I suppose that sketchbooks are the basic tool of most landscape painters. I can’t remember ever not having one, in fact I normally have several on the go at one time. I’ve learned to stash one in every bag, pocket, or rucksack so that there is always one available. Everyone learns by mistakes and I have had many – setting out for the day, driving for miles, getting to a great location, to find that I have forgotten my sketchbook.
To keep things simple, I carry a small sketchbook and a selection of sharpened pencils, then it is easy to jot down simple lines and tones. I have learned to work quickly, because you have to keep your wits about you nowadays on country roads. But that is often the best part of drawing outdoors, to work fairly quickly, record something of interest and make some marks. I am not making a picture – it is the excitement of taking a risk, see what might happen, make a mark, just for the sake of it.
adriana life and art 