Your sketchbook is your own personal space.
You can share it with others if you choose, but you never have to. Having a private place to create can help artists of all ages take chances, explore their imagination, and discover what they enjoy. The goal is not to impress anyone, but to keep creating.
Never rip pages out of your sketchbook or throw away an old sketchbook.
Every page and every sketchbook is part of your journey as an artist. A drawing that you may not love today might be fascinating to look back on years from now. Old sketchbooks become a record of your ideas, practice, challenges, discoveries, and growth. As you look through them over time, you can see how your skills and artistic voice have developed. They are a reminder of where you started, how much you have learned, and how far you can continue to go. Keep your sketchbooks—they are a part of your story as an artist.
Tips for Purchasing the Perfect Sketchbook
- Size: With sketchbooks, sometimes smaller is better! A small sketchbook is easy to slip in your pocket or purse for everyday use. A small page also puts less pressure on the artist to create a perfect, finished product.
- Material: Sketchbooks come in a variety of paper weights and textures. If you are just planning to draw in pencil, any paper quality should be fine. However, if you plan to work with heavier mediums (watercolor, oil pastel, india ink, etc.), look for a sketchbook labeled "Mixed Media" or "Watercolor" for the best results.
- Brand: Some of our recommended sketchbook brands are Strathmore, Canson, Moleskin, and Fabriano. The links will take you to examples of these products on Amazon, but please be aware all of these brands have a wide variety of sketchbooks available. You should be able to find most of these brands in-store at Michael's, Hobby-Lobby, or Jerry's Artarama. You can also find them online at Blick.
