For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a Sketchbook Person.
Many of my favourite artists, like Austin Kleon, Liz Steel, Lian Cho, and Wendy McNaughton, all carry a sketchbook. This practice makes their art better, their observations sharper, and their lives richer.
About a year and a half ago, I bought a Traveler’s Notebook. I love customising it, buying inserts, splashing out on art supplies, and taking courses to get better at sketching. I carry it with me everywhere, and when I have time and inspiration strikes, I whip it out and sketch something I see in front of me.
My life has definitely become richer since I started using a sketchbook. But I haven’t really given much thought as to why.
I recently came across a video of Liz Steel talking about sketchbook design. In it, she encourages the audience to think about our sketchbook goals.
Hmmm.
I don’t think I’ve ever asked myself that. I’ve just seen other artists with sketchbooks, and it looked like something I should do.
Some artists use their sketchbooks as journals to record every day of their lives. That sounds like a lot of pressure to me. I speak from experience: in 2025, I did a tiny sketch every day, and by the second half of the year, that started to feel like a chore.
Writers often use their notebooks to jot down brilliant ideas and witty one-liners so they don’t forget them. But I find my iPhone more effective, as I can dictate or type and my notes conveniently sync across devices.
What do I want to get out of sketching?
After I put some thought into it, I came up with three sketchbook goals:
1. Practice mindfulness
Sketching gives me something creative and productive to do when I have downtime, rather than scrolling on my phone. It helps me be more present in the moment, by looking, noticing, and appreciating the world around me.
2. Practice drawing skills
Sketching helps train my eye to render elements with correct proportions, perspective, and to play with colour combinations. It helps develop my drawing skills and personal style, which also translates into comics (my most beloved art form).
3. Practice storytelling skills
Sketching helps me think about the story in front of me, and what I need to edit, simplify, and enhance to tell that story in the best way. This helps me become a better storyteller in many mediums.
Articulating these goals helps me focus on my own reasons for sketching, rather than just blindly following what others do.
If you’re a Sketchbook Person, what are your sketchbook goals?
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