The Sketchbook: Drawing Creativity into Daily Life

A sketchbook is more than a place for quick drawings; it’s a creative engine, a personal record, and an art form in itself.

Whether you’re an artist or curious beginner, this course will show you how to make sketchbooking a regular and rewarding part of your day.

Drawing inspiration from artists like Frida Kahlo, David Hockney, and Pablo Picasso, we’ll explore how sketchbooks become spaces for thinking on paper, testing ideas, and shaping artistic voices.

You’ll learn to slow down and experiment as you fill your pages with drawings, watercolors, photographs, and words.

Along the way, we will consider how the practice supports mental clarity by focusing attention and making space for reflection.

Class sessions will combine short lectures, guided exercises, and group discussion to explore artistic technique and intent and share discoveries.

You’ll leave with a sketchbook full of personal studies and sparks of inspiration, plus a creative habit you can sustain.

No prior experience with sketchbooking is necessary.

Students must purchase their own art supplies for this course and can expect to spend an additional $80–$100 on these materials.

Plan to spend at least two hours a week with your sketchbook outside of class—time to play, explore, and make it your own.