How to Build a Sketchbook Habit: 7 Easy Tips
Updated: Oct 12
I love keeping a sketchbook, and I keep several at the same time. One is a journal, one is for messy, quick ideas, one is for more finished paintings, I have a tiny one for travelling and a very large one for when I want to work big.
If you want to draw more but don't know how to make it stick, these seven tips will help. They work whether you are brand new or have been drawing for years. Start with whichever one feels easiest.
1. Keep your supplies simple
You don't need much. A sketchbook, a few pencils in different grades (HB, 2B and 4B work well), an eraser and a sharpener are enough to begin. When your supplies are simple, there is nothing in the way of picking up a pencil.
2. Make it a date
Consistency matters more than time. Choose a regular slot, whether that is 15 minutes or an hour, and treat it like an appointment. A routine builds momentum, and the habit starts to stick.
3. Draw what you love
Sketch the subjects that light you up, whether that is landscapes, portraits or animals. When you draw what you love, the time passes easily and you want to come back. If you are stuck for ideas, try my 50+ sketchbook ideas and drawing prompts.
4. Start with simple shapes and lines
Don't worry about complicated drawings yet. Play with circles, squares, triangles, straight lines and curvy lines. These building blocks help you understand proportion and perspective, and they take the pressure off.
5. Allow mistakes and be patient
Even professional artists make mistakes. Treat them as part of learning. Sketching is a journey, and with practice you will notice yourself improving. If you are worried about spoiling a page, read afraid of ruining your sketchbook?
6. Get inspired by other artists
Follow artists you admire, look through art books, visit galleries, or join a workshop or class. Learning from other people gives you new ideas and new tricks to try.
7. Keep track of your progress
Date your pages and keep your sketches together, in a sketchbook or a digital folder. Looking back to see how far you have come is a lovely boost, so celebrate every small milestone.
Want company while you build the habit?
A habit is easier with support. Sketch Hub gives you five short sketching videos each week, and all you need is paper and a pen or pencil. Your first month is free, then it is £5 a month. If you would like to draw with other people, my Sketchbook Circle meets live every Thursday at 6 PM UK time. And if you are just starting out, begin with how to start a sketchbook.
Happy sketching,
Irene
