Sketchbooks - Love or Hate?

I thought I would pose a question? What is your opinion of working in a sketchbook? There seems to be many different views on this and I just thought I would add my thoughts on the matter which you may find interesting.

I use sketchbooks as a means of recording my creative need on a pretty regular basis, it's part of who I am as I need to make marks as a way of connecting with myself and the world around me. I find it grounding and healing all at the same time and is my go to to calm my thoughts and busy mind, finding the freedom to do whatever I like in them satisfies something that I cannot put into words and it is such a personal place where my true and most intuitive and spontaineous marks reveal themselves.

I don't really use them as a planning tool for bigger paintings conciously but it must have some influence on bigger works in the long run as it is a place for exploration and trying out new things whether it is a technique, new materials or just playing with colour. I would love to know what your experience is of sketchbook working and look forward to your comments.

I have included some recent images of work in my sketchbook see what you think, it's lovely to connect and thankyou for getting this far.

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