Do you ever have those moments where you just need to get outside for a walk and some time away from the house/work/wherever to just think and be? I know I do, and if I’m heading out I like to have something with me that I can write out my thoughts or just sketch out some ideas. I’m not great at drawing but sometimes it’s not about the finished product, it’s just about letting my brain wander and let it sketch whatever it wants to.
Today’s mini makeover is a fun way of being organised for those times, so you can just grab what you need and get out that door as fast as you can. Because sometimes fresh air and the quiet can make all the difference.
What you’ll need:
- Sketchbook – I prefer mine to be unlined for sketching but to be lined for taking notes. You could choose whichever type works best for you. This is from Paperchase in the UK from about 6 years ago, but you can get sketchbooks from art supplies stores and some office supplies stores
- Pencils for Sketching – I got these from an art supplies store a few years back. They have 2H right through to 6B and are from Faber-Castell. Any grey-lead pencil will do, but I love having the choice from very light to very dark
- Fineliner – Sketching with a fineliner can be more fun, though it’s much more permanent than pencil. It’s great to have if you want to keep something for good or if you want to write some ideas or thoughts whilst you’re taking your moment outdoors. I got this from an art supplies store, but you can find one anywhere you can buy pens
- Eraser – A must have if you’re working with pencil. A good one will remove any trace of a line that went off course. The mini softy’s are my favourite as they seem to be the best at removing pencil marks without leaving smudges behind
- Sharpener – Having one that keeps the sharpenings inside is great when you’re out and about as you don’t have to find a rubbish bin or put them back in your bag (to roam forever at the bottom) and they are also a must if you’re using a pencil. The good ones can be a little more expensive, but they are often less annoying to use too. This is from a news agents, but you can get them at most office supplies stores and supermarkets.
- Washi Tape – Washi Tape is great when you want to add some colour to your page or if you want a starting point to sketch around. It’s fun for those of us who aren’t the best at drawing and good for those times where you want to just create for the fun of it.
- Pencil Case – Great for keeping everything in one place and making it easy to grab and go. These are good to keep separate from your everyday pencils and stationery so that it’s always stocked. This is from Smiggle from about 7 years ago. You can find cute ones that are also functional in most places that sell school supplies.
- Optional: A Bag to keep them in – so you really can grab and go!
Take all of your supplies listed above and maybe some coloured pencils too, and pack them all up in a bag or a container that you can easily grab on your way out the door. Take yourself for a walk in the fresh air and find a place where you can sit and just draw, doodle or even think. It could a picnic table or just a park bench. I wanted to keep the kit simple so you didn’t need a full table to just get sketching and dreaming.
The best thing about sketching is that it doesn’t have to be great. It can just be for you in that moment and it could even just be something that you do and then never look at again. It’s more about giving your creativity some space to play than it is about being perfect. It’s even something that you could just keep for yourself and not make it something that you share.
What I love about a sketchbook kit is that it doesn’t have to be overly complicated and is something that you could make up for each member of your family for those times when everyone needs a bit of down time. I think we all need that down time and this gives us something to do with our hands, especially in those times where we can’t do things that cost a lot of money or take up a lot of time. It could just be something that you do for 10 minutes before you head to school pick-up or whilst the kids are playing in the park. Even if you don’t have kids, like me, down time is something that we need to make time for and this is a way to feel like we’re still doing ‘something’.
Sometimes it’s the simple things that can bring us the most joy. Sketching outdoors is one of those for me.
Do you have a sketchbook kit? What do you do to ensure you get some down time?
If you do try this, I’d love to see a photo or hear about how it went! Tweet me your pics at: @danniellecresp or instagram me at: @dannielle with the hashtag: #styleforahappyhome