I've been told many times that even a digital artist needs a sketch. I've doodled ina sketch book for years (I carry it with me always) and turn to it when I need inspiration. I agree with "go outside." I often look at a view and say to myself, "Gee that would be a great image if only [blank] weren't in tha way!" And then I go home and do it without [blank] Nowadays, I also carry my digital camera around, which has made my sketch book a little dated. By the way, The inspiration for my image "Homestead" in the renderosity gallery came while I was watching a cooking show on TV.