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Hannah Sanguinetti's avatar

You're so right about these tips, thanks for reminding me about the pockets especially! I like tiny tiny handmade sketchbooks for that purpose then everything fits in one jacket pocket.

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Amber Au's avatar

Hope you find these tips helpful Hannah. Yes, a pocket size sketchbook is really handy! :D

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Meo Richter's avatar

I love this. Travel sketching could be the topic of a whole book. I am also victim of overtaking, when I know all I need is my blackwing pencil, watercolor and fine liners. But as you say one day maybe we will not overpack🤭 since having a baby drawing on location during vacations has become so difficult though because we can never sit more than 10min somewhere, so I mostly sketch from my travel photos now

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Amber Au's avatar

Thank you Meo! Drawing on location with a baby sounds really challenging but as you say, you can take a quick snap and draw afterwards! And I love your drawings especially the use of colours, they give me a feeling of calmness whenever I look at them.

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Meo Richter's avatar

It is . I miss the days where I could just sit somewhere and paint 1h. But those days will come back one day. I really liked visiting Matisse exhibit in basel because they shared how he couldn't really get in the zone to paint during his travels so painted a lot afterwards . So I have been reading a lot from his practice to know what tips I can take from there to make my travel paintings more lively as well.

Thank you so much for the very kind comments on my paintings. I am happy to know they make you feel this way, and that they resonate with you. It's a big compliment 🥰

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Debbie Baier's avatar

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and sketchbook. Delightful!

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Amber Au's avatar

Glad that you enjoy it Debbie! :D

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Invisible's avatar

Thank you for sharing your sketchbook with us! This was the first time I’d ever looked at a travel sketchbook before. You’ve inspired me to try one of my own. 🙂

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Amber Au's avatar

I'm so glad that you find it inspirational. I really recommend trying it because I have learnt to observe more instead of focusing on my phone. Happy sketching! :D

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Gayle Selby's avatar

Thank you for sharing this delightful journal of your travel! I love your simple style of quick expressive drawings and the inclusion of ephemera from your travels. I collect this type things, but seldom ad them to a journal… I’m determined to try next time!

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Amber Au's avatar

Thank you for your kind words Gayle! :D

Yes, you should do it! I used to collect a lot of ephemera and they have just sat there for years. This is the first time in many years I included them in my sketchbook and to me, it's the best way to collect them. Hope you have fun doing it too! x

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Lizzy Metcalfe's avatar

Loved looking through your sketchbook. What a lovely way to document your trip. Thanks for sharing ❤️

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Amber Au's avatar

Thanks Lizzy! :D I'm glad that you enjoy it!

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Marcy's avatar

Helpful tips! I always like working on travel journals, but I often only get a little done on location, and I fill things in on planes or trains or at home. I'd like to get more done on location.

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Amber Au's avatar

Thanks Marcy! Glad that you find these helpful:D

I fill up my sketchbook on planes and trains often too.I used to be gutted whenever I couldn't finish a drawing on location but I realised finishing on location is not the purpose of sketching, the most important thing is to build up my observational skills and have fun!

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Fánaíocht's avatar

These are the exact sketchbooks I use. I love the paper but they always fall apart eventually, mine end up all duct taped up!

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Amber Au's avatar

Yes I love the paper too! Mine is still alright but taped up sketchbook weirdly sounds vintage to me. I might have to do the same if mine fallen apart in the future! Thanks for sharing :D

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Bryant Del Toro's avatar

These were elite tips. The pocket tip is underrateddd. This is exactly why I was thinking of getting the Lochby Field Folio A5. Thanks for the great read!

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Amber Au's avatar

Thank you Bryant! Glad that you find these helpful. A5 sketchbook is really a good size for travelling:D

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Emino's avatar

Amazing post! Gonna definitely try to sketch more while traveling 🤍🤍🤍

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Amber Au's avatar

Thank you Emino! Glad that you enjoy it. I'm sure you will enjoy travel sketching :D

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Francesca Grech's avatar

This was so lovely to read and watch - really liked the Hagrid-looking uncle!

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Amber Au's avatar

Thanks Francesca! I'm glad that you enjoy it! Yes, the Hagrid-looking uncle is really cute! I realised I have paid attention more to my surrounding since I started sketching. I would have missed the uncle if it wasn't for sketching.

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Francesca Grech's avatar

I know exactly what you mean! Sketching your surroundings means you just have to really look if you're capturing fleeting moments. I also find it helps with the social anxiety to a certain extent because my brain is focused on what I'm seeing and drawing rather than the people wondering what the heck I'm staring at for so long!

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Fánaíocht's avatar

I use these exact sketchbooks, love the paper but they always fall apart eventually. Mine end up all duct taped up everytime!

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