Hey friends,

Today I want to share with you my thoughts on how the perfect sketchbook looks. A good one should inspire you, not overwhelm you. And if you’ve ever bought a beautiful, thick sketchbook only to feel stuck halfway through, you’re not alone! I know a lot of people who have plenty of sketchbooks with only a few pages filled (and that makes them feel sad).

Let’s talk about how to choose the best sketchbook so your art journaling practice feels exciting, rewarding, and fun.

1. Choose a Sketchbook with Fewer Pages

Why? There are two main reasons:

Practicality
Thick sketchbooks are heavy and inconvenient. When drawing a full spread, pages at the beginning and end sit at an awkward angle. A thin sketchbook is lightweight, easy to carry, and perfect for sketching on the go.

Motivation
Completing a sketchbook is one of the best motivators to keep going! Think about starting a new sport—running, yoga, or the gym. At first, you’re excited, buying new workout clothes and gear. But after a few weeks, motivation fades. What keeps you going? Seeing results! A few kilos lost, more energy, noticeable progress.

The same applies to art journaling. Finishing a sketchbook gives you a success story, something to be proud of. That’s why I recommend starting small—choose a sketchbook with no more than 20 pages. It’s much more rewarding to complete a smaller sketchbook and move on to the next than to struggle through a thick one for months.

Use one sketchbook per season or travel adventure. When I finish one, it holds a complete story—just like a visual diary.

2. Choose a Cheap or Free Sketchbook

Your sketchbook is a safe space for experimenting and reflecting—so it’s crucial not to be afraid of "ruining" pages. That’s much easier when your sketchbook is cheap or free.

I prefer not to spend more than £5/$5 on a sketchbook.

Often, I sew my own sketchbooks because I can choose the size, number of pages and can mix different types of paper for extra inspiration.

Handmade sketchbooks can be free (if you use leftover paper) or cheap (if you buy large sheets and cut them down).

Sketching on "scrap" or repurposed paper removes the fear of making mistakes. When paper feels less precious, you feel freer to experiment—and that’s when true creativity happens! I share my experience in my class Sustainable Sketchbook – Create with Recycled Paper & Learn How to Draw - check it out for insights, examples, and practical tips!

3. Pick the Right Paper for Your Art Journal

Your paper quality will affect how much you enjoy using your sketchbook. If the pages are too thin, they won’t handle watercolors or markers well.

My Paper Recommendations (For store-bought sketchbooks):
140 gsm or above (for watercolour, ink, and mixed media)
Smooth or lightly textured, depending on your preference
White paper is great, but tinted or brown kraft paper can open new creative possibilities!

If you want to sew your own sketchbook, I engourage you to experiment with different papers!
- Watercolor paper – Perfect for painting and mixed media
- Brown kraft paper – Adds warmth and an earthy aesthetic
- Black paper – Great for neon and white highlights
- Tracing paper or patterned sheets – Adds layers and creativity

Tinted paper lets you draw with white or light-colored pencils, creating effects that aren’t possible on plain white paper. I share a detailed tutorial in my beginner-friendly class Sketching on Brown Paper: Basic Techniques and Easy Prompts—check it out!

4. Choose a Customisable Sketchbook

Your sketchbook is personal—make it yours!

What I usually look for:
Blank cover—so you can design it however you like!
No spiral binding—so you can draw on a full spread and easily add extra paper inside!

I love customising my sketchbooks. Whenever I travel, I buy a postcard from a museum, event, or special place and glue it onto the cover. It serves as a beautiful memory and makes my sketchbook feel even more special.

I always glue a paper pocket inside my sketchbook to store tickets, instant photos, cards, and small keepsakes. For my current sketchbook, I even added a few sheets of high-quality watercolor paper so I can paint wet-on-wet when needed.

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To sum up, here’s what makes a great sketchbook:

Cheap (£5/$5 or less) or free—so you’re not afraid to experiment!
About 20 pages—easy to finish and motivating
140 gsm or above paper—handles watercolors, ink, and mixed media
Mixed paper types—adds creative variety
Blank cover—perfect for customisation

Examples of My Favourite Sketchbooks:

A4 Sketchbook by Zieler (20 pages, £10 for 3-pack) – My current go-to!
Watercolour Journal by Flying Tiger (£5, solid cover) – I’ve just bought it. A bit thick, but affordable and high quality!

For more inspiration, I kindly invite you to watch my new class, where I share My 10-Year Sketchbook Journey—full of insights and practical tips! It just has gained 100 students, which warms my heart very much.

Welcome if you haven’t yet! And please, don’t hesitate to share your class project. It helps a lot in maintaining a consistent art journaling practice and helps other students, too.

Let’s celebrate spring’s arrival with a new sketchbook and a new creative habit.

Love you all,
Olya

P S My "waiting for the spring" pages:

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