth as an artist.

In this example of a sketchbook page, here, the artist experimented with different materials, techniques, and mediums. Have you done this in your sketchbook? Sketchbooks are where artists often test out different materials, techniques, and mediums, from soft pencil sketches to vibrant markers, watercolours here, or acrylics, even a collage.

Testing new materials helps you understand the possibilities and limitations.

Some artists push boundaries by introducing unusual mediums into their sketchbook.

For example, combining paint with fabric, or using natural materials like leaves or sand, or even creating art digitally and printing it to stick it into their sketchbook.

These experiments open up new creative possibilities, and it's a safe and creative environment where there's no pressure to get things perfect.

It's just a chance to explore and discover what will work.

Before diving into larger and more complicated projects, many artists use their sketchbooks to warm up, a bit like you might do before exercise or in a PE lesson.

It's a way to loosen up, spark creativity, and even build confidence before you commit to your final piece.

Just like I might do before a football game, I stretch.

Artists need to warm up their minds and hands, or whichever medium you're using.

Quick sketches, doodles, and practise marks helps you get in the flow of drawing.

It's about shaking off hesitation and finding your rhythm so you're ready to tackle more complex work.

A sketchbook is the perfect place to test out ideas for a bigger project.

Maybe you'll try rough compositions, practise certain elements, or even experiment.

Warming up your sketchbook isn't just about preparation, it's also about creativity, experimentation, and building momentum.

The time you spend here sets the foundation for your success in larger projects.

A sketchbook is a great place to map out the overall layout of a piece.

Artists often create thumbnail sketches, small quick drawings, to test out different compositions.

They use these to figure out where the focal point will be, how to balance the elements, and how to guide the viewer's eye through the artwork.

By planning the layout, proportions, and colours in their sketchbooks, artists set themselves up for success.

It's a space to solve problems, make decisions, and refine ideas, so the final work is as strong as possible.

How has the artist used a secondary source to help them here? Artists often use their sketchbooks to gather visual inspiration and resources.

It's a place to collect ideas, document observations, and spark creativity, becoming a personal library of images and thoughts to draw from.

In their sketchbooks, artists might include magazine clippings, photographs, or drawings inspired by the world around them.

From patterns of fabric to interesting architecture or textures in nature, sketchbooks serve as a place to record what catches their eye.

Okay, let's check some of that knowledge you just learned about.

Which of these is most likely to be found in an artist's sketchbook? Is it A, sketches from real life, B, essays about art history, C, new ideas, D, perfect, final pieces? It's A and C.

So in an artist's sketchbook, you are most likely to see sketches from real life and new ideas.

For many artists, their sketchbook practise is a vital tool.

Despite diverse backgrounds and approaches, common threads emerge in how they engage with their sketchbooks.

David Hockney's sketchbooks are a record of experimentation with techniques, compositions, and observations of Yorkshire and other environments he's encountered.

Whereas Adebanji Alade's sketchbooks record quick observations of daily life, focusing on expressive and immediate mark-making.

Can you think of any different ways you've seen artists use a sketchbook? You might even wanna research different artists such as these and learn about how they've used their own sketchbook.

Frida Kahlo's sketchbook combines writing, poetry, and visual imagery, creating a layered and personal record of her thoughts.

Kahlo's sketchbook document her struggles with physical pain and emotional turmoil.

Da Vinci's sketchbook contain detailed sketches and annotations.

He uses them to study human anatomy, plan mechanical interventions, and plan the proportions and compositions of his paintings.

Okay, so we've looked at how artists use sketchbooks.

What I want you to do now in the practise task is look through your own or another artist's sketchbook and reflect on the various ways it's been used.

And you could consider these questions to help guide you.

In what ways are techniques experimented with? How are inspirations recorded within the sketchbook? How has the sketchbook been used as a tool for planning and developing thoughts and ideas? What does the sketchbook reveal about the artist's own creative journey? And how are their ideas recorded in the sketchbook? So now that you've looked through your own or another artist's sketchbook and done some reflection on the various ways it's been used, I'm gonna show you three examples of what I've noticed here.

And in your work, don't worry if your answers don't match up here, because there are many possibilities to this.

But you might have noticed in this example, here I've put, "There are so many different playful techniques and materials in this sketchbook, and the artist has collated and stuck things into their book.

You can see how those items have inspired their ideas." In this example I've put, "I like the freedom to experiment with colour mixing here." Look at all the different colours the artist has used in their sketchbook.

"If the artist is planning a final piece, this is a really great way to practise and refine colours they might want to use.

Here the reflection is, "I could see how the artist started by collecting real flowers and looking at other artists who have painted flowers.

Then, I can see how that developed into making their own composition and trying out new techniques." Okay, time for the second part of today's lesson now.

We're gonna look at developing your artistic voice in your sketchbook.

By using a sketchbook effectively, anyone studying art can meet exam requirements and also develop their own distinctive artistic voice.

Remember, using a sketchbook allows you to produce work that is reflective, well-informed, and deeply personal, setting a strong foundation for final outcomes.

Remember, it's that role of a sketchbook to be reflective.

You can look back at all the things you might have done in there and reflect on them.

Well-informed means you might be able to take other stimuli or examples from other art and put that in your sketchbook.

And then also, deeply personal means it's really about you and your choices and your own artistic voice, and this really helps the outcome, or the final outcome, for your art.

In this task, I want you to look at the assessment objectives and requirements that you've been set in your setting.

I want you to discuss the ways that you use and could use your sketchbook to meet them.

So let's look at some discussion between Izzy and Alex here.

Remember, there are many possible outcomes, but you might have said something similar to Izzy or Alex here.

Izzy suggests, linked to assessment outcome number one, "I can explore themes, artists and cultural influences by creating research pages that analyse sources and draw inspiration from them." Alex says, linked to assessment objective one too, "I can document and annotate my thoughts on how artists techniques, materials, or concepts influence their work." Linked to assessment objective two, Izzy says, "I can test materials, techniques, and approaches.

I can create small studies to explore composition, colour, texture, and form." Also linked to assessment objective two, Alex says, "I can record successes and failures, noting what I learned and how I will apply it to final pieces." Linked to assessment objective three, Izzy says, "I can record sketches from life, photographs, or imagination, showing how my ideas evolve over time." Alex says, linked to assessment objective three, "I can use written annotations to reflect my thought process, describe my intentions, and evaluate my progress." And linked to assessment objective four, Izzy says, "I can use my sketchbook as a planning tool for final pieces.

I can create mock-ups, test colour palettes, and refine compositions." Alex says, linked to assessment objective four, "I can track how my initial ideas and experiments will culminate in a final outcome." The third part of today's lesson is about reflecting on sketchbook entries.

Have a look at these sketchbook entries.

Looking at these pages, we can see progression in the development of the artist's skills and ideas over time.

The first sketches of the shoe on the brown paper seem to be studies, while the second piece, which is larger and incorporates a mixture of ripped papers, shows how the artist has started to refine and expand on their initial ideas.

Let's check your understanding with a true or false question.

Sketchbooks can document the development of an artist's skills and style over time.

Is that true or false? Well done.

It's true.

But why is that? It's because, by revisiting older sketchbook pages or sketchbook pages they've done before, artists can reflect on how their work has evolved, changed over time, or they can identify recurring themes, developments of techniques, or ideas.

Sketchbooks reveal an artist's experiments with materials, techniques, and ideas, showing both successes and failures.

Historical examples, such as Leonardo da Vinci's or Vincent van Gogh's sketchbooks, demonstrate how these records capture not only the final outcome, but also the processes and innovations behind more finished works.

Similarly, artists like Kara Walker, Jade Fadojutimi, Adebanji Alade, or Frida Kahlo use sketchbooks as both professional and personal tools, intertwining their personal narratives with their artistic choices.

Sketchbooks can document the development of an artist's skills, ideas, and artistic voice over time.

By revisiting older pages, artists can reflect on how their work has evolved and identify recurring themes, techniques, or subjects.

Here's another example of a sketchbook, and here, the artists regularly keep a record of their ideas and techniques in their sketchbook, and that's really good to look back on and give inspiration for anything new.

True or false? Sketchbooks only capture final outcomes.

It's false, but why is that? Remember, sketchbooks capture not only the final outcomes, but also the processes and innovations behind more final work.

In the final part of today's lesson, and for the task, I want you to share your sketchbook pages with a partner or small group, and I want you to use these prompts as reflections.

What materials or techniques suit you, your ideas, and your style best? How have your ideas changed or evolved since you started working in this sketchbook? What themes or subjects do you notice appearing repeatedly in your sketchbook? And what do you notice about the use of materials or techniques over time? Are there any that you've grown more confident with? Some more prompts here.

Looking back, what do you think your sketchbook reveals about who you are as an artist? What does your work say about your personal interests, emotions, or cultural identity? How would you describe your artistic voice, based on your sketchbook? What makes it unique? What steps can you take in your sketchbook to refine and develop your artistic voice further? Let's have a look at one of Alex's reflections.

Remember, there is many possible answers, but you might have said something similar to Alex, and he said, "In one of my earlier pages, I tried using watercolour for the first time, but the colours bled everywhere and it looks messy.

At first, I thought it was ruined, but I decided to layer over it with a pen, and the combination of the loose colour and detailed lines turned out really interestingly." Here's Izzy's reflection.

"I keep sketching trees, branches, and other natural forms. I think I'm drawn to them 'cause I spend a lot of the time outdoors, and I find patterns and textures really calming.

I also like the challenge of drawing something so detailed." To summarise today's lesson, remember, despite diverse backgrounds and approaches, there are common threads in how artists engage with their sketchbooks.

Using a sketchbook can help you develop and record ideas and your own artistic voice, and sketchbooks can document the progress of an artist's skills over time.

Great learning today.