Behind the Sketchbook: Ideas, Chaos, and the Stuff That Should Never See the Light of Day

Welcome back to my world of doodles, chaos, and questionable organisational skills.

Today, I want to give you an even deeper dive into my sketchbook—what’s in it, what inspires it, and what should absolutely not be seen by anyone ever (but hey, you’re here, so I’ll let you peek).

Let’s start with the truth: most of my ideas don’t come to me when I’m sitting at my desk, looking professional and artist-like. No, they arrive when I’m out walking my dog, Floki, through the glorious (and frequently soggy) Welsh hillsides. Rain, snow, or shine, Floki drags me outside, and honestly, these walks are where the magic happens. The rhythm of walking clears my head and leaves room for ideas to pop in—from "What if there was a hedgehog detective?" to "Could a dragon wear a trench coat and make it work?"

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Step 1: The Thinking and Recording (A.K.A. Walking)

Every piece starts with a thought. My walks are my prime idea-hatching time. There’s something about the open air and soggy boots that gets my brain buzzing. I imagine characters popping out from behind trees or plotting escapes from enchanted castles. The hills seem to whisper stories, and I just try to keep up with my notebook (if it hasn’t been commandeered by my fur baby).

Of course, capturing these wild ideas is a whole adventure in itself. I use my phone to record voice notes, which seems smart at the time… until I listen back later. Sometimes it’s clear and genius, and other times I’m left wondering why I recorded, "Wings but make them tiny and impractical?" Deciphering these notes is an adventure in itself, and while it doesn’t always lead to gold, it’s all part of the process for me.

Step 2: The First Sketches (And the Desk Vortex)

I try to keep my ideas in one place—a beloved sketchbook where I can doodle and jot things down to my heart’s content. But life happens. Sometimes those brilliant (and not-so-brilliant) ideas end up scrawled on the back of receipts, Post-it notes, or whatever scrap of paper happens to be nearby. And then they… vanish. Into the desk vortex. I tell myself it adds mystery to my creative process.

When I do manage to keep my ideas in my trusty lined notebook, it’s wonderfully unassuming. There’s no pressure to create a masterpiece—just a safe space for my brain to get messy. I scribble down ideas, make notes, and doodle characters that might one day find their way into a story. It’s all part of the charm, even if half of those sketches are indecipherable later.

Step 3: The Digital Transformation

Once I’ve gathered enough chaos in my notebook, I move to my iPad. This is where I take those scribbles and turn them into something vaguely resembling a concept. It’s a process filled with many layers (both literally and figuratively). My iPad becomes a battlefield of half-baked ideas, and my undo button works overtime. It’s all part of the magic, though—refining shapes, adding personality, and occasionally asking myself, "Why does this giraffe have boots on?"

Step 4: The Colour and Texture Dance

Ah, colours and textures—the part of the process where I spend far too much time deciding whether a fox should be orange or "slightly different orange." Picking colours is like trying to choose your favourite snack: impossible and a little guilt-inducing. Textures add another layer of drama (pun intended), as I experiment with brushes to give the piece that perfect "feel." It’s a love-hate relationship, but when it works, it’s magic. When it doesn’t, it’s snacks. Lots of snacks.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Idea Development

If you’re like me and have ideas flying at you from every direction, here’s a simple (and chaos-friendly) process to try:

1. Catch the Idea: Record it as soon as it comes. Use your phone, a notebook, or shout it to the nearest person if you’re desperate.

2. Decipher and Sort: Later, go through your notes and sketches. Identify what’s worth exploring and what’s… well, "hedgehog in sneakers" territory.

3. Doodle It Out: Start sketching the idea, even if it’s rough and scrappy. Get the visual part out of your head and onto paper (or screen).

4. Refine and Expand: Once the idea is down, start shaping it. Add details, think about colours, and play with the concept until it starts to feel like something real.

5. Take a Break: Step away for a bit, then come back with fresh eyes. It’s amazing what you notice after a short pause / snack break!

6. Commit or Let Go: Not every idea will turn into a masterpiece, and that’s okay. Decide what’s worth developing further and what’s better left in the sketchbook.

How Do You Keep Your Ideas?

Now, I’m curious—how do you capture and develop your ideas? Do you have a system, or is it more of a beautiful mess (like my desk)? Do you keep everything in one place, or are you a scribble-on-anything kind of creator? I’d love to hear your tips, tricks, and funny stories about ideas gone rogue.

Drop me a comment or reply to this post—let’s swap notes (and maybe laugh about the ideas that should probably stay lost). After all, creativity thrives in community—and in the chaos of sketchbooks, desk vortexes, and rainy walks with a very opinionated dog.

Until next time, may your ideas flow and your notebooks never go missing!

Kim