Sketchbook Ideas
Whether you’re a professional artist or an art student, keeping a sketchbook is essential for creative exploration and experimentation. Not only does it let you practice your techniques and develop ideas, but sketchbooks can also serve as memorable resources to look back on throughout your artistic journey. If you’re looking for some fresh inspiration on how to make the most of your sketchbook, the following ideas, art challenges and sketchbook prompts will certainly get you started!
Included on this page:
12 Sketchbook Projects
Different Types of Sketchbooks
5 Tips for Keeping Successful Sketchbooks
Art Challenges
Sketchbook Prompts
12 sketchbook projects to try:
1. A Visual Diary: Record your daily activities, thoughts, feelings and observations in sketches, paintings or words.
​
2. An Imaginary World: Create an alternative universe with its own characters, landscapes and stories.
​
3. Colour Studies: Try out different colour combinations and create a palette of shades for future reference.
​
4. A Nature Journal: Take your sketchbook outside and draw the plants, animals, and landscapes around you.
​
5. An Art Blog: Share your work with friends and followers by creating an art blog using photos of your sketches!
​
6. Pop Culture Illustrations: Draw or paint characters from movies, TV shows, and books that you love.
​
7. A Travel Journal: Take your sketchbook with you on a journey and document your experiences in sketches, paintings or words.
​
8. Creative Writing: Write stories or poems inspired by doodles and illustrations in your sketchbook.
​
9. Artistic Exploration: Push yourself to try out new techniques and styles, and experiment with different materials.
​
10. A Dream Journal: Record your dreams in sketches, paintings or words to analyse them more deeply.
​
11. Blind Contour Drawing: Sketch without looking at the subject you are drawing. Enjoy the reveal when you look down to see your work at the end!
​
12. Make a Collage: Add scraps of paper, ink, pastels or findings from studies and glue together on the page.
Don’t forget to share your progress with others on Instagram using #mixedmediasketchbook – I would love to see what you create!
​
​
​
Different types of sketchbooks
There are so many different types of sketchbooks! Some examples include:
​
-
Mixed media sketchbook (shop-bought)
-
Watercolour sketchbook (shop-bought)
-
Pastel-paper sketchbook (shop-bought)
-
Basic sketchbook
-
Home-made journal
-
Spiral bound
-
Book bound
Mixed media sketchbook (shop-bought)
Mixed media sketchbooks are perfect for any artist who likes to combine different materials and techniques in their work. They typically have thick, heavy paper that can handle lots of different materials on one sheet of paper without bleeding or smudging. This means that you can use watercolour, graphite, ink, and other materials all on the same page without the colours or lines running together. Mixed media sketchbooks also feature a variety of paper textures, from smooth to rough, allowing you to experiment with a range of techniques.
Watercolour sketchpad (shop-bought)
The thick, textured paper prevents the paint from soaking through to the other pages, allowing artists to paint freely without worrying about ruining their work. The paper also has excellent absorbency, ensuring that the colours stay vibrant and true. Watercolour sketchbooks also come in a range of sizes and formats, so you can find the perfect book for your needs.
Pastel paper sketchpad (shop-bought)
This paper is specially designed to resist smudging and fading, ensuring that the colours you apply don't slip off the page. The paper also has a unique texture which holds the pastel colours, allowing you to blend them together to create beautiful works of art. The paper is also great for sketches and drawings, as the colours will not fade or smudge, making it easy to achieve the desired effect. Also perfect for charcoal sketches. With pastel paper sketchpads, you can create vibrant and colourful works of art that will last for years.
Basic sketchbook (shop-bought)
A basic sketchbook is great for pencil sketches, beginning new projects, or just doodling. It is usually less expensive than more specialist types of sketchbooks, making it a great option for those just starting out in the world of art. The paper quality is often not as high as more expensive options, but it's a great way to get used to sketching and will allow you to develop your skills before investing in a more expensive sketchbook.
Home-made art journal
Homemade art journals are a great way to add a personal feel to your art. With the ability to customize the size, shape, and materials of your sketchbook, you can create a unique look and feel that is all your own. With a homemade sketchbook, you can create a space that reflects your own creativity and style and nobody will have one like it! Make it yourself using scraps of paper and fabric. It is obviously the cheaper option but a lot more time-consuming.
Spiral-bound sketchbook
Spiral bound sketchbooks are incredibly versatile and convenient. Their pages lie flat open, making it easy to draw or write without having to hold the book open. As an added bonus, you can easily tear pages out of them for use in other projects. The spiral binding keeps the book together strongly, so you don't have to worry about it falling apart.
Book-bound sketchbook
Using book-bound sketchbooks for art is a great way to tell a story. It has an old-school feel to it, and it is nice to hold in your hands. One downside to using book-bound sketchbooks is that it is not ideal for tearing pages out. Overall, book-bound sketchbooks provide a classic and timeless feel that allows you to showcase your artwork in a unique and meaningful way.
5 tips on how to keep a successful sketchbook
Keeping a successful sketchbook is all about maintaining consistency and staying true to your creative process. Here are some tips to help you get started:
​
1. Start by brainstorming ideas for projects, themes, or topics that you can use to fill the pages of your sketchbook.
​
2. Decide how often you want to work on your sketchbook and stick to it! Set aside time each day or week to dedicate exclusively to sketching.
​
3. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes – this is as much a part of creativity as getting it right the first time. Embrace the process and have fun with it!
​
4. Have an open mind and be willing to try out new techniques or materials. It’s the best way to keep your work interesting and fresh!
​
5. Finally, share your progress with others – this can really help motivate you to keep going.
Art Prompts
Expand your creative skill set with sketchbook prompts.
By following a set of daily sketchbook prompts you can rest easy knowing that the theme or message of your art has already been decided for you! After following prompts for a while you will have built up the confidence to develop your own ideas and style.