Customer Reviews

How to Keep a Sketchbook Journal

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I too ordered this book before publication, anxiously awaiting for it to arrive. Unwrapping the packaging with anticipation, I was greeted with a beautiful looking book. However, upon opening it and reading it, I became so depressed! This book, like the earlier reviewer claims, appears to be a "thrown-together book" with old, unfresh ideas. The publisher and author are trying to jump on the current trend of sketchbook journaling. How unfortunate. I'm returning my copy.

This is more of a "how to draw and paint" book than about keeping a journal. It is packed with plenty of drawings in mixed media from pencil to pen to watercolor and a blend of all of them.

I must say the book is attractive. The format is like a wider-than-long sketchbook, bound attractively with a wide hessian cloth band. But the drawings didn't do anything for me most of the time, though the butterflies were nicely done. There is a very handy schematic for sewing a field drawing and painting carryall to carry your book and implements with you in the field. That was a nice touch.

I already have a library of art instruction books, and that wasn't what I expected from the title. This book just doesn't have enough "journal" content for me, nor do I like the style of drawings so this isn't my cup of tea. However, you might like the style and the art lessons, so your opinion may differ completely from mine.

I anxiously awaited 'How To Keep A Sketchbook Journal' , pre-ordering over a month before its publication release date. From the Title, Cover Design and description I was anticipating it really being a very helpful "how to" book for me in that I've always been on the search for "the" book that will click the inspiration of a graphic version of a journal/diary. This book has a lot of very nice examples of layouts & artwork and I especially liked the instructions on how to make your own denim field kit to carry your sketchbook & supplies. The problem I have with this book is the amount of time and emphasis that is spent on instructing at making sketchbooks bases on themes --- for a inspiration or idea sketchbook journal you would constantly reaching for the journal with the proper theme --- instead I would have preferred more information on the how to motivate and the theory of journalizing with the graphic emphasis. There are many books with the bend for the written work and I was looking for the same for the 'drawn' word. I got more of that from the two pages ( 4 & 5 ) in the introduction of Nita Leland's Creative Artist. I had hoped this book would be a more in depth continuation expounding on what was expressed there in more depth and detail. But like I said this book does have excellent drawing examples and layouts and I still find it to be an good addition to my library, just not exactly what I have been searching for.

I eagerly waited several months for Claudia Nice's latest book to arrive, and was disappointed with the content. It's a scattered book, without a clear focus or vision. The book is full of Nice's work, exclusively, but it lacks freshness and inspiration, as if her editor had said, "Hey, art journals are hot... let's go through your material and publish a book!"

If you are an experienced journal writer and artist, you may find this a disappointment, too. Those new to the subject would probably find this a good introduction, though Jason Thompson, Clare Walker Leslie, and Dan Price's books are far more inspiring. This one is disappointing; it lacks freshness, inspiration, and point of view.

Really, this book is good. But to tell you the truth, there's not
much of a 'journal' enthusiasm than I wanted. If you're looking
for how to draw, what you need type of book, than this will be
a good book for you. I recommend Pencil Dancing or Making Pearls.

This book is fine for those who are nature-oriented and can draw good likenesses. The author uses many pen drawings with colred washes. ...

This book not only has great ideas for sketchbook journals, but wonderful detailed lessons on pen & ink work and watercolor techniques. I wouldn't say it was directed at beginning artists, thought. This is more geared to drawing & painting than actual journaling.

I got this book for Christmas and it was a rather nice gift. The copy that was sent to me was a bit imperfect on the cover but I was much pleased with the content. The author presents good tips on how to choose a journal type, the right medium for you and adequate tools, type of drawing, how to draw basic forms and more sophisticated images, what details you should write on your journal, etc.

The images in the book are very nice and they vary in sophistication so they are not intimidating. Even if you really don't know how to draw, there are very nice ideas on how to start, for example use plant leaves to make prints and add details with pencils, paints, etc. Another great thing is that the author advises you to research the subjects of your drawings further, instead of just drawing them.

Overall, I was rather pleased. Now, if only this book would come alive and send me out the door...

I was fascinated by the style and piercing grab Claudia Nice arrived at in her book "How To Keep A Sketchbook Journal" and added some of her suggestions to my own Journaling.
It is amazing but some events I "Liked" became events I "Love"
now that they have been recorded, illustrated and enhanced with the further insights that seem to tease out or arrive when you revisit the past.(Suggestion: Leave space for new insights and spantaneous arrisings of surprising feelings and sensations as your penetrations into your own life take on a new life of their own ) If you connect meditation with your journaling new space opens up and it is like having a Parallel Universe to be alive in. Truly a life enhancing experience...
You owe yourself this books enhancement to the life you own.
When you get the knack of it every day can be an adverturous trip that is worth writing about.
Seems like there is immesurable meaning and depth to life once you start looking.
Thank you Claudia ...

This is not a beginners learn to draw book. The instruction is on how to take your drawing practice out in the field. Claudia's artwork is beautiful. I have both a print copy and the Kindle edition. I got the Kindle edition for inspiration while traveling but the Kindle edition is worthless. The images are small and very low res. The actual book is larger than a standard sheet of paper but the digitized images are a couple of inches tall and are blurry when you zoom in. Most of the text in this book is done in Claudia's calligraphic hand, so that is also part of the low-res blurry image. NorthLight needs to step up on formatting their art books for digital readers.