Monday, December 6, 2010

Welcome to the Sketchbook Challenge!

So you want to start keeping a sketchbook but every time you sit down with a book in front of you and pencil in hand you freeze up and just can't seem to get started.  Wouldn't it be helpful to be able to get a glimpse inside another artists sketchbook to see how they use theirs?  Well you're in luck because help is on the way!

The sketchbook challenge is a new project launching on 1/1/2011. Follow along with us as we fill our sketchbooks based on a monthly theme that will be announced on the first of each month.

You'll be sketching alongside:


Each month we'll announce a new theme on this blog and throughout the month we'll be showing you images from our sketchbooks and talking about the intention and inspiration behind them.  Along the way we'll be sharing tips, techniques and tutorials.  We hope that by giving you a peek inside our sketchbooks and showing you how different they all are that we'll inspire you to start keeping a sketchbook of your own.  And of course if you do, we'll want to see some photos of your book too so we've designed a blog badge for you to put on your own blog to show your participation in the project.  You can download the badge here.

We encourage you to post photos of your sketchbook pages on your blog and then post a link in the comment section of the Sketchbook Challenge blog so that others can look at your pages too!  We've also set up a flickr group where you can post photos too.  You'll find the group here.

And that's not all! Thanks to the generosity of some terrific sponsors we'll be doing some givewaways and special shopping offers too!

So pick up your blog badge here, go grab a sketchbook, some pencils, pens, markers or paints and get ready to sketch with us!

90 comments:

  1. This sound like something a challenge I could get into. I am always hitting a brick wall on what to sketch or what to journal. I am looking forward to this challenge.

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  2. Can I join this challenge without a current blog site?

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  3. Hi Barbara - you certainly can! It's an open challenge and there's no requirement to post photos of your pages if you don't have a blog or flickr page to post to.

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  4. Hi Sue- I do have a flickr page from Jane's Joggles class. Do I just post on my flickr page or will you have a group flickr page?

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  5. We won't be doing a group flickr page so you can just post to yours when you have photos of your pages and leave a comment with a link to the page on one of the posts here on this blog so people can find it.

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  6. Oh this sounds fun! I used to keep a sketchbook yearssssss ago, and have been wanting to get back to it! I am bookmarking you and will be checking back come January!

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  7. Hi
    I'm all set up ready to go!!
    Really looking forward to sharing new ideas :D.

    Cheers
    Joan

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  8. OK, the logo is now in the sidebar of my journaling blog, and I have a note in my diary to check the first assignment on 1.1.2011. Can't wait! Here's to lots of fabulous sharing. Desk space miraculously cleared, and candle all ready to light as well.

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  9. I signed up for a sketchbook project somewhere on the net...can't remember who with...maybe one of these ladies. I'm supposed to get some kind of email from the site.

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  10. Katherine, are you sure you didn't sign up for The Sketchbook Project with the Brooklyn Library? I don't think they'll send you an email about it, they should have sent you the journal which you fill and send back.

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  11. Okay! I'm in!!! I've been wanting to sketch, can't get past the "okay, what should I sketch" mode.

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  12. This is exactly what I need right now ... perfect! Does anyone have paper recommendations?

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  13. We've just set up a flickr group where you'll be able to post photos of your pages starting 1/1. You'll find it here:
    http://www.flickr.com/groups/sketchbookchallenge/

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  14. I've got the badge and I'm definitly following along as an eager learner. I'll study the tutorial suggestions and pick up my supplies. This is going to make for a very exciting year. Thanks for doing this.

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  15. Lisa check out Jane LaFazio's list of products she uses. You might find it helpful: http://janeville.blogspot.com/p/art-products-i-use.html

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  16. I'm in - I can use a challenge like this in 2011! Can you add a profile in the comments for a URL blog? I have my own domain for my blog. Thanks!
    Laurie
    http://slowlysheturned.net

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  17. This sounds like a great challenge. I can't wait!

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  18. Count me in! It'll be a wonderful way to start the new year. Thanks for doing this!

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  19. This sounds like the perfect oportunity to jump back into the creative swing post-surgery. I'm definitely in.

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  20. Katherine, maybe you signed up for http://www.strathmoreartist.com/vjworkshop2011.html ?

    I'm looking forward to joining this group - count me in!

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  21. I keep getting error msg when trying to add url to my blog. Help!

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  22. Judi, no I didn't sign up for that one and I'm not doing that sketchbook....but mjrussell got it right...I did sign up for the Strathmore one...I think.... can I do two? Thanks for that Mj..this one will probably be more fun...;=)

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  23. I'm in! January sounds so far away right now...plenty of time!
    jeanette

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  24. I'm looking forward to being part of the creativity. Thanks for putting this together and allowing us all to be part of the challenge.

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  25. Cathy in gorgeous Sonoma County email me directly and I'll help you with getting the badge on your blog.

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  26. I love this I put the badge on my blog and hope to learn a lot
    http://www.emmyschoonbeek.blogspot.com

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  27. I take my sketchbook almost everywhere. (I also leave it places, which is VERY embarrassing!) I'm no good, but the daily practice is bound to help.

    Smush

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  28. I´m in! Thank you and all those willing to share.

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  29. I am def gonna try and participate in this! hugs

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  30. oooh YES I am definately up for this thankyou!

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  31. Though I'm in the middle of filming a video documentary of a year long mixed media embroidery project, I'm looking forward to a fun group "playdate" -- WHEEEEEEE!! And thanks for doing this!

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  32. This sounds like fun just what i need !!

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  33. I'm all over it like a cheap dress!

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  34. This sounds wonderful! I'm looking forward to it! Thank you so much to all you wonderful people for setting it up.
    Karen

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  35. I would love to do this! I clicked on the badge I tryed to add it to my blog www.rossini-malafronte.blogspot.com and it doesn't show up; it doesn't show up on my Fiber arts blog either. Also, I'm unclear, how and when will I do this--post- and where? Boy, I need alot of help! Sorry...

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  36. Sounds like a great idea! Love the idea and will be following along!

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  37. I need to start the new year with a challenge just for me and this could be it, I love looking at peoples sketchbooks. I love the idea so i will be following along as well.

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  38. wow! just discovered this through Jane Lafazio's site- what a wonderful idea!!! Not that I NEED to join another challenge but it will be so much fun to follow and maybe join in...great way to discover more artists too!

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  39. I think this is a phenomenal idea...and these are ladies that I follow and enjoy reading...it feels like I'm working along with my friends!

    Thanks for thinking of it!!!

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  40. Well I already have a several sketchbooks that I use, mainly for working out ideas that move into finished pieces, but having a theme should be interesting, so I will try to play - I may get sidetracked but as far as I can see I have nothing to loose ... Thanks for doing this.

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  41. Yay! I've already added the button to my blog! I hope more are interested. I'm a new quilter, and maybe not the greatest artist, but that doesn't stop me from having a sketchbook, and drawing my ideas in it. I can't wait for tips and tricks. I've been bringing my book along with me wherever I go now incase I see a swirl or element I think would look good on a quilt so that I can quickly sketch it in my book. Thank you for having this sketch along!

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  42. This sounds great. I really want to learn to keep small art by my side instead of always trying to to "big" art up in my studio.. this way, I'm "arting" every day.

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  43. Yippee...w00t... \(*o*)/
    I'm IN!
    Cheers `*>~[

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  44. I'm all set, I bought a brand spanking new coil bound sketch book today and can hardly wait to get going on this. Having the prompts will be a great help for me to get started. I have the badge already on my blog site. Now all I have to do is make fascination from procrastionation !!!

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  45. I am in, thank you so much for that chance to be creative with you.
    Renate

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  46. I would like to join also, but how do you?

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  47. Traci all you have to do is put the badge on your blog and grab a sketchbook! We'll be announcing the first theme on 1/1. We encourage you to post photos of your sketchbook pages on your blog and then post a link in the comment section of the Sketchbook Challenge blog so that others can look at your pages too! We've also set up a flickr group to post photos too as well: http://www.flickr.com/groups/sketchbookchallenge/

    Get more details on the challenge by clicking the "how the challenge works" tab at the top of the sketchbook challenge blog.

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  48. I found you via Violette's blog & I am definitely going to do this, thanks so much for setting it up. I'm looking forward to Jan 1 already.

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  49. This sounds like a lot of fun. I already keep a sketchbook but look forward to trying new techniques and ideas. Thanks for the chance to learn with you.

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  50. I'm in! Looking forward to the challenge and new ideas. Thanks for making this opportunity available.

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  51. This is so much fun!! I really want to join in!

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  52. I"m looking forward to this too, should force me to do more. Having an issue getting the badge though. Wendy

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  53. Wendy email me at sue@suebleiweiss.com and I'll help you with any issues you're having with the badge.

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  54. I'll give it a go too. Sounds like fun - I am in the Brooklyn Sketchbook project but it has to be out the door by January 15. That means I'll have more time...ha ha!!

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  55. This sounds like a fun and non-stressful way to get the creative juices flowing! Thanks for the open "enrollment"! Susie Zol.

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  56. The kids´ school finished yesterday in Buenos Aires. I was already planning on having a summer holidays sketchbook, so I´ll be joining you these three months. :D

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  57. Hi Everyone. I am trying to join the challenge so see how this goes.it looks like just the impetus i need to start sketching again after so many years.

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  58. Looking forward to it as well. I got a new sketchbook the other day just for this!

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  59. I'm looking forward to it. : )

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  60. Me too! I want to join!! I'm in. :o)

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  61. I need this!! Looking forward to it!

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  62. I'm turning 60 this next year and this is a wonderful way to celebrate the beginning of a new decade! I've been wanting to pursue my artistic side and so count me in!

    I'm not sure what I have to do besides getting a sketchbook, etc. I don't have a blog but I would love to post some pictures from time to time.

    Is there anything else I need to do?

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  63. Mom I: you'll be able to post photos to our flickr site so don't worry about not having a blog.

    All you need to do now is to wait until 1/1 when we announce the first theme.

    Looking forward to seeing what you create!

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  64. I'll try this. I've been itching to keep up my art journal more regularly again. :)

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  65. I have put the badge on my blog. I am VERY excited about this. I have also been wanting to keep a journal, but everytime I try, I get discourage. I am hoping this will keep my a bit "accountable" and I know I will be inspired by everyone else too. Thank you.

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  66. This just might be the ticket to get me past that cement wall I keep running into. Funny thing is I keep drawing on bits of paper all over the place but hand me a journal and I hit the cement wall. So I shall give this a try!!! Thanks

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  67. I can't tell you how many journals I've purchased over the years, and then done nothing with them. I have a wonderful supply right now, and think this time, with all of the support I can hear out there, I'll finally get off my duff and DO it!!

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  68. The badge is up on my blog and I'm looking forward to the challenge. It is just what I need as I have several sketchbooks that have been feeling quite neglected over the past few months.

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  69. Well, I added the Badge to my blog...but didn't get around to posting about it until now. I have included pages of my current sketchbook and the rationale as to why I have decided to join this challenge...as if I need any more challenges! I'm hoping I can keep up and develop this into what it needs to be.

    Lisa Quintana (the challenged)

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  70. Duh....do you suppose the URL would help? I told you I was challenged!

    http://michigoose-life-quilts.blogspot.com/2010/12/sketchbook-challenge.html

    Lisa Quintana

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  71. I'll try this so please count me in, sounds like fun.
    Anni

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  72. I would like to join. It will give me a much needed focus each month>

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  73. I love this idea and challenge. Sign me up! Great way to start the New Year too!

    Love, Peace & Christmas blessings,
    xoxo Valerie
    http://valeriehart.com

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  74. Added the badge tonight...and away we go! happy new year1/1

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  75. May I still sign up? Start the New Year out right.
    Peace and Good Health for the New Year.

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  76. Ruthanne this is an open challenge so you can jump in and join at any time.

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  77. I too have added my badge and cant wait to get started
    robin krieger
    dreamsofblueacadia.blogspot.com

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  78. I am excited to be a part of this--my first challenge and a new blog and a new year! Posted bedge to my blog! One of the ABC's of Embracing Your Bliss is creating beautiful things! This will fit that for sure.

    Thanks for the idea!
    Embracingyourbliss.blogspot.com

    Susan, blissfully!

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  79. I have posted the badge to my blog and am ready to go.
    Roll on 2011.

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  80. just found this today whilst thinking about projects for 2011, new directions to take etc. perfect! joining up now...will get my journal organised today and ready to go tomorrow....thanks!

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  81. This is probably just what I need to get kick started for 2011. I am joining up and look forward to getting started.

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  82. Gee so many of you are such good artists - after viewing your blog sites. I feel rather new to this - well I am. I too do not have a blog site or flicker page but will enjoy viewing how everyone treats the challenges.
    Happy New Year

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  83. This is just the kick-in-the-rear I need. My art supplies are dusted off and ready to go for 2011!

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  84. Yippee!! Thank you Kerry for turning me on to this challenge....off to buy a sketchbook...what a great way to start the new year!!

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  85. I'll make the commitment. I have posted my badge on my other blog: The Other Side of Char-

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  86. I have just made my first posting for sketcbook Chalenge at http://carpediem-marion.blogspot.com/2011/01/january-sketchbook-challenge-episode-1.html.

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