Lesson video

Hello, everyone.

How are you today? I hope you're feeling really good.

My name is Miss Afzal, and I'll be your art teacher for this lesson.

I'm feeling very pleased about that because I love teaching art and because today we're looking at sketchbooks, which are very important pieces of kit as an artist or designer.

Our lesson is called "The Role of a Sketchbook in Developing Your 3D Practise." It comes from the unit of work "Finding Your Artistic Voice: An Introduction to the Creative Process." So if you are ready to explore sketchbooks in 3D design and you have some energy, focus, and enthusiasm, we'll begin.

The outcome for today's lesson is I can create an exploratory sketchbook that reflects my artistic voice.

Here are our keywords.

Sketchbook and creative journey.

What do these words mean? A sketchbook is a tool for artists to experiment, record ideas, and develop their creative process.

And creative journey.

This is the ongoing process of exploring, developing, and expressing ideas.

These are our keywords.

Sketchbook and creative journey.

Let's look out for them.

Let's listen out for them.

They'll be coming up in our lesson today.

Our lesson is called "The Role of a Sketchbook in Developing Your 3D Practise." And this lesson has two learning cycles, how 3D designers use sketchbooks and developing your own recording style.

Let's begin exploring how 3D designers use sketchbooks.

And let's jump ahead to the end of the lesson and let's take a look at what an outcome for this lesson could be.

Oh my, take a look at these wonderful sketchbooks.

So creative, so different, so intriguing.

So much to look forward to.

So why do you think sketchbooks are so different? Take a look at these very different sketchbooks.

Why are they so different? Pause the video and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing your responses.

Here's Aisha.

"A sketchbook is personal to you so I think each one reflects that." Sketchbooks reflect personal creative journeys and allow 3D artists to find, develop, and communicate their unique voice.

These students are discussing what it means to have an artistic voice in 3D design.

Before we hear from them, what do you think it means to have an artistic voice in 3D design? Pause the video and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

Let's hear some responses.

"It's the way your work stands out, like using bold textures or certain colours you always go back to." "Your voice might also be expressed in how you use key materials or processes, or mix different influences together." Let's have a check for understanding.

True or false? Having an artistic voice means copying popular styles so your work looks professional.

Pause the video and decide is this statement true or false? Well done if you selected false.

And now I'd like you to say a little more about your answer.

Pause here while you do this.

Perhaps you said something like this.

The creative voice is the personal way you express ideas through materials, techniques, and visuals.

It's about your unique perspective, not imitation.

A sketchbook can be a place to collect and connect.

You can collect ideas and inspiration from daily life or special trips and exhibitions.

Photographs, notes, and drawings help connect these ideas to your experiments and designs.

Pause the video and share with someone.

Is there some place that you have collected some ideas or inspiration from recently? Thanks for sharing.

I went to a wonderful exhibition by the artist Yoshitomo Nara recently and took away a lot of inspiration from that show.

When you collect inspiration and connect ideas, your work will gradually evolve.

Looking back through your sketchbook will show this evolution of ideas.

We call this the creative journey.

What are the different ways this 3D artist has used their sketchbook? Pause the video and share with someone.

Here's Jun.

"They are recording experiments.

It looks like they've been inspired by different qualities of materials." So interesting to see these different experiments.

A sketchbook can either be just one part of the creative journey or an outcome in its own right.

Pause the video and share with someone your impressions of these sketchbooks that we can see on the screen.

Thanks for sharing.

What does this sketchbook page tell us about their creative journey? Pause the video and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

Here's Sam.

"It looks like they've made drawings of notes and changed them into 3D forms using paper.

It doesn't show us where the creative journey started, but it might do if we had the whole book to explore." Let's have a check for understanding.

True or false? Sketchbooks are just for recording ideas and notes.

Pause here and decide if this is true or false.

Well done if you selected false.

And now I'd like you to say a little more about your answer.

Pause here while you do this.

Perhaps you said something like this.

Sketchbooks can be outcomes in themselves, not just preparation for final pieces.

There isn't one fixed way to present work in a sketchbook.

It's important that your sketchbook reflects your artistic voice.

It helps you collect inspiration and connect ideas to create a unique creative journey.

How do you record ideas and insights about your artwork? Pause here and share with someone.

Let's hear some responses.

"I like to write ideas down in notes and quick thoughts." "I prefer to write key words and bullet points." "I record myself talking and add QR codes with sound files to my work." "I do a bit of both.

Short notes as reminders and videos of me turning the pages of my sketchbook as I discuss my ideas." What a fantastic range of ways of recording ideas and insights about your artwork.

And I wonder if you do anything similar to these ideas or perhaps something different.

Look at what we can see on the screen.

Is this recording, experimenting, or both? Pause the video and share with someone.

What do you think? Thanks for sharing.

Here's Sofia.

"I think this page shows how experimenting and recording can be layered together in one page." 3D artists might use their sketchbooks to: record ideas, emotions, and research; combined materials and techniques; take creative risks and reflect on them; plan exhibitions or personal projects; capture inspiration from daily life; sketch designs and ideas for clients; plan production processes.

Let's have a check for understanding.

Which of these are likely to be found in a sketchbook? a, research and ideas, b, photographs from primary sources, c, drawings from sources of inspiration, d, material testing and experimentation.

Pause here while you decide which of these are likely to be found in a sketchbook? Well done if you selected all of them.

All of these are commonly found in a sketchbook.

These artists use sketchbooks to record inspiration and connect ideas.

Kate Malone uses her sketchbooks to explore intricate ceramic designs, capturing detailed textures and colour schemes for her work by collecting imagery from nature.

Donald Rodney uses his sketchbooks to connect multimedia concepts using painting, sound, sculpture, and video.

He explored themes of identity, race, and personal history through preliminary sketches.

Christo and Jean Claude utilise their sketches to visualise their large-scale environmental installations, translating these ambitious concepts into detailed project plans and drawings.

Zaha Hadid used her sketchbooks to develop architectural designs and paintings, creating visionary sketches that challenge traditional forms and embrace bold futuristic lines.

Wilfredo Lamb developed ideas for paintings and sculptures using loose preliminary sketches in pen.

So we can see there are a number of artists using sketchbooks to develop their ideas into designs.

And now it's time for your first task.

I would like you to investigate a 3D artist's sketchbook.

You could choose your own sketchbook, a peer's, or an artist's example.

Identify examples of experimentation.

Where has the artist tested different materials or techniques? Idea development.

How are ideas evolving across pages? Inspirational sources.

What kinds of imagery, textures, or references are included? So pause here while you have a go at this task investigating a 3D artist's sketchbook.

I'll see you when you're finished.

It is good to be back with you.

How did you get on with investigating a 3D artist's sketchbook? You may have said something like this.

Inspirational sources, experimenting with different media, drawing shows idea development from inspirational sources.

And now I'd like you to reflect on your investigation.

What's one new idea you've had about using your sketchbook creatively? How does the artist's sketchbook help express their creative voice? So pause here while you have a go at this next part of your task, reflecting on your investigation.

I'll see you when you're finished.

It is good to be back with you.

How did you get on reflecting on your investigation? You may have said something like this.

Here's Aisha.

"I realised I don't always need to make finished drawings.

I can just play with materials and textures by layering or making quick marks.

That still counts as purposeful sketchbook work." And Alex, "You can tell what matters to them.

Just like in Donald Rodney's sketchbooks, it's not just drawing, it's personal." And now we're onto our next learning cycle, developing your own recording style.

Sketchbooks don't have to stay in one format.

They can be folded, stitched, collaged, digital, or sculptural.

Think of them as spaces to think, record, and express your 3D design voice.

Let's have a check for understanding.

True or false? Sketchbooks should always be neat and finished, like a final artwork.

Pause the video and decide if this is true or false.

Well done if you selected false.

And now I'd like you to say a little more about your answer.

Pause here while you do this.

Perhaps you said something like this.

Sketchbooks are about exploration, not perfection.

One way to make a handmade sketchbook is to simply fold a sheet of paper.

So fold your sheet in half and fold each half again, unfold then fold in half lengthwise to reveal eight sections.

Use the creases to fold the sheet into a zigzag, concertina, booklet.

Filling a page can feel daunting.

Handmade sketchbooks give you the freedom to play.

This example has been bound and soaked in tea to create stains.

Sofia is developing a mini sketchbook.

"I've collected sources that I like because they contain interesting patterns and textures.

I'm going to connect them to develop ideas for my work in a loose way." Love these sources.

"I'm going to use different materials to record things in a loose style.

I'll use colours and shapes that appeal to me and compliment the sources I chose earlier." Sofia experiments, connects ideas, and enjoys recording her own style.

You might turn your page in different directions as you work, which can create interesting effects, add notes as you go so that you can review your work as it progresses.

Drawings don't have to be realistic.

They can be layered fast marks, slow meditative lines, rough textures.

And we can see some mark making there using string.

You can use all sorts of things for your mark making.

Lines can be a record of what's around you.

Use blind contour or continuous line drawing.

Take a line for a walk with pencil or wire.

Explore weight, movement, and pressure.

Photographs can be a starting point.

You might use photographs to: document your experiments in 3D materials; record your ideas for lighting, scale or angles; as a starting point to develop a drawing or to explore shapes further.

Textures bring your page to life.

You might add texture through: rubbings, wood grain, coins, grates; found materials, bus tickets, leaves; collage, found packaging, wrappers; embossing, cutting, or folding the pages.

Check for understanding.

Which of these would be good for creating rubbings? a, a glass plate, b, a brick wall, c, a piece of flat fabric, or d, a leaf.

Pause the video while you decide which of these would be good for creating rubbings.

Well done if you selected answers b and d, a brick wall and leaf.

Rubbings are best made from relief surfaces that are raised up and textured.

And now it's time for your next task.

I would like you to collect three sources that appeal to you.

You could: collect objects, natural forms, technology, models, personal items, cultural or religious symbols; use photography, trees, buildings, landscapes, abstract forms; use found materials, old photographs, leaflets, posters, train tickets, magazines, discarded items. So pause here while you have a go at this first part of your task and collect three sources that appeal to you.

Okay, it's good to be back with you.

So you've collected three sources that appeal to you.

You may have collected some items like these.

Here's Jacob.

"I like the idea of discarded items. So I picked these up around school.

I think they all contain interesting 3D forms, textures, and shapes and they connect conceptually." Here's Izzy.

"These three sources all connect to travel and places I have lived.

They reflect me and my life." For the next part of your task I would like you to create an unconventional sketchbook format, such as a folded sheet of paper, a long concertina book.

So first of all, you could fold your sheet in half, then fold each half again.

Next unfold then fold in half lengthwise to reveal eight sections.

And then use the creases to fold the sheet into a zigzag, concertina, booklet.

So pause here while you create your unconventional sketchbook format, such as a folded sheet of paper, long concertina book.

I'll see you when you're finished.

Okay, good to be back with you now you have your sketchbook.

I'd like you to record your response to your chosen sources in your own unique style.

You should: focus on shapes, marks, lines, and textures; use drawing tools and found materials; visually connect ideas, overlap drawings, textures and marks to create depth and meaning.

So pause here while you have a go at this part of your task, recording your response to your chosen sources in your own unique style.

I'll see you when you're finished.

It is good to be back with you.

Your work may have looked like this.

Here's Jacob.

"I experimented with filling gloves with plaster, scrunching paper, coin rubbings, and drawing.

I used to concertina sketchbook format to record my experiments and connect my ideas.

I have a new idea now." Fantastic.

Loving the experimentation and creativity here.

Your work may have looked like this.

Here's Sofia.

"I used a folded sheet to connect drawings of natural forms that I collected on a walk." Love that, and love the tea staining on the paper and the tying it all up with some string.

Your work may have looked like this.

Here's Izzy.

"I created a collage sketchbook based on where I live.

I looked carefully at my sources and translated them into shapes and colours.

I also cut the book to represent the tops of the buildings and make it more sculptural." I love all the thought, care, and creativity that has gone into this.

And now I'd like you to think, pair, and share.

Which parts are you most interested in developing? How might you connect elements of this journey into an initial idea as part of a creative journey? How might this early exploration already reflect your own artistic voice? Pause here while you think, pair, and share.

Good to be back with you.

You may have said something like this.

Here's Sofia.

"This area feels exciting to me.

I enjoyed creating it with string and I like the texture.

I want to connect this idea to my 3D work next.

I'll try to create this texture in clay." Aisha: "It reflects your artistic voice because you've made active decisions throughout that show your style." Here's Izzy.

"When I layered up the materials, I was able to draw loosely on top to create marks and texture for the bridge and landscape.

I'll use this process for my designs." And Jacob: "You've really responded to your local area, so it's very personal to you already." In our lesson, the role of a sketchbook in developing your 3D practise, we've covered the following.

A sketchbook is a space to think, plan, collect, test, and connect ideas.

Sketchbooks show how your ideas grow through notes, samples, and drawings.

Experimental sketchbooks help you take creative risks and reflect.

Sketchbooks reflect your artistic voice and evolve into your own creative journey.

It was great to go on this creative journey with you exploring sketchbooks, and in creating your own, and being experimental, and finding out what interests you and exploring that in your sketchbook.

I've really enjoyed this lesson.

I hope you have too, and I'm looking forward to seeing you at another art lesson soon.

Until then, stay creative.