Illustration Sketchbook

Love the way these #chartreuse #venusFlyTraps star

Needless to say, things got a little out of hand a

"Listen Mads, I knowww you don't like watching me

YAAAAS, It's #inktober!!!! This year I'm challengi

Joy and I had a four hour long stint in the art st

I've been wanting to put my biz name on the back o

The reason you always carry a #sketchbook is you n

I can't wait to tell you what this is for! But. So

I am having way too much fun #sketching concepts f

My friend Becca and I are having the BEST time on

#ArtClasses are BACK and it's time to get signed u

I'm really digging this alcohol #marker and micron

So we did a thing… Josh and I are totally contes

Thinking this morning about a children's book proj

#coolS is every one of us ❤️ #quaker400 #Nasc

Let's do this one more time race fans! Come find t

Psssst! My new portfolio site just went live, and

Pulling back the curtain lolz… in real life my s

Life has been lifing! Sometimes that can eat into

It's been a busy couple of days around here, and I

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Ages ago, I started to prioritize my illustration sketchbook time with Early Morning Arty Party. I’d get up crazy early, do some journaling and some arting, and get on with my day. Momlife, 2020, whatever you want to call it… my sketchbook slowly morphed into a notepad where I kept to do lists and very Draw One Thing games with my daughter until July 2024.

Once I dedicated time to it each workday again, my sketchbook practice really leveled up! I try out new art techniques, explore different themes and mediums, and get real about what I think could improve in later pieces. Sharing what I think isn’t working does two things – it shows you the possible art client that a wobbly line here or there isn’t a finished product, and it encourages all of us to embrace the imperfections and the learning we’re all doing in life. (Instead of waiting until you have absolute perfection to share.)

The best part about keeping active in an illustration sketchbook is it keeps ideas flowing. Once I start working on a theme for a bit, more ideas pop into my brainholes. The progression is super fun! It’s also a great warmup for client work. I schedule sketchbook time at the start of the day so it can flow into everything else I’m working on. I’ve also noticed a drastic increase in the art supplies sitting at the ready on my work table lolz. I like to mix it up – sometimes it’s gouache or collage, other times it’s digital drawings in Procreate. The name of the sketchbook game is keeping it easy and silly – no pressure!

I have some distinct illustration styles and strengths in my illustration portfolio. My sketchbook is more of a place to play, and it’s a great example of art projects you could commission me for! Maybe a joke I post reminds you of an inside laugh you have with your brother. Could I draw your dog the way I drew my dog in my illustration sketchbook? The answer to all of this is Yes Please! You can contact me here to get started.

Follow me on Instagram, and you’ll never miss a day of my sketchbook practice!