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The Sketchbook Habit

The Sketchbook habit takes just fifteen minutes a day and will change the way you see the world. We'll teach you to:


This is a 44 day class with 4 live online sessions with lectures, demos and individual feedback, and 44 days of prompts and mini assignments designed to spark your creativity and create a habit you can maintain. There's a self-paced version of the class available as well.

If you are interested in any of the techniques I teach, you can study with me here. The live classes are limited to 15 students per session, or you can register for a recorded one and do it at your own pace. Access to the classes is permanent, including lifetime updates. There are free preview sections in each of the self-paced classes if you want to check them out, as well as a free guide to beginning your sketchbook at the bottom of the page.

The ability to see the world through the prism of making art has transformed my life in more ways than I can count - these classes are a way to pass on what I've learned - I hope that art will change your life the same way it has changed mine.

If you want to read some of my thoughts on building a sketchbook practice, you can read the sketchbook blog here:

THIS BOOK WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE

Sketchbook Habit Classes

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Botanical Sketchbook Workshop

Your sketchbook can be a prism through which you see the world. In this class we’ll be focusing on observing nature, exploring classical botanical painting techniques and studying the history of flower and plant painting, then using that knowledge to experiment with contemporary mixed media techniques. This will be a 30 day online class, with 4 live sessions and 30 days of prompts designed to help you learn.
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  • Free

Dina's Sketchbook Library

Here are my sketchbooks from 1999-present. Each one is a record of my life and thoughts through the year - they're my sanctuary, a place to process life, to document the world around me, and, sometimes, just to play and experiment. I never sell them or take them apart - once they're finished they rarely leave my apartment. This little video library is a chance for me to show this part of my work and life - enjoy it!
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  • $250 or 3 monthly payments of $85

The Sketchbook Habit (Recorded)

A self-paced, recorded version of the Sketchbook Habit class. There are 4 modules with lectures and demos, and 30 days of prompts and mini-assignments designed to spark your creativity, and build a practice you can maintain for the rest of your life.
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  • $275

Bird Painting Workshop (self-paced)

This is a self-paced version of my bird painting workshop - it contains lectures, demos and 30 days of assignments designed to learn the techniques discussed in the demos.
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  • $275

Tree Drawing Workshop (recorded)

A self-paced, recorded version of my tree drawing workshop. This is paced the same way as the live class, with demos, lectures and mini assignments becoming available throughout the month.
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  • $375

Bird Painting Workshop, Sundays

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The live classes will take place on: Sunday, March 15th, 2-4pm EST Sunday, March 22, 2-4pm EST Sunday, March 29th, 2-4pm EST Sunday, April 5th, 2-4pm EST
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  • $375

Bird Painting Workshop, Tuesdays

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The live classes will take place on: Tuesday, March 17th, 8-10pm EST Tuesday, March 24th, 8-10pm EST Tuesday, March 31st, 8-10pm EST Tuesday, April 7th, 8-10pm EST
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  • Free

BONUS GIFT:

Access to The Sketchbook Library!

The definitive collection of the world's greatest contemporary sketchbooks.
This is truly unique--it's literally the only place on Earth you can view this artwork.
Collection is regularly updated with work by the top sketchbook artists.

Get nowLearn more

The Live Program

The course consists of 4 sessions, spread out over the course of one month.
The classes are approximately 2 hours long, and you should expect to spend at least 20 minutes a day in practice while you learn the habit. We will be doing a 44 day sketchbook challenge with daily visual and written prompts and weekly feedback. We will work together in a group to build the foundation of a practice that will stay with you for years. Each class consists of a lecture, individual feedback and Q & A - I stay online as long as anyone has any questions left. 

Sketchbook Artist Statement

"I believe that the act of keeping a sketchbook journal has been one of the most important decisions I have taken in my life as an artist. My sketchbooks are the heart of my studio practice, my travel companions, my place to play and explore. They have served as a way of developing my skills, and a method of examining my life, the place where I discovered who I was, and created the person I wanted to be. I’ve kept sketchbooks consistently for almost 22 years, and during that time they’ve provided a sanctuary when I needed a place to retreat, and catharsis when I needed change. Sketchbooks are one of the best ways to feel connected and present in the world around you, while simultaneously providing a way to look inside yourself. In this class I want to share everything I’ve learned throughout my sketchbook practice, to explore the universe of artist sketchbooks, and to help others develop a sketchbook practice of their own."
- Dina Brodsky

What Artists Are Saying

Julie Kirk Purcell

streetpainting.net

"I attended Dina’s Sketchbook Habit class, and it was invaluable to my getting back on track with my personal art.  I’ve been struggling with this for years, and was unsure how to get past that block.  Dina was a supportive instructor, and her suggestions and daily prompts really helped me break through my “artist block”.  She gave insight on media that helped get the creative juices flowing, and I especially loved the daily email - not just with a prompt to help out if needed, but also reflective of both historical and contemporary sketchbooks.  The friendships I made in the class with likeminded students were a bonus.  Thank you SO much Dina, for your giving nature and positive support to the rest of us!!"

Marianne Vander Dussen, MEd, OCT

mariannevanderdussen.com

"I consider myself to be extremely lucky to have had the privilege to learn from the wonderful Dina Brodsky. As an artist seeking a more meaningful relationship with my work, her sketchbook workshop was absolutely perfect. Her skills as an instructor match her artistic level, which is to say that the quality of her course was world class. Dina is friendly, knowledgeable, and approachable. All of us felt comfortable asking questions, sharing our progress, and delving deeper into the practice. Using both the philosophical and historical underpinnings of sketchbooks, Dina crafted a thorough and thoughtful course that all of my course mates found valuable. I am also so happy with the virtual friendships that I was able to form with other artists throughout North America as a result. I highly recommend this course to anyone seeking to become a keeper of sketchbooks. Thank you, Dina, for everything." 

Josephine Close

josephineclose.com/

"Dina's sketchbook habit class was the best class I have taken in ages. It was so inspiring to look over old masters sketchbooks as well as new artists. I discovered so many I had not known. Her depth of knowledge and enthusiasm for the material was infectious. I wish it was a year long! Every journal prompt was a treasure. I will revisit them again and again. This class really got my sketchbook habit back on track. I would recommend to anyone (and have)!
Thank you so so much!!!!"

  • Free

A Guide to Starting Your Sketchbook

I began keeping a sketchbook when I was in my first year at university, and it changed my life...
Free Download