In travels we don’t have to sketch the city or landmarks, if we want something different. We can show our impression of the destination in a less trivial way. For example to make an abstract sketch with collage elements. This could relax and both make challenge. It seems complicated, but it’s not if you follow your desire and consider it as a fun experiment.
Choose object that catches your eye
Look at the thing that catches your eye whatever it is: street, shop, museum, apartment. Maybe it is a souvenir or a coffee cup. Think about this object, what caught your eye? Texture or color? Maybe it associates you with something? It can be several things, and only you decide if you want all of them in your sketchbook. This wooden frog inspired me to abstraction in my sketchbook. I took the green color, dots, and the eyes. Also the frog is a musical instrument, because of that I add music notes. I made sketches of little frogs and added a drumstick. And this was amazing how many things I got from a small object! If you liked this frog and want one for yourself, visit this amazon link.
Choose patterns or textures you like
Patterns and textures are everywhere! Rooftops, walls of the buildings, floors. While you are traveling you can find a lot of materials in churches, museums, and cafes. All of them have texture and patterns. Objects can help you too, cups for example. Don’t think a lot about it, just capture in a sketchbook the one or two textures that impressed you the most. In the previous example I chose the pattern of the dots on the wooden frog. But I placed them differently.
Look at the postcards in the shop
Postcards can definitely inspire your sketchbook abstraction. So, go to souvenir shops or museum shops. Choose the one you like the most. You can buy it or just take a photo. You can copy the illustration on in or lettering or draw your association of the card. I, for example, looked at all my postcards and chose the one of Frida Kahlo. I draw with markers her eyes and eyebrows.
Take with you decorative tape and just paste it wherever you want
If you are planning an abstract sketch in your travel, highly recommend to take 1-2 decorative tapes with you. You can paste it easily in your sketchbook, or paste something in like a ticket or flower. I took my tape with music notes on it and pasted at several places that looked empty. I chose this tape because the wooden frog is a musical instrument, so I found it very suitable.
Save your flight tickets or museum tickets and paste them
While you travel, save your flight tickets, tickets from museums, metro and buses. It can help you a lot with abstract and collage. You can just paste them in your sketchbook, or make a sketch on them. Also restaurant checks can look interesting in your sketchbook. I love this kind of thing.
These were my tips on how to make an abstract sketch in your travel. All based on my experience. One more small tip, try to take different media with you: pencils, pastel, liners, markers. But not too many, 2 pieces of each type, about 8-10 in sum. It will make your sketches more interesting and unique. And for sure it will be fun.
If you are travelling, your sketching shouldn’t take a lot of time. How to make it quick? Read my post about making quick travel sketches.
