artbabe
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,372 
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Post by artbabe on Jul 11, 2024 14:18:17 GMT
We always have threads about sketches and I faithfully read every one. I admire the sketches, admire what you all have done with them, and then never use them. Just never think about it. I don't create my own, either. I just sit down and start putting paper down willy-nilly. No plan- just chaos.  I'm like that with painting, too. I know most artists do all of these preliminary sketches and various drawings, etc. before they start. Not me- I draw the general shape on the canvas and then just start going in with the paint. No real plan- I just hope it finds itself along the way. As an art teacher, I see my colleagues have the kids do all of these rough drafts and sketches. Some art teachers even make the kids go back in and change their rough drafts if they deviate from the initial plan in their art. Not me- the kids do one rough draft and we are off. If their art evolves into something else, great. Back to scrapbooking. I have an all scrapbooking Instagram, and I take a ton of screen shots of layouts I like. My phone is filled with them. And then I promptly forget about it when it comes time to create. The couple times I did use a particular layout for inspiration, I loved it. So I need to remember to do that- I feel like I'm getting a bit stale with my design ideas. Do you start with a sketch? Do you draw a sketch before you start? How does that work for you? |
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Post by KikiPea on Jul 11, 2024 14:45:23 GMT
I'm on a DT, so I start most of my LO's using a sketch or scraplift, but even if I wasn't, it's one of my favorite things to do. Sometimes (More often than not), my LO's end up looking nothing like the things I started with, which is totally fine with me. The whole point of using them is for a jumping off point. I don't care what measurements are used (I never measure), or if I have the same products. Sometimes my mind just gets stuck, and those help move me along.
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
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Post by scrapnnana on Jul 11, 2024 14:50:18 GMT
Rarely. It actually seems harder for me than creating my layout from scratch. I think it’s because I started scrapbooking long before sketches were ever a thing. I sometimes give it a try now and then. When I do, sometimes I like the results, sometimes not. However, since I don’t glue anything down until I am satisfied with the results, I can always make adjustments, or start over.
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Post by lanena on Jul 11, 2024 15:13:23 GMT
I love sketches, but I used them more when I was doing 12X12. It's hard for me to translate them for my current sizes (6X8 and 9X12). I think it's because I'm still using primarily 4X6 and 3X4 photos for my current albums. I'm also using more pocket pages, which really don't need a sketch.
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Post by infochick on Jul 11, 2024 15:32:14 GMT
Over the last couple of years I have been back to using sketches quite often. I am currently doing a challenge with some scrappy friends, and we pick a sketch every month and we each make a layout with it. One lady follows the sketch exactly...for example, if they use a star to denote where the embellishments go, her layout will have stars on it. Another of the ladies does a very loose interpretation of the sketch. I'm somewhere in between but fall more towards the loose interpretation.
I used sketches a lot in my early scrapbook days, but followed them exactly. To the point where I really only liked the ones with the measurements, but then I started doing my own thing more. I have a friend who really plans her layouts. I do my best work when I just sit down and start cutting the paper and making it work. However, I found I was starting to fall into a bit of a rut and my pages all started to look the same. I've been using sketches to try to push me outside of my comfort zone a bit.
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anaterra
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,111
Location: Texas
Jun 29, 2014 3:04:02 GMT
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Post by anaterra on Jul 11, 2024 15:37:34 GMT
I start with photos and figure how many im using on a layout.... then i go to pagemaps or other places to find a sketch that i like..
Yes.. i use sketches and no my layouts don't always end up looking like the sketch... but its where i start
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Jul 11, 2024 16:13:01 GMT
I have on occasion "scrap lifted" a sketch idea, if I see something I like.
In general, I don't use sketches or work off of one.
I am a figure it out as I go.....kind of scrapbooker.
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pantsonfire
Drama Llama
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 6,169
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Post by pantsonfire on Jul 11, 2024 16:22:13 GMT
No. I find them to be a creative block personally.
I do save layouts on my IG account to a scrapbook folder but I only use it the pages as an idea for colors, mixing papers, titles, embellishment clusters, techniques, and occasionally photo placement or how they are sized and lined up.
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Post by melanieg on Jul 11, 2024 16:47:13 GMT
I use sketches as a base idea. Sometimes it never ends up looking like the sketch at the end lol.
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Post by grammadee on Jul 11, 2024 16:53:16 GMT
No. I find them to be a creative block personally. If I am working from my photos, or trying to tell a specific story, I agree that adding on the pressure to pay attention to a sketch can really slow me down. But on the other hand, when I have been in a slump, or just away from scrapbooking for a few days or weeks, I find sketches a wonderful way to get back into the game. They take away all the decision points about placement. I just need to find a collection to play with (to take away the matching pressure), and/or a pic or two that fit the mood of the design, and I can put together a page or two pretty quickly.
I also go to sketches and scraplifting when I am learning a new (for me) technique. I find they have helped me with layering mats, forming and placing clusters, and tying two facing pages together.
I use sketches as a base idea. Sometimes it never ends up looking like the sketch at the end lol. I think this is the key. It is okay to wander a little--or a lot--away from the sketch when creating. Once it has got you started, it has done its job!
For those of you who DO like sketches, kitbop set up a new 2PeasRefugees Flickr Sketch Gallery for you to check out. This is a collection of sketches we have posted over the years for SKETCHtember and Sketchy Saturdays. |
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Post by Linda on Jul 11, 2024 17:23:56 GMT
I love sketches and have since the days when Creating Keepsakes had the Becky Higgins sketches  They are a jumping off point for me and I almost never follow them exactly - especially since most nowadays are 12x12 and I'm a 8.5x11 scrapper - plus I often simplify the embellishments/layering to better fit my style. I'm okay using a layout as a sketch as well - if I can't find a sketch to inspire me, I'll look for a layout with the right number/orientation of photos and use that as my jumping off point. and artbabe - I wish my DD17 had had you or someone like you as an art teacher. She took art in middle school and again twice in high school and instead of inspiring her, it really did a number on her creativity and love of art  |
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Post by mbanda on Jul 11, 2024 17:32:13 GMT
Yes most of the time I use a sketch. I typically will pull the photos I want to use then look at sketches with the same number of photos (I have them organized this way so easy to find sketches with 6 photos for example). Sometimes I will follow the sketch very closely and sometimes it's more of a jumping off point then I adapt as I want. Mostly I like seeing the way the photos are arranged or how to incorporate multiple patterned papers.
My favorite sketches are from Scrapbook Generation. I probably have all their sketchbooks (bought the electronic versions then printed them out). I keep them in big disc binder system organized by number of photos on a page so I can easily move them or take them out if needed.
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Post by mikklynn on Jul 11, 2024 20:46:07 GMT
I most often use a sketch when I am feeling no inspiration. Sometimes my layouts look like the inspiration, sometimes not at all.
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Post by melanell on Jul 11, 2024 21:13:56 GMT
I only use them if I am taking part in a thread or a challenge that involves one.
Now, of course, I tend to do 95% pocket pages, but even when I did full sheet scrapbooking, I typically did my own thing.
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PaperAngel
Prolific Pea
Posts: 7,920
Jun 27, 2014 23:04:06 GMT
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Post by PaperAngel on Jul 11, 2024 21:22:42 GMT
I like the security of having sketches, which I've collected in MS Word documents from numerous sources, more than actually using them.
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,605
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Post by kitbop on Jul 11, 2024 21:24:33 GMT
I do love sketches but like many of you above, I modify heavily. I pay no attention to photo numbers, or orientation, or size. I'm looking for cool ideas for pp, layering, embellishment placement etc.
I loved Shimelles sketch class - those basic sketches have gotten a lot of mileage and I keep them handy. I also like the scrapbook generations sketches for all the variations she shows.
I think I start with a sketch about 25% of the time? But I would rarely sketch a design for myself if I'm not using a sketch - I just go with the flow.
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Post by AussieMeg on Jul 12, 2024 1:13:21 GMT
I use a sketch, a template, or a template I make from a LO I want to scraplift, on probably 95% of my layouts. It's very uncommon for me to just start slapping photos down on a page without using something as a starting point.
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breetheflea
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Location: PNW
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Post by breetheflea on Jul 12, 2024 3:27:23 GMT
Not very often. I usually like the end result but but trying to find the right number of photos, in the right-ish size, with the right orientation takes me way longer than it would to just create something from my own brain...
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Post by 950nancy on Jul 12, 2024 3:30:15 GMT
I love them for picture placement. Then I go from there. Sometimes I use the sketch about 70% and other times just for the picture placement.
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artbabe
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,372
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Post by artbabe on Jul 12, 2024 15:39:46 GMT
and artbabe - I wish my DD17 had had you or someone like you as an art teacher. She took art in middle school and again twice in high school and instead of inspiring her, it really did a number on her creativity and love of art Thank you. I'm sorry her art teachers were so rigid. Some art teachers so heavily emphasize art elements and principles and technique and that drives their lessons. It just isn't me. I'll give the kids an art medium and a theme, and have them run with it. We discuss the elements and principles and techniques within the pieces they are creating. It just seems so much more organic to me. I know when I'm painting or doing collage I rarely am thinking about line, shape, form, etc. in themselves. I only pull those ideas out when I get stuck on a particular part of the art. In my own work and in my students' I am more concerned with expressing ideas than making a pretty picture. It would be nice if it is both, but I'd rather have a fantastic idea not executed perfectly, than perfect technique and a boring idea. I'm middle school and the feeder teacher (5th & 6th grade) to my program is the opposite of me. I like her but we do not see eye to eye with teaching philosophies. |
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Post by lifeinlayouts on Jul 12, 2024 17:45:59 GMT
I always start with a sketch. Sometimes it turns our just like the sketch and sometimes it takes a hard left turn, but I like a starting point. I also like knowing how my layout is going turn out, which the sketch helps with that. I am really organized and use a spreadsheet to keep everything together (but that stemmed from keeping up with what was needed for my YouTube channel). I have a video on my channel about how I store my photos and sketches. It also goes over pairing sketches with photos and getting them printed. You can check it out here: youtu.be/oknaTcEnYwU |
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Post by lindamh on Jul 12, 2024 18:37:47 GMT
When I first started scrapping I did all 12 x 12 layouts and never used a sketch. In 2012 I swapped over to 6 x 8 albums with pocket pages and small, whole page layouts. Didn't need sketches for a 6 x 8 page! I did my own version of Project Life and continued doing that solely until 2020. Then life changed - retirement, moved out of state - and I dropped the albums and started making cards.
In 2021 I did the Holiday Crop and Create and did a double page layout that I loved. It took me until the next Holiday event to do another layout, but then I was hooked again. However, I wasn't comfortable coming up with my own layouts. (Honestly, I figured I'm retired, why work that hard?!) I started signing up for the SCT papercrafting events and I really enjoyed creating along with the teachers. This year I'm signed up for their sketch class and the Let's Create Together kits. I'm really enjoying using sketches. Picking the papers to go with the sketches is creative enough for me! I am noticing that the more I use sketches, the more I'm making changes to the sketches.
I may start trying my hand at skipping the sketches as I get more confident of what I'm doing.
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Post by babylou on Jul 13, 2024 5:02:27 GMT
For scrapbook pages I probably use a sketch 30% of the time. They can be a fun way to try something new, different, or shake up your usual scrapping routine. Often if I'm using a sketch, it's because I'm participating in some sort of challenge. I don't follow them exactly, but my page usually resembles the speeych I started with.
I really like using card sketches. Especially if I'm smashing a paper pad or something. Makes it easier to measure out and use the papers. Again, I don't copy them exactly, but it is very helpful to get a bunch of cards made.
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Post by hoopsfn on Jul 13, 2024 14:32:00 GMT
Well, I also save sketches and pictures of l/o-s to use as sketches but generally I have a hard time making the sketch fit with the photos I'm using. But they are a good starting point to plan out a background. Another good question artbabe. |
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Post by lisacharlotte on Jul 13, 2024 15:09:02 GMT
Yes, I like sketches as a starting point. There is nothing new under the sun considering we are mostly using linear products on a square or rectangle, with a basic shape (circle, star, etc) for something different. Sometimes I follow the sketch pretty much as designed, sometimes I use it for basic inspiration, and sometimes, as I'm creating, I veer off in another direction completely. I find I'm more creative and think outside the box if the subject is interesting or I find inspiration from real life. For example, I was scrapping a day trip to Palm Springs and my inspiration ended up being the vintage Op design of a sunset and palm trees that was pretty ubiquitous from my youth. ETA: photo from my inprocess design.  |
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Post by Linda on Jul 13, 2024 18:44:22 GMT
and artbabe - I wish my DD17 had had you or someone like you as an art teacher. She took art in middle school and again twice in high school and instead of inspiring her, it really did a number on her creativity and love of art Thank you. I'm sorry her art teachers were so rigid. Some art teachers so heavily emphasize art elements and principles and technique and that drives their lessons. It just isn't me. I'll give the kids an art medium and a theme, and have them run with it. We discuss the elements and principles and techniques within the pieces they are creating. It just seems so much more organic to me. I know when I'm painting or doing collage I rarely am thinking about line, shape, form, etc. in themselves. I only pull those ideas out when I get stuck on a particular part of the art. In my own work and in my students' I am more concerned with expressing ideas than making a pretty picture. It would be nice if it is both, but I'd rather have a fantastic idea not executed perfectly, than perfect technique and a boring idea. I'm middle school and the feeder teacher (5th & 6th grade) to my program is the opposite of me. I like her but we do not see eye to eye with teaching philosophies. I think she would have flourished under a teacher like you. |
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FurryP
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Jun 26, 2014 19:58:26 GMT
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Post by FurryP on Jul 13, 2024 18:59:16 GMT
I tend to start with other people's LOs as my "sketch." It gives me a better idea of where I want to go with it than just some shapes in a square box. It generally is not a legitimate scraplift, because rarely does my LO turn out exactly like the original.
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Chinagirl828
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Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 6,670
Jun 28, 2014 6:28:53 GMT
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Post by Chinagirl828 on Jul 14, 2024 4:43:10 GMT
I've been in a creative slump for probably the last 18 months, and sketches have been one of the ways I've been able to create anything, so I'd say just about every page starts with a sketch right now. My challenge has been how to start a page and a sketch removes that barrier, even though I often change things about the sketch on the way to my finished page.
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Post by refugeepea on Jul 14, 2024 14:52:10 GMT
All the time. I'm not creative. Designing a page is my least favorite thing to do.
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christinec68
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Posts: 5,403
Location: New York, NY
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Post by christinec68 on Jul 15, 2024 1:57:16 GMT
I like using sketches. If I didn't I'm pretty sure 70% of my layouts would have some variation of this design:  The good stuff by Christine C68, on Flickr It might be rotated or have more pictures - but the same 1/3 - 2/3 design. |
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They are a jumping off point for me and I almost never follow them exactly - especially since most nowadays are 12x12 and I'm a 8.5x11 scrapper - plus I often simplify the embellishments/layering to better fit my style. I'm okay using a layout as a sketch as well - if I can't find a sketch to inspire me, I'll look for a layout with the right number/orientation of photos and use that as my jumping off point. 
