Vlog 2: Making the most of little moments to sketch

November 15, 2016 | 21 Comments


I had so much fun doing last week’s vlog that I wanted to do another one, and this time to actually film myself and my sketching during the week. In other words, create a true ‘weekly vlog’.


I really don’t like taking selfies, but I challenged myself this week to ‘put myself out there‘ and had a lot of fun putting this vlog together for you. My goal is to encourage you to push yourself out of your comfort zone and get out sketching on location.

If you can’t see the video – click here to view it on youtube.


Two takeaways:

  1. I have completely stopped sketching when I am with friends. While I love giving them my focus, I have been missing having a sketched record of our catchups. So I want to think of a way to do something quick at the time – have an intentional plan.
  2. I also have completely stopped sketching when I have a spare moment, Instead I have been using my phone to catch up on emails and replying to Instagram comments. I need to resist the smart phone addiction!

As much as I loved putting this vlog together, it took ages. So I will be back to my usual Last Week written articles next week.


Here are the sketches from this week:


So are you going to challenge yourself to sketch on location more this week?

21 Comments

  • Magdalena says:

    Hi Liz, I really enjoyed the vlog! And I like the sketches, especially Duomo – I’ve been in Florence in October and… the Duomo is just breathtaking.
    I’m going to try to do some time lapse sketches but I need to buy a triod – do you recommend any good tripod to record sketches at home? (Oh, and the link to the video is broken 🙂 )
    All the best from Poland!

  • Isabelle says:

    I also love your new vlog ! more alive, we can follow you in your environment… so far away from France …
    Have a good week and stay tuned to read you !

  • Hi Liz. I’m thoroughly enjoying your Vlogs. Would you please share details about the stamps you use to date your sketchbook pages?

  • FIONA HAYES says:

    Oh Liz, I thoroughly enjoyed this new vlog! You really are a very giving person allowing us into your sketching world. I love it when you showed the whole week in your sketching journal, at the end of the vlog. Beautiful contents, with your sketch at the end being sublime! Thanks so much.

  • Denise Bongiovanni~ says:

    I loved seeing how you spent your week, your sketches are great. I want to sketch every day like you, but I get so caught up in precision and perspective I talk myself out of it. I have to get over that and learn to let go and make the sketches anyway. I’m sure that was a lot of work, you did a great job. I look forward to the next one!!

  • Barry Leibner says:

    Liz

    For someone disliking to be in front of the camera you are a natural. Well done!

    I know that editing video takes a substantial time commitment though I hope we occasionally see more Vlogs from you.

  • Abdul Hamid Adom says:

    Hi Liz, lovely to watch your vblogs… keep them coming…! Also i’ve only realised that you use your brush almost as though you are drawing with it. As i am, i think, a draughtsman more than i am a painter, i tried to emulate the way you, at least how you seem to me, to use your brush, and i am loving the results… thank you for always inspiring.
    Abdul

  • Sharon Nolfi says:

    Hi Liz, I’ve noticed you put Bible verses in your sketchbook. Do the verses have a relationship to the things you are sketching? What caused you to combine the verses with your art? Great vlog, by the way!

  • Annie G says:

    Liz, how wonderful to see your creative life in action! Watching your process (and your struggles) is so inspirational to me. My biggest problem with sketching is TIME – and you have showed me that there is always a way to find those small moments of time to squeeze in bits of art here and there. That not every sketch has to be a lengthy and belabored effort. And, what a wonderful archive you are building of your life with all those hundreds of sketchbooks…and still so many more to come! Will you be archiving them digitally to protect them against any damage or fading from time as the years pass?

  • Cyd L. says:

    This is great! Keep ’em coming! It’s not only fun to watch how you grab moments in time and record them, but it is instructive and inspiring, too. Thanks for your efforts on our behalf. All the best to you!

  • Gaelle1947 says:

    Love, love, love your vlogs. They are so super inspiring as all your blogs have been. You have my deepest appreciation and my best wishes in all your sketch journeys and the sharing of your passion. To see and record beauty in the everyday life is a HUGE blessing. Thank you.

  • Caroline Morgan-Grenville says:

    Liz, your vlogsare just so inspiring and delightful. I know they must be really hard work but it is such fun to see you out and about in Sydney because seeing the travelling and lorikeets and ant attacks put the actual sketching bits (which are the most helpful bits for me to watch) into context and makes them even more interesting. Its great to see the human side behind your talent. Thank you for sharing this week.

    • Liz Steel says:

      thanks Caroline – that is my main motivation… to show you the real stuff that happens when I sketch. Hoping to do one of these ‘carry the camera around all week’ style vlogs once a month.

  • Donah Gehlert says:

    I loved watching you in person, in your surroundings. Thank you for having the courage to try that. I am wondering what brush you are using. It has a very nice taper and seems to hold a lot of water. It looks like you have sharpened the end for a nice point. It looks like a great watercolor tool. Thank you for all you do.

  • Liz Steel says:

    thanks everyone!

  • Liz, I love coming back and revisiting these vlogs again . . . just to enjoy spending bits of your week with you! I also love to spend time reading the daily Scriptures and notes added to them. Thank you for sharing!

  • Mona Earnest says:

    Watching this in 2024 – so amazing to watch you move through the day and see through your sketches, just what you see. This was lovely. Also, I LOVE that you write Scripture verses as a part of your regular routine. What a wonderful thing to do! Inspired me to do the same. Thank you!

    • Liz Steel says:

      Thanks Mona – I’ve recorded my morning devotions in my sketchbook for decades. The best way to start the day!

  • Mona Earnest says:

    P.S. Taking your wonderful Teacups Course!!! 🙂

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