“My sketchbook is a witness of what I am experiencing, scribbling things whenever they happen.” -Vincent Van Gogh

Avery: The creativity that out-pours from a finished sketchbook can posses a magical quality, like an infectious feeling of artistic passion, something that feels emotionally energetic and alive. For me, watching video tours of people flipping through their sketchbooks have always served as a palpable resource for inspiration. The creative uniqueness showcased in every sketchbook is like a little universe that would ignite my own desire to draw and create. A sketchbook can almost feel like a window into the life of a person. It’s a glimpse into their own world, their own personal universe.

Keeping a sketchbook gives you incentive to draw every single day, and in doing so, you can quickly improve your drawing skills. I’ve been drawing in sketchbooks for about a decade now. And trust me when I say that having a sketchbook on hand everyday for drawing has improved my art skills dramatically. The purpose of a sketchbook for me, is to hone your skills and cultivate ideas. The goal of drawing in your sketchbook is not to make a perfect masterpiece, but to express raw unfiltered ideas on paper. You are free to experiment and make mistakes without consequence.

If you’ve ever felt like your sketchbook seem worlds away from the gorgeous, polished pages of the online video tours you’ve seen, I can relate. The truth is, most of those sketchbooks aren’t quite what they seem. More often than not, what you see online are the artists’ best works, presented in a way that’s not quite representative of the average everyday sketchbook. We don’t see a lot of messy practice art or doodles from the artists showcasing their work. It is not always the case though, some artists are willing to share more personal and authentic sketchbooks than others. In general, don’t let what you see online dictate how you create. Their is a lot to be learned from producing a complete sketchbook full of high quality illustrations, but as a beginner, you should embrace the imperfections of your work and allow yourself to be messy and experimental.

Your sketchbook should be a place where you can let your creativity run wild and produce the art you want without the fear of judgment. It’s an opportunity to explore your innermost thoughts and ideas without the pressure of impressing anyone else. I recommend keeping your sketchbook to yourself, or at least until you feel comfortable with sharing it. Keep your sketchbook as a place for you and you alone. Your sketchbook can act like a diary, capturing not just your artistic progress, but also your mindset and feelings as you create. It’s a therapeutic outlet that allows you to express your personal creative spirit. Every time you complete a sketchbook, you can look back and reflect on your progress you’ve made as an artist – it’s almost like holding a time machine in your hands.

“When it came to my art, I went my own way and did not follow the trends.”
-Frank Frazetta

I believe as an artist, you should never lock yourself into one specific artstyle, I think artists do a disservice to themselves by locking it down, especially when you are a young artist. Being too set in our ways, too early on in our career, can stunt our growth and rob us of the chance to try new things and experiment. It’s understandable if we find a style that resonates with us, but definitely do not become rigid in your drawing style too early in your career.

Never underestimate the power of a simple sketch – it could be the beginning of your next big masterpiece. Every drawing is an opportunity to explore new ideas. So if you’re not already keeping a sketchbook, what are you waiting for? These pages will bear witness to your creative evolution, capturing the growth of your vision and the evolution of your style. And trust me when I say that watching yourself grow creatively is extremely satisfying to experience. Remember, your sketchbook is not just a collection of pages bound together. It’s your own personal universe, an endless space of creativity and possibility that knows no bounds. Let your imagination expand outward into the far reaches of the universe.