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FUN WITH A SKETCH BOOK
I WISH I could tell you in detail of the many pleasant
hours I have spent idly wandering around with a sketch
book, making 'snapshot' sketches of details and shapes
which have interested me; none of them, of course, ever
to become great works of art, but personal records made
just for the fun of it.
How many of you have ever thought of doing the same
thing? No elaborate equipment is needed, just a sketch
book of any size and a pencil, no, leave your rubber at
home, what does it matter if a mistake is made, the
sketches are very personal and arc not done to please
others.
On the following pages are reproductions of three pages
from my own sketch book, and if I explain how I set
about them it might help you to make a start.
The animals were quite docile, being exhibits in the
Rothschild Animal Museum, and with a wealth of
subjects around me I chose these specimens because they
make an interesting shape on paper. With an H.B. Pencil
I lightly sketched in the outline shapes finally adding a
minimum of detail which I felt to be most necessary. I
then went carefully over the drawings with a pen to give
the result you see.
The sketch of buildings at Ware was sketched very
quickly with a pen, and remember that although quick
sketches do not always have the same standard of finish
they are often more accurate. Next a minimum of shading
was put in to give the buildings solidity, and to indicate a
direction of light. Always resist the temptation to 'tidy up'
these quick sketches, as they always lose something if
you do.
Finally, the rather more finished drawing of some old
Hornbeam trees was begun by first putting in the main
outline shapes carefully, the dark spots were then added
and between these and the white paper the various tones
and details were gradually built up. Do not rush this type
of sketch and be in too much of a hurry to see a finished result; observe the subject carefully as you add each stage of your drawing.
If your first efforts are not too successful, don't worry, practice will make it easier and remember you are out with your sketch book
just for the fun of it.
W. H. Davies in his poem Leisure said
'What is this life if, full of care
We have no time to stand and stare.'
A true saying, but why not stare and with a pencil record what you see. Good luck!
F. S. S.
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