This is so good and an amazing souvenir! I often find with a busy family and travel it’s very hard to sketch there and then so often fill the majority of my travel journal when I’m back home - it is a lovely way to revisit the fresh memories and make them lasting in a sketchbook.
This is so inspiring! I'm more of a doodler and follow an improvised approach - but I loved reading through your detailed process! The images look amazing. 🔥💯
I love the idea of recording voice notes to remember details later. When I walked the Camino de Santiago de Compostela with my wife 10 years ago, I kept a sketchnote diary which I added to after walking and while waiting for the albergue to let us register to stay that night. The only problem was I missed some details of what happened in the afternoon. I imagine if I did it again today, I might try to combine our approaches.
Just so good! It’s like a field note journal from explorers of ‘yester year’ so much! Which makes it more awesome
Does make me think about doing something similar for an rpg solo play….
Anyway, tip for anyone who, like me, prefers drawing live rather than working from photos.
Yeateday I was at a stately home, so o looked after the dog while sending in the rest of the tribe. I decided to draw from outside the building, but of course when you’re right under a building it’s tricky working out how to fit the whole thing in. And sometimes also hard getting various perspectives right. And I’ve been doing this thing for years!
Usually you would use a cardboard frame or maybe a bit of clear film, marked up with lines which are replicated on the paper so you can transfer what you see to the paper (you have to find a reference point or two to anchor where you hold the frame, and hold it at arms length!)
But recently I’ve been using my phone to grab a quick photo on site, then I use that and draw from the photo to get the main forms onto the paper. No messing around with perspectives and other gadgets.
Then as soon as the basics are in, I then add the details from observation 😁
This is definitely an evolution with the added color. Most of my previous travel sketchnotes were black and white and done as I traveled, so a double evolution, I think.
Hey Mike! Love this — I have the black version of that notebook.
Though IIRC, there wasn't a green version. I'd love to know how it came to be that color :-)
Could those be limited edition? I can’t recall any longer, but I definitely chose the green because of Bilbo and The Hobbit!
Oh snap! Looks like it was a limited edition maybe? I can't believe I missed it!
Have to send Jeff Sheldon a note!
This is absolutely fabulous👍!
Loved this approach to keeping a travel journal. Great seeing my local hood through someone else's eyes, was hoping I'd bump into you in Edinburgh!
So sorry we missed you in Edinburgh! We wished for another day there, I guess we’ll just have to return! :-)
This is so good and an amazing souvenir! I often find with a busy family and travel it’s very hard to sketch there and then so often fill the majority of my travel journal when I’m back home - it is a lovely way to revisit the fresh memories and make them lasting in a sketchbook.
This is so inspiring! I'm more of a doodler and follow an improvised approach - but I loved reading through your detailed process! The images look amazing. 🔥💯
Thanks so much for your kind words!
Love it!! Your sketchnotes are beautiful and inspiring, as always. Thank you for sharing them with us all.
I love the idea of recording voice notes to remember details later. When I walked the Camino de Santiago de Compostela with my wife 10 years ago, I kept a sketchnote diary which I added to after walking and while waiting for the albergue to let us register to stay that night. The only problem was I missed some details of what happened in the afternoon. I imagine if I did it again today, I might try to combine our approaches.
That looks really cool! Those drawings are really nice and work great with the adventure style holidays!
Thanks so much for your kind words!
This is lovely! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Talila!
Just so good! It’s like a field note journal from explorers of ‘yester year’ so much! Which makes it more awesome
Does make me think about doing something similar for an rpg solo play….
Anyway, tip for anyone who, like me, prefers drawing live rather than working from photos.
Yeateday I was at a stately home, so o looked after the dog while sending in the rest of the tribe. I decided to draw from outside the building, but of course when you’re right under a building it’s tricky working out how to fit the whole thing in. And sometimes also hard getting various perspectives right. And I’ve been doing this thing for years!
Usually you would use a cardboard frame or maybe a bit of clear film, marked up with lines which are replicated on the paper so you can transfer what you see to the paper (you have to find a reference point or two to anchor where you hold the frame, and hold it at arms length!)
But recently I’ve been using my phone to grab a quick photo on site, then I use that and draw from the photo to get the main forms onto the paper. No messing around with perspectives and other gadgets.
Then as soon as the basics are in, I then add the details from observation 😁
Having a phone always with me has been a game changer for sure!
WoW Mike! I do love your Sketchnote-Journals! I remember a few things of your journals about Prague and I can see the evolution. Super awesome!
This is definitely an evolution with the added color. Most of my previous travel sketchnotes were black and white and done as I traveled, so a double evolution, I think.
Beautiful notes! Thank you for sharing them with us. Your post gave me some tips I will be using on the trip I’m on now :)
Key question, though: Did you try haggis??
I tried haggis and liked it! Reminded me of tater tot casserole.