Do you love drawing and painting but are stuck in a creative rut? Are you looking for new sketchbook ideas to help jump-start your imagination? If so, you have come to the right place! This blog post will share 49 creative ideas for your next sketchbook. It also gives detailed information about choosing and using sketchbooks. From nature sketches to character designs, there is something for everyone here. So what are you waiting for? Get inspired and get drawing!
49 Sketchbook Ideas
- Draw a picture of yourself.
- Draw a self-portrait with your eyes closed
- Draw what you think the future you’ll look like in 20 years.
- Draw a picture of your favorite animal or pet.
- Draw a portrait of a stranger on the subway/bus/train/etc. (with picture).
- Draw a picture of someone who inspires you, such as an author or artist who’s influenced your life.
- Draw a picture of your favorite place in the world.
- Draw a picture of something that makes you happy (the sky, a cupcake, etc.).
- Draw a picture of something that makes you angry or sad (an injustice).
- Draw a picture of an object from nature (a flower, an insect).
- Draw a picture of a place from your childhood memories (your room when you were little).
- Draw someone who influenced your life for the better – someone who made it possible for you to live in this world and grow into who you’re today!
- Draw a picture of where you’d like to travel once you’ve saved enough money!
- Pencil sketch a bird’s eye view of your house or the street where you live so you can get a feel for what it looks like from above.
- Draw an architectural element you like, such as a Victorian-style window or a curved roofline.
- Sketch a piece of furniture in the room you’re sitting in, then ask yourself if it would look better in another room of your house. If so, redraw it there!
- Draw the inside of your favorite store or restaurant and imagine you’re one of the customers walking through the store looking for a particular product (such as a new pair of shoes).
- Draw something you see in the sky above you right now (this could be a bird, an airplane, or even the sun)
- Draw a picture of the food you ate today.
- Draw a picture of your favorite toy as a child.
- Draw what your bedroom looks like now!
- Draw the last item you bought online and then draw what it looks like in its packaging.
- Draw yourself as one of your favorite characters from a movie or series ( TV ), or draw someone else as one of their favorite characters from those series/movies!
- Draw yourself doing something completely different from what you’ve done before (like skydiving or playing guitar).
- Draw something to go with each letter of the alphabet! This can be the letters themselves or words that start with that letter (e.g., “apple” for A). Or just draw whatever comes to mind for each letter – whatever helps you finish quickly so you can move on to other things!
- Draw something from your childhood memory
- Draw something you wish existed in real life
- Draw someone who inspires you but doesn’t show their face
- Draw something you’re really good at
- Draw people doing everyday things, like sleeping or eating lunch at their desk
- Draw what you ate for breakfast
- Draw something you feel confident doing, then draw what happens when you don’t feel confident anymore.
- Draw a few possible logos or branding ideas for yourself, a friend’s business/project, etc.
- Draw a picture of yourself as an object – like a flower or a vegetable – and explain why you chose that particular object.
- Sketch the floor plan of your dream house (or apartment).
- Draw a picture of yourself in a different country every day for a week, or draw a place from each continent over a month.
- Draw a few famous paintings from history that you know well (like Starry Night or The Scream). Then try drawing them again blindfolded or with your eyes closed!
- Draw a picture of a family having dinner together
- Draw every time you go for a walk
- Draw a list of things you want to do today
- Sketch what your ideal day off would look like – what would you do on it? Where would you go? Who’d you spend time with? What would the weather be like?
- Sketch an object that reminds you of someone who’s passed away (e.g., their favorite book or flower). This can be a fun way to remember the deceased person abstractly without the pain they left behind seeming overwhelming.
- Draw a picture of your favorite book cover or what you think is the most beautiful book cover of all time
- Illustrate your favorite book. Illustration can be fun and give us different angles on a story; sometimes, it can lead to a new drawing idea.
- Sketch out goals for yourself for the next year: physical goals (exercise more), mental goals (learn another language), and professional goals (start a business). Use a timeline: When did these goals become important to you? When did they suddenly become more urgent than ever before?
- Create a graphic representation of your favorite song lyrics.
- Sketch the perfect outfit for any occasion (work, school, weekend).
- Draw your ideal closet
- Sketch what you’d do if you only had 24 hours left on earth (before the end of the world)
How to Choose a Sketchbook
Choosing a sketchbook can be a challenge because there are so many options these days. Here are 10 tips to help you choose a sketchbook that fits your needs.
1. Choose a Size That Fits Your Needs
Size is important when choosing a sketchbook because it determines the number of pages you can fit. If you draw in your sketchbook daily, you should choose it to fit your daily work.
You should also consider the size of your hands when choosing the best size for your sketchbook. If you’ve small hands, a smaller sketchbook will probably be more comfortable than using a larger one.
If you plan to use the sketchbook at home or simply need more space to draw, you should choose a larger one.
2. Choose a Type of Paper
The type of paper is important.
If you get a sketchbook, the type of paper can make all the difference in your experience with the book. Some sketchbooks are good for sketching but not so good for writing or doodling. Other sketchbooks are good for doodling but not so good for drawing.
The first step in choosing paper is to think about what kind of artwork you want to create in your sketchbook. A sketchbook with a smooth surface is best if you mainly draw with a pencil or pen. A rough surface may be better for you if you mainly draw with acrylics or watercolors.
3. Look for a Variety of Sketches
Sketchbooks with pages of different types of paper will help you improve your drawing skill in several ways. First, the different textures let you try different mediums – pencil, charcoal, watercolor – and keep everything in one place. Avoid oil and acrylic paint or mediums that are too thick or take too long to dry.
Second, these types of sketchbooks force you to work on different surfaces and learn how to adapt your style to the particular characteristics of each surface; for example, if you work with pencil or charcoal on rough paper, your lines will be much heavier than if you draw them with a pen or marker on smooth paper.
If this helps you improve as an artist, keep that in mind when choosing the right sketchbook!
4. Pay Attention to the Quality vs Price
When you’re choosing a sketchbook, quality is key. But it can be difficult to know how much to spend if you’re on a budget and looking for the best possible price.
You should ensure your sketchbook is durable enough to be used regularly but not so expensive that you’ve trouble replacing it when it wears out.
Suppose you’re using your sketchbook for professional purposes (or just want it to look like it’s been used professionally). In that case, this is especially important – you don’t want your drawings to be thrown away because they can’t be properly preserved.
5. Look for a Sketchbook Whose Pages Lie Flat
When sketching, it’s important that you can draw without the paper curling up or getting in your way. Many sketchbooks are bound with glue, so the pages can’t lie flat. This can make it difficult to draw and cause problems when drawing.
6. Choose a Sketchbook With a Good Binding, So the Pages Don’t Fall Out or Tear Easily
The binding is the part of your sketchbook that holds the pages together. If it’s not well made, your book will be difficult to open and close, and the pages will fall out or tear easily. Also, if the binding isn’t sturdy enough, you risk damaging your sketchbook if you accidentally bend it too much while turning the pages.
7. Consider Buying Several Sketchbooks at Once So You Can Swap Them Out When They Get Full or When You Want to Try Something New
When you’re just starting, buying just one sketchbook and using it for everything can be tempting. But what if you want to try a new medium? Or if you just need to do some quick sketches and don’t have time to wait for the ink to dry?
If you’re unsure and can afford it, buying several sketchbooks at once is a great way to avoid these problems. You can always replace them when they’re full or if you want to try something new.
8. Pay Attention to the Material of the Cover of Your Sketchbook Before You Buy It – You Want Something That Will Last and Not Crack or Fade in Sunlight
Sketchbooks are an essential part of being a good artist. But how can you figure out which one is the best for you?
It’s not just about choosing a sketchbook that looks cool – you also want to make sure it’ll last. Before buying a sketchbook, you should look at the cover material because some materials get cracked or fade in sunlight.
9. Make Sure There Are Enough Sheets in Each Book, So You Don’t Run Out Too Quickly!
The best sketchbooks are the ones that have enough sheets so you can capture your ideas, but not so many that you run out! That way, you won’t run out so quickly and have to buy a new one.
10. Try Different Types of Sketchbooks Until One Suits You
You’ve started sketching and are quite happy with your progress. You’re just getting the hang of it and starting to see some really amazing things in your art.
But then… something happens: you run out of ideas for what you could draw. You want to make more art, but nothing is left to draw!
The solution is simple: try different styles of sketchbooks until one suits you.
Some people like very small and compact sketchbooks, so they can take them everywhere. Others like big, thick sketchbooks with lots of space to fill the pages with drawings and write their thoughts about their progress as artists. Some people even like spiral-bound notebooks with an elastic band to keep everything together without worrying about losing pages!
You’ll probably find that once you start using a particular style (or even brand) that best suits your tastes, it’s easier to figure out what supplies work best for your drawing style.
How To Start a Sketchbook
You can start a sketchbook in any way that suits you.
Here are a few tips to help you get started:
An easy step is to start with a simple idea on a blank page (e.g: random geometric shapes or a simple shape like a house). You may want to sketch lots of different shapes first, or you may want to draw characters from your favorite book or movie. Either is a good place to start!
- Find a medium that suits you. If you’re new to drawing, try drawing pencils or pens first – they’re easier to control than brushes, which are harder for beginners to handle. However, if you’ve been drawing for years and are comfortable with painting techniques like watercolor or oil paints, then sketching with any medium should be easy for you!
- get inspired by the work of other artists or a famous painting – or even by things that aren’t art but inspire you anyway (like nature). You’ll be amazed at what happens when you take time each day to sit down with your materials and let your mind wander!
- If you don’t know where to start, consider taking an art class and trying out a drawing lesson before you buy a sketchpad to get an idea of whether you’re ready to begin your creative journey.
How To Organize a Sketchbook
If you’re wondering how to organize your sketchbook, here are some tips:
- Keep it small. Sketchbooks are great because they’re easy to carry, and you can easily take them. But sometimes, a big sketchbook can be overwhelming – especially if you’re just starting! If you’re having trouble staying organized or taking up too much space in your sketchbook, pick up a smaller one instead of continuing to use the big one.
- Think about what kind of sketches you’ll be doing most often. Will you be doing layouts? Character design? Storyboarding? If so, make sure these pages are separated from each other, so they don’t get mixed up or accidentally erased while you’re working on other projects.
- Consider color-coding your pages by topic, so it’s easy for anyone who looks at them later (like future employers!). Separate sections may be useful to you in the future when you’ll look for a specific sketch.
- Keep everything in one place. If you’re unsure where to draw, keep all your materials in one place (like a colored pencil case). That way, all your materials are easy to find and even easier to put away when you’re done.
- Organize your sketches by subject or object. For example, if you want to keep all your drawings from a particular trip, you can group them in the same binder section. If you’re trying to draw more realistically, separate them from your other sketches in a different section.
Should You Draw on Both Sides of a Sketchbook?
It depends.
If you’re using a small sketchbook, it’s not a bad idea to draw on both sides – but only if it’s the right sketchbook. If you’re just drawing doodles and random sketches, it’s fine to draw on both sides. However, if you’re using a larger sheet of paper or trying to create something that looks like a picture, you shouldn’t! You’ll have difficulty drawing straight lines on both sides of the paper.
So if you have a big sketchbook and you’re drawing more serious stuff in it, don’t worry about drawing on both sides. But if you have a small sketchbook and want to ensure your drawings look good on both sides? Then go for it – it’ll save space!
Are Sketchbooks Supposed to Be Messy?
The beauty of sketchbooks is that they’re not just for sketching. They’re also for doodling, scribbling, and writing down ideas – all of those things should be messy!
Think of it this way: If you made a collage or a puzzle, would you put the pieces in a neat pile? No, of course, you wouldn’t! You’d leave them and put them together in whatever order suits you. And that’s exactly how you should handle your sketchbook – you should be all over the place with your ideas, feelings, and drawings.
It should show where your head is when you’re working on something creative! But when working on a project in your sketchbook, it’s best to use a clean page every time. When taking notes or sketching out your idea, you can always go back and look at what you’ve done – and even change it if you need to. If you keep using the same page, it can get confusing and hard to understand later.
If you’ve trouble with this, try using one page for each process step. That way, if something doesn’t work right the first time, you’ll have a flawless page to try again later!
How To Fix Mistakes in Your Sketchbook
You can cover mistakes in your sketchbook with a ruler and an eraser if you use drawing pencils.
First, you need to measure where you want the cover-up. It needs to be as wide as the original mistake, or it’ll look funny. You can make it wider if you want, but it’s best if it stays close to the width of the original bug, so it doesn’t look like someone drew in extra lines on purpose.
Next, use the ruler and eraser to draw across your mistake. Use small strokes that follow the contours of your original drawing idea so that when you erase it later, it’ll look like there was never a mistake! However, if you use other media, you won’t be able to cover your mistakes.
How To Make Your Sketchbook Look Interesting
You don’t have to buy a fancy sketchbook to make your drawings look interesting. Using a graphite pencil or watercolor, you can make your pages look beautiful.
Crayons are another great way to add color to your drawings. Crayons are easy to use because they come in different shapes and sizes, so you can pick the one that best fits your project! They also come in many colors, so there’s something for everyone!
The best thing about crayons is that they’re easy to find in any art supplies store. You can use them to draw anything from landscapes to portraits of animals or people. Plus, they come in many colors, so you can choose which ones you need for your project.
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