How to Choose a Sketchbook
Over the years I’ve fallen in love with sketchbooks, but it took me a while. I’ve shared before about how even after I started making art I felt intimidated by them. The biggest reason behind my fear was an idea that what appeared on the pages needed to look a certain way. Prioritizing product over process is a great way to stifle your creativity in all art, but especially within the pages of your sketchbook.
These days I LOVE playing in my sketchbooks. Without fear. Without feeling a need to share my pages or for them to look any certain way. My sketchbooks are for me. This change of mindset makes all the difference in the world and I’m so grateful to have gotten to this point.
Falling in love with sketchbooks like this and overcoming my fear of them has made me passionate about sharing what I’ve learned along my journey. It’s one of the reasons why so many of my classes* are focused on sketchbooks (and why my very first class was all about getting started with sketchbooks). It’s also why I hosted Sketchbook Conversations on my old blog.
I know how hard it can be when you open up your book to a blank page and have no idea what to do there. Even getting to that blank page can be hard. How do you know which is the right sketchbook to choose? The shelves of art supply stores are filled with so many options. I just checked Dick Blick’s website, where I purchase most of my art supplies, and under the category of Sketchbooks they have 135 products!
Not only are we faced with so many options, but the wrong choice will keep you from working in it at all. I know this from experience! As a self-taught artist I don’t usually worry about what’s “right” or “wrong” when it comes to art-making, but I’ve discovered it’s definitely possible to choose the wrong sketchbook. I’ve done it a few times myself. (Hint: the wrong sketchbook is one you don’t feel comfortable using!).
As of today I have filled up 14 sketchbooks and have 6 in progress. I’ve developed preferences, some of which have completely changed over the years. I used to believe in “The Perfect Sketchbook” and was on a quest to find it. These days I believe the perfect sketchbook (no capital letters needed) is the one you want to work in. It doesn’t have to look pretty, but it does need to feel good.
Last year I started sharing Art Supply FAQ videos on YouTube and today I’m dropping back in there with a video to help you choose a sketchbook.
Keep these 3 attributes in mind:
Paper type
Binding
Size
A few of my favorites?
You might notice that none of these sketchbooks are specifically for watercolor.
I have used and am using watercolor sketchbooks, but they aren’t my favorite. In the video I explain that they limit my use of media and that pencils and pens don’t work well on the textured paper. More than that, though, the watercolor paint never seems to react as well on the sketchbook paper (no matter how high quality) as it does on my watercolor blocks. The whole point, though, of my sketchbook practice is not to create perfect illustrations, but to play and have fun and experiment (often with lots of different media), so if paint bleeds in weird ways in my sketchbook? That’s ok!
What about you? Do you keep a sketchbook (or sketchbooks)? Is there one brand or type that’s your favorite?
Or maybe you’re uncomfortable with sketchbooks? Either intimidated by them or just not into them. I’d love to know your biggest challenge or hang-up or fear.
Either way, I hope that you find this post and my video helpful. And, as I mentioned, I have more to share with you. My guide to cultivating a sketchbook practice is my gift to you!
I hope it will inspire you on your own creative journey.
Have other questions about sketchbooks or creating a sketchbook practice? Let me know and I’ll do my best to answer them!
*My classes that are specifically about sketchbooks:
Any of the lessons in my other classes can be a great place to find inspiration for sketchbook pages, especially: