The Art of Keeping a Sketchbook

Let me tell you something that has never failed me through all the shifts and stages of my creative life: my sketchbook.

It’s not just a book filled with paper. It’s where things begin. It’s where my hand gets to wander without pressure. It’s where I collect my thoughts before they have to make sense. Whether I’m just scribbling shapes during a coffee break or exploring a colour palette that feels completely wrong but kind of interesting, my sketchbook holds it all.

And that’s what makes it powerful. It’s honest. It’s mine. And it can be yours too.

Why Sketchbooks Still Matter

We live in a world that moves quickly. Screens blink, scrolls never end, and everything we make can feel like it has to be “content.” But your sketchbook doesn’t care about all that. It lets you slow down.

You can sketch while waiting for your train. Jot down a funny phrase you overheard at the market. Play with a new pen or a different way to draw a tree. Nobody is judging you. That freedom is rare, and it’s worth protecting.

You don’t have to be a professional to keep one. You don’t have to draw every day. You don’t even have to show anyone. This space belongs to you. Use it how you like.

What to Look for in a Sketchbook

If you’ve ever drawn in a notebook and felt disappointed, the problem probably wasn’t you. It was the paper.

A good sketchbook supports your process. It listens to your tools. It doesn’t buckle when you paint or smudge when you shade. It lets you try new things without fighting you.

When I pick a sketchbook, I think about a few things:

The paper. If it’s thick and smooth, it works well for ink or fine liners. If it has a bit of tooth, it grabs pencil and charcoal nicely. If it’s heavier, I know I can get away with a bit of watercolour or gouache.

The size. Some days I want something that fits in my coat pocket. Other times I want a big surface to really move my arm around. Different sizes invite different ideas.

The binding. Spiral sketchbooks are easy to flip. Hardbound ones feel more like books you want to keep forever.

Why I Trust Royal Talens

I’ve tried a lot of sketchbooks over the years. Some were too precious to touch. Some fell apart after a few weeks. But the ones that kept showing up in my bag, on my desk, in my life were made by Royal Talens.

There’s something about them that feels right. The paper is thick enough to handle multiple materials. It doesn’t bleed or ghost badly. The covers are simple but smart. And they last. You can flip back through them months later and still feel proud of what they held.

One of my Royal Talens books became a quiet diary during a hard month. Another is filled with pattern experiments that turned into finished work. One holds messy colour swatches and scribbled quotes that I still go back to for comfort. Each one tells a story I didn’t know I was writing.

And that’s the beauty of it. You start without a plan, and somewhere in the middle, something happens. An idea clicks. A line surprises you. A colour sings.

If You're Just Starting

Please don’t wait until you feel “ready.” You already are.

Start with doodles. Notes. Random shapes. Try out every pen you own on the first page if that helps break the ice. Don’t worry about making it pretty. Worry about making it yours.

Your sketchbook isn’t a performance. It’s a playground. It’s a container for growth, for thought, for joy.

Ready to Begin?

I’ve curated a small collection of Royal Talens sketchbooks on my shop. These are the same ones I’ve used myself, the ones I trust with my mistakes, ideas, and surprises. Whether you’re just starting out or have been drawing for years, they’re a beautiful place to keep your creativity alive.

Take a look here if you’re curious:👉 https://www.pikartstudio.com/product-page/royal-talens-sketchbook-9-x-14-cm-lake-blue

And whatever you do, keep sketching. Even the weird stuff. Especially the weird stuff.

That’s where the magic lives.