Dive Into My Sketchbooks

Sketchbooks are an invaluable tool for the artist. It’s a place where we can play & experiment, try things out to see if they work before bringing new ideas & techniques to a finished piece. They act as an endless source of reference, but also a place we can just enjoy doodling.

Sketchbooks: Your Creative Playground

One of the scariest things about starting a sketchbook? Those blank pages.
You don’t want to mess them up. You want them to look good. You’ve seen those gorgeous sketchbooks on YouTube and Pinterest, perfectly curated, page after page. And naturally, you want yours to look just like that.

Well… that’s your first mistake.

A sketchbook doesn’t have to be a work of art. Sure, some are, but that’s not their main purpose. A sketchbook is your place to build skills, test ideas, and experiment without the pressure of making everything perfect. Think of it as a learning journal, an ideas book, a safe place to make mistakes and love them.

Learn to lean into the process.

There are no rules. Just make working in your sketchbook a consistent habit. Keep it as your constant creative companion.

And you don’t have to go out sketching if that’s not your thing. Use it to plan your next painting, try out new compositions, test materials, or explore techniques. Enjoy the process of playing without worrying about the results.

A few tips to set yourself free:

  • Don’t tear out pages you don’t like — work over them or collage something on top.

  • Let your creativity spill across pages; don’t confine yourself to one page at a time.

  • Add notes about colours you’ve mixed or techniques you’ve tried. Words can inspire visuals, too.

You might even find it helpful to keep more than one sketchbook, maybe one for drawing practice, one for experiments, and one as a resource bank for painting ideas. Whatever works for you.

Make your sketchbook yours and you’ll discover it’s one of your most valuable creative tools.

Looking to join a workshop?

Whether you’re just starting out or looking for fresh guidance, why not join one of my upcoming art workshops? Build your skills, gain confidence, and connect with a community of like-minded creatives who are on the same journey.