To make a frame or not to make a frame... that is the question.

I don't know why but I never liked making a frame before I sketch.  You know, some people make a square/rectangular frame in their sketchbook page before they sketch?  I could never do that.  But when I was sketching with @lolsup, and when I asked her for some tips,  she told me "framing can work as your reference point".

hmmm, I see...

The reason why I don't like making a frame beforehand is because one; I usually can't draw nice straight lines on the go. (cuz when I want to sketch, it's usually like "I wanna sketch NOW!" and there's no time to put down my sketchbook on a firm surface and make nice straight lines), and two; making a frame makes me feel I am committing to my sketch.  I just want to sketch/draw whatever I see and not make a work. I don't make myself feel like "OK, now, I will sketch this interesting/beautiful scene in my sketchbook!"  It's weird mentality... I want to start from wherever and whatever and if that works, I want to progress from there and if that goes well, it'll end up becoming a piece... but not make myself commit to the sketch before I start sketching.

But the other day, I kind of thought, hmmm why not make a frame by taping some masking tape on my sketchbook page and see how that works...

And here are the results.

It was nice.  I didn't feel I need to commit to what I am doing because there's actually no frame made with a line. but rather with a tape, which made it feel more like a border... if that make sense? lol

and after I colored my sketch and peeled off the masking tape, it created this invisible frame!!  which looks kinda neat!

And yes, I guess having a frame makes it easier to sketch a scene.  and eventually make one commit to finishing the scene as a work piece.  I wasn't feeling being made to commit to sketching before doing these pieces, but as I sketched them I focused more and more and finished the whole scene.

If there wasn't a frame, I might not have...because when I lose my concentration or make a mistake and feel "ah, crap" I will stop sketching there...  Bur when you have this un-sketched blank area in the frame, you kind of feel you need to fill it in even if it's already crappy.  LOL

Anyway, so I think it's working for me now.  And after I've done these sketches, my wife and kids saw them and said "I think you are getting better" , "Your sketches getting more detailed" blah blah blah... yes, I guess that's because I finished a sketch as a whole scene not just person or object in front of me... which I usually do without framing...

Hmmm, very interesting change in my sketching style.  And I think, hope if you are not used to framing your sketch before, you might want to give it a try next time?  It will give you a good surprise.