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What about sketchbooks?

Your sketchbook should include:
1. Figure studies (from life and photos)
2. Object studies ( from life and photos)
3. Jottings (Ideas- artists’ names, lists)
4. Xeroxes of other artist’s work
5. Thumbnail sketches that work out compositional ideas
6. Collages and mixed media experiments
7. Quotes (or snippets of movies-videos-tv shows that catch and inspire you)

Truly, your sketchbook is one of the most valuable tools you possess-- This book should not be kept as a separate thing forjust my class, or any other class, for that matter. It should be kept for you--for all your ideas for any class--for life--for reference--ideas and inspiration are fleeting--this is a net in which to capture them for that time in the future when you are stymied--stuck--empty of ideas. It is a place where you can find a little thread to pull--It is a place where you can record you deepest fears and dreams safely. It will be one of your most treasured possessions in the years to come and you will go back to it for ideas for longer than you can imagine.

Also remember that your sketchbook can be a valuable tool to help you recall what you were working on--the idea--the medium--your process. Make notes to yourself reflecting on your work--where your inspiration came from, what you were thinking about, what materials best expressed it, what you want to try--whose work inspired you--what books you were reading--How you felt. Years later, when you’re stuck, notes like these can spark something and take you back to that place of inspiration and vision.