The Sketchbook Paradox

[@AsiaOrlando]

Hello everyone! let me know how is it for you! Curious to learn that's your way to do it

[@emilioj22]

I have a huge perfectionism problem and it seeps a lot into my art. I’m trying to just allow myself to practice and make mistakes

[@AsiaOrlando]

It’s good to be aware of that! I learned that’s it’s always better to get things done rather than waiting for them to be perfect. I wish you all the best with having fun with your art and lots of art experiments!:)

[@emilioj22]

@@AsiaOrlando thank u :)

[@Meri_Luo]

I struggled with keeping a sketchbook because of the same reasons you shared here, the perfectionism, the fear of ruining a sketchbook with ugly sketches etc. But I took an art course focused on play and exploration and it complitely changed my sketching game. And now my sketchbook is full of all kinds of stuff, messes, mistakes and successes as well. Once I finish my sketcbook I actually plan to film a video about it because I think we are so over those perfect sketchbook tours that we all have seen on social media. I want to see other artists' messy sketchbooks and in turn not be afraid to show my own. Thank you for talking about this issue that so many artists struggle with!

[@AsiaOrlando]

Thank you a lot for sharing your experience, it’s great that you broke free from all those unreal and limiting expectations social media creates. This is what keeping a sketchbook should be about, fun, practice and exploring:)

[@GinDasCreative]

I always fear the ugly drawing in my sketchbook, and really when we think about it, what does it matter? That extra pressure we put on ourselves doesn't serve us! I love your sketchbooks Asia, and especially the blue pencil sketches. I quute like that idea of just sketching in one coloured pencil...I mught try that to loosen up my sketches and try to focus more on the practise and less on developing something in so much detail from the get-go. You are quickly becoming one of my favourite artist and teacher...can't wait to start the Domestika course of yours I just purchased. Thanks Asia🩷🌸👌

[@d..b5490]

It's somewhat of a bandaid solution, but using 2 sketchbooks at any given time has really helped me to reduce anxiety. One of my sketchbooks I use with the intention of making the prettiest drawings I'm capable of making. This put me in the headspace of working carefuly and concentrating on the final results, refinding my skills in a way. The other sketchbook I use for actual quick sketches, practise and experimentation. Usually these would be the cheapest sketchbooks I could find, or something i'd put together myself with loose paper. I find that both of them have greatly helped my growth as an artist and my personal level of satisfaction in my art

[@AsiaOrlando]

That’s a great idea:) And it sounds like it’s really working out for you, which is awesome! Thank you for sharing!

[@jaynebray]

Even your sketches look amazing! I use a sketchbook but I'm most productive when I use procreate on ipad, as I don't have the feeling of wasting paper or being perfect and I can really get a flow on

[@AsiaOrlando]

Thank you so much Jayne! It’s great that it works for you, training your hand is so important! for me it’s nice to leave all the screens aside sometimes :)

[@Kdmud]

LoL, your sketchbooks all look amazing, so all the fear is so unnecessary 😂thanks for this video

[@AsiaOrlando]

Thank you for the nice words 😀

[@rebeccasartcorner]

I always love to see peoples sketchsbooks when it actually looks like a sketchbook and not like a book of art. I have seen too many sketchbooks with "perfect" art work in them and not enough with just "sketches", which has lead to that I am struggling to use mine because I don't want to ruin them. This video was much appreciated❤

[@AsiaOrlando]

I think that happens a lot, it’s easy to feel insecure after seeing millions of perfectly edited and kept sketchbooks. I’m really happy to hear you liked the video and hope it will help to break the sketching rut:)

[@DrawingsFromAnna]

I've also always struggled with trying to create 'perfect' illustrations in my sketchbook. I do really like the idea of making little sketches on loose pieces of paper and then adding them to the sketchbook, it feels like it could really take the pressure off at those times when I'm struggling wither perfectionism the most - thank you for the idea and I love the message behind this video! Good luck with the Inktober challenge 😊

[@AsiaOrlando]

Hi Anna thank you for sharing and your nice words, I’m very happy the video helped!:) it’s a lot about the preciousness and fear of “destroying” something or making something”not good enough” and once that’s off the table the whole sketching becomes so much more pleasant!:)

[@marinaverbenets6223]

Asia, really enjoyed your sketchbooks showed in this video! Hope will be back with mine as well. Understood that my biggest fear is to see works that I don't like or don't consider as successful - strange but as it is. So will make a challenge for myself to work with this problem - just need more and more practice

[@garymcderp1146]

I had the exact same problem. I’d get an awesome 10x10 inch sketchbook and would sketch on printer paper instead because I was terrified of drawing something “ugly” in the sketchbook. And it’s not like a layer in Procreate where I can just delete it instantly. You just have to take the plunge. Even get 2 identical sketchbooks and use one of them for the potential “ugly” art to get over the anxiety. It can be intimidating seeing your favorite artist’s sketchbook pages online, but I guarantee that all of them that keep sketchbooks have sketchbooks somewhere stashed away that have plenty of sketches no one will ever see.

[@AsiaOrlando]

I get it! Printer paper is the best! 🙊there’s a lot of tricks to get over the fear of “ugly drawings” and your idea of having two sketchbooks is pretty cool, I’m sure that the “ugly sketchbook” will be the one with the best art, created freely and without the pressure:)

[@hmdraws7987]

Love your art,, going to create such sketchbook and create such inspired content,,❤️

[@AsiaOrlando]

Thank you so much! Glad you liked it. Let me know how the sketching goes

[@cossetpineda464]

Lindo todo lo que haces! Me encanta

[@AsiaOrlando]

Muchísimas gracias ☺️

[@ineslopes6260]

So nice to see the sketches behind your print! Thank you for sharing ❤️ I felt the same in art school to the point where I rather have a 0 then show my sketchbook to my teacher. Nowadays my sketchbooks are my messy corner where I allow myself the freedom to make as many mistakes as I can and also mixture a lot of writing in between. It reminds me of keeping a diary/journal as a kid cause no one has to see it if I don't show it, so who cares 😊

[@AsiaOrlando]

Hi Inês! So interesting to hear something similar has happened to you, and all because of the fear our sketches wouldn’t be good enough 🙊 I think it’s wonderful you feel like experimenting again in your sketchbook, and it’s so true, no one has to see it! Thank you so much for sharing:)

[@bertminderbertminder6741]

I feel read to filth. Thanks a lot, I really needed to hear that!!!

[@AsiaOrlando]

Great to hear that as well, glad it helped

[@bertminderbertminder6741]

@@AsiaOrlando yes, I really need to start using my absurd collection of sketchbooks.

[@AsiaOrlando]

Hahaha it’s always easier to get new ones than to finish the ones you already have

[@moma-b]

I have bought tons of high quality sketchbooks but I keep using the cheapest papers to sketch. I don't want to "ruin" those of good quality with my beginner level sketches. I always tell to myself, I'm still not good enough to start that good sketchbook. The worse is when I travel and I have to pack. I take one or two empty sketchbooks with me thinking, maybe this is the time I will start using them. It never happens and I carry the extra books all the way long! I'm so pathetic. 😭

[@AsiaOrlando]

I totally get that. I myself bought the very cheap ones and some expensive ones to try out. The ones I'm using now aren't especially cheap even though they're the cheapest art stores offer here, but the paper quality is amazing. But I can't tell you how often I still use good old printer paper for sketches:) I think maybe that might work for you? If you like the sketch you create you can paste it into a sketchbook, and if not, you can just forget about it and move to another one:)

[@youssefbenlemlih]

Amazing video! thanks! Just a small remark, the music was a bit too low..

[@AsiaOrlando]

Thanks a lot, and yes it was on purpose. To have something very low key in the background

[@sammescobar]

Me pasa, al final no dibujo en mi sketchbook porque siento que va a quedar mal. :(

[@AsiaOrlando]

Es muy común, no te preocupes! Lo más importante es practicar, sea cómo sea, dibujando en una tablet o en una hoja suelta :)

[@flame.6375]

It’s once in a while I see art that’s not for the content………nice Also I animated a cat with a gun so you know it’s true when it’s comin from me

[@AsiaOrlando]

Thanks 🙏