Recently, I wrote about setting up a new watercolor palette. Well, I marked another milestone at about the same time: I completed a watercolor sketchbook! I decided to document my process as I archived that one, and selected my next one.
Why use a sketchbook?
First things first, I should note that I almost exclusively paint (not swatch) in bound books. Why do I use a sketchbook for my artwork? Well, I have several reasons:
1. They’re easily portable
I am always on the move. Although I have a dedicated art space, I am rarely able to sit there and work. Instead, my supplies come with me to the kids’ karate classes, to the playground, on the hikes I sometimes squeeze in before the workday starts. Or, sometimes, just to the kitchen table to catch the perfect afternoon light.
Having a single sketchbook to grab and go makes it super simple to grab my things and go. In addition, it can be more compact — a B5 book affords a 16” x 10” workspace when opened flat, but is only 8” x 10” closed.
2. I can keep a record of my progress and growth
I began my focused study of watercolor just over 3 years ago. In that time, I completed 8 sketchbooks. Now and then, I flip through my older books and just feel good.
They say not to compare yourself to others; naturally, everyone will have their own journey as they learn new skills. However, I think comparing yourself to your past self is the best! Skill development can be fraught with highs and lows — one step forward, two steps back, as they say. One can feel at times like they’re not growing. I have found that reviewing old work is a great way to motivate myself when experiencing this feeling!
My old sketchbooks are also a great source of inspiration. I often take notes as I sketch, so having these records is a helpful way to remember unusual palettes or techniques. I also rediscover scenes or experiences that motivate me to create fresh paintings based on previous attempts.
Lastly, these sketchbooks are a record of memories and experiences. Seeing the sketches brings me back to the moment of painting it, almost as clearly as if I were reliving it. I can remember the sights, the sounds, the weather so clearly — more than any photograph might inspire. Having these kinds of memories so easily at hand is a precious thing to me.
3. Simple to store on a shelf
When a sketchbook is complete, storage is super simple: I just close it up, and set it on a shelf! In contrast, my loose-sheet work is more challenging. Each piece requires a decision: to save, or to trash? If I save it, where does it go? What if it’s too big for my paper drawer? What if my paper drawer is full? So many questions to consider.
To be clear, I do use loose sheets here and there. I sometimes practice on different types of paper, or just do aimless swatching, on cheap paper. These sheets typically get thrown away once they’re full. However, if something special happens that I want to save long-term, I can just insert them into my sketchbook! I can tip-in a full sheet, or just paste to the page.
The cons of the watercolor sketchbook
As much as I love having my sketchbooks, there are some downsides to this practice.
First up, is the pressure of the blank page. This is a really well-documented phenomenon that seems to occur especially with sketchbooks. I try to overcome this by starting each sketchbook with a quick palette reference, an idea I borrowed from Liz Steel. I’ve also recognized a tendency to treat the sketchbooks a bit preciously — as though they need to be full of fully-rendered works of art. This defeats the purpose of having a tool to enable you to practice on-the-go.
Next, is something my husband reminds me of almost daily: I can’t hang the paintings on the wall! I sometimes make works that I’m very proud of in my sketchbook, and my husband ribs me that he can’t frame it. I see this as kind of a pro, though — that just means I’ll need to remake the work on a loose sheet, and get some extra practice in!
Which sketchbook am I using and why?
For my 9th sketchbook, I am using a Koval B5 sketchbook made with Saunders Waterford Cold Press paper in natural white. I actually used this same setup for numbers 7 and 8 as well.
I won’t go into an in-depth review (but please let me know in the comments if you’d like one!), but I truly appreciate Koval sketchbooks. Each book is made with care and artisanal quality, and I know they will last for many years after I’ve completed them. They’re fairly expensive, but in my experience, the cost is justified. These handmade books are extremely durable (#8 travelled with me on many hikes, through several states, AND on a sketching trip in France — and it looks as good as new!) and they’re rotationally available in papers that can be difficult to find in bound book form.
Speaking of paper, I’m a big fan of Saunders Waterford Cold Press! I’ve tried many different papers, and Saunders Waterford is the one that readily met my needs. It can take quite a bit of water with only minimal buckling, pigments sit beautifully on the paper, and the texture is gentle enough for my pens to work perfectly when I opt for ink and wash. I haven’t tried their extra white option yet, but the natural white is not so off to have a noticeable color impact, in my experience.
Archiving & setting up the new watercolor sketchbook
When I complete a sketchbook, I try to sit with it for some time to look closely at its contents. I feel grateful for the growth and practice that occurred within its pages, and reflect on all I’ve learned in that time. If the book has an endpaper with a writing surface (Kovals do!), I write these reflections down on the back inside cover. Then, before putting the book on the shelf, I write the dates and book number on the spine.
As I mentioned before, I always start the new sketchbook with a quick palette rendition. I also capture the book number and date that it was started on the first page!
This time around, I decided to capture two palettes on the opening page: the top palette is the new one that I set up in my last post, and the bottom one is my go-to travel palette. I have many, many palettes (maybe a topic for another post?), but this is the one that is my most-used, with the colors that I know the best.
Setting up a new sketchbook is always an exciting process — it’s an open map, ready to be charted with future adventures. The opportunity for fresh paintings and new experiences is endless — it only takes the first brush stroke to set off on the journey.
Do you keep a sketchbook? How do you choose yours, and what do you do when starting a new one? Leave a comment below. Thanks for joining me on this ride!
