I completed my first sketchbook in high school. I think I was a junior. My art teacher at the time actually called them "idea books" which I've always liked because in many ways, that's what they are for me. Even if I don't realize it at the time I'm drawing, what I put down within those pages often leads to something else that I come to understand and see later.
I've carried a sketchbook with me for years. I rarely go anywhere without one. I'm not sure how many I've filled, but drawing and exploring within them is something that I treasure. I try to keep them all in the same place so if there was ever a fire in my studio, I'd know right where to grab them (if possible!).
The pages you see here are a random sampling of some of my favorite spreads.
I almost never do pencil roughs. I'm not sure if I ever did or not...but most of the time I go right to ink to paper. If I don't like what I ink/draw the first time, I draw it again (and again) until I like it, until it feels right. If it doesn't get to that point, I scrap it & throw it out. And then, I go for a walk.
When I come back to it, hopefully it happens and everything comes together. Here are a few drawings that fell into place right from the start.