How To See Growth In Your Art / Sketchbook Tour

I hope you find encouragement to document your own progress and growth in your art from this video.
ONLINE CLASSES: www.sandihesterclasses.com
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PODCAST INTERVIEWS:
Jeanne Oliver: Episode 54: The Lies of Perfectionism with Sandi Hester
jeanneoliver.com/the-jeanne-o...
Sneaky Artist: Episode 38 (part 1) Painting for Joy:
thesneakyartist.libsyn.com/ep...
Sneaky Artist: Episode 38 (part 2) Painting for Joy:
thesneakyartist.libsyn.com/ep...
ArtWank: Episode 72 Artist and KZbinr
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Authentic Obsessions: Episode 31 Enjoying the Process www.authenticobsessions.com/e...
Authentic Obsessions: Episode 45 Sketchbooks
www.authenticobsessions.com/s...
SUPPLIES:
*STILLMAN & BIRN GREY SOFT COVER SKETCHBOOK:
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[@Blick_Art]

Definitely encouraging, and inspiring! So interesting to see the earlier, more representational work! The early investment in drawing skill is still evident in the more abstract pieces. We've said it before, but we love, love, love the color swatches!

[@sandihester]

Thank you Blick! I get tickled every time I respond to you as “Blick” because I know there’s an actual person behind this. Thanks for painting out the drawing and practice because I think a lot of people don’t understand you need that even if you’re painting/drawing loosely or abstractly. Thanks again for showing up here Blick!

[@andreaorourke]

Thank you for sharing. You’re such a generous artist. As an amateur-reluctant- self doubting ‘art-maker’ your content is so encouraging and inspiring. It would be so cool to see you re-create something from an old sketchbook in your newer method like the clothing page. I would love to see how you would capture that now 😊

[@sandihester]

Thank you Andrea!

[@loustine]

Your sketchbook tours make me want to run right now and paint in mine!! Thanks for sharing the old and the new. Your older work is beautiful, but your current work is so fun and interesting and makes me giddy with artsy delight!!

[@sandihester]

I’m sooo glad to hear ALL of that ❤️

[@karendirmish2696]

Sketch books are my favorite because they all mine! Page after page, finished or not, a picture of my journey! I’m saving them, and I put the dates down. I’m always happy spending time with you, and I learn so much! Thanks, Karen Dirmish, learner! ❤

[@wilmamccoul]

Girl, you may not want to 'hear' this, but your watercolor work is gorgeous! I had no idea how beautiful your watercolor pieces are. I'm jealous! Lol It's my favorite medium and I still struggle to do what you have done. Love all your work, anyway and so enjoy these videos. I look forward to them every week! Thank you!

[@sandihester]

Thank you so much Wilma!! ❤️

[@jessieg8851]

Same ! 😂 Supes jelly 😅😂😂

[@beckybaker3549]

Absolutely LOVE your old watercolor style and the paintings in the older blue book and rooster book…..Wowzers! ❤❤❤

[@sandihester]

Thank you Becky!

[@amymcclain5370]

Seeing all the different styles, subjects and experimenting you do is very comforting to me. I've been creating almost every day since 2019 (after many years of creating very little) and I beat myself up for getting bored and hopping around. I can see through what you share that I'm not alone and that it's all worthwhile. Thank you😊

[@emrrose1846]

My 6 year old daughter who loves to watch your videos with me wanted me to write. Thanks Sandy. Thanks for inspiring us to go and paint!

[@sandihester]

Awe ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@DeborahWoodthorpe]

its so important to keep everything; i was recently looking through one of my first sketchbooks which I hated at the time, and there are some real gems in there. good reminder. keep it all

[@s.mirielisa]

I totally agree with you=)

[@corriemcginnis4400]

I love crankity old men that bring you veggies. Cuz If they bring you veggies, you know their crankity is a disguise 🥸

[@sandihester]

I agree 😂

[@michl6688]

I love how you elevate and glorify the sketchbook. I know a lot of artists who don’t even use one, but I have some of the most fun working in mine. 🥰

[@sandihester]

Thank you!!!

[@mydailybread777]

I'm so new to painting and art and so your videos inspire me to just paint, draw, and have fun and be myself. Thanks so much Sandi!

[@sandihester]

I’m thrilled to hear that!

[@rosaliemaguire]

I adored your abstracts. They're lush and scrummy. I agree, they should be up on a wall. The one of Cooper is Divine. 🌭 The landscape at 17:31 looks like a giant fish leaping out of the lake. It's the red is lips and has a yellow eye.

[@sandihester]

Thank you!

[@MonicaReents]

Thank you for walking us through your sketchbooks and sharing with us 🥰💕 I love seeing your different styles and absorbing all your tips and thoughts! As always, thank you for the refill of inspiration 🙏💞😄

[@sandihester]

Thank you Monica ❤️

[@Carol-ny2pp]

Thank you , Sandy. I love looking through your sketchbooks, and thank you for the encouragement.

[@sophiahodgson85]

Oooh! I love your watercolour sketchbook! The gourds, the writing next to the ostrich, the map and your architecture illustrations, just totally my ‘thing’

[@sandihester]

Oh thank you!

[@maggiemae6867]

I just love your new stuff!! It's my kind of painting but your old stuff is beautiful too.

[@sandihester]

Thank you Maggie!

[@impish22]

ok... I saved this one... because I like to get a comfy seat and a cup of my favorite coffee and enjoy... I know I will love it... !!

[@MegadoseTheOutsiderArtist]

At the end- you show us a cat eye and a nose but when I saw the cat nose...I saw an alien! 👽... and I thought "omg! She also paints aliens sometimes. I would of never guessed you were an alien person" then I realized it was a cat nose! 😆🤣lol

[@sandihester]

😂😂😂

[@Danari7]

I love your old work, your new work and your future work…

[@sandihester]

Well thank you Dana!!!!!

[@corinnapetry65]

The leeks or onions in the water color sketchbook read like a couple on a bed, at first super-fast glance, which makes it even more interesting.

[@fionasimagination]

Uh, those abstract paintings are stunning😍 I'd want those on my wall too!♡

[@eileenhoney6426]

Love love your early sketchbooks…your detail work. You capture the light so well. Beautiful!

[@sandihester]

Thank you ❤️

[@TriciaGillespieArt]

I love your abstract work!! So encouraging seeing all your sketchbooks. Thank you for sharing with us.

[@sandihester]

So glad it was encouraging!

[@sandhillschris]

Ms. Sandi, I am in love with your watercolors. they feel so humanistic, thats the only word I could come with. thanks for the share.

[@sandihester]

Ohhh I’m so glad you like them!

[@alixstaines6725]

I love how much your story telling reveals about your relationship too. It sounds like there is a lot of freedom within your relationship for you and Grady to do your own thing (painting v fishing or skiing), while still being close to each other and enjoying each others company. I'm 25 and enjoying my time being single, but it is really nice to see healthy relationships that I can look up to.

[@CreatingCuteArt]

I was surprised by how much I loved some of those abstracts! I don't usually like abstract art, but as a creator I looked at those and thought holy moly, how wonderful the color and value choices were (like the purple one, that seascapey one, the first abstract lake one), I loved them! This met my number one top criteria for a favorite video: it made me want to jump up and paint!! 🤗🤗

[@sandihester]

So glad you enjoyed it!

[@rainy.d7404]

Thank you for sharing your work with us. You are very talented. I love your fruits and vegies and all your water colours. Your abstract art is excitingly vibrant and captivating. I need to explore more of your channel. This was fun 💕😁

[@wumaomao3337]

Thank you for showing your sketchbook, it's always encouraging to watch your sketching and painting book tour.

[@sandihester]

So glad it was encouraging!!!

[@Seneca85]

Love hearing you describe your ideas and your process . So many things to try. You have helped me really think less and try more. Love, love, love your work. 😍

[@sandihester]

So glad to hear that!

[@AprilThriftArt]

Not me over here trying to read the chunk light tuna in water box thinking how excited I am to see what book you were reading 😂

[@Beadseller]

Beautiful video as always! I so enjoy each one. You have freed me up and I have filled several sketchbooks. I love them!! Thank you

[@sandihester]

Wow Janine! That’s great to hear!!!

[@paisleypeacock1001]

@SandiHester I am sitting on the floor painting, in front of the TV listening to you and the second time I heard you say "putting Grady's teeth in" I was like, WHAT?? I looked up and saw that you were pointing to Drawing Grady's teeth in...I couldn't breathe I was laughing so hard! Glad you didn't have to put Grady's false teeth in for him! 😂😂😂🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️

[@sandihester]

😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@Carmen-qy4rz]

I love your videos, keep watching every day since I came across the first one. I like your personality, I see you are confident and happy. If you ever come to Italy, I would love to have you as my guest and paint with you. I know you would love the area here, I can imagine you going crazy with your sketching and painting

[@zenandink3531]

What treasures! So fun to see your journeys captured- your explorations into different worlds of styles- all beautiful in different ways- I’ve been more of a watercolor artist but you’ve been inspiring me to play with pastels and acrylics and lately I’m touching my toes into more abstract pieces- recently discovered cold wax and oil mixes…look so fun so trying these! Thank you for your joyous inspiration - so wonderful to touch beauty in our world😀💜

[@sandihester]

Sounds fun!!!

[@Janartable]

No more saying this is so tight, it cracks me up. Those are lovely pieces!!! Haha…you’ve been ‘mom’ed’. Lol.. love your work always. I liked seeing how you’ve played and played and color swatched over and over. Sometimes I feel like I’m just trashing a good book because I don’t know what to paint. But you’ve given me license to think of it as lessons now!! Thanks for sharing!

[@sandihester]

So glad it gave you some freedom!

[@deejcarter2003]

I like your current work because your so free, and I love your watercolor work because I can see your skill and composition 🥰

[@sandihester]

Thank you ❤️

[@natashashelest604]

Hi Sandi. I was impressed with you two blue scatch tour books of 2009. I wish one day you will get back to that style

[@lulabelle33]

Love the abstracts. So rich and interesting

[@sandihester]

Thank you!!!!

[@reneawest9021]

I'm a Physical Therapist Assistant so the Physical Therapy stretches you drew and especially the names you gave some of them were cracking me up.

[@sandihester]

I’m sooo glad it gave you a laugh - that makes me sooo happy to hear 😂

[@kerenvalentin7082]

Wow, so cool!! I loved your two blue sketchbooks, those are great!! You inspired me to take out my dusty sketchbook and start practicing again. Thank you for showing your beautiful old sketchbook. That was great!!! Have an amazing weekend.

[@sandihester]

Thank you Keren!! So glad you enjoyed it!

[@emmiejackson7554]

Sandi -- Thanks for sharing these sketchbooks. I loved the watercolors --- reminded me to give them another go. I'm always inspired and encouraged by your work --- can't wait to see what you do next!!! Best wishes!

[@sandihester]

Thank you Emmie! Glad it left you inspired!

[@neidedegouvea]

Hi Sandi, thank you for sharing your sketchbooks! They are gorgeous! The watercolor ones must become books for us to treasure 🥰

[@sandihester]

Thank you!

[@emmiejackson7554]

P.S. I see Blick likes them all, as well!!!

[@emmelinesprig489]

yes this was so encouraging! i have been meaning to make my own pocket notebook (my primary art medium is writing). also gonna go grab my sketchbook and make some messy doodles!

[@sandihester]

Awesome!!!

[@kristinecurated]

I'm glad you said what you did about colored pencils. They're new to me too and I feel like I'm the only one who doesn't get them/like them. 😂

[@claricek2653]

I never write comments because I'm always watching you on KZbin. I binge watch watch you all the time, even while getting ready for work in the morning. I Love your work ,and I love listening to you talk, so keep it up, and thank you!!!

[@sandihester]

Thank you so much!!!!

[@christinefisher5716]

Enjoyed the tour, the encouragement to keep everything, and the joy you always share. Blessings, Sandi!

[@sandihester]

🥰

[@GillianCrossArt]

As usual Sandi, I love seeing your sketchbooks!

[@sandihester]

I’m so glad Gillian!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@LucysArtNSoul]

Love these thank you 🙏🏼

[@kanamichelle7404]

I do love your watercolors! It will always be my favorite medium. Thank you for the wonderful sketchbook tour! So enjoyable!!!

[@sandihester]

Thank you Kana!

[@cindypatterson8157]

That was fab guys 👍

[@michelepastele5347]

Thank you! I always love seeing sketchbooks! Your work has had 'many seasons' over these last years ... it was fun to see the changes! Those teeny tiny drawings were lovely, but so different from the free floating loose drawing and painting you do now. Cooper looks very content in his 'bark - a- lounger!' x

[@sandihester]

He was very content 😂

[@juliamolewyk7186]

Fun video! Yes, that makes me want to go look through my old work and see how I've changed and grown as an artist.

[@sandihester]

You should 🤗

[@marielouiseweeksb33attitud33]

Awesome, awesome work and journey. Thank you for sharing. Plus you’re totally hilarious too.

[@sandihester]

Thank you Marie!!!

[@susanfantozzi4415]

Yes. Prints plz! Ooo. I loved the watercolor nativity. You are very good with water colors.

[@sandihester]

Thank you!

[@lisahatch2649]

Your watercolors are gorgeous

[@sandihester]

Thank you Lisa!

[@LynnHPalmertree]

I so enjoyed liking through those sketchbooks. They are beautiful. I really enjoy your method now.

[@sandihester]

Thank you Lynn!

[@geraldinerodriguez6290]

I just love these videos where you show your sketchbooks and reminisce your thoughts and actions. So inspirational and encouraging. I love all your work. So full of color and great forms. The idea you promote to “ play” is so important yet so hard for me to do.

[@sandihester]

Thank you! So glad you enjoyed it!

[@SM-Artist]

Beautiful sketch book art I love it second one Thank you for sharing I enjoyed it watching 🎨🖌😍👋

[@sandihester]

Thank you!

[@rinske4714]

Love the sketchbooktour! I most liked your watercolor paintings! I really love how you used the watercolor and colors! ☺️

[@sandihester]

Thank you!

[@CJ-lg5rz]

I am really blown away with your early blue watercolor sketchbook. Thank you for sharing!

[@emmelinesprig489]

Good gracious I wish I could buy those abstracts as prints 😍😍😍 The abstract landscape with all the patterns of dark marks contrasting with different colors *swoon*

[@sandihester]

Thank you ❤️❤️❤️

[@janineheifetz8825]

Loved this! Thank you for sharing!

[@sandihester]

Thank you Janine!

[@junemaguire5053]

Love everything thank you for sharing.

[@sandihester]

Thank you!

[@anisaonofre]

Gorgeous abstracts! ❤

[@nadyartillustration]

I’m loving your sketches ❤ So nice to see all the different types of media.

[@sandihester]

Thank you!

[@corncobpipe4]

I love, love, LOVE your sketchbook tours!!! I watch them over and over again!! So inspiring!! 💗💗💗

[@sandihester]

Awe - that’s awesome! Thank you!

[@sandylee1717]

I’m LOVING the abstract‼️‼️

[@sandihester]

Eeee thank you!

[@priyajoshi4838]

this was lovely, I especially adore the tiny houses and that little landscape!

[@sandihester]

Thank you so much!

[@lauradill1447]

gotta say.. really really love your early watercolor styles.. the vegetables, kitty cat ect really really caught my attention.. you should pick up watercolors again you are awesome!

[@stephanie_smith]

Is the "I'm serious" comment after the duck wood glue illustration a fun little easter egg for hubby? 😆

[@sandihester]

No - he already knows to not touch it 😂

[@stephanielawson_messyartist]

I have a old book from the library that im doing abstract in and i love the page sounds and when i pull them apart too. I call the book my "messy old book" i enjoy just flipping through it before i do another page, im very close to finishing it and already bought 2 more books to do next.

[@sandihester]

Very cool!

[@labcat647]

Thank you for sharing! Very inspired by the light and freshness of your Art Spectrum sketchbook... I'm headed to go dig out my watercolors now.

[@sandihester]

Thank you!

[@christinedozier6071]

SANDI!!! I can't find my second oldest sketch book. FULL of lots of favorites. Full of growth. I have torn the house apart, including garbage, recycle bin. Next is unlikely spots -- under the sinks (who puts sketch books under the sink). In the car ? AAAARGGGGHHHH. I know you know how I feel. I'm sick

[@cathybockel1213]

Fabulous watercolors!

[@sandihester]

Thank you Cathy!

[@patvalenzuela5105]

Very revealing!

[@lovebacken]

As always, love love love! I’m learning to see from you and to grab every opportunity to document freely. Thanks a mllion!!!!!!❤

[@sandihester]

You bet Ingrid!

[@scoanime]

I love seeing the art journey. The abstracts were my favorite.

[@sandihester]

Thank you Sandra!

[@paulwoodford1984]

An artist you will love i’m sure, is a british artist called Ivon Hitchens. His loose abstract landscapes, still life and figures are phenomenal. There is a book by Peter Khoroche with loads of Ivon’s works.

[@pamelajohansen882]

I totally agree with what you said about liking a painting you previously did not like. It's crazy to see that happen. There are times I had to really look at the work because I questioned if I had actually done it Because I liked it so much. Thank you

[@riittahakala5689]

I love 💕 these so much 🤩

[@sandihester]

Thank you!!!!

[@falada8]

Your abstract work is just mind blowing! I love hearing your thoughts on it 💜

[@sandihester]

Ohhh thank you ❤️

[@toniweberstudio]

Loved this journey. When you cracked open your abstracts I immediately got a huge smile on my face! Loved each one! xo

[@sandihester]

Thank you Toni! I’ve really been enjoying them!!!

[@vivvv2630]

Sandi! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your watercolor works! That is my medium of choice and I find your works so inspiring. Thank you for sharing! ❤️❤️❤️

[@sandihester]

I’m so glad to hear that!! ❤️

[@Angela-jy8um]

Great video. I enjoyed seeing how you prepared to do a painting by painting the hard parts in your sketchbook first. Thanks for sharing.

[@sandihester]

So glad you enjoyed it!!!

[@StudioDupont]

That landscape at 1600 is a masterpiece ❤

[@sandihester]

Thank you!!!

[@philippaking1732]

Thank you, Sandi, for showing your sketchbooks. I agree with your Mum, I think your watercolours are exquisite. Inspiring. 💜💙

[@sandihester]

Thank you ❤️

[@valentinamaggie1253]

Hi Sandi! I love your Sketchbook Tour videos! Your paintings are beautiful, I love the colors, they are very bright and illuminating colors!😍😍😍 You are an exceptional artist and you are an inspiration to all of us for this I say thank you! Greetings from Italy! Ciao!😊

[@sandihester]

I’m so glad you enjoy the sketchbook tours Maggie!!! Thank you!!

[@cherihermans9118]

Thank you for sharing I tried dedicating certain sketch books for pastels, water colours etc. it didn’t last long now I work with what I want to at the time. Love your sketch books. ❤

[@sandihester]

Thank you Cheri!

[@iwantmy10dollars]

I haven’t painted in forever it feels like. I’ve been feeling so uninspired and kind of dead inside. (however it hasn’t stopped me from buying art supplies😂). But… I FEEL LIKE I WANT TO GO RUN AND PAINT RIGHT NOW! I LOVE YOUR WATERCOLOR PAINTINGS 😍! Ya I did go and watch that older video that you had linked. It got me to thinking. I heard you say that the reason you stopped is because you didn’t enjoy it. That you always felt tense. That’s how I feel when I paint watercolor. This whole time I’ve been telling myself it’s because I’m blocked. But it’s more that I feel tense and it takes the fun out of it. Ever time I sit down I wonder how many seconds it’s going to take before I do something that I can’t take back or fix. I am able to struggle thru it. And even tho I’m hating the process sometimes I turn out something I really love. It feels like watercolor is so unforgiving. I love the way you left some white of the paper on so many of them. They look so fresh and clean. You painted like another person I’ve watched and I think he called it ala prima something like that. I feel like if I quit tho I won’t have given it enough of a chance to understand it. Ya I do really love your watercolor. But I also really love some of your acrylic paintings too. I bought a set of golden acrylics recently. I dunno what I was thinking 😂 Think I’m trying to distract myself from watercolor.

[@sandihester]

That was funny - distracting yourself from watercolor 😂

[@KLeonardM]

absolutely love your sketch books. I always pause and read what you were up to. So fun

[@sandihester]

I had a feeling there were some of you out there that did that 😂

[@KLeonardM]

@@sandihester 🤣🤣

[@Pauloselani]

I Love you! Thanks! ❤☀️

[@sandihester]

Thank you!

[@eprohoda]

Good night, mr. Thank you! you uploaded pro . 😎

[@jessicastrideart]

I can see why your mum lives your watercolours, wow! It’s so interesting to see your artistic journey, very inspiring!

[@sandihester]

Thank you Jessica!

[@andreajlmoore]

Thanks…yes, very encouraging video! I too have so many sketchbooks which all span many years and media. I recently counted them and had the crazy realization that I’m working in 17 sketchbooks all at once!! Each day I seem to feel like a different one works better for one reason or another so I keeep reaching for a different one….you understand….different papers, different sizes, different orientations etc….HAHAHA…it will be a grand day one day when I end up with like 17 completed sketchbooks all in the same day!!!

[@sandihester]

Yes, I feel ya! I hardly every finish a sketchbook because I’m working I’m so many at once too

[@marilyneguerriau7443]

Hello sandi, just to tell you that i miss you painting still lifes 😕 i hope it will be soon 😊

[@sandihester]

I was thinking about that the other day too. I feel like winter may be when I get back to still lifes - it will just depend on how much I’m able to get outside and paint because I’m loving the landscape right now

[@firdyk]

Your watercolour sketch books are amazing. Your use of colour is so beautiful

[@sandihester]

Thank you!

[@firdyk]

@@sandihester I do so love your abstracts too!

[@patriciacrea1186]

Dear Sandi, thank you so much for inspiring us once again with your sketchbook tour ! By the way the marker swatch at the end of one of your sketchbook (19:55) looks like it's for the Tombow dual :)

[@sandihester]

Yes - it’s tombows 🤗

[@DreamingCatStudio]

I love all your work, videos, and words of wisdom! Also your energy! Please help me: I feel like I need to do all the household chores before I do art. Very frustrating. I am a slob so there’s always a lot of chores… Please help me! Help me see it differently so I can do more art. Edit: I find your abstracts so exciting! You can get them enlarged for your wall!

[@victorvictor181]

Funny how she replied to most all other comments except yours. Wonder why that is.