What to put in a sketchbook
for beginners by Saskia Keultjes
3 min readAug 18, 2013
Your sketchbook is a secret place
“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.”
Samuel Beckett
A sketchbook is very useful for everyone, especially for artists, students and kids. It boosts your creativity. To achieve that, use your sketchbook like a journal; make it a secret place. It’s very important to work freely inside it. Make sure you carry it everywhere.
Sketchbook supplies
- a sketchbook
- something to draw
- glue or stickers
- scissors
- foldback clips, paper clips, staples
- different kinds of other paper
- sticky notes
How to start a new sketchbook:
- start now
- make a personal cover
- don’t start at page one
- destroy it’s beauty for example with a crappy drawing
- or use the following tips
Some topics for your sketchbook:
- ideas
- thoughts
- shopping list
- feelings
- phonenumbers
- recipes
- mood
- photography
- problems
- to do lists
- food
- dates
- watercolours <3
Things you can do in your sketchbook:
- fail
- glue
- ripp
- splash
- make
- keep
- collect
- write
- scribble
- cut
- add
- break
- explore
That doesn't belong in your sketchbook
- the fear of drawing in it
Challenges & drawing games:
- draw what you see
- make a collage from rnd. stuff
- draw with your left hand
- illustrate your day
- make it a travel journal
- write about your feelings
- take your sketchbook for a walk and draw outside
- draw with anything except regular drawing supplies
- self portraits
- draw your favorite animal
- make a comic with 4 panels
Secret Tips:
- use a ruled sketchbook from Muji for example, when you’re afraid
- don’t show it to anyone, keep your freedom and release pages you really love
- cover your face with your sketchbook, when you have a zit and your crush is looking
