Erika Lancaster- Artist + Online Art Teacher
  • HOME
  • BLOG + FREEBIES
  • MEMBERSHIP
  • CLASSES
  • GALLERY
  • MY ART TOOLS

Why Sketchbooks are Essential Tools for Artists and Tips

8/23/2017

22 Comments

 
Why Sketchbooks Are Essential Tools for Artists
Follow
*This post contains affiliate links. I receive small commissions for purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you. These commissions help me keep this site up and running, in order for me to keep providing helpful and inspiring art content. :)

​
​​
Do you love buying sketchbooks but find you rarely use them? Do you find a clean, blank page completely intimidating? Are you afraid of ruining your beautiful new sketchbook and stop yourself from using it to experiment and learn as much as you could? Are you confused about what sketchbooks should or shouldn't be used for?
​


​I am going to start out this post with a somewhat embarrassing confession. Until about three years ago, I never had a sketchbook. Pretty much all my drawings were created on loose sheets of paper that ended up in folders (if they were lucky) or lost under piles of junk never to be found again.

What can I say? I got busy with full-time jobs that, perhaps were “artsy” and creative, but never really left me the time and energy to explore art for myself.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with daily responsibilities and forget about that one activity that we'd really like to spend more time doing.

Keeping up with demanding jobs, family responsibilities, social commitments and making time for health on top of everything else, can keep us from pursuing activities which we know would bring us an immense amount of joy and fulfillment, but sometimes (unfortunately) loose their priority. I’m sure many of you can relate.

 
It took me forever to fill up that first little sketchbook I ordered from Amazon all those years ago. I moved out of the house I was living in back then, got married and was extremely busy giving my all at my job, working overtime several days a week and arriving home exhausted.

​I had started trying out some new art supplies in this sketchbook of mine (mostly watercolor pencils and drawing pens) but wasn’t really serious about it yet. My priorities were still elsewhere.

Finally, last year, I became incredibly inspired by artists I was finding online and I made the decision to make time for my own improvement as an artist. I made time to really think about what I wanted in life, re-established priorities and set my goals.

If you're at the point I was in back then, feeling stuck, unhappy and not making any progress towards improving in those areas that are important to you, I highly recommend checking out my blog post titled Time Management for Artists: My Secrets for Staying Consistently Productive.

In it, I explain everything I did to lay out achievable plans for myself that would allow me to steadily progress towards my goals, as well as helpful tips that will help you stay focused and consistent.


​
If you enjoyed this video and found it helpful, make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel. I share a brand new video every week with art tips, drawing and painting tutorials and mindset/productivity tips for artists. *Subscribe HERE*
​

​

​
So little by little I began investing in more art supplies and, this time, I actually used them. I started consciously setting aside time for my own art after work and on weekend mornings and it went on like that for months.

I began getting more and more excited about my personal improvement and finding my voice as an artist. I can honestly say the elation I felt from creating something and sharing it with the world was unlike nothing I had ever felt before.

I started to feel like this big part of me that I had been suppressing for so many years was emerging, like I was finally becoming whole.
 I had never experienced anything as addictive as creating these little artworks that began filling my sketchbook (by this point it was a bigger one).

The part of my days which I looked forward to the most were those moments in which I could immerse myself in my art and slowly peel back these layers that would lead me to discover myself as an artist. I haven’t stopped since.

 
Later on, as I found myself filling not only sketchbooks quicker and quicker, but creating painting after painting on proper watercolor paper, I began investing in higher quality supplies. 

I am still in the process of creating my collection and finding those specific brands of paper and paint that I love most, but my persistence and personal drive to become better have brought me far from where I started. 
 
​
​
Sketchbooks and my cat in my studio desk.
Some of my sketchbooks and my cat, who just wanted to be in the picture.


​
Learn sketching and watercolor online classes
Check out my FREE Patreon-exclusive tutorial and class samples here.


​
​

Why Sketchbooks Are So Important in an Artist's Journey


1. They are a chronological record of your progress
If you ever feel unmotivated or need solid proof of your progress, you can look back to your old sketchbooks and see how far you've come. You can also study them in order to find patterns in your work, as well as your style evolution throughout the years. 



2. They protect your work for you
If you are generally a disorganized person or simply a busy one, it is very easy to loose those sketches you create. Whether you are a professional artist or a hobbyist that finds joy in art, it is important that this work is protected and not lost. 




3. They are portable
As artists it is important to have the tools we need handy at all times. Whether it's a camera to take reference photos, a small notebook to jot ideas down in, or an actual sketchbook, we need to be prepared when we are out and about. It's important to keep in mind that drawing and painting from life is extremely important for those of us seeking to do this professionally. 




4. They provide us with an informal, no pressure way of exploring 
I believe that in art, as in most things in life, it's more about the journey than the destination. As artists we have to fall in love with the process of exploration and keeping a sketchbook is a great way to do that. It is through smaller studies that we discover ourselves as artists, the techniques we love most, what we excel at and what we must work on, etc.

One could argue that a finished sketchbook is even more important than the finalized pieces we produce, as it displays all the work it took you to get to where you are today. Ignoring practice and going straight to the canvas isn't going to get you anywhere. This is a mistake I made in the beginning. 


​

5. They remind us to keep going
When I am sitting in my studio thinking about how I can move my skills forward, I can hear my sketchbooks calling out for me. Maybe I sound like a crazy person, but to me, they seem hungry to be filled up with more work. And more practice equals more results. So it's a win-win. 

​
​

​


​



​
​

Tips to Get The Most Out of Your Sketchbook


1. Give it a date
I like writing the month and year when I started working in each sketchbook somewhere on its cover. By doing this, I can look back to older ones and see how far I've come. It's easy to get frustrated on a day-to-day basis when a drawing or painting isn't going as smoothly as you were expecting, but when you look back and see the progress you have achieved, it can be very motivating to keep going. 



​
2. Carry it with you everywhere
I like having sketchbooks in different sizes so that I can take smaller ones with me whenever I'm going somewhere where I'll have a chance to sketch. I also like to have little regular notebooks to jot ideas down for future artworks if anything occurs to me when I am out of my studio. You never know when a great idea is going to pop up. Ideas are so easily forgotten and, even if they aren't used right away, they could come in handy in the future. 



30 Day Sketchbook Challenge



​3. Make sure you buy one that is appropriate for the supplies you plan to use in it
Do you like to do mostly pen and ink sketches? Are you into watercolors, gouache or other media that requires water? Do you like to explore mixed-media? Would you like a sketchbook that can hold layers of paint in it or perhaps even glue and other items you'd like to place in it? Are you planning on using things like gesso in order to use oil paint in it? There is a sketchbook for every need out there. Just make sure you acquire one with appropriate paper for your exploratory needs. 




4. Write in it
I love to jot down notes about mistakes and what I have to make sure not to do next time I'm attempting to draw/paint that particular subject or use that particular technique.
Write down ideas that came up throughout the process of the piece you were working on. Write personal thoughts or feelings about what made you want to explore that particular subject. I believe all these things will contribute to your work immensely because getting to know yourself is a big part of becoming an artist. 




5. Never fear the blank page/new sketchbook
Remember your sketchbook is a place for you to explore and to learn. You aren't "ruining" anything! This is your personal space and you don't have to share it with anyone if you don't want to. If you always have this fear of perfection looming over your head you are never going to get the amount of work done that it takes to become better.
​Relax and enjoy the process!
​​​​



​

​
​What methods/activities have you found useful to make sure you keep creating art and developing your skills through time? Have you ever gotten to a point at which you feel like you've plateaued? Leave a comment below and and let's help each other out.


Essential Tips for Realistic Drawing
Sketching Tips for Beginner Artists
How to Use Other Artists Work as Inspiration for Your Own Art
22 Comments
Teresa
1/24/2018 08:44:24 am

Thank you for your encouraging comments on using sketchbooks! I waited till my retirement to start exploring my artistic side... early marriage and raising four kids kept me busy first, my working hours grew as my children needed me less and ended teaching too many hours per week, so art had to be postponed.

Reply
Erika Lancaster
1/25/2018 08:37:15 am

Teresa, hi!! I'm glad you found my post encouraging!
I can't even begin to imagine how busy you were raising 4 kids! Must have been a handful!
I am very happy to hear that you're finally making time for your art. It's so important to make time for the activities that make us happy! And I believe that if Art calls you, it's for a reason!
Are you using sketchbooks for practicing? What kind of media do you enjoy using most?
Keep in touch! I'd love to hear from you!

Reply
Teresa
3/2/2018 05:10:29 am

I love waterolors, and use them and other water soluble tools: graphite, pencils, crayons. Having read that it is advisable to draw in ink to gain confidence (through trial and error) I'm trying to skip first sketch in pencil, but I am often dissapointed with the results, because mistakes cannot be corrected when working in ink. The bright side of it is it allows me to work on tolerance to my own work (I need a lot of that!)

Ed Provost
2/27/2018 12:43:08 pm

Hi Erika
Your personal note is very much appreciated.
Your blog on getting started and the use of a sketch book is right on. Most of my life, I worked or owned a trucking Co, than had a Ex Search firm and now that I am 80 and sort of retired I would like to do some things that I missed due to work and family commitments. Currently taking some music lessons, trying to learn to play piano.
I have always wanted to draw. When I noticed your info on the web, I was drawn to it. Your thoughts are so right on. You must be a great inspiration to all that know you.
Thank you very much.
Ed

Reply
Erika Lancaster
2/28/2018 08:18:57 am

Hello again Ed,

Happy to have you over here! I think it's amazing that you're finally making time for music and art! I'm very much into music myself and even know a bit of guitar.

All of the arts are very much connected (so is writing).
Are you starting with the sketchbook prompts? Don't worry about skipping days! Just start getting whatever you have in your head/heart out in tangible ways and it will soon start pouring out of you.

Please stay in touch! I'd love to hear how your progressing, with either drawing or music... whatever it is!
I'm truly thankful for your words! You're very kind.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Reply
Maria garcia
3/1/2018 04:18:49 pm

Erika :estoy feliz de haberte encontrado,me hicieron mucho bién tus explicaciones,entiendo inglés ,no lo sé escribir bién ,pero trataré igual que la pintura,soy artista por naturaleza,estudio piano y pinto cerámicas ,pero quiero iniciarme en acuarela. I hope you can understand me,thanks you very much.

Reply
Erika Lancaster
3/1/2018 05:35:42 pm

Hola María,
¡Me da taaaanto gusto que hayas llegado a mi página y que estés iniciando con las acuarelas! Ojalá mi blog y mis videos te ayuden. Estoy constantemente revisando sus mensajes y pensando en lo que más les puede servir para crear contenido. :) ¡Tengo muchas cosas por venir que creo que gustarán!
¡Qué padre que tocas piano! A mi también me encanta la música y toco un poco de guitarra. Todo dentro de las artes está súper conectado, ¿no?

Bueno, espero verte por acá seguido y no dudes en mandarme mensajes cuando tengas alguna pregunta.
¡Qué estés muy bien! :)

Reply
Teresa
3/2/2018 05:13:26 am

Bienvenida! Otra hispanoparlante! También tengo dificultades a la hora de escribir en inglés.
Como dice el refrán "la práctica hace al maestro", así que adelante!!!

Reply
Erika Lancaster
3/2/2018 08:41:32 am

¡Así es! Yo soy nacida en E.U. pero llevo viviendo en Monterrey desde my niña. :) Así que no hay ningún problema si quieres comunicarte conmigo en español. jiji

Jayne Cambronne
4/10/2018 05:37:28 pm

Thank you for this article about sketchbooks. It is the inspiration l needed to improve my drawing skills. I started watercolor lessons a couple of years ago but have been lazy and not doing the practice work. I'm not sure what to use as subjects. I mostly enjoy nature, flowers, birds simple landscapes.

Reply
Erika Lancaster
4/11/2018 07:05:35 am

Hi Jayne,

You're very welcome! I'm so happy to hear that my post inspired you to continue with your drawing practice. I find setting aside even twenty minutes a day for drawing or painting can lead to good, steady progress!

Did you check out my series about watercolor landscapes for beginners? Maybe you'll like it!
http://www.erikalancaster.com/art-blog/watercolor-landscapes-for-beginners-new-youtube-series

Thank you for taking time to comment!
Have a great day!

Reply
Marvel
6/6/2018 07:13:19 am

i really needed this. bought a sketchbook for two weeks now. i'm just scared of ruining it.

Reply
Erika Lancaster
6/6/2018 09:12:57 am

Hi Marvel,

Fear of failure is the worst! DO NOT let it keep you from creating. I wrote a blog post about it that I really recommend: http://www.erikalancaster.com/art-blog/5-fatal-artist-habits-and-practical-advice

Fearing the blank page and/or striving for perfection leaves us paralyzed and keep us from producing work, which is necessary for us to improve.

The best thing to do is embracing exploration and mistakes as a sign of growth. As you build up your confidence you'll start getting more and more comfortable, so do start small and gain experience with Art Fundamentals.

Also, remember, not only is your sketchbook YOUR space for exploration and growth, but there are always ways to cover up pages if you really dislike them! :)

All the best to you and do keep in touch! I'd love to know how it's going for you!

Reply
Brian Rogers link
12/18/2018 07:16:13 am

I found you & your art about a week ago through YouTube. (I've sense linked up to you through IG and here on your blog.)
I don't want to write a prolonged post but suffice it to say I'm in my mind 50's and about 5 years ago found myself in a place where I had more time on my hands and didn't know what to do with it. I turned to watercolor a year ago and have found it a great joy. I've improved over the past year but still feel I could put more of myself in it. This is where you come in. It is such a blessing to find someone excited to teach & who makes their teaching accessible. Thanks for that!! I've made strides even in the last couple of weeks in my mindset as a budding artist mainly, but also some really great examples of how to go about this thing we call art. This post on keeping an art journal is one example. So thanks! Thanks for being open to sharing your journey & giving tips, ideas ect. You have no idea what this has done for me!

Reply
Erika Lancaster
12/18/2018 09:51:38 am

Hi Brian,

Your message truly warmed my heart and you have no idea how much I appreciate it, as it's what makes me want to keep going. Art has brought me a level of both happiness and growth that I want for others as well, and this is why I'm so invested in creating helpful/encouraging content. I really think Art (and artists) can change the world.
I'm incredibly happy to hear that you've found my content helpful and inspiring. And I'm also happy to hear that you've followed me on different platforms. :)
I see you recently joined my private Facebook group, which makes me super happy! I look forward to getting to know you more and seeing what you get up to with your art.

All the best to you in your artistic journey, Brian.
And thank you again, for taking time to write me.

Erika

Reply
Patricia Esparza
1/22/2019 11:34:51 am

Que maravilla de informacion en tu blog, lo encontre tratando de dibujar un perfil...que suerte la mia. Gracias por compartir, estoy tomando clases hace 4 anos y me encanta.

Reply
Erika Lancaster
1/23/2019 08:36:05 am

Hola Patricia,

Mil gracias por visitar mi blog y por tu comentario. :)
Lo aprecio muchísimo y te deseo mucho éxito con tu arte. ¿De dónde eres? Me encantaría continuar sabiendo de ti.

Reply
Patricia Esparza
1/23/2019 11:23:36 am

Originalmente de Guadalajara, he vivido en Estados Unidos por largo tiempo...ahora vivo en las montanas del Southwest de Nuevo Mexico, seguire siguiendo tu blog pues me encanta tu manera de expresarte y tu arte, tambien eres una gran maestra

Mariangela Holliday
3/19/2020 01:36:14 am

Hi Érica,
I’m another oldie but goodie attempting to connect to my artist self and hoping it exists. I have by now outfitted myself with so many art supplies in the hopes they will create magic! I just found you, and I plan to join your YouTube channel and join your blog community. I hope I can find your blog again tomorrow as it is now three in the morning.
También soy otra hispanoparlante, y me da muchísimo gusto encontrarme con otras hispanas Hasta pronto!

Reply
Erika Lancaster link
3/26/2020 06:31:28 pm

¡Hola Mariangela!

Espero estés bien y cuidándote muchísimo mientras afrontamos esta situación mundial tan complicada.
Me da tanto gusto que estás explorando el mundo del arte y la creatividad.

¡Tooodos tienen un artista dentro y tooodos pueden aprender a dibujar, pintar, o lo que quieran hacer, si se lo proponen y lo toman seriamente! De verdad lo creo y lo he visto en mis alumnos.

Solo hay que aceptar que es una trayectoria larga, un proceso de aprendizaje que continuará por años, y lo importante es disfrutar el crecimiento. ¡Tu puedes! :)

Muchísimas gracias por visitar my sitio y por ver mis videos. :) Espero te estén ayudando e inspirando mucho.

Asegúrate de inscribirte a mi newsletter, porque ofrezco muchos recursos que no ofrezco en ningún otro lado.

Que disfrutes y crezcas mucho artísticamente. :)

Erika

Reply
Alex J Walker link
10/28/2021 07:11:30 am

Amazing post. I just loved reading your blog post. Thanks for sharing it!

Reply
Erika Lancaster link
10/31/2021 08:58:05 am

Hey, Alex!
Glad you enjoyed this one. :)
Thanks so much for checking it out and taking time to comment.
Wish you a lovely day!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    ​
    Learn Drawing and Watercolor Step by Step Tutorials

    ​
    Best Art Blog Helpful Resources for Artists

    ​

    Picture

    ​
    Become a Patron!

    ​

    www.dickblick.com

    ​

    ​
    www.erikalancaster.com
    is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites
    ​to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.


    www.erikalancaster.com
    is a participant in the 
    Shareasale.com Affiliate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Shareasale.com partner companies.
    ​

    RSS Feed

Picture
Picture
       
​  
Website Disclaimer              Privacy Policy              ​Terms and Conditions
©  2022  Erika Lancaster.  All rights reserved.
  • HOME
  • BLOG + FREEBIES
  • MEMBERSHIP
  • CLASSES
  • GALLERY
  • MY ART TOOLS