Abigail Halpin -- a Sketchbook Conversation
Today I'm chatting with Abigail Halpin. I have long admired her work and am so happy to have her here sharing her sketchbook story with us today!
I'm an illustrator, living and drawing in Southern Maine. When not filling up sketchbooks and illustrating children's books, I like to sew, read mystery novels and go camping in the great outdoors.
On a personal level (and for me, the most important reason) I keep a sketchbook as a visual diary of sorts. Drawing helps me process the world and I use my pencil to explore life and form dreams. Professionally, sketchbooks are a phenomenal way for me to try out new ideas and explore subjects I'll often incorporate into more finished pieces.
I've kept a sketchbook off and on since elementary school, starting in the second grade. Following college, though, it became a daily part of my art practice.
The pencil is usually my go to tool. I like to incorporate watercolor into my sketchbook illustrations also, and occasionally colored pencil and markers. And sometimes if I'm on the go, I'll reach for a ballpoint pen. For sketchbooks, I bounce between a couple different books, each serving a different purpose. I have a small Moleskine I keep in my bag (I love the size) and a Hand Book artist journal that I use for watercolor (the paper quality is terrific). For day to day use, I typically draw in a Canson spiral bound sketchbook. It's economical and great for looser work and generating ideas.
If you're just starting out my advice is to draw everyday, everywhere, anytime. Also (and this is something I have to remind myself constantly) sketchbooks are for experimentation. It's okay to have a spread full of wonky figures and disastrous perspectives. My sketchbooks are frequently full of "mistakes," but there's so much I learn in these less than perfect attempts. I don't share these pieces as much online, for professional reasons. But I can assure you, they are there and are as much a part of sketchbook keeping as the pieces that come out well.
Thank you, Abigail for sharing your sketchbooks and your story with us today.
Dear reader, you can connect with Abigail:
her blog: http://blog.theodesign.com/
Instagram
Facebook
And for even more inspiration, check out my Artist Interviews.
I'm an illustrator, living and drawing in Southern Maine. When not filling up sketchbooks and illustrating children's books, I like to sew, read mystery novels and go camping in the great outdoors.
On a personal level (and for me, the most important reason) I keep a sketchbook as a visual diary of sorts. Drawing helps me process the world and I use my pencil to explore life and form dreams. Professionally, sketchbooks are a phenomenal way for me to try out new ideas and explore subjects I'll often incorporate into more finished pieces.
I've kept a sketchbook off and on since elementary school, starting in the second grade. Following college, though, it became a daily part of my art practice.
The pencil is usually my go to tool. I like to incorporate watercolor into my sketchbook illustrations also, and occasionally colored pencil and markers. And sometimes if I'm on the go, I'll reach for a ballpoint pen. For sketchbooks, I bounce between a couple different books, each serving a different purpose. I have a small Moleskine I keep in my bag (I love the size) and a Hand Book artist journal that I use for watercolor (the paper quality is terrific). For day to day use, I typically draw in a Canson spiral bound sketchbook. It's economical and great for looser work and generating ideas.
If you're just starting out my advice is to draw everyday, everywhere, anytime. Also (and this is something I have to remind myself constantly) sketchbooks are for experimentation. It's okay to have a spread full of wonky figures and disastrous perspectives. My sketchbooks are frequently full of "mistakes," but there's so much I learn in these less than perfect attempts. I don't share these pieces as much online, for professional reasons. But I can assure you, they are there and are as much a part of sketchbook keeping as the pieces that come out well.
Thank you, Abigail for sharing your sketchbooks and your story with us today.
Dear reader, you can connect with Abigail:
her blog: http://blog.theodesign.com/
Missed the other Sketchbook Conversations posts? It's easy to catch up at the series web page.
And for even more inspiration, check out my Artist Interviews.
*Photos in this post ©Abigail Halpin. Used with permission.
Thank you Abigail and thank you Anne. I love the colour palette that you use Abigail. I am sure that living in New England gives you much scope and inspiration for your beautiful work. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed meeting Abigail and seeing her work, Simone. :)
DeleteAnne...my IG feed is filled with folks I've met through this series! Thanks for introducing us to so many gems!
ReplyDeleteAbigail...your work is so FUN!
This makes me SO happy, Karen. I do love Abigail's work and I'm glad you do, too!
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