Making Art Just for Fun (in $1 Sketchbooks!)- Art Studio Vlog

For a while now, something in my art started to feel off. It wasn't that I didn’t want to create, but more that it slowly began to feel like I was performing instead… Everything was high pressure, everything had to be filmed, everything had to be good, the light had to be good, I had to use the right materials, it had to be seen as "Serious" art. Somewhere along the way, art stopped being my refuge, my therapy, and my relaxation process, and instead became stressful. This week, in the middle of a full Northwoods blizzard, I decided to change everything. I’m giving myself 30 days to make art and videos for the pure joy of it, for the enjoyment, for the stress relief. And stop watching the numbers, the metrics, the comments, etc. I also gave my self the freedom of using cheap sketchbooks, fun supplies, anything that would help take the pressure off. I pulled all my supplies out, even the ones i haven't used in a long time. Pens, inks, markers, oil pastels. I set up my table so it feels inviting instead of overwhelming. I cleaned out and refilled my plein air watercolor palette for spring. And I started drawing again, wherever I felt like it… even on the couch after supper with just a pen. In this video, I’m testing five different inexpensive sketchbooks (including one that costs about $0.91 each) and just letting myself explore. Moving fast, layering color, turning pages without hesitation, and seeing what unfolds. And honestly, this kind of art… the playful, curious, unfiltered kind… often ends up being the most alive. If you’ve been feeling disconnected from your creativity, maybe this is your invitation to come back to it in your own way. ✨Other things I talked about today: I painted the first thing I saw today:    • I Painted the First Thing I Saw When I Wok...   I almost didn’t paint this week:    • I Almost Didn't Paint This Week (Art Block...   ✨Art Supplies Used / Mentioned (Affiliate Links I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — thank you for supporting my channel!) Little cube timer : https://amzn.to/4bEay1A Pentel Energel pen: https://amzn.to/3PjqhMc Sketchbooks: Feela sketchbooks: https://amzn.to/41ixM8F ZMYBC pack sketchbooks: https://amzn.to/4smN3Bb Labkiss 24 pack (black cover — my favorite inexpensive sketchbook!): https://amzn.to/3PlAdol Moleskine Cahier journals: https://amzn.to/4soFutZ Royal Talens Art Creations sketchbooks — https://tidd.ly/3JZyhPL Daler Rowney pocket sketchbooks (No link, I buy them in person at walmart) Pentalic traveler sketchbook: https://tidd.ly/4t0t8Iu Plastic zipper bags: https://amzn.to/3NwhJRA Drawing & Coloring: Caran d’Ache Luminance pencils — https://tidd.ly/3JVtb7i Derwent Drawing pencils: https://tidd.ly/40KY97e Pens, Ink & Markers: My favorite dip pen (Tachikawa holder) — https://tidd.ly/4lvJCpw Brause Steno “pumpkin seed” nib — https://tidd.ly/4i4E1og Nikko G comic nib — https://tidd.ly/4i4E1og Tombow Dual Brush Pens: https://tidd.ly/47NvDWd Ecoline water-based markers: https://tidd.ly/4uKu4SR Tombow Fudenosuke Brush Pens (hard & soft): https://tidd.ly/4uO7U2g Sailor Fude pens — https://tidd.ly/4r1TPfC Sailor Fude Pink Pen (40%) Sailor Fude Green 55% Platinum Carbon Ink — https://tidd.ly/4p0lZq5 SketchINK (Thea): https://amzn.to/47gm5mr Watercolor & Mixed Media: Kuretake watercolors : https://tidd.ly/4sUUgZ9 Neocolor II — https://tidd.ly/4bpm3M1 Caran d’Ache Neopastel : https://tidd.ly/3PyrnUg Sennelier oil pastels: https://tidd.ly/4brID6c Mungyo oil pastels: https://tidd.ly/4bCazmH Pentel oil pastels: https://tidd.ly/4uO8IEk Cray-Pas Junior Artist oil pastels : https://tidd.ly/4t1AT0F Painting Mediums: Lavender spike oil — https://tidd.ly/4qrS2j7 Gamsol — https://tidd.ly/4t79taL 🌲 Stay Connected With Me Instagram   / winterwoodsstudio   Shop & Website https://www.winterwoodsstudio.com Buy Me a Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/winterwoods Patreon (The Wild Brush Circle)   / winterwoodsstudio   If this video found you at the right time, I’m really glad you’re here.