I like the mixed media sketchbook shown above because you can use it to add watercolour, acrylic, gouache and a variety of other media over your sketches to give them colour and make them look interesting. The disadvantage is that you do loose some stability and sturdiness so you have to be more careful handling them when on the move. later as individual pages can be removed without affecting the integrity of the rest of the book. Using these are also recommended if you want to remove the pages for framing, etc. This takes up less space and is easier to hold than a glue bound book. The advantage of wirebound sketchbooks is that you can flip the whole book open and back on itself. The spiral is either on the side or on the top edge. These sketchbooks don't have a bound / glued spine, but rather punched on one end then held together with a wire spiral. Only use these sketchbooks in light duty situations, like in studio. Generally the cover is little more than a thin cardboard which does not give much protection to the papers inside the book. Open it in the store at a variety of places (front, centre, back) to make sure the cover will remain open while drawing. You will however find that they often want to close on themselves while sketching because of the stiff cover. Similar to a hard cover book these sketchpads are very sturdy. Standard sketchbooks normally come in three different styles. You then only need to add the shadow and highlight colours to complete the sketch. If you are wondering why you would want to use off white or coloured paper then here is your answer : To save you adding a heap of colour / tone to the paper you choose a paper that is already the base colour you need. (Strathmore have a good variety of paper colours from tan to grey to cream) Smaller sketchbooks (A4 / 9" x 12" or smaller) are better for working outdoors as you generally need to hold the sketchbook in your hand as you work so anything larger tends to be unstable in your hand.ĭ) Paper Colour : Most sketchbooks come with white paper inside, but you can also get ones where the paper is off white, as well as coloured. If you going to only use it in the studio then one with larger pages will allow you the freedom to either make multiple sketches / studies of the same subject on the same page or one larger study per page. I recommend ensuring the paper is at least 160gsm thick.Ĭ) Size : The size sketchbook you buy will depend on where you are going to use it. If you are using inks or paints and the paper is too thin it can bleed through the sheet onto the one below. The first is that you don't want any of your harder pen / pencil strokes to score the sheet of paper below it. In the car, on holiday, hiking, you name it so ensure the cover is sturdy enough to handle the rough and tumble it is going to endure.ī) Paper Thickness : You don't want the pages to be too thin for two reasons. Things to look out for when purchasing a sketchbook are:Ī) Sturdy: You will be taking your sketchbook with you everywhere you go. I always recommend that you try to buy the best you can afford. I will mention a few, but in the end, you will have to make your own choice depending on what is available in your area and to suit your own pocket. They are available in a variety of sizes, paper types and makes. Let's start off by looking at the equipment you will need to start your sketchbook. That way they will always have some before sketches to look back on - something very few artists have. In my opinion every artist should first be given a sketchbook and a pencil (no eraser) and be sent out to sketch at least 10 pages full before they ever follow a single tutorial or buy any more art supplies. Then in a few years time you will be able to page back through your sketchbooks and relive your artistic journey and see how far you have come. In the process you will improve your art beyond anything you ever imagined. Nobody will see your mistakes so you can lose your abandon and play to your hearts content. It is your private art journal in which you, and you alone, can document and watch how you progress.Īs only you will see the inside of your journal, there is no pressure on your part to perform or get anything perfect. Generally you never even show anybody your sketchbook. This book is however your personal growth factory because you are going to sketch, draw, write, paint, experiment, mess and make mistakes in it. What is a sketchbook and why is it necessary for an artist to have one?Ī sketchbook is simply put, a book with empty drawing pages in it.
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