top of page

Sketchbook Era 1: The Foundations

Being a student in New York City (2002–2006)


Let's dive right in!


  • The sneak peeks: What it was like studying architecture at Pratt Institute, living in NYC, and finding my creative voice there in those now yellowing pages. I sketched my classmates and professors during class, added magazine and photo clippings, explored patterns & tessellations. There are thumbnail sketches for oil paintings, the beginnings of a comic called Sheeptails and preparations for studying abroad in Rome, Italy.

  • Lessons Learned

  • Homework: Create Like the Era


 

Last week, I posted an overview into How 21 Sketchbooks Defined 3 Eras in my Creative and Professional Journey. This week we are diving in on Sketchbook Era 1: The Foundations.


I moved to New York City in 2002, having never visited before. It was 4 months after the attacks on the World Trade Center buildings in Manhattan, and was possibly the safest the city has ever been. As a suburban gal from the south, I was grateful and the future was bright!



A spread of 21 sketchbooks on my studio floor with Era 1 within the pink block
A spread of 21 sketchbooks on my studio floor with Era 1 within the pink block

I'm pretty sure all 6 sketchbooks in this era came from Barnes and Noble or the local Apple Art bookstore near Pratt. I didn't know about choosing acid-free paper, and had yet to discover the wonders of Moleskine notebooks.

Magazine and lecture cuttings in my sketchbooks
Magazine and lecture cuttings in my sketchbooks

I mainly chose these for note taking in class, but found a creative voice finding it's footing in the margins and spreads of those pages. When I found inspiring newspaper or magazine articles, I would tape them in. It didn't hurt to include some fun ones along the way too. 😉



Newspaper and magazine cuttings in my sketchbooks
Newspaper and magazine cuttings in my sketchbooks

The 5-year architecture program at Pratt was very intense. We had weekly studio critiques, and big blocks of lectures and visiting speakers. I took a lot of notes but would sketch perimeter diagrams and envelopes for different spatial qualities for interior and exterior architectural spaces. I began to develop a diagramming language that eventually became a sort of "trademark" to my design work in studio.



Section diagram for a proposed building envelope
Section diagram for a proposed building envelope

Envelope diagrams for various scenarios
Envelope diagrams for various scenarios

Site diagrams for various visuals and sunlight
Site diagrams for various visuals and sunlight

While attending the class critiques, the only downtime was when I was not presenting. This was before cellphones were popular and even so, they were not like the "smart phones" of today. So for entertainment, I would often sketch the side profiles of classmates and professors.



Side profile sketches of classmates and professors
Side profile sketches of classmates and professors

In 2005, I started sketching tiny sheep in what would later become a fun little comic strip I would publish on my blog. I have an Instagram for @its_sheeptails but hope to post a lot of the older ones in the future.


Sheeptails scattered in my notes for what to pack for studying abroad in Italy.
Sheeptails scattered in my notes for what to pack for studying abroad in Italy.

While taking a class in Geometry, we explored tiling, tessellation and the golden section. I often sketched out the homework first in the sketchbook before finalizing it to turn in for review.



Various sketches of the golden section and perspectives
Various sketches of the golden section and perspectives

Sketches exploring tiling and tessellations
Sketches exploring tiling and tessellations

Sketching thumbnail ideas for paintings and illustrations were also sprinkled throughout the sketchbooks of this era. Some remained just ideas while others became actual paintings. The thumbnail on the left became a 24x36" oil painting titled "Dualism" and was featured at an art show in Los Angeles at Gallery 825.



Painting and illustration sketches along side notes from my History of Rome class
Painting and illustration sketches along side notes from my History of Rome class

Here are a few more fun finds...




Sketches from the Museum of Natural History
Sketches from the Museum of Natural History

Lessons Learned

I chose these 6 sketchbooks from 2002 to 2006, and named them The Foundations because they embody a raw creativity as I was discovering my artistic voice, exploring the depths of architecture, and eventually recognized as a strong foundation for Era 2: The Architect. They are mismatched in size and format which speaks volumes of being a patchwork myself at that time in life - open to soaking up any inspiration I could find.


Your Homework: Create Like the Era

I’d like to invite you to create your own piece like the era! It could be anything inspired from this post, but here are some possible ideas:

  • Create a tessellation or geometric pattern. Does it repeat? Does it look like something specific?

  • Sketch a thumbnail for an artwork idea. Keep it rough and small. Does it inspire you to go bigger?

  • Can you find something in nature that has the golden section? Photograph it and see if you can diagram the findings.

  • Sketch a side profile of a family member, friend or co-worker.


I'd love to see what you come up with. Feel free to drop me a note about it and include your sketch. I will create a separate post with any responses.


Until next time ✨~ Jennifer


 

Disclaimer: The thoughts shared in this blog are solely my own and do not represent the perspectives of my professional relationships or clientele.


0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comentários


bottom of page