Keeping a Creative Sketchbook - by Emma Block (Hardcover)

About the Book

"From watercolor icon Emma Block comes a creativity guide to keeping a sketchbook as an artistic practice, with techniques and sources of inspiration for experimenting, drawing and painting, and seeing the world through a colorful lens"--

Book Synopsis

An inspiring creativity guide for keeping a sketchbook as an artistic practice, with techniques and sources of inspiration for experimenting, drawing, painting, and seeing the world through a colorful lens, from watercolor artist and author of The Joy of Watercolor Emma Block.

Keeping a sketchbook is a wonderfully rewarding pursuit for artists and hobbyists alike. Your sketchbook is a safe place to explore, experiment, try new things, record your progress, and sometimes mess up. Working in a sketchbook, particularly on location, is an innately mindful practice. You become completely focused on the things you are sketching or painting and fully immersed in the atmosphere of the place.

In Keeping a Creative Sketchbook, Emma Block shares her own sketchbook practice and offers inspiring artist interviews and numerous techniques and practices for beginning or transforming your own. Packed with ideas and prompts to get you started, this book helps overcome overwhelm and open a world of joyful creativity. With your sketchbook by your side, you can slow down in the present moment--tuning into the little things, enjoying the process, letting go of perfectionism, and embracing the blank page. It's a space to discover rich new depths to your creativity and connect with your artist mindset for inner peace.

Review Quotes

Praise for Emma Block's art instruction books
"Emma has created another beautiful and comprehensive book, bursting with inspiration and easy to follow watercolor projects. A really wonderful way to practice mindfulness and embrace your creativity."--Stacie Swift, illustrator and author of You Are Positively Awesome

"The Joy of Watercolor will leave you with a better understanding of how to paint your vacation, pet, flowers, and more."--My Modern Met

"Awash with contemporary themes, a liberating touch, and a friendly, supportive tone."--Breathe

"Emma Block provides clear instructions on how to paint your own masterpieces, all while giving you encouragement to see the beauty in the ordinary. From flowers to objects to people, you'll be seeing the world through joyful colors as you paint the world around you. Who knows what inspiring art lies within your heart?"--Yakima Herald-Republic

"Filled with . . . engaging, creative tutorials to help you develop your watercolor painting skills."--Mollie Makes

"Illustration superstar Emma Block's first book . . . is not only a credit to her design skills but a step-by-step manual of how you can level up your painting."--Mollie Makes

"What's not to like . . . ? The answer, I'm pleased to say, is absolutely nothing."--Art Book Review

"Whether you are a beginner or need to inject some inspiration into your sketching practice, this is a great book."--Passion for Paper

About the Author

Emma Block is a successful freelance illustrator who uses watercolors in a fresh and modern way and isn't afraid to break the rules. Her watercolor and gouache paintings have gained her over 100,000 followers on Instagram (@emmablockillustration) and she has become a reliable source of online watercolor advice. As well as inspiring budding artists all over the world online she teaches regular sellout watercolor classes in the UK. She is also the author of The Joy of Watercolor, Watercolor Life, and the journal Slow Travel.