The Sketchbook Challenge: Techniques, Prompts, and Inspiration for Achieving Your Creative Goals

by Sue Bleiweiss

Have you ever bought a new sketchbook, opened to the first page, and thought, "Now what do I do?" Sue Bleiweiss and the talented minds behind The Sketchbook Challenge are here to help.

Imagine a supportive community of artists sharing the innermost pages of their sketchbooks and offering you tips and techniques for overcoming creative blocks. That's what The Sketchbook Challenge is all about, and the popular blog of the same name has already inspired thousands. Inside this book, you'll
 
· Themes that will motivate you to start your sketchbook—and, more important, keep at it

· Tutorials spotlighting such mixed-media techniques as thread sketching, painted papers for collage, digital printing, and much more

· Strategies to get off the sketchbook page and start creating inspired art—whether you're into painting, collage, fiber art, or beyond.

· In-depth profiles of artists who have taken the Sketchbook Challenge and used it as a launching pad for their own meaningful artwork

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Drawing, Crafts, Reference, Journaling, How To

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's very pretty, but I didn't find it particularly inspiring.

[Cookie · Rating 2 out of 5]

As an exercise, the idea of a book of sketchbook prompts appealed to me - a book that I could use in my own sketchbook journey sounded, dare I say, fun?

I had several problems once inside the pages, however. The medias that were highlighted I had no interest in at this time (a lot of fabric and unconventional mixed media, and practically zero sketching, surprisingly), the prompts and inspiration seemed repetitive and obvious, and though I think the individual artists experiences are a nice touch, it reads more like a book of essays at times.

I didn't really pull any projects or themes out that I wanted to try ultimately, so the point was lost to me and a critique of my frame of mind only at the time of reading this.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting idea. I enjoyed the different prompts, and suggestions to make new ones. I also really appreciated that so many female artists were featured in the book. I did find, however, there was a great deal of overlap in their styles and techniques. I would have preferred seeing a wider variety of artistic approaches.

[Elizabeth A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I participate in The Sketchbook Challenge online, so was interested to read this book. The book is divided into themes or topics. A couple of artists interpret that theme in their sketchbook, and then create a final project. I found that I liked the sketchbook pages/sections much better than the final works. If you are interested in how artists play in their sketchbooks give this a look.

[Vanwhelan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one didn't do much for me. Pretty much a collection of people's sketchbooks based around themes.

[KLC · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a good resource for someone just starting out with art, but I didn't find much inspiration. I really don't like the format of the book. To be fair, I read it in e-book format, so I don't know what the physical book looks like. In e-book form, there were a lot of words and very few visual elements. Words hardly ever inspire me to create art.

The challenges themselves weren't my style either. One suggested challenge was to brainstorm by creating a mind map. Everyone thinks differently, so that might work for some people, but it didn't work for me. That's what I would do in school when writing an essay. For art, I was hoping for more out-of-the-box exercises.

[Gato Negro · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was too advanced for me, it was definitely geared more for art students. I rated it "I liked it" instead of giving it a lower rating because I think it would be a fine book for people who are more schooled in the fine arts than I.

[Sera · Rating 1 out of 5]

False advertising imo. This book is probably good for mixed media artists, Fibre artists and (abstract) art journal artists. For a book about sketchbook, there's barely any sketching in it and there are so few prompts that I'd say you're better off finding a prompt list or generator online. Disappointing.

[Addy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The content was much more about the processes and techniques that you can use in art. Since the word "sketchbook" was in the title, I figured there would be more emphasis on sketching. It wasn't exactly what I was looking for so I wasn't a fan, but I think this might be another person's cup of tea.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compendium of creative ideas for sketching not just in a journal but on fabric etc. and with more ideas to explore so if one is stuck in the doldrums of now what shall I do , look no further for inspiration.

[False · Rating 1 out of 5]

An instruction book for collage journals. Not something I have the time to engage in.

[Kari Eggerling · Rating 4 out of 5]

2019 Reading Challenge:
#8 A Book about a hobby
#10 a Book with "pop," "sugar," or "challenge" in the title

[Kristina]

Not what I was looking for.

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting art, pretty to look at, but not really very inspirational for me as a jumping off point for my sketchbook.

[The Reading Countess · Rating 4 out of 5]

More ideas than I know what to do with, so I’ll just do the simplest thing and begin.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Browsed for possible drawing inspiration but nothing really spoke to me. Lots of bold colors and modern art-style challenges.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't include that many ideas/techniques I thought were interesting.

[Tristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just wrote a nice, long review for this and it vanished. Oh well! In a nutshell, I learned about "silk fusion" in this book, which is a cool technique and I found out about a few new artists but other than that, this book did not grab me. I did enjoy seeing both the sketchbooks and final projects, side-by-side, but for the most part, I liked the sketchbook pages way better than what the artist ended up creating! But that's my personal taste. Definitely check this book out for yourself!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Loved this book. This book was perfect for me. I had somewhat writers block if you will my sketch book. This book has wonderful ideas and can help with the block!

Wonderful photos and wonderful designing of the book! A very fast read, but you will want to re-read parts of the book from time to time. I got this book from my local Library but I think I will have to buy a copy ASAP. wonderful reference book for any artist.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book if you want a selection of topics and some inspired projects to aid your creative process. Overall a very good book and supports the website. However the majority of artists who are featured in the book/participate in the Challenge online are mostly textile artists and the featured projects are of that bias. This might surprise some people who are actually looking for instruction on better ways to use their sketchbooks (as a friend commented to me when she borrowed this).

[Tabitha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely worth the hour or so it took to page through. I put together a list of ideas, discovered a couple new products I want to try out and made a few reminder sketches, which is all I really could have asked for from a book advertising 'inspiration'.
I will probably check out the Sketchbook Challenge blog, now that I know it exists. Sounds like a good source of experimentation, and I really need some fresh ideas now and then.

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really gets the creative juices flowing. I really enjoyed looking at drawings and painting in the book. It really made me get excited about involving myself in my art. If you are looking for a great book to help inspire you this is DEFINITELY the one!!

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would love to see the photos in a paper book. As an ebook it still offered inspiration. I feel much more creative and less timid. Reading about sketchbooks doesn't leave much time for playing in a sketchbook.

[Hope · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this book is like reading the About page on eleventybillion multi-media collage artists' websites, with a tiny sprinkle of how-to tips. I expected a lot more instruction, based on the cover and back copy. It was fun to flip through, but I got sick of reading artist bios.

[Brandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

good for new ideas and exploring others thought peocesses in art. not much more depth than a list of themes and examples of how artists in the hallenge woelrked throigh the theme.

[Cindy May]

There are some really great drawings in here - a very inspirational book.

[lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whimsical

[Joanne Wiggins · Rating 2 out of 5]

To advanced for me......have a ways to go.

[Carolien]

Very good. Wiseburn

[Lori June]

Very inspiring book with lots of fun prompts and fun suggestions to get your creativity into your sketchbook!