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Easy Sketchbook Ideas for Busy Days

Orla Stevens

48,764 views

Here are two loose, peaceful and mess-free sketchbook ideas you can do right at the kitchen table with a cuppa. If like me you'll be tight on time this December, or traveling to see friends & family, I hope these ideas help you make a little time for creativity and play.

Find me elsewhere:

My Website, Shop & Newsletter: https://www.orlastevens.com/

Join our art club 'The Outdoor Sketchbook Collective' on Patreon: Patreon: OrlaStevens

Sketchbook Guides on Patreon you might enjoy if you liked this video:
https://www.patreon.com/collection/17...

Free Tutorials & My Favourite Materials: https://www.patreon.com/collection/52...

Find the reference photo to work from in this video here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/1450635...

Instagram: Instagram: orlastevens

Substack Blog: https://orlastevens.substack.com/

20 Comments

@OrlaStevens Creator 10 months ago Pinned

Hi Everyone! If you'd like to work from this reference photo you can find it / download it here for free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/145063557?pr=true Happy sketching! ☀

@Zeitounah 10 months ago

Loved watching these exercises, and seeing your mini-art kit. I have cut out a piece of plastic tablecloth-type material about A3 size to protect the furniture when travelling.

@marleneorth5118 1 month ago

Omg I love this video! Have been sketching along and loving it!

@emptyglowstudio 10 months ago

I enjoy your friendly, conversational style and the care put into the videos. The openness and generosity make watching your lessons a treat. Artists are some of the hardest working people I know. To also manage to share their knowledge in a 2nd art medium, for free, to build community…that’s like chefs who own the restaurant kinda commitment. You’re good at this and I hope you’ll keep at it. Thanks!

@NicoleACottageWitch 10 months ago

Ok, I love a lot of things about this but your water brushes looking well-loved might be my favourite.

@Toto_Nao0303 10 months ago

Your video always makes me to grab my sketchbook and some pencils to draw 😊Thank you ❤

@layalialsudairy9992 10 months ago

I loved this video. This time of the year I’m traveling to see family far away and I can’t bring many things and I can’t make a mess. So this was really helpful

@joannahanson6236 6 months ago

Loved this video thanks ❤

@IzzysSleepy 10 months ago

I’ve been feeling particularly uninspired, so I’m very excited to try one of these exercises out! :)

@eternalloveliness 5 months ago

I like watching you draw.❤

@lisadixon5886 10 months ago (edited)

Love the mindset of playfulness you are encouraging here! ( and I love the music too!)

@SusanStafford-x1o 5 months ago

Good video also enjoyed your music

@Timeout109 10 months ago

You are such a good teacher Orla.

@ShondaD_ 7 months ago (edited)

Thank you so much for sharing these tips😊.
They are so helpful for me, I have been having a hard time loosening up when it comes to sketching, and I think with me, I want my sketches to look perfect, but I have to remember to be loose, enjoy and just have fun, and also look at references to help me along. Definitely would love to see more videos like this.

@acm5743 10 months ago (edited)

Great tips, Orla. I use a half metre of old padded curtain lining as a portable work surface. It is super absorbant and dries quickly. It is becoming an artwork in itself, and i may stitch into it at some point and start a new one for the travels. 👋😃

@kimranson4775 2 months ago

Thank you! I have had carpal tunnel syndrom for the past 3 months and haven't been able to paint. I found a couple of photos, grabbed some thick pastel pencils (my dads) and was able to loosely play. It felt great.