The importance of using sketchbooks

So it's been a while, I went on holiday and changed job

I had a few things lined up to talk about all folklore and embroidery like, but I made the big decision to become a part time lecturer and artist. (Scary)

It means my life has been a bit hectic.

As promised; the importance of sketchbooks.

My top butty and housemate got my a tiny Royal Talens sketchbook as a present before i went away. When I went on my Northern Italy wonders I decided to sketchbook in a very hard way.

(After months of being a bit disconnected from the sketchbook side of my practice, which is a big part of how i churn out all the art i do)

For this journey I took with me

. Caran D’Ache Luminance pencils

. Holbein Pencils

. Tombow pens

. Caran D’Ache Neo colours

. Pentel brush pens

I did a lot of birdwatching, it was very exciting. I saw a lot of birds i had only read about.

I took a few other sketchbooks and the image above comes from my fancy Pith one. If you like sketchbooks they take a massive beating.

There is some wonderful symbolism in medieval renaissance art, lots of little animals and devils. The eagles, lions etc all mean good catholic values like strength and sacrifice. I could not find a reason for the little pig or snake shapes. We could try and interpret through a modern lens but we will truely never know

To summerise;

1. Medieval art is great, I need to study it more. I love the naivety and drama.

2. It probably did me some good to make work outside of Welsh folklore

3. I can’t wait to bring the all the romantic religious aesthetic into my work

Recommendations and what is coming next:

There will be a lot of textiles talk

and lastly