Sketchbook Conversations -- a Chat with Anika Lacerte

Today's Sketchbook Conversation is with Anika Lacerte. Here's Anika's story:


I have been inspired to set a daily goal for myself by following creative people like @crystalmoody and @lisacongdon on Instagram, who have both done daily drawing projects. We have two little girls at home so I wanted to find a daily challenge that would be manageable for me, so I decided to draw every day in 2016, even if it was only five minutes. I figured a pen and paper was probably the simplest way to go.

sketchbook conversations, sketchbooks, Moleskine, micron pen, inspiration, hand lettering, Anika Lacerte

I've always loved notebooks but haven't always used them regularly. I love looking back at this year's sketchbooks because I can see how I'm improving and it feels like an art journal, particularly as I add more words to my drawings now.

sketchbook conversations, sketchbooks, Moleskine, micron pen, inspiration, hand lettering, Anika Lacerte

I keep my sketchbook beside my bed, so I am always reminded to draw in the evening. I am inspired by the progress I see in my own drawings and encouraged by the people appreciating my work on Instagram. It is important for me to be sharing my work, it seems to be a significant part of my drawing journey.

sketchbook conversations, sketchbooks, Moleskine, micron pen, inspiration, hand lettering, Anika Lacerte

I am currently using a small sketchbook, it's a Pen & Ink blank sketchbook, 3.5" x 5.5". I love the heavy-weight paper, it's about twice the weight of a classic Moleskine book. That means I can draw on both sides of the pages and the ink barely shows through.

My current pen is a black Micron, size .03, which I am using because my other favorite drawing pen is slowly fading (black American Crafts Precision Pen, size .03).

sketchbook conversations, sketchbooks, Moleskine, micron pen, inspiration, hand lettering, Anika Lacerte

If you're just starting out, I recommend starting with a low daily goal. My daily goal is to draw even five minutes a day. Some days I draw a lot longer, but I like that my goal is quite easy to achieve. And I think there's something unique that happens when I draw daily, even if for a short time, which is better than if I were to draw for a long time but only once a week.

sketchbook conversations, sketchbooks, Moleskine, micron pen, hand lettering, inspiration, Anika Lacerte

I also recommend keeping the supplies simple. I use only a pen and a small sketchbook, which fits easily into a zip pouch so I can take it with me when we travel.

sketchbook conversations, sketchbooks, Moleskine, micron pen, hand lettering, inspiration, Anika Lacerte

I enjoyed participating in #the100dayproject on Instagram, where anyone can choose a daily creative project and share their progress. I decided to not share everyday, which gave me the freedom not to have to show drawings I didn't like. It's fun to participate with others who are also being creative.

sketchbook conversations, sketchbooks, Moleskine, hand lettering, micron pen, inspiration, Anika Lacerte

I send free printables every month to my email subscribers, signup at thehandcraftedstory.com. I post most often on instagram.com/thehandcraftedstory.


Thank you, Anikia, for sharing your story with us!





*Photos in this post © Anika Lacerte. Used with permission.

Comments

  1. so much love for this post.
    do-able.
    will start DRAWING my customary three evening gratitudes.
    :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This makes me SO happy, Karen. My whole point is that art-making and sketchbook-keeping should be doable. :)

      Delete
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