During the last years I have used sketchbook as journals. On them I have represented, using different styles and techniques, places, objects, people and experiences I met.
In some occasions I would film the process of the drawing.
Many times when I was sketching, I would set up my camera and would shoot a timelapse of myself within the subject of the sketch.
Here I was sketching Hortus Conclusus in Artas, Bethlehem, while pointing my camera to film the sunset. A Palestinian came by to say hi and pointed out that I was actually filming an Israeli settlement.
Some times the experiences and objects I find are quite shocking.
![](https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf6.myportfolio.com/e57a3dee-41df-4ec0-9791-e3788faf1610/0979e3de-0dc9-4b87-9bb8-ae8296859647_rw_1920.jpg?h=df6818cc069672780990daf328548809)
I usually mix different characters, places or objects. It's a way to make the world smaller and bring people together.
![](https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf1.myportfolio.com/e57a3dee-41df-4ec0-9791-e3788faf1610/284594fb-c627-4a3d-90bf-476f82dd68a6_rw_1920.jpg?h=4ee8cf6769d7f42474ce2f8d6561e51e)
Some times, if the time is short of the environment isn't appropriate things don't go as I plan. In this spread I made a portrait of Ezgi, with whom I worked on my project of the Flying Library Istanbul. On the left portrait, I took my time, and used different techniques. The right one was way too rushed.
![](https://pro2-bar-s3-cdn-cf1.myportfolio.com/e57a3dee-41df-4ec0-9791-e3788faf1610/949ddf2b-cf49-4c10-950f-2a55519a5eb8_rw_1920.jpg?h=5d5c8ca6b069a2cc493699aacc1ab184)
Drawing journals are a really good way to record my experiences. It is also a very nice way to get to meet people and it's great for seeing things in detail. I have some projects to do with those sketches but they haven't seen the light yet...
You can see more of these on my YouTube channel.