[Today’s featured artwork for Day 104 of the 365 Days Project is by Jason Anthony Limberg.]
The Artist’s sketchbook is often the closest thing to getting inside the Artist’s Mind.
#104 – The Artist’s sketchbook is the place for pure, unbridled creation. Impulses, wisps of ideas, fragments of creative flashes are collected – a ready reference for future artwork.
Artists rarely show their sketchbooks. They are like the Holy Grail to the Artist Mind, and we can all be rightfully protective of our visual ramblings that often make sense to no one else but us.
As I was visiting the website of Jason Anthony Limberg’s drawings, I noticed a tab entitled, “Sketchbook” and was thrilled to find an artist who openly shared the inner workings of his creative mind. I asked Limberg how he uses sketching in his overall artistic process.
“I have a tendency to sketch anywhere I can and try to carry my sketchbook with me wherever I go,” said Limberg. “That way, I have constant access to my ideas while being able to relax.”
Limberg is a “midwestern guy” who lives in the country, so his favorite place to sketch is outside in the fresh air. “I am addicted to coffee,” he said, “so that is what’s usually next to me – either in my thermos in the woods, or a mug in my studio or at a coffee shop. As the day goes on, I sometimes trade the coffee for a good beer or whiskey.”
“My sketches are used for multiple purposes. Sometimes I just draw whatever comes and let my hand move across the page without censoring it. These are often my favorites because there is nothing that hinges on them. I’m just enjoying myself and kind of letting go.”
With other sketches, Limberg tries to work out ideas using different mark making and subject matter that he will eventually integrate into his larger drawings.
“I especially love doing these as they turn out to be miniature works of art. I can really work on the overall craftsmanship, improving my ability to get better smoothness and line quality with my pencil and stumps and then bringing in highlights and movement with erasers.”
All those sketches allow the Artist Mind total freedom, and also provides the Logical Brain the opportunity to hone technical skill, providing a solid foundation for the eventual work of art.
Never underestimate the power of a good sketch……
Jason Anthony Limberg’s artwork can be viewed at: Jason Limberg
Descriptions of the images included in this article:
Sketchbook Entries
Jason Anthony Limberg, Indiana
Graphite on paper
Ervin
Jason Anthony Limberg, Indiana
Graphite on paper
The 365 Days Project
In 2012, Serena Kovalosky committed to writing an article a day for 365 days as an exploration into the lives of artists and the value of creative thinking in our society.
Experience the full evolution of the project! Click below to read the entire collection of articles.
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