Film about Sketchbook Drawing: SketchCrawl at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park

I often meet illustrators who don't really draw any more. We draw as part of our illustration work: we sketch out thumbnails and roughs for our projects, we might sketch as research for a book, or to develop a character, but many illustrators haven't gone out with a sketchbook, just for the joy of it, since art college. 

I rediscovered sketchbook drawing a few years ago and, as any regular readers will know, I have never looked back. The fun and freedom of exploration and experimentation, of drawing for no other purpose than being in the moment, is nothing short of exhilarating, especially when you have spent years drawing illustrations to commission.

I now run a group, SketchCrawl North, with members from Sheffield, Hull, Manchester, Derbyshire, Leeds... anywhere within reasonable travelling distance. We go out for sketching day-trips once a month, to various locations, to inspire and learn from one another and to make a shared event out of something that is otherwise a solitary activity. 

This excellent film Mark Lomas has made, of our recent SketchCrawl at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, really captures the idea. Take a look:

We will be SketchCrawling at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park again very soon, on October 14th, as part of The Big Draw. Why not come along? It's all free! 

Contact me if you fancy joining SketchCrawl North and hearing about other future events. If you are too far from us, or from another existing group, try getting together with a couple of friends and starting your own SketchCrawl group. Here are some tips to get you started and help you organise a day.

Other things that might be of interest are my top tips on how to draw people in public places, and my film about my sketchbook work, on the film page of my website. Power to your pencils!