Studio Journal - making a start

I have started this online class offered by Sharon B through Joggles.

The material, as usual, is comprehensive and the forums very very active! I'm about 3 weeks 'behind' but the beauty of these classes is that you can work at your own pace when you want to.

I've had a mixed history with sketchbooks/notebooks/studio journals. I've started one (many many books) with the intention of noting down and developing ideas. Collecting bits and pieces and using it like a scrapbook. Sketching, painting, collage etc etc etc. Immediately setting myself up for failure as it didn't match the wonderful presentation of collection of ideas that I had in my head.

I have had some success with my City & Guilds sketchbooks as I was working towards one piece. I had a theme....

So for Studio Journals I am going to attempt to keep a 'sketch'book. Is keep the right word? I have followed Sharon's advice and will attempt the exercises and also develop some of the ideas I have in my head.

I did have some success with my moleskine but I found it too small for 'playing' in. Good to carry about but not on my desk. So I've gone back to my larger A4-ish size. I am also trying out a hardback book from Amazon. The paper is not very thick and its not spiral bound. These too things worry me BUT its thick and will look so impressive filled with my jottings, lists, swatches, trials and photos. No romantic vision there then!

This is the first page with cuttings that I had on my noticeboard and a mindmap of Sharon's description of a Studio Journal. All good reasons to keep one.


One of the first exercises suggests we cut out colours from magazines. A colour that reflects your day. I choose blue. Toddler Girl and I were looking for pirates at the harbour on the 11th and all their boats were blue.


I've done this exercise for the 12th (white) and the 13th (green), photos later.

I want to develop this exercise further, along the lines of this page from my C&G Black & White Accessories sketchbook, by collecting bits of one colour.


I think one the important learning outcomes of this course is taking all the good stuff from my 'sketch'book and translating them into a work of art....

Mmmmmmmm.