finishing a sketchbook in a week ✰

instagram ✦ @leighellexson

Hope you enjoy this video. I am going to try to list all the supplies I used in the video below :-)

Strathmore drawing sketchbook
Prismacolor Premiere colored pencils
2B pencil
Fudenosuke Tombow Brush pen
Posca markers
Winsor & Newton Gouache
Winsor & Newton Pigment pens
Sugar House Ceramic Co palettes & paint cup
Assorted oil pastels

[tarabooartarmy]

It’s so strange. When I see your colored pencil art, or other people’s, I love it when it has texture. But when I do it myself, I want it super smooth. I’m trying to break out of that need for “perfection”.

[arleebean]

This is SO inspiring. I actually sat down with my sketchbook yesterday while watching this, which I haven't done in a long time. Thanks, Leigh! ♥

[cycts]

You talking about feeling guilty about not posting things Just For Content made me realize that not only have I gone through the same thing, but I actually haven't posted anything or shared my art for probably 2 years now. I've just been in this stage of self reflection and just.... making art for the sake of making art. It's been very good for me while I try to rebuild my relationship with art making. Obviously don't be like me and go 2 years without sharing but it's absolutely something I think more people need to remember. You're an artist because you like doing it! So you should do it just for yourself just as much as you should do it for other people.

[erikaleighart]

My job is in a different industry from yours, but I can definitely identify with the mindset that if you’re doing something, you should be “productive” or in some way capitalizing on the time you’re spending…and feeling guilty when you’re not. That mentality can hold you prisoner, and it is so liberating to challenge it. Satisfaction in utilizing your skill set for YOURSELF and no one else may not pay the bills, but there’s definitely a high value in it. Glad you gave yourself permission to play and do what you want, and thanks for sharing that process! Side comment: you’re a cool human, and I think it’s neat how you often remind people to stay hydrated! :-)

[myriamtillson]

Your work is so completely the opposite of mine, it's so bright, colourful, vibrant and whimsical, that watching your videos feels like a vacation from my brain and I always feel relaxed and happy after I've tuned into your content. Love it. This was so much fun, thanks for sharing it with us!

[emma-qcvx]

absolutely wrecking a new white pencil for the sake of aggressive blending is a young artist rite of passage

[eminorthworld]

I am so happy to be rewatching older videos as this sense of not letting go art that is a failure is very current. Or even starting in my case these days. I love rewatching your videos ❤

[Alex_Stark-]

Anyone else can’t stop watching her videos her art is so cool / pretty, can’t wait to watch this

[Foxsy_Official]

I can't tell you HOW MUCH I relate to your discussion of feeling guilty for creating stuff that I don't plan on monetizing. UGH! That type of loose drawing/painting is so essential to growth and mental health and such, but it is so hard once you have the pressure of an online audience! It's wonderful to hear you talk about it though, it's such a specific feeling that's hard to put into words sometimes. It's nice to have people to relate to!

[mdwrm]

leigh, you are one of my most favorite artists!! i love the way you document your growth when it comes to making art. i think most people are focused on "getting better" at art by making a lot of work, when i think a lot of people would benefit more from developing their artistic hand and eye. the way you describe your frustration with social media's interaction with the direction you take your work highlights this somewhat. you seem to want to push your boundaries and see how far you can take your abilities in a broader sense of what making art entails. people seem to see art as only about making good looking finished pieces but ignore how it feels when making the art itself. that act of doing can sometimes be why art is even made-- just to make it (vs having a product after). i support you on your journey to *make* art regardless if the reception is good or if it comes out looking good. this isn't to say your art hasn't been good; i've been loving your looser work lately. just know that whatever numbers you make on social media, you have so many people who enjoy your work. please keep doing your best! :o)

[squidpigeon]

i love watching you draw birds and recognizing the reference photo you used because i used the exact same one (this has happened 3 times in the 2 videos of urs i've watched tonight). constant bird sketchers unite!

[dmccoy]

LMAO at the blending colored pencils and that short ass white colored pencil as a result. So me in high school.

[thelinus]

Cannot tell you how much i love the way you use colour. Its so free and bright and inspiring!

[krista_elise]

On the last pages of my sketchbook I will often collage a simple landscape- this helps with the 2 different types of paper and often the 2 different colours of paper if my cover is black or brown. I can use magazines, tear up old watercolour paintings I don’t like, reuse packing papers or envelopes... then draw over it if I want.

The super blended coloured pencils remind me of a girl I taught my first year teaching high school AP art. She would “sharpen” her coloured pencil onto a sheet of paper and then use the tiny dust from the sharpening’s with her finger and blend it onto the paper. It was beautiful work, but quite a process.

❤️ watching your videos Leigh. Thanks for your inspiration!

[leahjespersen]

Watching you make art is such an inspiration and just makes me want to whip out my sketchbook, enjoy myself, and not care about the final results. Can't wait for the sketchbook tour! 🥰 💕

[poppybarnes]

My Favourite thing to do after school is paint and watch ALL your videos again and again. They are so CHILL and inspirational and I love that! Cool video, love the vibe, so cute! Keep up the amazing work! :)

[Bamberdoodle]

I love this kind of draw with me talk with me type video! It's so great to feel like we're just hanging out drawing together. I like seeing your thought process as you work.

[gremren]

it's crazy how much i can relate with how you're feeling at the moment. wanting to grow and try new things, feeling somewhat trapped by external expectations, enjoying the process of something fresh... dude, i love this for u. get it!!!!

[Lisa_Flowers]

I'm completely new here, I've never watched any of your videos before this so I had no previous expectations about what your art 'should' or usually looks like. So I think it's really interesting how you talked about breaking away from your usual artist self and experimenting and allowing yourself to be loose. I l LOVE how loose and playful the art in this video is, and there's just something about it that makes me super happy. I've also now (after finishing this video) checked out your other work, and love that too. But this specific vdeo and the art in it just draws me in, maybe because of that looseness and play. I think that's definitely communicated in the actual art work.

[carro_ott]

Watching u work is an experience in itself. So beautiful