Ep 13 - Sketch Now Think Later with Mike Daikubara
I speak with industrial designer Mike Daikubara about how the principles of design intersect with his passion for urban-sketching. In design it is said form follows function, but how does that translate to art? We talk about this interplay and how it travels in both directions. How does Mike’s education affect his urban-sketching? How does a regular sketching practice inform his work as an industrial designer? Mike abides by a philosophy of “Sketch Now Think Later”, to derive more joy from everyday life experiences, and to better communicate his ideas and thoughts. It is also the title of his fantastic book on urban sketching for beginners.
Follow Mike’s work on Instagram
Buy “Sketch Now Think Later” on Amazon
Follow SneakyArt on Instagram
Support this podcast and my work - Buy me a coffee
Subscribe to the FREE SneakyArt newsletter
Transcript
Hello and welcome to the SneakyArt Podcast. I’m your host, Nishant Jain, and on this show I speak to people who seek beauty in their environment through the practice of urban sketching, or drawing on location.
I am speaking today with Mike Daikubara, an industrial designer in Charlotte, North Carolina. From looking at his work, it seems that all kinds of things catch his interest, and just as importantly, all kinds of things make their way onto his page. This is because Mike practices the philosophy of “Sketch Now, Think Later”. Whenever he finds inspiration, wherever he may be, he allows himself the time to make a quick drawing.
This episode is about the importance of doing that, as a way to become a better artist, and also to derive more joy from life experiences.
“Sketch Now Think Later” is also the title of Mike’s fantastic book, a primer about urban sketching and on-location drawing. If you’re interested in making sketching a part of your life, this book is a great way to get started.
Mike’s art, and the underlying philosophy, were important reasons for this conversation. But I am also curious about how he approaches his art, considering his work and education as an industrial designer. What does Mike find in this activity that helps him break away from his day job, and what does he find that better informs it? We talk about the usefulness of sketching as a skill and as a language of communication.
This episode has great lessons, if you’re looking to impart more purpose to your art, or if you want to think more consciously about who you are making it for, and how you want it to be consumed and enjoyed.
I believe our conversation will inspire and empower you if you face different constraints in building a regular sketching practice - whether they are skill-related or time-related. As we discuss, sometimes it is within constraints that we find freedom.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Alice, Myshell, Linda, Alison, Phil, Koosje, Becky, Mila, Mark and Esther, all of whom supported my work this month by buying me a cup of coffee. I am super grateful to all of you. If this show helps you in any way, or if you really liked a particular episode, it’s really just that simple to support me. Follow the link in the shownotes and buy me a cup of coffee!
Hang around until the end of the episode for more information about this, and about some exciting new giveaways I have in mind for you. But for now, let’s begin this conversation...
04:40 Mike talks about how he came to become a designer and an urban sketcher, despite not being into drawing as a child. Explains the basics of industrial design and how he came to be in California before Google, working for Phillips. Talks about his need to express himself with quick sketches to a client, and how he took a plein air drawing class in the Bay Area.
The advantage of learning to sketch in a cafe, because people are doing the same range of activities, sitting the same ways etc. Training ground to be an inconspicuous sketcher around people who are busy with their work.
14:17 Mike talks about the concept of drawing vs sketching. Sketching is raw, much quicker. The deliverable is about the moment and being able to communicate that, irrespective of roughness. Drawing is a more deliberate and refined exercise, with a focus on completeness and beauty of representation.
Nishant wonders whether sketching and drawing are on a horizontal spectrum or a vertical hierarchy.
19:00 Mike explains how he came to USk as an industrial designer - thinking of art as having a functional reason to exist. As an artist, he switches off his right brain and puts himself completely in the moment. The designer side of him wonders what is the purpose of the sketch, whom does the scene relate to, what is the human element. It also kicks in later as a process of refinement or editing, adding a logo or text or colors.
Nishant suggests that Mike’s work is not directly what he sees, but also more information that he gleans from being on location. They talk about the value of the sketch as itself, and not as a hyper-realist drawing in the age of modern photography.
25:17 Mike talks about how he slowly expanded his toolkit over time, from only ink to including watercolor, expanding the array of subjects, and sketchbooks.
They discuss the different fountain pens and nibs Mike has used over the years in an ongoing evolutionary process.
Mike often draws at restaurants when his food order arrives.
33:55 Mike talks about the food drawings, and how it helps to quickly put down a fresh sketch even on days when he can’t get out to sketch something else. An opportunity to bring in more sketching to daily life.
“There are days I didn’t sketch, and it didn’t make me feel good. Food was the greatest time to capture something that you’d never seen before ... and if you have to do it pretty quickly especially if it's hot food. So it was an opportunity to bring more sketching into daily life.
What came with it, after years of doing that was that I tended to enjoy my food more, because I’m sketching something on an empty stomach ... so my mind is working super fast and I’m also breaking down what I’m sketching… ingredients… decorations… so much more appreciation goes into the person that made that food. It’s more visual, you’re smelling it, so it’s more of five senses now, as before if you’re hungry you’re just shoving down your food and not paying attention.”
Nishant points out that urban sketching is an opportunity to slow down and see things. Mike points out slowing down is risky business when sharing a plate with one’s spouse.
38:00 Nishant asks about the constraints imposed by having a non-sketching spouse. They discuss how the constraint of speed is a hidden plus, because it trains us to grab opportunities and draw quickly. Mike talks about drawing while in transit - buses, trains and planes - and using other such opportunities while traveling.
Relates experience of sketching in Egypt with the single fude pen and finishing the pieces late at night.
Nishant points out that using a single pen - as a constraint - also brings a freedom in the sense that we go deeper with just one tool.
Nishant brings up the Sphinx drawing Mike made from the back of the famous monument. Ties it to the point about not being able to draw the first choice view as an urban sketcher, instead going for the second and third option.
47:53 Mike talks about his books of travel-sketching.
“Travelogue books are a great way of capturing everything you did on the journey.”
Nishant asks who he is communicating to with the schematics, text boxes. Mike says it is another way of capturing the thought process of the time, even for himself when he goes back to the sketchbooks some years later.
54:23 Mike talks about “Sketch Now, Think Later”, and how it began as a workshop handout. Captures 15 years of his sketching journey, working within various constraints, and finding freedom within those constraints.
The book has helped people overcome their hesitations. The idea of “Sketch Now..” means analysis and second thoughts can be left for later, but the immediate moment is better spent seizing upon the sketching opportunity.
“Limited time means you’re able to concentrate more at that moment, and you kinda need to, and you will, because you know you only have that time. Having too much time isn’t actually a good thing. Having too many tools isn’t actually a good thing too.”
Nishant ties the idea to “drawing vs sketching” and “walking in the fog” when Paul Heaston appears and suggests a direction to go.
The book emphasizes an important aspect of not stopping in the face of mistakes or hesitations.
Nishant talks about the need for people to be more accepting of their bad drawings.
Mike shares his plans for 2021, including a new book in the works and an opportunity to teach urban sketching at Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC.
Nishant asks what are some things Mike is excited about sketching these days. Mike talks about things that don’t leap out, but going deeper in the pursuit of beauty. Talks about the importance of slowing down to look for things.