A writer friend used to swear by his dog. I take my sketchbook for a walk. I often call my walks screen breaks (often, they are) – but they’re all manner of other things too…
I come up with ideas on walks that I don’t have at a desk. There’s something about getting out and looking at stuff – anything will do – that stretches my thinking.
I go on reference walks to gather information for illustration and design projects. And on these, the value is often in things I wasn’t looking for.
And they’re exercise. Steps, yes, but creative skills also need a workout. Hence, sketchbooks. Plus, the odd little scrap of cardboard and on one of the sketches above, a hilariously-huge Posca marker.
So when I say “I’ll be away from my desk for a couple of hours”, that doesn’t mean that creative thinking has stopped. It’s just on the loose for a bit…
See more of my sketches on Instagram.
