Expressive Sketchbooks

May 22, 2020

Artists are harsh self-critics. Creative outcomes do not always meet expectations, and it can be difficult seeing one's work with an unbiased eye. In her book, professional artist Wells emphasizes the importance of keeping a sketchbook to help with the creative process and mitigate blocks that can slow it down. She presents various techniques and ideas for learning new approaches to allowing thoughts to flow freely and randomly. Each page is filled with beautiful illustrations of Wells's own sketchbook art, as well as exercises to help develop one's creative skills. Most artists will utilize sketchbooks to work out and expand on ideas before the final rendition of a complete work of art, be it illustration, painting, or sculpture. VERDICT Wells intends to help artists develop a means of inner and outer exploration of the creative journey by utilizing an expressive sketchbook as a form of journaling. Amateur artists especially may find this guide helpful.--Sandra Knowles, formerly South Carolina State Lib., Columbia

Copyright 2020 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.