I like to keep a variety of sketchbooks on the go in sizes from A6 to A3. My favourite manufacturer is Windsor and Newton whose wiro-bound sketchbooks come in various sizes and textures. The only way to improve their sketchbooks is with a piece of elastic to keep the pages closed while out sketching in the field…and voilà – Artway available from Amazon have the perfect sketchbook!
My studio sketchbooks differ in content where the page is used to expand on ideas and to experiment with colour and composition.
In my research of ways to use a sketchbook I always find myself coming back to the work of Neil Meacher RI. His use of sketchbooks is documented across the internet and shows how he developed his ideas from sketch to finished piece. The Batsford book – Mastering watercolour, learn from five masters of the medium is a well-thumbed book in my library.
Aside from sketching I also use my sketchbooks to record family holidays. For this I use a normal lined notebook and the page will be littered with notes from the day.
Finding enough inspiration to fill a sketchbook is daunting at first but there are various websites with monthly prompts to help you. A few of my favourites are Doodlewash.com, dedicated to watercolour and Inktober dedicated to the use of ink.
Filling your first sketchbook is really rewarding and it helps to build confidence in your skill as an artist. Make 2023 the year of your first sketchbook!
Watch more about my sketchbook process on this youtube video – My sketchbook process, translating my sketches to a finished painting –
