Sketchbook work is a lovely way to assess what is speaking out from a project idea. What themes are louder, clearer, or keep repeating. I also enjoy this practice just as it is, for its own sake, like playing a big chord that’s been humming in my head. Freeing.
Keeping a sketchbook keeps my head clear. It is such a helpful habit – get it all down, no matter how many layers or overlapping sketches it takes. Sometimes, beauty is exactly in the overwhelming complexity of seeing five ideas all at once, unresolved. Why not? On the way to finding clarity, there has to be space and a way to enjoy the party of my many thoughts dancing their way along together, and listen out for which note is mine to sing along with.
And this is a fantastic problem-solving practice to bring to the boardroom table too – not being afraid of it looking a bit rough and wobbly helps tease out reflections from everyone in the team I’m working with, no wrong answers, and together we conjure these into wonderful narratives. I just love this work!
This idea pictured has been humming in my mind for ages [see previous post], so I’m having a play with both its harmonies and dissonance too. In a sketchbook, everything belongs.
I love making work that is layered because for me, it is true to life. From within all this the joy of composing lovely focal points makes my heart sing.
