Hi there. How are you?

It didn’t really seem like I did much sketch-booking this year until I sat down to compile this post. In 2018, I made 37 drawings in two different sketchbooks. Considering one finished drawing can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days, that’s not half bad!

After drawing exclusively in the the standard 5" x 8.25" size Moleksine sketchbook for many years, I started using the ultra portable pocket size again as well. At just "3.5" x 5.5", the tiny Moleskine was perfect for all of the traveling we did this year, especially our trip to Switzerland!

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Video Tour Time!

So that you can quickly view all 37 drawings, I created a short video, showing each sketchbook spread in chronological order. Just click that arrow on the image below to watch.

Patterns and Themes of 2018

Looking back at all of the sketches I made this year, I recognized some patterns and themes in my work. I’ve also noticed how my style and technique change over time.

I used a lot of true blue.

I actually did 5 drawings in just blue. I’ve always been drawn to the color and Bic blue pens are incredibly easy to draw with. I also had a chance to try out the Baux Pen 2, a new ballpoint pen body that works with Bic pen parts. It's solid and feels good in my hand. At first it felt a little heavy, but after a while I really liked that weight. It seemed to give me more control.

As the year progressed, more “holes” appeared in my drawings.

Negative spaces really made a comeback in my work this year. I can’t tell you why, they just did.

florals Reemerged too.

If you’ve been following my art journey for a while, you’ll recognize these shapes. Florals have been a reoccurring theme in my work forever.

And then there’s these.

I don’t know what to call these, but I like them and I’ll keep making them.

This concludes our 2018 sketchbook tour.

I hope you enjoyed it. I sure enjoyed looking back at this year of work. It makes me excited to do even more in 2019.

Do you have a favorite drawing of mine from this year?

Leave me a comment and let me know.

Ciao, Jen

P.S. If you’d like to learn my ballpoint drawing techniques, check out the “Jen & Ink” e-courses. In my two self-paced courses, I share my ballpoint pen drawing secrets and techniques.