Why I Started Keeping Sketchbooks Again as a Professional Artist

In this video, I take you with me on a journey into the marshes of Northern Ontario to reconnect with nature through a sketchbook practice. As someone who struggles with perfectionism, and who fell victim to increased phone usage during the pandemic, the sketchbook practice is teaching me to ground myself, be in the moment, and experience art not just as a practice, but as a way of life.
Sketchbooks are the stories of who we are as people and artists. They document and chronicle our growth. They are not simply a tool to scratch out an outline for a painting; they are a place to visually dream, and to ask ourselves, "what if?"
Sketchbooks require courage. For artists, it means being willing to make mistakes. I struggle with accepting failure sometimes, because I get angry when I think that I've wasted my time. But holding on and preserving those little failures isn't a bad thing; it means we have a logbook of our progress and development. We can look back on our journey and truly see how much we have improved.
I am currently taking Dina Brodsky's 21 day Sketchbook Habit workshop, and I strongly recommend checking her out. She is an incredible person and artist, and I have been beyond grateful to learn from her expertise and spirit of generosity. I have linked her below.
I am so fortunate to have been able to work with my friend, Ed Regan of Regan Pictures, to create this video. He saw what I wanted to create and made it so much more. I am excited to see what future stories we will be able to tell, as northerners and creatives.
My brand new course, "Painting Flowers in Acrylic," is now available! As a special thank you, you can use code KZbin25 at checkout to take $25 off the course! courses.mariannevanderdussen....
Let's connect! 🎨
Follow me on Instagram: / mariannevanderdussen
Link to my free 36 page Introduction to Acrylic Painting eBook: tinyurl.com/42ye4srx
Art Incubator Facebook Support Group: / artincubatorwithmarianne
Follow me on Facebook: / artbymariannevanderdussen
My website: www.MarianneVanderDussen.com
Link to purchase original paintings, includes free shipping within the Canada and USA: mariannevanderdussen.com/coll...
Artists referenced in this video:
Dina Brodsky: / dinabrodsky
Link to Dina's Sketchbook Workshop: www.dinabrodsky.com/sketchboo...
Elena Limkina: / limkina
Gizem Bozkurt: / gizembozkurt_art
Materials used in this video:
Strathmore Watercolour Sketchbook: geni.us/TBlz (Amazon)
Liquitex Professionals Hard Body Paint: geni.us/uNkrGqS (Amazon)
(Note: for the paint colours, I used my typical limited palette of alizarin crimson, cadmium yellow light, ultramarine blue, phthalo blue, titanium white, and burnt umber. However, if you're looking for a set to get you started, these are all fantastic colours)
Full sketchbook shopping list: geni.us/weu09v (Amazon)
My camera: geni.us/N2XnzO (Amazon)
My lens: geni.us/BaEHcuH (Amazon)
iPad Pro 12.9": geni.us/KPPjas (Amazon)
Filmed and Edited by Regan Pictures

[@kfar89]

Thank You Heavenly Father, Maker of Heaven and Earth, for introducing me to this lovely soul sister! Thank you dear lady for your generous sharing of your gifts. I am inspired so much by this testimony. ❤

[@MarianneVanderDussen]

Thank you for this lovely and very kind comment!

[@davereed5414]

What a lovely journey

[@MarianneVanderDussen]

Thank you so much, Dave!!!

[@jonhanson9972]

Enlighted steps into the marshlands that you've graciously introduced us to. To behold and joyously view like our guide elegantly did. As a empty page you'd prepared to seize the beauty that you'd witnessed one gorgeous day, you truly allowed this photographic setting to be seized for all to bestow and bask in its awesome presence just like the angelic host did. How divine!

[@MarianneVanderDussen]

Thank you, Jon! I think this is the first time I've been called angelic, and I will happily take the compliment! I'm so happy that you enjoyed the video, and I hope to see you again here 😇🥰 I appreciate the feedback immensely!

[@reefprayer]

Your artwork absolutely speaks to my heart, Marianne! - I’m also a perfectionist, have recently started painting big flower paintings, love clouds, water, birds and grunge, and I also fell in love with your grungy bird sketchbook!with the metallic inks/paint. Your videos are also so well put together, and your voice reminds me of Snow White! Lol….. Don’t worry, I’m not a stalker. Lol. - You now have a new subscriber from Australia.

[@MarianneVanderDussen]

Hi!!! I’m so happy that you found me!!! I loved reading all of your comments on Instagram. I’m so excited to be a part of your artistic journey, looking forward to releasing more content!

[@Hexe.Mueller]

Hey lovely lady! Im new here and from Germany. I watch your videos with German undertitle and you speak so perfect that the program understands you perfectly. That is what I want you to know 🤓 love your videos and will watch them all. Best wishes for you

[@MarianneVanderDussen]

Oh amazing!!! I’m happy you’re able to watch and enjoy with German subtitles, and I really appreciate the time you took to write me! It is so amazing hearing from people around the world!

[@ArtistSwapnaNamboodiri]

It was a delight watching the whole video and your beautiful and calm way of storytelling!!💐💚 Thank you!

[@MarianneVanderDussen]

I’m so happy that you enjoyed it and that you appreciated the storytelling element! Honestly, that is my great passion in life 🥰

[@nfakhgd]

I love the way you incorporated photography and sketchbook painting. I would love to see more of this type of videos.

[@MarianneVanderDussen]

Awesome! I’m so grateful for this feedback. I’d love nothing more than to create more videos like this 🥰

[@andreatorraca8755]

Wonderful!

[@MarianneVanderDussen]

Thank you so much, Andrea! I appreciate your feedback 🥰

[@bilalpazarl2007]

Tebrik ediyorum diğerleri gibi harika bir çalışma.

[@MarianneVanderDussen]

Thank you so much!

[@linsaraillustration]

So beautiful

[@MarianneVanderDussen]

Thank you so much!

[@carolynsharpe9143]

I have started a sketchbook! Thank you for the inspiration. I too have noticed how much more carefree I am using my sketchpad. It really helps to just be free and not pressured unlike painting on a canvas. I think this is an excellent practice to keep. I also love seeing your beautiful paintings and videos of Northbay.... I lived there as a young girl.

[@asadjaanasadjaan688]

Waaaaaaaoooooowwwww Barbie wow

[@jayneelinor]

So funny that I found yur video via an American artist and I live just 1.5 hours north of North Bay in Temiskaming Shores! I have not been to this Marsh but will seek it out now. Your work is wonderful and your narration is very relaxing and peaceful. Thanks for sharing your practice!

[@MarianneVanderDussen]

No way!!! That’s so amazing!!! This is Laurier Woods in North Bay, so easy to access and full of gorgeous trails. Thank you so much for your comment, I’ll be in your neck of the woods soon I hope for some snowshoeing!

[@asadjaanasadjaan688]

How can you be so incredibly beautiful? Can't believe it

[@terezeandren1699]

Thank you so much. I love the Idea of giving the art diary/scetch book a theme - so inspiring

[@MarianneVanderDussen]

I’m so happy you enjoyed it 🥰

[@lisacody8502]

This was beautiful. It absolutely resonated with me. I have so many sketch books I've purchased with the desire to do exactly what you've done only to let fear of "wasting" the pages with "mistakes" that I never start. I will now. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. ❤️

[@MarianneVanderDussen]

This comment means the world to me because I used to be in the same boat! Literally, as of a few months ago! Now I have three sketchbooks on the go, and I have messed up one of my bird drawings quite badly, but I am so happy to be working on them. Thank you so much for tuning in and connecting!

[@suesummers8813]

Love this vlog, more like this please… I live 5 minutes from the beach and you’ve inspired me to take my sketchbook on my next walk.. I also feel the need to connect with nature.

[@MarianneVanderDussen]

I'm so glad! I feels SO good to get out of the house, explore and create. I hope you did take your sketchbook out with you!!!

[@MarianneVanderDussen]

FULL FLOWER PAINTING COURSE NOW AVAILABLE!!! I am so happy to share that my first course, "Painting Flowers in Acrylic," is now available. Use code *KZbin25* to take $25 off! The course is available here: courses.mariannevanderdussen.com/offers/sTGLNjHa/checkout Don't forget to use the code, and happy painting!

[@sakthivelannaamalai3794]

Wow this was beautiful. Thanks for taking me through this journey and instilling me with fresh confidence.

[@MarianneVanderDussen]

You are so welcome!!! I am so happy you enjoyed it!!!

[@LieslHuddleston]

Hi Marianne! I enjoyed the video :) I love how everyone in the class is experimenting and all using different media, your acrylic paintings in your sketchbook are beautiful, each one. I'm also enjoying my photography now in a whole new way, searching for images that can help inspire new drawings and paintings, so I understand how you must be enjoying that too. I like the approach to "regaining what we lost" during the last couple of years, it is a journey now that we have begun and I wish you all the best on yours!

[@MarianneVanderDussen]

Hi Liesl! Thank you so much for this wonderful comment; the folks who are in our class absolutely blow my mind every single week, and every single time I see their work on Instagram. Your ballpoint pen drawings are absolutely spectacular! I feel so fortunate to have made your virtual acquaintance. Thank you so much for your beautiful comment, and I will continue to see you in Instagram land 🥰🎨

[@lynetrott2402]

Loved this video! I have pictures I took of Laurier woods that I may now revisit in a new light. Thank you for being so inspiring.

[@MarianneVanderDussen]

That's awesome, Lyne! I hope you do revisit them!

[@henryazogue9657]

todo muy hermoso, me encanto ver tu video y por supuesto super increíble todos los detalles que tus vistas.

[@MarianneVanderDussen]

Muchas gracias, Enrique, por este maravilloso comentario. ¡Estoy tan feliz de que te haya gustado el video!

[@bonniekennedy7771]

You have to do Duchesnay Falls! It has become my favourite spot in North Bay. And Sweetmans Garden would be good too once things bloom. I've been wanting to get back into painting but finding time for a big painting is not happening, a sketchbook like this sounds much more doable. As always, thank you for sharing!

[@MarianneVanderDussen]

Duchesnay is on my list!!! So so so gorgeous. I don’t actually know Sweetmans Garden, I’ll have to look into it!!!

[@Classicartist169]

Hi, Noble Miss Marianne, if you are looking for artistic inspiration, I advise you to visit Morocco because it is a culturally diverse and naturally beautiful country that will help you relax and produce new works of art. Delacroix, Paul Bowles and many artists and writers liked Morocco and thank you very much ❤

[@carolfillmore6533]

you've inspired me to directly paint in my sketchbook rather than start by sketching!! Do you gesso the page first before painting?

[@MarianneVanderDussen]

Do it!!! I have tried both now, and I think I ultimately do prefer a layer of gesso. I use butterfly clips and anchors the corners and keep the paper from buckling.

[@carolfillmore6533]

@@MarianneVanderDussen I definitely will:) I knew gesso is used when painting on canvases but unsure about paper. Thanks for the info to keep paper from buckling:)