I feel super honored that Amy asked me to share my notebooks. It took me a little while to figure out my notebook system, and then I came to the realization that I don't really have a system... I have a variety of different notebooks going filled with sketches and thoughts and ideas, here are the ones I use the most:
The Comic Book Layout Pages Sketchbook is fun when I am trying to work out really rough storyboards, I have a few little Field Notes books going, and the small Rhodia notebook goes with me everywhere I go. Drawing on graph paper is nice because I don't have the pressure of a big, blank, white sheet of paper staring at me (but I must admit that I draw all over plain white paper, too). My phone works in a pinch for writing down ideas that I end up emailing to myself, and I even have a little note section where I keep jokes that I make up. Scraps of paper get scribbled on and then end up in an "idea drawer" in my desk. There is also a notebook on my nightstand in case I wake up with ideas in the middle of the night. Keep track of all of your thoughts any way that works for you,
because you never know when a little idea like this...
could turn into something like this...
and end up looking like this.
I try to do something creative every day; whether I draw, or write, or even knit. Some days are super productive, and some days aren't, but I really think it all evens out. The most important thing is to do your own thing, be open to learning and growing, and just be your own quirky self.
Nina Crittenden an illustrator who loves pancakes, silly jokes, and is currently obsessed with ferns. You can visit her here at her website or here at her blog.
Many thanks to Nina for offering her wisdom and also a giveaway on today's post! If you leave a comment on this post, you will be eligible to receive the Nina-illustrated book, CEDRIC AND THE DRAGON, as well as a pocket-sized Rhodia notebook. Please simply leave a comment, and check back here or at The Poem Farm Facebook page on October 26 to see if you have won! Thank you, Nina!
