Following on from last month’s post about the equipment I used for sketching on location, I’m turning to something less tangible but just as important: how I find inspiration when I’m out sketching, and how I make the most of what’s in front of me. I'm sharing this give some insight into how I gather ideas for my paintings, but also, to dispel any hesitation you may have to try it for yourself.

Sketching is about capturing the essence of something. They can be done quickly and with relatively little equipment. Completed or partially completed sketches can be taken home and developed further in the studio, used for reference for future works, or just be kept as a sketch journal. Words can be added to, as well as notes on colours or anything else that sparks interest.

Artists use sketchbooks for many reasons. They usually have several on the go, stick all sorts of things they collect in them, as well as sketch, paint and doodle on the pages. This makes them delightfully colourful, messy, and crammed with ideas and collected treasures. Some of mine over the years have had to be reinforced with duct tape to keep the spines together!

The first idea I had for this series was in the night when I was staying in hotel in Norwich. It was during that short period between being awake and drifting off to sleep. This time, known as hypnagogia, is a special time and is well recognised as being a highly creative "twilght zone". It doesn't happen to me often, but when it does it results in a creative solution or creative new idea and it's amazing! On this occassion I leapt out of bed and sketched my idea and wrote it

Last month I set myself a challenge. I needed to get reconnected to my playful creative self to move forward with some ideas. I received...