Keeping a cooking Journal

Nowadays I find that I rely more and more on the world wide web for information. This includes recipes, from which I have successfully cooked a number of dishes. I can never remember them, so I keep them handy in a journal in my kitchen.

While my journal will not replace my favourite recipe books, my trusty journal is what I reach for when I want to find my favourite recipes for pesto, buttermilk pancakes, as well as more complex dishes. I also include cooking tips in my journal, and photos and drawings of food.

Do you keep a cooking journal?

Learning to draw, and then draw on a regular basis

The other day, a friend told me that she wanted to be able to draw. I asked her what she was doing about it and she said she didn’t know how to proceed. So how does one learn to draw? And how does one keep drawing regularly? Here are 7 steps (in no particular order) that I can think of.

1. Just start

Drawing does not need to involve a complex scene or objects. Even if we draw a cup, a ball, a box or even a pencil, it is good practise.

2. Practise, practise, practise – 15 minutes a day

I read a lot about drawing and nothing compares to practising. Often, the theory that I have read only became clear sometime later. It is great when I am drawing and the clarity strikes, and I think “aha, now I understand what the author was trying to say”. My drawings are not as good as many that I have seen around, but with practice, I am improving every time.

I came across a suggestion in an art book to set aside a least 15 minutes a day to draw. What a great idea - it's a short time, but it is enough to complete a drawing.

3. Attend a class (Duh, everyone knows this…)<

Unless you are someone who has the inclination to learn on your own, you might like to consider joining a class. If you are a beginner, you will gain valuable information that will provide you with the essential foundation in art such as proportions, perspective, etc. And if you are not a beginner, you may learn new ways and new techniques that may help push your drawing to another level.

4. Join a drawing group/draw with friends

Drawing alone is not as fun as drawing with others, and requires discipline. Consider getting together with some friends to draw, or join a sketching group.

5. Carry a sketchbook

Having a sketchbook with you all the time will enable you to take advantage of any free 15 minutes crops up (see no. 2). Be sure to also carry a few pens or pencils too.

6. Participate/submit your images to memes

There are groups on the internet that enables one to connect with fellow artists. Examples of these are blogs such as Creative Every Day and Paint Party Friday. Another one is Illustration Friday which has a weekly theme, which may be great if you are not sure what to draw.

7. Having fun/letting go

I used to try to make every page of my sketchbook “count”, and would get upset if a drawing didn’t look good. I have covered up bad drawings by pasting blank papers over them. I have seen friends rip out pages of unsuccessful work.

Now, I have learnt to let go and just enjoy the moment. Splash ink or paint to improve your drawing. Add other materials to turn it into a collage. It may end as a good piece of work or it may be a mess. It doesn't matter - just have fun. At least that way, it becomes a positive experience and you will look forward to drawing, and having a great time again.

These are a few steps that help me. Please feel free to add your suggestions.

Keeping a travel journal

Some people collect souvenirs on their travels. Others take pictures to record their memories. I keep travel journals.

Why keep a travel journal

I enjoy the process to recording my travels, as well as the results.

The process of travel journaling need not take much effort, nor time. Your drawings can be as detailed and  elaborate as you wish, or they can be simple sketches. While travelling, you may not have the time to spare, hence . It should be a pleasurable activity. Draw whatever pleases you and take notes – write your thoughts and observations. Stick items in your sketchbook if you wish.

At the end of your trip, you will have ended up with a record and precious memories of places that you have been, scenes and things that you came across (that you found interesting) and recorded, and notes that you took. It will be a precious souvenir that you will treasure your whole life. I started my first travel journal 13 years ago. To date, I have a reasonable pile, and each and everyone is precious. I enjoy looking through each one now and again, and going down memory lane.

Materials

The materials you require are minimal, but these depends on your personal style but since you are on travelling, you might want to keep them quite basic and portable.

The must haves are a sketchbook, and a pen or pencil. Easy right?

Other things that you might like to bring along may be some colours. I like watercolours, coloured pens and colour pencils. Watercolour comes in small travel boxes, or you could use watercolour pencils. Carry a water brush and you will be able to paint on the go. Coloured pens and colour pencils are highly portable, and require no additional tools to use.

How to keep a travel journal

How long

Unless you are travelling specially to draw, fit your travel journaling to your travel plans (not the other way round). Draw if you want to take a break from walking and sightseeing. It need not take too long – 5 minutes if that’s how long you are resting for. Or 15 minutes if you are having a cup of coffee. Longer if you have time. There are no rules.

What to draw

My travel journal is a jumble of all sorts of things. I enjoy sitting down for a good cup of coffee, and looking at the world go by; taking in the sights and culture of the new place from a cafe window. If you go through my travel journal, you will find many sketches of coffee, food and people. You will also find notes that I take. They could be just a record of a place, or my thoughts at the moment e.g. having discovered a particularly delicious donut in an unlikely place.

My travel journal will also have plein air drawings of streets and buildings. Sometimes I even record things in my hotel room, and in Japan, I could not resist drawing a fancy toilet.

How often

I draw in my travel journal everyday when I am travelling. That’s just me. Draw every day, every other day, or play catch-up every 3 days. It’s entire up to you. Keeping a travel journal should never be a chore.

Happy travel journaling.

I started my first travel journal 13 years ago. To date, I have a reasonable pile, and each and everyone is precious. I enjoy looking through them now and again, and going down memory lane.