Sketchbook Initiative

It's Time To Get Your Hands Dirty

Art Teachers + Sketchbooks = Creativity

It does not matter if you made a piece of art last week or you have not drawn in 20 years. It is time to take on this year's long challenge. Use the sketchbook prompts to fill your book and bring it back to the 2011 Conference in Galveston, Texas. Everyone has a favorite sketchbook prompt. Please share yours and help build the pages of our TAEA Sketchbook for the 50th Celebration in Galveston next year. Your ideas will part of a compiled list below which will spark TAEA members' creative spirit during the year.




January

  • Draw a composition of your favorite spot at home. Describe what you see from your vantage point. Use images and text.
    Submitted by: Julio A Mendez, Fine Arts Director, Laredo ISD

  • Draw a whimsical sandwich - no normal sandwich makings - all unusual and fun. Make it extraordinary.
    Submitted by - Sue Brunner, Brock ISD

February

  • If you were an animal, what would you be? What animal suits your personality and interests? Draw yourself as that animal. Be sure to include that animals's environment and some of your human characteristics so the animal can be identified as you.
    Submitted by: Gail Cary of Coppel ISD

  • Draw the profile of the person next to you - now turn the image sideways and create a landscape.
    Submitted by: Patricia Huntress of Brazosport ISD

March

  • "Oodles of Doodles" - Create a page filled with lines, shapes, and doodles. Use a black pen and colored markers to fill some areas with values and color if you wish.
    Submitted by: Shelie Spencer of Huntsville

  • Draw your favorite meal, drink, and dessert.
    Submitted by: Stephanie Perry of Austin

  • Design a crazy omlette!
    Submitted by: Sarah Daigrepont's

April

  • Use organic shapes to create your own exotic plant. Create an environment for your plant>
    Submitted by : Sub Flores

  • Create a composition using only "Angles, angles, and more angles."
    Submitted by: Alicia Moore

May

  • Draw and write about your favorite childhood memory
    Submitted by : Maria Patino

  • Where I want to go.....
    Submitted by :Lee Darter

  • Where I'm from, where I'm going, where I've been
    Submitted by :Unknown

All three prompts focus on visual storytelling. Think of ways you can adapt these for yourself and your students.

June

  • You are reborn as your favorite animal. Draw yourself, your habitat and write a short "Day In the Life of..."
    Submitted by : Carole D'Alessandro

  • Write down a number and turn it into an animal or alien.
    Submitted by: Linda Cross

  • Draw the head of one animal, the body of a different animal, and the legs of a third animal. Now give this new animal a crazy name.
    Submitted by Julie Blasingame

July

Enjoy your summer, stay cool and create some sketchbook memories.

  • Draw your favorite summer picnic.

  • Using text and images, illustrate FREEDOM!
    Submitted by: Jean Barnett from Austin

  • Draw an underwater scene

August

Using only a black pen draw the folling:

  • Your feet in flip flops

  • Your hand picking a summer flower.

  • Your face after a full day in the summer sun

September

  • Draw what you will look like when you are 80 years old.
    Submitted by Jennifer Easterling

  • Draw a picture of your principal as a super hero.
    Submitted by Stephanie Schmid

  • Describe how you are feeling using only color and .
    non-objective designs/patterns.

October

  • Draw an object using your non-dominant hand.
    Submitted by Sally Taylor

  • Write your name using only your non-dominate hand, repeat this several times
    on one page, then fill negative space using lines, color, pattern, and texture.

  • Draw a self portrait using only your non-dominant hand.
    non-objective designs/patterns.

Recommended Artists

  • James Jean
    Submitted by: Candie Printz of El Paso

  • Bernard Chaet,"The Freedom to See and Draw Your Own Way."
    Submitted by: Fred Deibel of San Marcos ISD

  • Sabrina Ward Harrison who uses thought with words, paint and mixed media techniques.
    Submitted by: Amanda Batson

  • Danny Gregory

  • Dan Price

  • Keri Smith