Something that I do is carry a small sketchbook with me. I keep it in my purse and when I see something that I like I jot down a few notes about it, or do a quick sketch. Later, when I am back in my studio, I have a reference so I can put together a painting. There are times where I have to wait, for an appointment, a flight, where my sketchbook comes in handy. I can focus on quick renditions as people walk by or spend more time sketching a person sitting across the room from. My sketchbook can double as a painting creativity journal as a collection of the ideas you have and things that inspire you. It’s a place to record ideas that you can’t use immediately — you may think you’ll remember them, but one can’t remember everything, so it’s better to make a quick note and put it into your painting creativity journal. Don’t think it’s for only finished ideas or well-planned projects, it’s definitely not! It’s the place to record those quick thoughts before you get distracted, those images lurking in your brain, and for building up a personal image library.
A few things to include in your sketchbook:
1. Ideas for painting titles or a theme for a series of work.
2. Sketches of interesting compositions.
3. Flashes of inspiration.
4. Notes on painting techniques that you notice in others work.
What are other things that you keep in your sketchbooks?