Sketchbooks and Journals

One of the questions I get asked most frequently is, “What sketchbook are you using?”

Learn about my favourite brands and handmade journals.

Scroll through this gallery and read the captions to find out the brand names and why I enjoy each book:

Everything Sketchbook

I love these little square sketchbooks by Prism Studio (shown here) or Handbook Journal Co (not shown) that I use for just about everything. I sketch with pens and pencils, I glue in collage papers and watercolour paintings. This book is for gathering and experimenting, not for presentation or perfection!

Stillman & Birn Nova Softcover

This is a softcover toned mixed-media sketchbook. I love using it Neocolor II pastels, collage, black or white media like Stabilo All pencils or Posca paint pens. It can take wet media and some layers and the warm brown in so inviting.

Hahnemühle Watercolour Book

I love a 100% cotton paper for watercolour painting. Treat yourself! I use Hahnemühle or Moleskine or Handbook Journal Co by Speedball.

Handmade

This is a handmade journal. I use everything from watercolour paper, to brown paper bags and luggage tags. I collage in other papers, words, washi tape and photographs. Handmade journals are deeply personal treasures that reflect so many artistic choices of colour, texture, poetry and more.

When choosing a sketchbook or journal, think about what media you want to be working with and what feeling you want the book to have. Is it a place to explore, test, plan, and gather ideas? Or is a collection of paintings, like watercolour landscapes? Or do you want a journal that stands alone as it’s own work of art, featuring a theme of some kind?

Here are some video tours of sketchbooks over the years: