Lovely — the account of the sketchbooks, the memories and sharing of Norman Ackroyd, the ivy-dwellers, the Larkin — all of it.
I'm amazed at how perfect the quick sketches feel, quite unlike the writing that I do in notebooks, which I thought at first were analogous. These are beautiful, and I can see why people were wanting them — and absolutely see you wouldn't want to share all the time. The whole point of a notebook, for me, is that it's a no-duty-to-the-reader zone, and it sounds as a sketchbook might be a little the same.
Wonderful about 1000 followers, both for you and for them (us) who get to receive the posts!
You have it exactly! Yes, it is "a no-duty-to -the -reader zone" in that it is there to note down your thoughts without being concerned what others might think or whether they might influence what happens next. I use them as a notebook too and then these thoughts disappeared as I didn't want them to be seen. I didn't include the pages I used for Instagram, although I thought about it, as these are very different. Thank you very much for all your support here.
Ah, I see! I thought that these were the Instagram pages. Am sort of glad that they are the other kind, though I don't know why. Maybe because they're beautiful and feel real, and I have some vague and probably groundless sense that Instagram, which I've never used, isn't.
I seem to read your posts on my way back from Kew Gardens on a Thursday morning, and I love that they continue the nature theme for me. It’s my first non teaching day of the week and it’s always a treat to read!
I’ve always struggled with keeping a sketchbook and I don’t really know why. I do work in sketchbooks and on paper but I don’t have a regular practice. I would like to get into the habit of keeping one.
Thanks for the Norman Ackroyd links too, I was really sad when I heard he died. I love his prints and way of working, such an inspiration to artists and printmakers. Xx
Thank you, Cally, I am glad to share Kew Gardens with you and wish I could come along too!
I didn't keep a sketchbook for years and, until looking back on these early ones, I had forgotten how much I had enjoyed just drawing whatever I fancied and not feeliong any pressure in doing so. What I should also have mentioned is that one of the delights is my records of visiting various exhibitions and museums. There are so many I had forgotten about until I saw my notes and drawings and I am so pleased now that I noted them down.
Hope you have a lovely day off and do something lovely! xx
I’m really enjoying reading your posts. As someone who is trying to rekindle her creativity they are very inspiring. I have to constantly remind myself that my sketchbooks only need to be for me.
And thank you for introducing me to wonderful artists, writers and poets,
Also as a professional gardener I am a big fan of ivy, definitely an unpopular opinion, but I often find the most beautiful parts of any garden are the bits we leave alone to become slightly wild and untamed!
Ivy does get a bad pressure, doesn't it, but I would be without it as it such a valuable plant for birds and insects. I love to watch the blackbirds eating the berries over winter.
I am so pleased you are enjoying the posts and I hope you find ways to release creativity again. It is not always easy, and I certainly overthink things sometimes and find that when I just open my sketchbook and draw other ideas spark to life.
Using my sketchbook for my own enjoyment has made a huge difference and I am enjoying not have to share each day on Instagram!
What a lovely reminder for me to go to the end of the garden and listen for my own ivy bees - always so many when the flowers come. And perhaps too, an encouragement to try and sketch again - I forever struggle with how poor my sketches are, but then as you say, no-one else has to see. Yours are beautiful, and thank you again for another introduction to a wonderful artist I did not know.
Thank you very much, Lou. We have had so few sunny days that the poor ivy bees haven't been out very much, but I do hope for a few more before the autumn chill sets in. I do hope you get out you sketchbook, this really is the best time! X
Gosh I relate so much to what you say about the days before the internet and how I started drawing in a square format when I joined Instagram! I’ve always loved sketchbooks and my go-to since the early days has been mostly the Seawhite hardback. I’m going to get my old sketchbooks out and have a look, I’m intrigued to see what I was drawing back then! x
The effect crept up on me and it took me a long while to realise that I was making working with that in mind, rather than taking risks. I would be really interested to see what you find and whether you think it has had an effect.
Another thought provoking and interesting post. Thanks, Deborah. And for the introduction (to me) of Norman Ackroyd.
I have been looking through my old art journals lately, and I have really enjoyed seeing my little sketches of objects and of the paintings I was planning to do - along with preparatory sketches and notations about whether or not the painting was going well or frustrating the heck out of me. I've always loved your drawings, and I was so happy to see more of them on this post.
Old sketchbooks, and the notes they contain, are so valuable. I had forgotten so much of what I had done and it is really exciting to pick up forgotten threads. Thank you so much for your support, Carol.
Old sketchbooks, and the notes they contain, are so valuable. I had forgotten so much of what I had done and it is really exciting to pick up forgotten threads. Thank you so much for your support, Carol.
It was so good to listen to you reading this Deborah (I'm often put off audio options as they're sometimes read by a machine!), but your voice describing the revisiting of old sketchbooks, and stirring the memories - of what you realised you had achieved, aspired to, been drawn to draw - really resonated with my recent dive into some of my older photographs, and a few bits of artwork from late teens and early twenties (over half a century ago!). I wondered if I was just being pathetically self-indulgent and nostalgic to do this, but it was a pleasing endorsement of earlier creativity that fed into some potential posts for publishing on here! Thank you, and for the bees and Norman Ackroyd appreciation!
I record it, don't listen back and just press the button! Thank you.
A few years ago I had a purge of old journals as and I really wish I hadn't as we learn so much from them. I wish I still had drawings from when I was a child! I was amazed how much I had forgotten and what could be picked up again. So hold on to those ideas for those posts!
A wonderful description of sketching in all forms. Your story is captivating and encouraging. I look back on old drawings and journal pieces and am surprised by how critical I was of myself in the past. Does time ease our expectations or perhaps lifts a veil to see the beauty in moments of flow? I so enjoy your posts, thank you ❤️
Thank you! You have reminded me how much I have enjoyed using sketchbooks to record small moments of my life, something I seemed to stop doing a few months ago as I was busy preparing for an exhibition. My sketchbooks have always been private but I put them into the exhibition, having been encouraged to share the process that let to the things I create. I began by feeling very exposed when so many people looked through them but they also became the most talked about part of the exhibition and I had so many wonderful conversations with people about them. I will start using them again!
That is so good to hear! I find the sketchbooks of others fascinating, and always seek them out, as you see the process from which the paintings emerged. I can well imagine how they stimulated conversation and added to your work. I had forgotten, in my own sketchbooks, to record those little things that spark, and always had an eye that they were to be shown, and that impinged on what I put in them. I think choosing to show them after what has been created in them is different, though still exposing, of course. More than anything I am just so pleased that you are showing work as an artist.
This was so beautiful to read, the sketches are exquisite. It can be such a balance — making art for yourself and making art that will be popular. I am excited for you and your renewed energy, I will be looking forward to what’s to come. Thanks for sharing, it has brought me joy.
Congratulations on reaching 1000 subscribers! I always look forward to reading your posts and seeing your gorgeous artwork - love the sketchbook snippets!
Lovely — the account of the sketchbooks, the memories and sharing of Norman Ackroyd, the ivy-dwellers, the Larkin — all of it.
I'm amazed at how perfect the quick sketches feel, quite unlike the writing that I do in notebooks, which I thought at first were analogous. These are beautiful, and I can see why people were wanting them — and absolutely see you wouldn't want to share all the time. The whole point of a notebook, for me, is that it's a no-duty-to-the-reader zone, and it sounds as a sketchbook might be a little the same.
Wonderful about 1000 followers, both for you and for them (us) who get to receive the posts!
You have it exactly! Yes, it is "a no-duty-to -the -reader zone" in that it is there to note down your thoughts without being concerned what others might think or whether they might influence what happens next. I use them as a notebook too and then these thoughts disappeared as I didn't want them to be seen. I didn't include the pages I used for Instagram, although I thought about it, as these are very different. Thank you very much for all your support here.
Ah, I see! I thought that these were the Instagram pages. Am sort of glad that they are the other kind, though I don't know why. Maybe because they're beautiful and feel real, and I have some vague and probably groundless sense that Instagram, which I've never used, isn't.
I wrote about that no-duty aspect of notebooks a while back; it feels so important. It's here in case of interest, but absolutely no expectation of looking at it: https://open.substack.com/pub/notesfromlinnesby/p/on-writing-in-notebooks?r=2u2cxe&utm_medium=ios
I am so glad you think that! I shall certainly have a look.
Thank you!
I seem to read your posts on my way back from Kew Gardens on a Thursday morning, and I love that they continue the nature theme for me. It’s my first non teaching day of the week and it’s always a treat to read!
I’ve always struggled with keeping a sketchbook and I don’t really know why. I do work in sketchbooks and on paper but I don’t have a regular practice. I would like to get into the habit of keeping one.
Thanks for the Norman Ackroyd links too, I was really sad when I heard he died. I love his prints and way of working, such an inspiration to artists and printmakers. Xx
Thank you, Cally, I am glad to share Kew Gardens with you and wish I could come along too!
I didn't keep a sketchbook for years and, until looking back on these early ones, I had forgotten how much I had enjoyed just drawing whatever I fancied and not feeliong any pressure in doing so. What I should also have mentioned is that one of the delights is my records of visiting various exhibitions and museums. There are so many I had forgotten about until I saw my notes and drawings and I am so pleased now that I noted them down.
Hope you have a lovely day off and do something lovely! xx
Spending every Thursday in Kew Gardens…That would be a dream of mine 🍁!
I am lucky enough to have that day off teaching, and I’m only 30 mins away on the train.
I’m really enjoying reading your posts. As someone who is trying to rekindle her creativity they are very inspiring. I have to constantly remind myself that my sketchbooks only need to be for me.
And thank you for introducing me to wonderful artists, writers and poets,
Also as a professional gardener I am a big fan of ivy, definitely an unpopular opinion, but I often find the most beautiful parts of any garden are the bits we leave alone to become slightly wild and untamed!
Ivy does get a bad pressure, doesn't it, but I would be without it as it such a valuable plant for birds and insects. I love to watch the blackbirds eating the berries over winter.
I am so pleased you are enjoying the posts and I hope you find ways to release creativity again. It is not always easy, and I certainly overthink things sometimes and find that when I just open my sketchbook and draw other ideas spark to life.
Using my sketchbook for my own enjoyment has made a huge difference and I am enjoying not have to share each day on Instagram!
What a lovely reminder for me to go to the end of the garden and listen for my own ivy bees - always so many when the flowers come. And perhaps too, an encouragement to try and sketch again - I forever struggle with how poor my sketches are, but then as you say, no-one else has to see. Yours are beautiful, and thank you again for another introduction to a wonderful artist I did not know.
Thank you very much, Lou. We have had so few sunny days that the poor ivy bees haven't been out very much, but I do hope for a few more before the autumn chill sets in. I do hope you get out you sketchbook, this really is the best time! X
Thank you. A short comment but I just wanted ro say what a joy to discover you on a Sunday afternoon. Plus.....I resonated with so much of this.
You have just made my day, thank you.
Gosh I relate so much to what you say about the days before the internet and how I started drawing in a square format when I joined Instagram! I’ve always loved sketchbooks and my go-to since the early days has been mostly the Seawhite hardback. I’m going to get my old sketchbooks out and have a look, I’m intrigued to see what I was drawing back then! x
The effect crept up on me and it took me a long while to realise that I was making working with that in mind, rather than taking risks. I would be really interested to see what you find and whether you think it has had an effect.
Love this, Deborah! Sketchbooks are so therapeutic. 🌿✨️
Thank you, James. I hadn't realised how far I had gone astray in using my sketchbooks and am now happily rediscovering them!
What a gorgeous post and here’s to your forthcoming reinstatement of sketchbook life. It’s rich! X
Thank you very much. I am enjoying the rediscovery of play and not worrying about whether what I do will work or not. It is liberating!
So sad to hear about Mr Ackroyd. His etchings and process thoroughly blew me away when I first learned about him. His work is so haunting and moving.
It was such sad news. He was that rare combination of a brilliant craftsman and an artist that conveyed such a strong sense of place.
Another thought provoking and interesting post. Thanks, Deborah. And for the introduction (to me) of Norman Ackroyd.
I have been looking through my old art journals lately, and I have really enjoyed seeing my little sketches of objects and of the paintings I was planning to do - along with preparatory sketches and notations about whether or not the painting was going well or frustrating the heck out of me. I've always loved your drawings, and I was so happy to see more of them on this post.
Old sketchbooks, and the notes they contain, are so valuable. I had forgotten so much of what I had done and it is really exciting to pick up forgotten threads. Thank you so much for your support, Carol.
Old sketchbooks, and the notes they contain, are so valuable. I had forgotten so much of what I had done and it is really exciting to pick up forgotten threads. Thank you so much for your support, Carol.
It was so good to listen to you reading this Deborah (I'm often put off audio options as they're sometimes read by a machine!), but your voice describing the revisiting of old sketchbooks, and stirring the memories - of what you realised you had achieved, aspired to, been drawn to draw - really resonated with my recent dive into some of my older photographs, and a few bits of artwork from late teens and early twenties (over half a century ago!). I wondered if I was just being pathetically self-indulgent and nostalgic to do this, but it was a pleasing endorsement of earlier creativity that fed into some potential posts for publishing on here! Thank you, and for the bees and Norman Ackroyd appreciation!
I record it, don't listen back and just press the button! Thank you.
A few years ago I had a purge of old journals as and I really wish I hadn't as we learn so much from them. I wish I still had drawings from when I was a child! I was amazed how much I had forgotten and what could be picked up again. So hold on to those ideas for those posts!
A wonderful description of sketching in all forms. Your story is captivating and encouraging. I look back on old drawings and journal pieces and am surprised by how critical I was of myself in the past. Does time ease our expectations or perhaps lifts a veil to see the beauty in moments of flow? I so enjoy your posts, thank you ❤️
Thank you! You have reminded me how much I have enjoyed using sketchbooks to record small moments of my life, something I seemed to stop doing a few months ago as I was busy preparing for an exhibition. My sketchbooks have always been private but I put them into the exhibition, having been encouraged to share the process that let to the things I create. I began by feeling very exposed when so many people looked through them but they also became the most talked about part of the exhibition and I had so many wonderful conversations with people about them. I will start using them again!
That is so good to hear! I find the sketchbooks of others fascinating, and always seek them out, as you see the process from which the paintings emerged. I can well imagine how they stimulated conversation and added to your work. I had forgotten, in my own sketchbooks, to record those little things that spark, and always had an eye that they were to be shown, and that impinged on what I put in them. I think choosing to show them after what has been created in them is different, though still exposing, of course. More than anything I am just so pleased that you are showing work as an artist.
This was so beautiful to read, the sketches are exquisite. It can be such a balance — making art for yourself and making art that will be popular. I am excited for you and your renewed energy, I will be looking forward to what’s to come. Thanks for sharing, it has brought me joy.
Thank you, Jenn, that is so kind of you. Looking back through them was so heartening and I am excited about what will come next!
Congratulations on reaching 1000 subscribers! I always look forward to reading your posts and seeing your gorgeous artwork - love the sketchbook snippets!
Thank you very much for your support, Amy.
Your oak sketch looks amazing and the shelve with all your sketchbooks is impressive.
Thank you very much!