My sketchbook is all about getting ideas out of my head, it is a place to practice and a place to warm up my creative muscles. Because I spend a lot of time sketching and keeping a visual journal, a BIG part of my process is filling a page. Most of the time when I sit down to draw or doodle I try to fill all the white space on the page with something...anything! The daily practice of working from start to finish and filling white space has become a great lesson in learning (and embracing) the discipline it takes to complete a creative project. Today I wanted to share a few of my favorite simple ways to fill white space.
In my opinion color is one of the easiest ways to fill white space. If left white, the subject matter is is nice but if you choose to fill the space around that subject matter with color, things begin to POP and instantly become more dynamic.
Tip- Try adding more saturated color along the edges of your drawing this will get things to jump off the page even more.
Free writing, journaling and adding text to white space is a great way to not only fill the space but it is also a fun way to keep a journal.
Depending on your subect matter you can add observations, inspiration, ideas, even recipes!
TIP- Try getting creative with the placement of your writing. Add text inside the borders, in between shapes and around your subject matter.
Theres is no rule that says that white space needs to be filled with clean details! One of my favorite ways to fill space is with lots of messy swipes of color, drips, scribbles and expressive marks.
TIP: Set out to "attack" your sketchbook page like you would a mixed media project. Begin with a colorful, messy and expressive background and then draw over the top.
As much as I love trying to fill all the white space on a page, there is something quite beautiful about holding onto some of that blank space!
TIP: Try drawing from the corner of the page or offsetting your drawings to one side this creates visual harmony between your drawing and the white space.
For more information about my sketching process and supplies visit HERE
16 comments:
Que maravilla
Stupenda arte che vibra da ogni tua linea!!
Bellalullo
I absolutely loved your sketch book. You have inspired me to pick my my own sketch book and start doodling again :)
Oh how beautiful!!
Thank you for sharing all this!
I love especially the page with shells!
Thank you for sharing your creative suggestions, Alisa. I love sketchbooks filled with "stuff". I will try to incorporate some writing and patterns.
You are an inspiration. I go no where without my sketch pad and I find myself pulling it out more often since starting to follow your blog.
Your work is so inspiring and makes me want to take out my sketch book too. Alas my fabric book project is taking up all my time. Maybe after Xmas.
Wonderful post! It was just the inspiration (and kick) I needed to muster up some motivation, which I've been lacking with personal projects. Your first statement really struck a note for me "getting ideas out of my head." Thank you for that reminder.
Hi Alisa,
Great post as always! I wonder if you can give some tips for keeping messy fillers from going 'muddy' (brown and dirty looking). The different colors in your palette blend so well while still showing their individual shades.
Thanks so much!
How beautiful your pages are! Thank you so much for these ideas, love them and so helpful. I am one who loves white space so it was nice to see the last one even though the filled in space is beautiful!!
Your sketch class has been so helpful to me in all areas of my art, not just sketching. Like your advise above to add more intense color at the edges of the actual drawing, that helps me so much with shirt I am painting right now. Thank you!
Thanks for awesome ideas! :) I think that I can buy a sketchbook and draw something :D Stay amazing Alisa,
Sophie
So beautiful
I absolutely LOVE these. Thanks so much for sharing your creativity and inspiration!
It's awesome seeing these ideas all together. I like seeing their effect side by side. You're always sharing ideas that help me stretch my creative muscles!
This was awesome. Thx for your help ...../......)
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