Reading about the life and work of an artist is informative to be sure, but whatever you read can’t help but be flavored by the opinions and impressions of the book’s author. While that expert’s perspective may be enlightening, if given a choice I would prefer the advantage of tagging along with an artist in the studio — of being the proverbial fly on the wall — in order to begin to grasp the lessons to be learned by watching his or her process unfold.
Richard Diebenkorn, “Untitled” from Sketchbook #2, page 37 (1943–93), felt-tip marker ink on paper (gift of Phyllis Diebenkorn, © The Richard Diebenkorn Foundation) (click to enlarge)
With that in mind, I was very excited to read on Hyperallergic a couple of weeks ago that 29 of Richard Diebenkorn’s sketchbooks would be on view at Stanford University this fall in the exhibition Richard Diebenkorn: The Sketchbooks Revealed.
Richard Diebenkorn, “Untitled” from Sketchbook #10, page 13 (1943–93), gouache and watercolor on paper (gift of Phyllis Diebenkorn, © The Richard Diebenkorn Foundation)
Even more exciting, Stanford’s Cantor Arts Center has digitized these sketchbooks so they are now available online to anyone. Diebenkorn is one of my artistic heroes, so I can’t believe the good fortune of being able to page through this treasure trove of visual information at my own pace… and without having to travel across the country!
Richard Diebenkorn, “Untitled” from Sketchbook #20, page 45 (1943–93), crayon on paper (gift of Phyllis Diebenkorn, © The Richard Diebenkorn Foundation)
Needless to say, I think having a sketchbook is one of the most valuable assets in any artist’s practice. I can’t think of a better way to keep track of and clarify ideas. The privilege of being able to leaf through the drawings and design ideas of a master is a true gift.
Richard Diebenkorn, Cover of Sketchbook #8 (1943–93), printing ink on laminated board (gift of Phyllis Diebenkorn, © The Richard Diebenkorn Foundation)
Finally, if you have any doubts about the measurable benefits a sketchbook can offer you personally, check out this blog post by Nela Dunato. It may just spur you on to get started.
Again I marvel at your reading library and how you use the information. I still have the same Clipper sketch book but I am sure the quality of images is lacking. I am inspired by you to integrate drawing into my day.
There is so much interesting information out there — I just wish I were a speedier reader. I love hearing that you are getting the drawing bug!
Hey Elizabeth,
Thanks so much for including my article as a resource! I really hope it encourages as many people as possible to start their sketchbook practice.
I really wish I get an opportunity to flip through a sketchbook by a favorite artist of mine, like you’re able to. I think sketches reveal so much about an artists process and enable us to learn a lot just from observing them. A few years ago I visited an exhibition of various Art Nouveau artists, among them Klimt, and to be honest the rough sketches were the most interesting part. I already saw the famous paintings in books and it was cool to see them in such a large size in person, but the energy of sketches is quite different.
Thanks for your response & for the post Nela. It was the perfect illustration to cap off my point. I agree – a polished painting is a thing of beauty, but the vitality found in sketches can be a real window into an artist’s process, as well as a great learning tool.