The sketchbook with feelings: making art that moves you.

Art isn’t just about making pretty pictures. Or perfect images. It’s about what it does to us, inside. Whether it’s the artist making the work or the person looking at the art, theres ap owerful connection of ideas and feelings that shows us what the world is truly like. In this video, I’ll explain that process and give you some tips on achieving it for yourself, whether you’re a beginner, a professional, or just a museum goer who wants to get more out of art..
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Your support and interaction mean the world to me. Let's embark on this creative journey together!

[@geckonia]

When the student is ready, the teacher appears. Thank you, Danny. 🙏🏼

[@laurieline3888]

7:56 ❤ this! I’m putting “Nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect” on the first page of my sketchbook. Like another viewer- I took notes whilst watching this video. Thank you. 🙏

[@sharyndj7404]

Danny…Thank you, enormous thank you. As a self-taught artist now in her active 70’s, I so relate to your words. A tragic loss catapulted my own need for self-expression which only artmaking fulfilled. My inner-critic disappeared once I realized how the joy of artmaking reconnected me to my soul, my Self, my aliveness. Your message is so valuable. Carpe Diem.

[@suzannestevens8257]

This is so welcome! When my brother died, I just kept doing portraits of him in charcoal. It felt like he was with me. It was special. Xo

[@lavenderisme]

This is the best‼️‼️‼️🙏

[@ajadina6511]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience and heart. This was a moving video and just what I needed to hear. I'll never forget that art doesn't have to be great to be precious. ❤

[@LovinLnCottage]

Thank you for helping me get back in touch with the person I used to be. I suffered so many traumas and loss over the last 17 years that I shut down and have been unable to pick up my art again. You have given me a great gift. Those who bring happiness into the lives of others cannot avoid bringing happiness into their own lives. Thank you for all you do.

[@angelssing7510]

Danny, this is one of the most beautiful messages I have listened too. Thank you for such an inspiring, encouraging and authentic video. You have helped me really see, feel and experience my world. I have learned that if I look back at old photographs, I sometimes wonder where and when they where from. Yet; if I have sketched an experience, I can recall every element of it. I had two beautiful nights away with my adult son's at Christmas. As they slept, I sketched the view from the window of the cottage we rented, I sketched the Poinsettia that I took for 'festive ambience', and I sketched my morning coffee. As I look back at these sketches I can recall in such detail my feelings of love, gratitude and contentment. All this from being introduced to your essays in August last year! Thank you! X

[@theresapalmer7892]

This was great, I took notes today. I like the ref of Wabi Sabi and Kondo. I started my first travel journey because of both these . It didn't matter if my art was any good and I stopped buying souvenirs as my memory reminders. (No clutter being brought home to dust) When I look at them, I do often laugh at my artwork but those memories flood back, on occasion I might even go back and journal a little on the page too. They actually give me more feelings than looking at the photo that may have been taken at the same time. I think drawing it embeds the feelings where a photo is the instant passing experience.

[@jonr6680]

Kondo, Queen of Clean...

[@bellap2570]

I am in tears…deeply moving…let’s draw my life instead of looking at it passing by…very grateful. Thank you Dany from the bottom of my heart ❤

[@SketchBookSkool]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@katherineelizabethco]

For a decade I painted portraits in oil of beautiful women and children. My paintings took on a melancholy appearance. This was disturbing, because I have a natural tendency to become sad. I decided to change my art. From canvas I switched to hard bound books filled with watercolor paper. I’m filling these books with illustrations of the full figure people in humorous situations. Right now I’m making a series of ladies with their dogs. Instead of oil I’m using pencil, pen and ink and watercolor. My objective is to capture the lighthearted moments in life. You are a treasure. I started down this path after reading one of your books !

[@heikesiegl2640]

Very interesting! I once participated in art therapy and int was very interesting how your mood influenced your choice of the medium and the other way round. How the medium could influence your mood/feelings/thoughts. There are also different kinds of exercises in Art therapy. Very interesting

[@teripolsonful]

I’ve loved all your videos and podcast episodes, and I’ve gotten so much out of them, but I think this is my favourite yet. Your words resonated with me deeply, and I know I’m going to come back to this video again and again in the future to remind me of them. thank you ♥️

[@dollymiixture]

This is the most authentic and beautiful art video on KZbin I've seen. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@SketchBookSkool]

Thank you so much 😀

[@DollfieMew]

This was a lovely way of breaking down what art can mean. I especially appreciated the background of the pasta can. I can really relate to that. ❤ In my 20's my art was filled with a lot of pain and sadness. Now it is very happy and whimsical. I got a couple comments on my art where people said my drawings brought them a lot of joy to look at. That made my day. Thank you for sharing your journey and encouraging us.

[@graciepimo3087]

I enjoyed this video so much 🙏🏼 coming from a religious culture where we’re led to believe we need to become perfect and constantly told try harder that’s not good enough your not good enough and thrown away shunned dumped ect like these Japanese pots your words are gold to broken hearts. There is a parable about a cypriot lady (me) carrying two pots of water on a yoke, one was cracked and leaked on her way back from the well, she didn’t throw it away because the side the cracked pot was on watered her garden. That’s how we see our crackpot friends ✌🏼from Australia(OZ) 🦘in my campervan 🚐 travelling, drawing, painting and being a crackpot friend and making new friends. I’ve watched your videos for years now the 1st one was similar to this about 5years ago now Thankyou 🙏🏼 for watering my garden does my 💗 good🦘🤩🏕️🌻🌸🌱 No one is broken we’re naturally reacting to circumstances that change us makes us stronger and more beautiful be kind and give yourself your best💃I could go on lol

[@SandyBanks-vk5dl]

When my older brother died, I started trying to capture him in watercolor… it’s not great art, but it is about being able to remember him… and I’ve been following you for a couple of years, drawing my life. I’ve done three illustrated journals, but now I want to take part in your Illustrated Life course to see how I might improve because that is my word for 2024… improve. You do so much to help me reach my various goals, Danny, and I appreciate your sharing tender parts of your life with all of us.

[@mbtvalli]

Wait. Is that a jackelope on the wall behind you, Danny? Thanks for sharing your story and thoughts about creating art. Beautiful!

[@trinityb1857]

Danny, I've been watching your videos for some time now and I just want to say thank you. Like you mentioned in the video, being an artist means being authentic and genuine in your life experiences and your content and work are the only ones that truly encompass what it means to be a true artist. I have always had this deep artistic passion that burns brightly within but have had a hard time knowing exactly what to do with that feeling for most of my life and you have been one of the only people I've come across to help me navigate what it means to be an artist. I'm not trying to write an entire essay, but I just wanted to briefly express how grateful I am because there is no authentic or effective manual on how to be an artist or live your life as an artist.

[@SketchBookSkool]

Thank you!!!

[@jerrygill4828]

Such a beautiful video. I have paintings that I don’t remember even painting because they were all about perfecting, instead of painting. People say, “Oh how beautiful”, but they don’t want to take them home….thats because the paintings show no feeling…..not even to me, because I don’t remember painting them.

[@nicoleperron3315]

Wabi Sabi, I have a small platter either glass or crystal I'm not sure, from my grandmother, that is cracked straight across and was repaired with silver staples, not gold but silver. It may have been my great grandmothers but it always gave me pleasure to see someone had taken the time to repair it and didn't hide the repair and didn't throw it away. I think it's beautiful but I don't know it's story past that, because I found it after my grandmother had passed and we were emptying the house.

[@janisscilley43]

This is a inspiring video, Danny. I have drawn personal items in my sketchbooks. This video, however, has given me another layer to think about and enjoy as I go about my art making. Thank you.

[@CJoyArt]

Hi Danny. Thank you for sharing your very personal connection to these images. It is so helpful as I have always been somewhat stifled in my emotions. I haven't really thought about my sketchbook quite in this way, but wow, what a revelation. It has probably always been my "why." Thank you for enlightening my practice.

[@jonathandgardner8435]

I just watched this video-it was the first of yours that I have watched. I am 62 years old, and still needed to hear this. I have carried a lot of fear about exploring and developing my artistic side, largely because of the inherent emotional content. Your words have provide me with a much more balanced and more healthy context within which to view it. I can't express how much this means to me. It literally can be a pivotal realization for me; I can feel the possibility of artistic freedom in a way I haven't before. My words don't carry the weight I want them to, but I want you to know I mean it when I say "Thank you".

[@kfaulknerstudio]

Powerful. Thank you.

[@tracyspiegel2794]

Thank you so much for this video, Mr. Gregory. Simple words (and simple drawings) but they conveyed so much.

[@kellyro77]

What a wonderful share. Thank you. Yes, I find my artwork evokes memories when I look back at it. I've been going through quite a creative funk lately, and part of it is because of stress, but perhaps I can change the utility of making art from just the pleasure of making something pretty to something to assist with my emotional state.

[@jonr6680]

Wow, very wow. Thanks for this (video, but also books & prodigious web output). This is a rare & precious thing, a person who has the courage to express with compassion, sharing their life so openly. And also with such eloquence. I recognise your motivation, my own obsession is journalling, kind of the same memorisation & recall triggers. Getting older, more past than future now... Nowadays technology is a big help but still have dozens of notebooks in boxes that take time to review. Like a portal to the past, incredible how that a random page can resurface so much specific & direct like 20y just shrank to nothing. 'Bad stuff' was an invisible barrier in my mind until one day years later I found I could cope with revisiting the thing. But then was so glad I had that contemporaneous material to look back on.

[@mabellchurnoopay]

Thanks you for sharing your feelings… I am going through a lot, I appreciate your insights.

[@nelsonosio6615]

Excellent video Danny, thank you for sharing part of your experiences and the drawings that now in this video we discover part of their meaning. I have your pink book that is a dedication to Patty

[@sqeekable]

I now have, for 6 wks at least, my dominate hand in a splint. Physio said no art, no writing. I was panicked, then I thought okay now a good time to try all those non dominant hand exercises rather than not have pen or paintbrush in my hand. I know I feel better if only making bad doodle art.

[@gwenanderson1914]

Thanks so much for this Danny - It is SO true isn't it. I found this happens to me all the time with happiness and much sorrow. It's all there in my daily art journals.

[@CamperGirl03]

Well said. Great thoughts. I want to carve out time to start this daily. Thank you for always being that kind motivator. ❤

[@SketchBookSkool]

You are so welcome

[@katiemynette4285]

❤HEY DANNY! YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC! IT'S MAGICAL MONDAY! KATIE ❤️

[@jerrygill4828]

I will keep this video to remind me that my paintings / drawings don’t have to be perfect. In fact, I think I’ll use some of these crayons that have hardly been used because i couldn’t get perfection out of them.

[@isabelmartin40]

Dear Danny, Thank you very much for sharing these thoughts with us. This is so extremely valuable to me! ❤ This is like a revelation for me

[@bobbibrady9649]

You are amazing, Thank you for being you and caring about art.

[@SketchBookSkool]

My pleasure 😊

[@lisahodges8299]

I better understand why you can draw yourself so well, you also cannot embarrass the subject by your learning process. The brain decluttering by drawing always helps me. Birdy

[@tkikpar4882]

Danny Do you even realize that you are an art therapist?? I can’t even tell you how much you have improved my mental health as an artist. I have been following this channel for more then five years. Cheers to you !🍻

[@SketchBookSkool]

I'm so glad I can be of help!

[@CinkSVideo]

Exactly what I needed to hear today.

[@jennifergil2037]

This touched a deep wounded part of me. Thank you because I believe I was meant to see and receive this as part of my healing. I have experienced a lot of loss and have avoided doing any art even though I have always been very gifted in this area. I have associated a lot of pain with it. My stepmother who is now gone was the first one to show me how to draw but she was very abusive. My brother, who is now gone was a very talented artist and gave me my first set of colored pencils; they were his used colored pencils. I was supposed to be an art major and never finished college because I was recklessly dealing with past traumas. When I think of how much better I could have developed if I had never stopped it brings feelings of regret. In therapy last week I was told that art could be a way for me to connect with and deal with the grief of losing my brother by keeping his memory alive. I really like everything you said because I believe I am meant to do something meaningful and use my gift to help others. That is what you’re doing and it is inspiring.❤

[@khushisolanki4889]

such a beautiful video,it really moved me and brought some tears as well❤‍🩹

[@peterka4680]

Wow, this is one of the most inspiring and motivating videos I have seen about art. You really bring it to the point. ❤

[@sophiefly4258]

Thank you so much for your wonderful work and generosity in helping us all ❤❤❤

[@SketchBookSkool]

It's my pleasure

[@quest42good]

Thank you so much for sharing the feelings and experiences from your life and for inspiration. Your words can be a great explanation of the reason and purpose of art in general. So remarkable and genuine.

[@SketchBookSkool]

Thank you so much!

[@rogerheller6838]

When the student is ready ,the Master disappears. Thank you Danny 💪🔥!

[@SketchBookSkool]

Disappears?

[@rogerheller6838]

@SketchBookSkool yes the master then disappears so you yourself become the master you were waiting for

[@HighTorFan]

WOW, thank you, you go deep, from someone who suppresses the feels, I might be angry at you for inviting me to look at the at my messy web of 😢& 😊but to honest I’m grateful for the opportunity you’ve opened up …inside my ❤

[@SketchBookSkool]

You are so welcome

[@cecilesamson]

Awesome video, you've answered so many questions about why would I want to keep filling art journals! "Feelings are transferred into your sketchbook - What matters most is the communication between the maker and the viewer and the transmission of these feelings and memories." Thank you Danny ♥

[@scottnowlin5842]

Lovely chat, reminds me of the artist Frederick Franck who spoke of how his drawing was his meditation.....thanks Danny!

[@SketchBookSkool]

I am a Franck fan too!

[@nanaman]

You are a great person for sharing your thoughts thank you

[@SketchBookSkool]

I appreciate that

[@plarsen2654]

Wonderful....thank you.

[@cristianegaspar1680]

Oltre il disegno, oltre la tecnica...voglio guardare questo video ancora. Danny, a sua esperienza e sensibilità sono l'ispirazione per iniziare a disegnare. Thank you!

[@kambrose1549]

What an insightful valuable talk! Wow

[@selmag5819]

big hug!

[@marypanich9880]

Wow Danny! That was so beautifully explained. Thank you for posting this video. You had me experiencing a lot of feelings by the end. I open my sketchbook and feel so many things looking back at my drawings. It truly is a wonderful and intense experience. Well worth it! Thank you so much for having their channel and sharing yourself with us!😊

[@joliekelly517]

What a beautiful perspective. A low day for me today. Your sharing was a bight spot in an otherwise dreary day. Thanks, Danny.

[@karenturner-cf7vq]

I draw and paint, after seeing your demonstration that included scribble drawing, I had a go at scribble drawing, I find it quite relaxing, doing it my way, I have done this method a few times.

[@marielouiseweeksb33attitud33]

So weird you said “a relatives butter knife.” I had a strong attachment to that very thing and it was my last connection to my late mother and I struggled to let it go.

[@PaintAndDrawTogether]

Danny, this touches the heart and soul deeply. You have an amazing gift to express the inner feelings in a such profound and eloquent mastery. It helped me understand why when I visited Louvre museum in Paris many years ago and stood in front of one of the old masters paintings with a beautiful girl laying dead in the lake with a blanket of flowers all around her, I could not stop crying. Even now when I think about that painting Ophelia (John Everett Millais), I feel the same. It was very powerful experience the artist passed on centuries later to all viewers. Thank you.

[@FranOnTheEdge]

This is daunting. I have no visual memory, I cannot conjur up images of people in my mind's eye. I hope this doesn't mean I can never inject feeling into my art. That would be sad.

[@artistrogersnell3298]

So inspiring. Thank you.

[@monteirolily]

Thank you ❤ a true inspiration ❤

[@hetalkhatri8018]

Oh wow. THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing about the relationship between our emotions and making them as a drawing, for our beautiful memories! So precious! I love this video ❤💖😊🫶🙏🙏

[@user-tk1iq5ut8p]

You have given me a whole new perspective on my approach to my art. I now have a greater appreciation for not only my own creativity but for others as well. Thank you so much.

[@leighrogers1383]

Danny….thank you so much for sharing your stories and inspiration .

[@lindaraereneau484]

Woo woo is fine! Up with woo woo!

[@natalieanderson7732]

WOW!! What you say is so true. The more I draw the more I feel. Thank you for the many drawing lessons and essays.

[@Estee53]

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just at the right time for me!!!!!! Thanks!

[@SketchBookSkool]

You are so welcome!

[@JoAnneSmith-di8ok]

You sure gave me a lot to ponder. Right now, my art is my own. It has been my own for 47 years. I never gave much thought as to what I am sharing. I am in the zone when I am working. For everything I create there is definitely a memory. I am trying to enjoy every moment. Thank you for sharing your viewpoint.

[@sagepremoe1565]

I wen through your book Art Before Breakfast, and really found it to be very helpful and fun.

[@lashivanaty6804]

❤️ Thank you 🙏

[@yazgulzar9940]

Inspirational ❤

[@TheSimpleMindset]

Wonderful message! Exactly what I needed to hear. Very heart-felt and authentic. ❤ Thank you!

[@MaureenAstrid]

Thank you Dani, this video essay really touched a heart string with me. 😊

[@blondeevan4731]

Thank you for the this.

[@edithtsacle5257]

Thank you for that wonderful video and all the things you shared on how one's art becomes a lot richer and more meaningful even though it isn't perfect. I immediately wrote Richard Powell's quote in my sketchbook and it will remind me of your valuable video where I learned of it.

[@ellenpham4834]

I loved this one 💗 What is freeing me to just draw are using artist grade crayons and oil pastels. I never would have guessed this 🌺

[@SanJacintoArtGuild]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings. Sketches capturing feelings in the moment. I remember my first year of college and😮 a self-portrait I did, simply to purge some intense feelings. Or rather, i was experiencing these intense fewlings of stress as I was drawing, and the feelings definitely transferred.it was me, with a dour expression, the top of my head was hinged and open aboùt 2/3 of the way, ezposing a portion of my brain. And jagged, bkack I ifgtning was shooting out from the part of my brain you could see. Although the drawing is long gone, I can still see it clearly in my mind's eye. It was not one I shared with others it was too personal.

[@heikesiegl2640]

When i was younger my das brought Home a clump of Clay. He is a realy good self tought artist and he created this beautiful bust of a womens head. He have ne some Clay and i also tried creating something. It was also a head/face but it did Lack almost any Features. It did not have a mouth, only a small pointy nose, a tear coming from one of the "eyes". Which where only pressed into the clay with the end of a modeling tool. Sure Part of it was my lack of talent/experience but also a huuge Part was Just me Feeling Not heard, Not beeing able to communicate. Which of course i only realized later on

[@stapletontable]

I love this! Thank you!

[@carmengomez-munoz4723]

I really enjoy your videos, they inspire me, they make me think. Appreciate what you do!!!

[@kellypalace]

I so needed this tonight! Inspiring Thank you!

[@xfeetjeuuux]

This video was so inspiring thank you so much Danny for being open to us with your experience ❤

[@SketchBookSkool]

You are so welcome

[@RebeccaBrislan]

Danny. Write more books. You are such an amazing wordsmith AND creative. Bit greedy I reckon! 💞 Seriously though, that was really moving and wonderful.

[@SketchBookSkool]

Working on it!

[@fionataylor2202]

This is lovely, thank you .x

[@SketchBookSkool]

Glad you like it!

[@travelinggrammy]

Awesome advice. Thank you🩷

[@suzannestevens8257]

Thanks very much Danny. You're so encouraging. Xo

[@missieburford5596]

Thank you, Danny!

[@joan_artandnature3646]

Thank you so much for sharing this ❤️❤️

[@lenitaashton8146]

Fantastic!!👏👏👏👏

[@JF-kv1gm]

Judging by the number of comments and their contents, this video has struck a deep chord with many viewers. Thank you, Danny 🤗. I will never be able to thank you enough for prompting me to start sketching many months ago, which has added so much enrichment to my life and continues to help me in periods of physical and emotional challenge. Who knows, maybe one day I will be able to give you and JJ a hug in person!

[@jjgregory9354]

♥

[@elenagandini387]

Thank you...grazie mille

[@barbaramccoy3592]

Watch this more than once.

[@jonr6680]

Twice? Sorry, I'll see myself out...

[@susanshambrook8070]

Thank you! x

[@SketchBookSkool]

You're so welcome!

[@lisahodges8299]

Marie Kondo changed her mind after becoming a mother... My kitchen is full of my mother's tools, perhaps I should have a special book just got them, am I now cluttering my house with sketch books? Birdy

[@QL15]

❤

[@Lostandfoundinfrance]

Danny, I am trying to fathom out how I can possibly put into words how much watching this 20 or so minute video affected me. Firstly it brought me to tears at one point (which is a rare occurrence nowadays) but moreover I think it vocalised some of the myriad of feelings that my new found love of art journaling brings. I am intrigued how you are so adept on discussing this emotional side of art and where that comes from, especially because I believe your background was more in marketing. Is this story in any of your books? In any case bravo and if you're ever back in France, but in the Mediterranean area, then please let me know - it would be a pleasure to host you in my gîte.

[@SketchBookSkool]

I’m so glad this resonated with you!

[@Ekaterina857]

👍💓🌸

[@heartsaliveart]

I think her question needs to be rephrased. In reality, nothing really brings me joy. Things that is. I would be throwing everything out I thought was the case. I like things but they don't make me excited. So, the rephrasing is, does this object make my life easier or make me more comfortable and do I like it? That's kind of how I declutter right now.

[@Stewchat_etc]

Danny if you started a cult, Id be a disciple! Great video...

[@SketchBookSkool]

I am! Here’s some KoolAid.

[@BUY_YT_Views_881]

Well done on presenting a balanced view.