Sketchbook is a visual journal for animators. In which we record our thoughts with sketches and taking notes. Just as other languages we know of, we get better and better as we keep reading and writing more. Similarly drawing is a visual language that we get better at as we draw more and increase our visual vocabulary.Animators require multiple skill sets, such as drawing, acting, staging, imagination, observation, interpretation, creativity, clarity, solidity in drawings as so on. Drawing for animators is not just copying people for gestures or doing detailed rendered drawing of environment or backgrounds. Instead it is to create an interpreted experience.



As we know few languages. And we are comfortable speaking one or other because we have been speaking that since our childhood, with friends and family. While speaking other languages we struggle. For example, what could be a good word for a certain expression or how can the word be used with certain situation and so on. So in order to be comfortable with it we speak, read more and increase our vocabulary. Similarly drawing is a visual language. At times we keep using limited or similar lines or shapes and we struggle with our drawings. Same as other languages to develop our visual vocabulary we do live studies and practice constantly.

As animators, we at times limit our selves saying we are only interested in cartoons and figures. But wherever we go we see interesting things around us, like food in restaurant, clouds, trees, building structures, cars they too have gestures. As some trees are standing erect, some with hunch back, tired, stretched, leaned or cute family cars to aggressive big trucks, tired trucks and so on, can benefit us in understanding gestures, personalities, action and shapes.

Carrying a sketchbook while traveling, watching television, restaurants, watching cricket match can be fun. Constantly drawing can make things interesting and solves the problem of approaching drawings.

Here are some sketches as example:

Warm up sketches, while having breakfast in hostel mess.


Waiting for Bus.


While the Computer Starts.


Lunch Time Sketches.


Lunch time sketches. It was a hot day.


Compositions study while going for tea.






Snacks Time.