Do you sketch a lot?

Good, bad, great, or ugly...Doesn't matter, if you aren't sketching you ass off, guess what, the next guy is! He's also painting while you sleep, but that's entirely another story! Sketching is important in so many ways. You really need to be exploring, trying new things, taking chances, getting outside of your comfort zone,etc, in a space that's all your own and just for you. A sketchbook is the perfect tool. Sketch on the phone, at the table, wherever you are, in the car, on a plane, etc. Just like a jazz musician who practices all the time and then can jump on stage and improv like he's got the mad gift, sketching helps you develop your 'riffs' and solve problems in your paintings and finished drawings before they ever come up. If you sketch a lot it works your visual memory, hand eye coordination, indication skills, etc. You have happy accidents that lead to revelations and every one of those just helps you build a really convincing style all your own. There is no substitute, so go get some cheap or expensive ones, make one, whatever and start burning through sketchbooks. One more point relevant to now, is some perspective employers both freelance and in studios will want to see sketches from your books or they won't even consider hiring you. I think the credibility factor that having a lot of sketches to show is also a plus in this way. Personally I sketch over coffee every morning and at night before going to sleep. It's a routine I've gotten into and it really is helpful in so many ways(I will not bore you by listing any more here than I have!) It's just fundamental to keeping sharp and getting better. Start now, today, don't put it off or discount it. Sketch! Thanks for tuning in! D If you want to sketch more and get critique from a great group of artists, join the Facebook 'Speedpainting' group hosted by one of my favorite artists Alex Ruiz. People are overwhelmingly positive over there and Alex is so cool and comments on the sketches and quick paintings all the time. It's also just plain fun and forces you to sketch and do color sketches more and more. I'm over there along with about 150 others. It's a blast, so please come, say hello, join up and share.