The “Skies” Sketchbook by J.M.W. Turner
The “Skies” Sketchbook by J.M.W. Turner
Who does not love a good sketchbook? Looking through another artist’s sketchbook is one of my favorite ways to spend an hour. I am particularly interested in learning how artists use preparatory sketches to inform their studio paintings.
This book is one of my favorites. It’s a special peek into the workings of JMW Turner. The last two images show how Turner used abbreviated notation to record observations, and he was sorta willy nilly as to the organization of his sketchook, right side up was not always his priority, instead it seems to be just gettin the idea down!
I love that he was not precious about his sketchbooks. On the internet I see so many wonderful sketchbooks that seem to be curated and designed even before the sketches are added to them. I have never been particularly good at keeping a beautiful sketchbook, instead I write and add as I go, not thinking about how a new sketch will add to overall flow of the book. It is good knowing that the great J.M.W. Turner also just used his sketchbooks, however he saw fit.
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