So now you bought all the notebooks, what are you going to do with them all?
I am constantly using paper notebooks for everything from sketching new product ideas, writing, note-taking, and daily to do lists. During the pandemic lockdown I worked on using my notebooks for more creative pursuits, and found some great Skill Share classes. They were running free 3 month promotions and after getting hooked, I still have my sub. I highly recommend the following classes to help fill up some pages in your notebooks! Enjoy :)
1. Sketching Class with Jazza
Transform the way you draw with an in-depth illustration class like no other from creative mastermind and YouTube star Jazza!
With over five million followers on YouTube, Jazza has crafted a career out of helping others find the fun in illustration. Now, he shares his own creative process in never-before-seen detail, distilling his favorite tips, tricks, and techniques into a comprehensive masterclass for artists of all levels.
2. Sketchbook
Always Drawing is a new series from NYTimes bestselling illustrator, Mike Lowery. Mike has kept a daily sketchbook for more than 20 years and wants to help you start a daily routine of keeping one, too. And "sketchbook basics" isn't basic at all! It's geared towards artists of all skill types, from beginner to advanced students.
3. Cafe Sketching
Cafes are really the perfect sketching spots. Just imagine: interiors can be beautiful and inspiring, food sometimes looks like a piece of art, you can meet wonderful characters there.
And also it’s very comfortable to draw in a cafe! There’s always a table waiting for you, a chair, lighting, bathroom and coffee, of course. In other words, everything that an artist may need.
4. Aaron Draplin - Logo Design
Want to level up your logo design? Join acclaimed graphic designer and DDC founder Aaron Draplin for a 60-minute tour de force championing the techniques and challenges of combining type and icons into a circle, a foundational shape of graphic design.
Sketching and preparation. A modern graphic designer relying on pencil and paper? You bet! You’ll learn why “going analog” is so vital to Aaron’s artistic process, and why taking time away from the computer generates stronger ideas. Plus, Aaron will suggest specific tools to help encourage your creativity and focus as you map out your design.
5. Hand Lettering Basics
Learn the basics of hand lettering with the popular online workshop that's inspired more than 50,000 Skillshare students! Lettering artist Mary Kate McDevitt covers everything beginners need to draw, ink, and transform handwriting into artful drawings.
In this 2-hour class, Mary Kate reveals the first steps of hand lettering and shares how to concept, design, and letter phrases for any use—a poster, magazine, t-shirt, or anything else you might imagine. Over the course of 16 bite-sized video lessons, you'll learn:
Researching and Brainstorming
Sketching for Lettering
Styles for Lettering
Inking and Finalizing
6. Learn to Draw
This is an easy beginner guide that was better than most of the other drawing classes I found.
In this class, we’ll walk through basic fundamentals to build your drawing skills!
You'll learn how to see your subjects as basic shapes, how to place your subject on your paper with simple angles, and how to draw by seeing the negative space. I'll share measuring tricks that will help you draw accurately, exercises that will help you activate your creative right brain, and I'll share how you can find beautiful rhythms in your subjects.
7. Class Note-Taking
Hello! Welcome to an introduction to note taking, all about how to keep organized and effective notes.
This beginner class is designed to teach you the basics to note taking and some tips to take your notes to the next level. It will cover everything from the basic supplies to elevating your notes to be more organized and effective.
This class is great for anytime when you need to take notes whether it’s in school, your personal life, work environment, or just anybody who wants to take notes, this class is perfect for you!
8. Modern Watercolor Basics
Welcome to Modern Watercolor Techniques for Beginners with Ana Victoria! Here you will learn both basic watercolor techniques and fun new ways to use your paints mixed with other mediums and house hold supplies, such as salt and bleach. I will give you an in depth look into my favorite art supplies and how to use them properly. Watercolor can be intimidading, but I promise I will make it easy and fun with these tips and tricks. You will be amazed with the results you can obtain with my simple direction!
9. Art Journaling
Break out the collection of notebooks that’s taking up an entire section of your bookshelf and join YouTube star Amanda Rach Lee as she guides you through three art journaling exercises she uses all the time in her personal journals. Whether you’re an illustrator, a bujo maven, a person with a Washi tape collection that’s getting a tiny bit out of control, or somewhere in between, Amanda’s class is for the feelings in all of us — and can help you feel gratitude for your present and dream for your future.
10. Sketch An Interface For Your Mobile App
If you have ever wanted to make your own app, this intro is a good place to start learning how to design it. Also, I recommend the Studio Neat Panobook that is designed for just such an application!
Sketching is a great method that helps you communicate your ideas and demonstrate the intended layout and functionality of your application or concept.
Some of UX designers would think that the sketching step would be hard because they “Can’t draw” but the thing is: you don’t have to be an artist to sketch your ideas!
Let me know if you have any classes I should add or if you have any artwork you would like to share!
As always, I have not received anything for recommending the classes above and my thoughts are my own.
Cheers,
Mike :)
