Sketchbook Challenge

Introduction 6, Why did I write this book? 8, How to use this book 9, Why a daily sketching habit? 10, What is a sketch and what is a habit? 12, Why use sketching prompts? 14, Mindset and creativity 16, Process not perfection 19, Be like a toddler 20, The importance of creative play 22, Positive language 24, There is no wrong 26, Make it easy for yourself 27, Preparation 28, Tools & materials 28

Warm-up exercises 34, Seven days of sketching 48, Sketching prompts 50

Afterword & next steps 158

About Susan Yeates

Susan Yeates is an artist, author, podcast host and TEDx speaker. She has written and self-published four books including Learning Linocut (2011), an Amazon no. 1 bestseller, and Learn to Earn from Printmaking An essential guide to creating and marketing a printmaking business (2016). Susan's first title for Search Press, Beginner's Guide to Linocut, was published in 2018.

Susan obtained a fine art, printmaking degree from Loughborough University and has been teaching art courses and workshops both in person and online since 2003. She also co-runs a pottery café in Woking, Surrey. Susan’s TEDx talk, Create your mandala universe collaborate for a beautiful life, was broadcast in 2020.

Susan runs an annual 30-day sketching challenge every January through her website susanyeates.co.uk and on Instagram (@learninglinocut) and Facebook, encouraging people to develop a daily sketching habit. 

Susan lives and works in Woking in Surrey, UK, and continues to teach printmaking and sketching through online courses. Susan is passionate about inspiring others to get creative and also hosts a podcast called Creativity Talks. 

Leisure Painter

It's well known that practising your sketching every day is the best way to improve your drawing skills. Susan Yeates' Sketchbook Challenge is aimed at kickstarting your sketching habit with 100 simple ideas for sketching easy-to-find subjects, from buttons and jewellery to flowers and butterflies. The challenges are specifically aimed at beginners, with an emphasis on having fun. Warm-up exercises will help to get you started and Susan provides helpful advice on thinking of your subject in a different light and taking a different approach. Susan's work will inspire you to have a go yourself, with a good mixture of black-and-white sketches in both pen and pencil, coloured illustrations, painting and collage.  

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Crafts Beautiful

Are you ready for a challenge? Susan Yeates is ready to set you one. Don't worry though, we promise it'll be fun. Sketchbook Challenge takes you on a 100-day journey of creativity where you take on a new drawing prompt each day. These vary from big to small, and Susan offers a seven-day adaptation if you have less time. All of this is wrapped up in a lovely-looking book with delightful coloured illustrations.

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Craft Focus Issue 91

Kickstart or develop your own daily sketching habit with 100 simple and thought-provoking prompts from the creator of the 30-Day Sketchbook Challenge. The huge range of prompts includes found objects such as leaves, clocks, buttons and jewellery, along with more subjective suggestions such as something that smells good and items in your pocket, to encourage you to sketch everyday items you may not have considered before.

All of the challenges are suitable for beginners and teaches the principles of drawing and art, with the aim of encouraging people to relax, have fun, and get creative! We say: Also included are some warm-up exercises to help awaken the creative brain and inspire you to think more broadly about the prompts that she provided. Great idea!

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Customer Review

This book is beautifully presented with loads of lovely illustrations. The introductory chapters contain useful tips on how to cultivate a daily sketching habit. There are some inventive 'warm up' exercises (to help with nerves and sketcher's block) and ideas for tools and materials. The 100 prompts are clearly and engagingly set out, one per page, with examples of the author's own sketches and suggestions on how to tackle each prompt. This book is appropriate for all levels of sketching ability and is very encouraging. Can't wait to get started!