First up Andrew, apologies in that it is highly unlikely that I will ever be a sketch artist as I much prefer painting, BUT, I do enjoy reading your posts and the great advise you proffer to all those wanting to be just like you…talented and a brilliant sketch artist. Keep up your great work and happy sketching.
For starters I have found one more thing which works. Don’t go for very expensive sketchbooks. The cheaper they are - greater the willingness to soil the pages.
There’s definitely a relationship between how fancy a book is and how much it matters. It’s hard to hit that sweet spot where it’s nice enough to really enjoy drawing in, but not so nice that it freaks you out.
Glad you’ve cracked the code.
Another way to have no *truly* blank pages is brown paper. Much less scary than white for some reason.
Fantastic article! I love rituals and this will certainly help me get started on the new sketchbook sitting on my art table waiting for me. You reminded me of Austin Kleon and his rituals around starting a new journal, including weighing it. Thanks for inspiring my morning.
Thank you for this - it was just what I needed after staring at a brand new sketchbook yesterday and doing nothing with it. My goal for today is to get my name done! Perfect timing
Love this idea and I do something similar with the paint/marker/pen swatches on the first few pages. I rarely use the same type of notebook twice (my sketchbook is also my bujo/planner/junk/art journal) so it’s fun to see how the media works on a new type of paper.
I'm forever looking for the proper sketchbook for me. I've had a few repeats, but most of them are different. Learning how the paper works is super important to me.
I love the hahnemuhle kraft paper books with the soft cover. And I’d buy another one of the royal talens that I’m working through at the moment but the paper isn’t that good for watercolour.
It’s forever a balancing act between good enough and not too fancy and expensive.
Thank you for the practical tips and reminder that most everyone fears making that most horrendous of mistakes—wasting paper!
The only way to waste it is to leave it on the shelf!
Thanks, Nice article! I’ve not posted much on SS and it’s great to see what an art post looks like here. And i love looking at sketchbooks
First up Andrew, apologies in that it is highly unlikely that I will ever be a sketch artist as I much prefer painting, BUT, I do enjoy reading your posts and the great advise you proffer to all those wanting to be just like you…talented and a brilliant sketch artist. Keep up your great work and happy sketching.
No apologies needed. Thanks for your kind words.
(You know you can paint in a book, right? 🤣)
I know… 😄 and have done so in the past, particularly when I have been laid up after surgery.
I love this piece! Inspiring and makes me want to start a new sketchbook as soon as report card season is done.
Yes! That’s the spirit. So glad to hear it’s doing what I wanted it to do.
For starters I have found one more thing which works. Don’t go for very expensive sketchbooks. The cheaper they are - greater the willingness to soil the pages.
Oh absolutely right! The Very Fancy sketchbook can be a trap for sure.
I use cheap spiral notebooks - they already have light blue lines on them, so no page starts *truly* blank 😎
There’s definitely a relationship between how fancy a book is and how much it matters. It’s hard to hit that sweet spot where it’s nice enough to really enjoy drawing in, but not so nice that it freaks you out.
Glad you’ve cracked the code.
Another way to have no *truly* blank pages is brown paper. Much less scary than white for some reason.
Thank you so much for sharing this !
So true. It’s always hard to get started. Good topic to cover and good advice
Thank you Andrew. This is super helpful!
So glad to hear that Noreen.
Love the collections of little doodles on your starting pages.
Thank you. If you want to watch me do it I’m doing a live demo tomorrow!
https://open.substack.com/live-stream/25077?
Omg I have so many empty sketchbooks. So many! In fact I'm reading your delightful post instead of cracking one open right now!
Well... you know what to do.... :)
Fantastic article! I love rituals and this will certainly help me get started on the new sketchbook sitting on my art table waiting for me. You reminded me of Austin Kleon and his rituals around starting a new journal, including weighing it. Thanks for inspiring my morning.
Thank you for this - it was just what I needed after staring at a brand new sketchbook yesterday and doing nothing with it. My goal for today is to get my name done! Perfect timing
I suspected a lot of people would be starting a new book for the new year. Happy to hear it helped.
Art journalist here! I love your 2-step approach Andrew. So simple. Just perfect! Cheers to a sketchy 2025.
Simple, but not always easy. Thank you :)
Awesome advice. And lovely art
Love this idea and I do something similar with the paint/marker/pen swatches on the first few pages. I rarely use the same type of notebook twice (my sketchbook is also my bujo/planner/junk/art journal) so it’s fun to see how the media works on a new type of paper.
I'm forever looking for the proper sketchbook for me. I've had a few repeats, but most of them are different. Learning how the paper works is super important to me.
Have you stumbled across any favorites that are worthy of a repeat?
I love the hahnemuhle kraft paper books with the soft cover. And I’d buy another one of the royal talens that I’m working through at the moment but the paper isn’t that good for watercolour.
It’s forever a balancing act between good enough and not too fancy and expensive.