As soon as I fell in love with the concept of commonplace books, I knew that I had to figure out how I could use one as an artist. While a commonplace book is typically associated with writers and thinkers, there are various ways in which a visual artist can use a commonplace book to enhance their creative process.
Here are a few ideas:
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Inspiration and Reference Collection: Artists often gather inspiration from various sources. A commonplace book can serve as a repository for collecting visual references, ideas, and images that spark your imagination. You can include sketches, photographs, magazine clippings, or even printed copies of artworks you find intriguing. Kind of like an analog Pinterest.
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Documentation: You can document your progress, successes, and failures, which can serve as a valuable learning resource.
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Idea Development: A commonplace book can facilitate idea generation and development. You can jot down initial concepts, sketch thumbnails, or outline project plans. By visually organizing your thoughts and concepts, you can explore different iterations, connections, and variations. This process can lead to the evolution of ideas and the creation of more refined artworks. In one video I watched the creator said he found that a commonplace book allowed for an enormous amount of cross-pollination between ideas and information.
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Creative Prompts and Challenges: You can use a commonplace book as a personal prompt generator. You can compile lists of words, quotes, or themes that inspire you and use them as creative challenges. You can randomly select prompts from your commonplace book to stimulate new ideas or push your artistic boundaries.
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Artistic Analysis and Critique: You can use a commonplace book as a space for critical analysis of your own work or the work of other artists. You can write down observations, critiques, or interpretations alongside sketches or copies of artworks. This practice helps you develop a deeper understanding of your own artistic process and can inspire new directions in their work.
Remember, there are no hard and fast rules for using a commonplace book as an artist. It's a personal tool, so feel free to adapt and customize it to suit your artistic needs and preferences. The goal is to create a space that nurtures your creativity, captures your ideas, and supports your artistic growth.
So then how is a commonplace book different from a sketchbook?
While a commonplace book and an artist's sketchbook share some similarities, they serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics:
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Function: A sketchbook primarily serves as a visual diary for an artist to practice, explore, and develop their artistic skills. It is a space where artists create sketches, drawings, and other visual representations. On the other hand, a commonplace book focuses on collecting and organizing a wide range of ideas, inspirations, and information, not limited to visual content.
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Content: In an artist's sketchbook, the emphasis is on visual expression. It contains sketches, studies, experiments, and finished artworks. The content is predominantly visual, with minimal text or annotations. In contrast, a commonplace book can include visual elements, but it is not limited to them. It can incorporate written notes, quotes, ideas, clippings, and other sources of inspiration that go beyond direct visual representation.
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Organization: Sketchbooks often follow a chronological order, showcasing an artist's progress and development over time. They may be filled sequentially as new ideas and sketches are added. Commonplace books, however, can be organized thematically or by topics. Artists can arrange the content based on their interests, projects, or creative explorations, allowing for non-linear organization.
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Source Material: Sketchbooks are primarily filled with an artist's original creations, generated during their artistic process. The sketches and drawings are usually the artist's own work. In contrast, a commonplace book can contain a broader range of source materials. It can incorporate references, clippings, quotes, or even copies of other artists' work that inspire the artist. The purpose is to collect and organize diverse sources of inspiration, not necessarily limited to the artist's own creations.
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Focus: Sketchbooks are often centered on the artist's personal artistic development, experimentation, and exploration. They serve as a private space for the artist to practice and refine their skills. In contrast, a commonplace book has a broader focus. It can encompass various aspects of the artist's creative process, including inspiration, ideas, research, and reflections, extending beyond the artist's own practice.
In short: a sketchbook focuses on the artist's visual expression and development, a commonplace book serves as a collection of ideas, inspirations, and information that extend beyond visual representation.
So then what about the Studio Notebook that I've kept for years? Would a Studio Notebook be more like a commonplace book or a sketchbook? Or is the perfect melding of the two? Or is all of this semantics and who really cares?!
We will chat about that later this week! Thanks for stopping by!
Oh golly, if I have to decide “which book should this idea go into?” the idea will be gone before I can decide. I have art journals by my painting-and-gluing table and I guess what is my Commonplace Book by my computer. So, a wet book and a dry book? A left brain book and a right brain book? JUST GET IT DOWN ON PAPER!!! ;-D
Oh golly, if I have to decide “which book should this idea go into?” the idea will be gone before I can decide. I have art journals by my painting-and-gluing table and I guess what is my Commonplace Book by my computer. So, a wet book and a dry book? A left brain book and a right brain book? JUST GET IT DOWN ON PAPER!!! ;-D
Oh golly, if I have to decide “which book should this idea go into?” the idea will be gone before I can decide. I have art journals by my painting-and-gluing table and I guess what is my Commonplace Book by my computer. So, a wet book and a dry book? A left brain book and a right brain book? JUST GET IT DOWN ON PAPER!!! ;-D
Oh golly, if I have to decide “which book should this idea go into?” the idea will be gone before I can decide. I have art journals by my painting-and-gluing table and I guess what is my Commonplace Book by my computer. So, a wet book and a dry book? A left brain book and a right brain book? JUST GET IT DOWN ON PAPER!!! ;-D
Oh golly, if I have to decide “which book should this idea go into?” the idea will be gone before I can decide. I have art journals by my painting-and-gluing table and I guess what is my Commonplace Book by my computer. So, a wet book and a dry book? A left brain book and a right brain book? JUST GET IT DOWN ON PAPER!!! ;-D
Oh golly, if I have to decide “which book should this idea go into?” the idea will be gone before I can decide. I have art journals by my painting-and-gluing table and I guess what is my Commonplace Book by my computer. So, a wet book and a dry book? A left brain book and a right brain book? JUST GET IT DOWN ON PAPER!!! ;-D
Oh golly, if I have to decide “which book should this idea go into?” the idea will be gone before I can decide. I have art journals by my painting-and-gluing table and I guess what is my Commonplace Book by my computer. So, a wet book and a dry book? A left brain book and a right brain book? JUST GET IT DOWN ON PAPER!!! ;-D
I am enthralled by the idea of a Commonplace book. This is a new concept to me. I shared it with my 14 year old granddaughter and she said she is already keeping such a journal ad she was so pleased to read about its history. Thanks for these insightful entries.
I am enthralled by the idea of a Commonplace book. This is a new concept to me. I shared it with my 14 year old granddaughter and she said she is already keeping such a journal ad she was so pleased to read about its history. Thanks for these insightful entries.
I am enthralled by the idea of a Commonplace book. This is a new concept to me. I shared it with my 14 year old granddaughter and she said she is already keeping such a journal ad she was so pleased to read about its history. Thanks for these insightful entries.
I am enthralled by the idea of a Commonplace book. This is a new concept to me. I shared it with my 14 year old granddaughter and she said she is already keeping such a journal ad she was so pleased to read about its history. Thanks for these insightful entries.
I am enthralled by the idea of a Commonplace book. This is a new concept to me. I shared it with my 14 year old granddaughter and she said she is already keeping such a journal ad she was so pleased to read about its history. Thanks for these insightful entries.
I am enthralled by the idea of a Commonplace book. This is a new concept to me. I shared it with my 14 year old granddaughter and she said she is already keeping such a journal ad she was so pleased to read about its history. Thanks for these insightful entries.
I am enthralled by the idea of a Commonplace book. This is a new concept to me. I shared it with my 14 year old granddaughter and she said she is already keeping such a journal ad she was so pleased to read about its history. Thanks for these insightful entries.
I guess this is what my studio journal has morphed into, especially after Boot Camp as this was basically the format for the way I worked through both boot camps.
I guess this is what my studio journal has morphed into, especially after Boot Camp as this was basically the format for the way I worked through both boot camps.
I guess this is what my studio journal has morphed into, especially after Boot Camp as this was basically the format for the way I worked through both boot camps.
I guess this is what my studio journal has morphed into, especially after Boot Camp as this was basically the format for the way I worked through both boot camps.
I guess this is what my studio journal has morphed into, especially after Boot Camp as this was basically the format for the way I worked through both boot camps.
I guess this is what my studio journal has morphed into, especially after Boot Camp as this was basically the format for the way I worked through both boot camps.
I guess this is what my studio journal has morphed into, especially after Boot Camp as this was basically the format for the way I worked through both boot camps.
I think notebooks are an ongoing evolution!
I think notebooks are an ongoing evolution!
I think notebooks are an ongoing evolution!
I think notebooks are an ongoing evolution!
I think notebooks are an ongoing evolution!
I think notebooks are an ongoing evolution!
I think notebooks are an ongoing evolution!
Thats how I felt when I found the name for what Ive been doing for years!
Thats how I felt when I found the name for what Ive been doing for years!
Thats how I felt when I found the name for what Ive been doing for years!
Thats how I felt when I found the name for what Ive been doing for years!
Thats how I felt when I found the name for what Ive been doing for years!
Thats how I felt when I found the name for what Ive been doing for years!
Thats how I felt when I found the name for what Ive been doing for years!
Thats awesome! I think its so natural for people to want to keep a record of things!
Thats awesome! I think its so natural for people to want to keep a record of things!
Thats awesome! I think its so natural for people to want to keep a record of things!
Thats awesome! I think its so natural for people to want to keep a record of things!
Thats awesome! I think its so natural for people to want to keep a record of things!
Thats awesome! I think its so natural for people to want to keep a record of things!
Thats awesome! I think its so natural for people to want to keep a record of things!
I never knew it had a name but I’ve had commonplace books for years! I’d always loved the idea of a sketchbook but never had a routine habit of sketching. Writing notes, lists, organizing my thoughts and ideas…that IS a daily habit. And of course, when the mood strikes for sketching, the pages are right there. I’m about to start my next “volume” becasue my last one is almost filled….I think I will make some tabbed categories. Or, then again, maybe I won’t.
Thanks for naming what this is!
I never knew it had a name but I’ve had commonplace books for years! I’d always loved the idea of a sketchbook but never had a routine habit of sketching. Writing notes, lists, organizing my thoughts and ideas…that IS a daily habit. And of course, when the mood strikes for sketching, the pages are right there. I’m about to start my next “volume” becasue my last one is almost filled….I think I will make some tabbed categories. Or, then again, maybe I won’t.
Thanks for naming what this is!
I never knew it had a name but I’ve had commonplace books for years! I’d always loved the idea of a sketchbook but never had a routine habit of sketching. Writing notes, lists, organizing my thoughts and ideas…that IS a daily habit. And of course, when the mood strikes for sketching, the pages are right there. I’m about to start my next “volume” becasue my last one is almost filled….I think I will make some tabbed categories. Or, then again, maybe I won’t.
Thanks for naming what this is!
I never knew it had a name but I’ve had commonplace books for years! I’d always loved the idea of a sketchbook but never had a routine habit of sketching. Writing notes, lists, organizing my thoughts and ideas…that IS a daily habit. And of course, when the mood strikes for sketching, the pages are right there. I’m about to start my next “volume” becasue my last one is almost filled….I think I will make some tabbed categories. Or, then again, maybe I won’t.
Thanks for naming what this is!
I never knew it had a name but I’ve had commonplace books for years! I’d always loved the idea of a sketchbook but never had a routine habit of sketching. Writing notes, lists, organizing my thoughts and ideas…that IS a daily habit. And of course, when the mood strikes for sketching, the pages are right there. I’m about to start my next “volume” becasue my last one is almost filled….I think I will make some tabbed categories. Or, then again, maybe I won’t.
Thanks for naming what this is!
I never knew it had a name but I’ve had commonplace books for years! I’d always loved the idea of a sketchbook but never had a routine habit of sketching. Writing notes, lists, organizing my thoughts and ideas…that IS a daily habit. And of course, when the mood strikes for sketching, the pages are right there. I’m about to start my next “volume” becasue my last one is almost filled….I think I will make some tabbed categories. Or, then again, maybe I won’t.
Thanks for naming what this is!
I never knew it had a name but I’ve had commonplace books for years! I’d always loved the idea of a sketchbook but never had a routine habit of sketching. Writing notes, lists, organizing my thoughts and ideas…that IS a daily habit. And of course, when the mood strikes for sketching, the pages are right there. I’m about to start my next “volume” becasue my last one is almost filled….I think I will make some tabbed categories. Or, then again, maybe I won’t.
Thanks for naming what this is!
I need to do this! I have been in the process of putting information together that I have collected for years. I have magazine clippings, notes, drawings, all kinds of stuff. I was trying to figure out how to separate it to organize it, but maybe it all belongs together.
I’m thinking I could incorporate some bullet journaling techniques as well, for project development. Like numbering the pages and having a table of contents.
Now I have to decide what kind of book to use?
I need to do this! I have been in the process of putting information together that I have collected for years. I have magazine clippings, notes, drawings, all kinds of stuff. I was trying to figure out how to separate it to organize it, but maybe it all belongs together.
I’m thinking I could incorporate some bullet journaling techniques as well, for project development. Like numbering the pages and having a table of contents.
Now I have to decide what kind of book to use?
I need to do this! I have been in the process of putting information together that I have collected for years. I have magazine clippings, notes, drawings, all kinds of stuff. I was trying to figure out how to separate it to organize it, but maybe it all belongs together.
I’m thinking I could incorporate some bullet journaling techniques as well, for project development. Like numbering the pages and having a table of contents.
Now I have to decide what kind of book to use?
I need to do this! I have been in the process of putting information together that I have collected for years. I have magazine clippings, notes, drawings, all kinds of stuff. I was trying to figure out how to separate it to organize it, but maybe it all belongs together.
I’m thinking I could incorporate some bullet journaling techniques as well, for project development. Like numbering the pages and having a table of contents.
Now I have to decide what kind of book to use?
I need to do this! I have been in the process of putting information together that I have collected for years. I have magazine clippings, notes, drawings, all kinds of stuff. I was trying to figure out how to separate it to organize it, but maybe it all belongs together.
I’m thinking I could incorporate some bullet journaling techniques as well, for project development. Like numbering the pages and having a table of contents.
Now I have to decide what kind of book to use?
I need to do this! I have been in the process of putting information together that I have collected for years. I have magazine clippings, notes, drawings, all kinds of stuff. I was trying to figure out how to separate it to organize it, but maybe it all belongs together.
I’m thinking I could incorporate some bullet journaling techniques as well, for project development. Like numbering the pages and having a table of contents.
Now I have to decide what kind of book to use?
I need to do this! I have been in the process of putting information together that I have collected for years. I have magazine clippings, notes, drawings, all kinds of stuff. I was trying to figure out how to separate it to organize it, but maybe it all belongs together.
I’m thinking I could incorporate some bullet journaling techniques as well, for project development. Like numbering the pages and having a table of contents.
Now I have to decide what kind of book to use?
I just went back and read your first post – you had already mentioned doing this like a bullet journal.
Also, On Instagram there is #commonplacebook with over 22,000 posts. How in the world did we not know about these before? Interesting…
I just went back and read your first post – you had already mentioned doing this like a bullet journal.
Also, On Instagram there is #commonplacebook with over 22,000 posts. How in the world did we not know about these before? Interesting…
I just went back and read your first post – you had already mentioned doing this like a bullet journal.
Also, On Instagram there is #commonplacebook with over 22,000 posts. How in the world did we not know about these before? Interesting…
I just went back and read your first post – you had already mentioned doing this like a bullet journal.
Also, On Instagram there is #commonplacebook with over 22,000 posts. How in the world did we not know about these before? Interesting…
I just went back and read your first post – you had already mentioned doing this like a bullet journal.
Also, On Instagram there is #commonplacebook with over 22,000 posts. How in the world did we not know about these before? Interesting…
I just went back and read your first post – you had already mentioned doing this like a bullet journal.
Also, On Instagram there is #commonplacebook with over 22,000 posts. How in the world did we not know about these before? Interesting…
I just went back and read your first post – you had already mentioned doing this like a bullet journal.
Also, On Instagram there is #commonplacebook with over 22,000 posts. How in the world did we not know about these before? Interesting…
I recently became reacquainted with the commonplace book and am beginning one in the new year! Your blog (yay! There are still blogs out here!) is a goldmine of clear info about commonplace books and I’m grateful for it to help me cement into my brain what it is exactly, and how it differs from the other journaling (art and writing) that I do.
Glad to hear it!