How to Choose a Sketchbook for Art Journaling

Choosing the right sketchbook for art journaling can make all the difference in your creative journey. A good sketchbook should inspire you, not overwhelm you. If you’ve ever bought a beautiful, thick sketchbook only to feel stuck halfway through, you’re not alone!

In the summer of 2022, I started a large sketchbook with too many pages, and it took me almost a year to finish it—I finally completed it in late spring 2023! Quite a long time, isn’t it?
Let’s talk about how to choose the best sketchbook so your art journaling practice feels exciting, rewarding, and fun.

Motivation
Completing a sketchbook is one of the best motivators to keep going!
Think about starting a new sport—running, yoga, or the gym. At first, you’re excited, buying new workout clothes and gear. But after a few weeks, motivation fades. What keeps you going? Seeing results! A few kilos lost, more energy, noticeable progress.

The same applies to art journaling. Finishing a sketchbook gives you a success story, something to be proud of. That’s why I recommend starting small—choose a sketchbook with no more than 20 pages. It’s much more rewarding to complete a smaller sketchbook and move on to the next than to struggle through a thick one for months.

💡 Tip: I love using one sketchbook per season or travel adventure. One of my favourite sketchbooks was one I made for my trip to Turkey. It had just a few pages, and when I finished it, it held a complete story of my journey—just like a visual diary. (You can watch a video tour of it on my YouTube channel)

2. Choose a Cheap or Free Sketchbook

Your sketchbook is a safe space for experimenting and reflecting—so it’s crucial not to be afraid of "ruining" pages. That’s much easier when your sketchbook is cheap or free.

💰 How much should a sketchbook cost?
I prefer not to spend more than £5/$5 on a sketchbook.

✂️ Why I Make My Own Sketchbooks
Often, I sew my own sketchbooks because:

I can choose the perfect size and number of pages
I can mix different types of paper for extra inspiration. My handmade sketchbooks have brown kraft paper, white watercolour sheets, and even black pages. Working on different backgrounds made my sketches more interesting than I ever expected!
It can be free (if you use leftover paper) or cheep (if you buy large sheets and cut them down)

Sketching on "scrap" or repurposed paper removes the fear of making mistakes. When paper feels less precious, you feel freer to experiment—and that’s when true creativity happens!

Want to learn how to make a sketchbook? Check out my Skillshare class: Sustainable Sketchbook – Create with Recycled Paper & Learn How to Draw for insights, examples, and practical tips!

3. Pick the Right Paper for Your Art Journal

Your paper quality will affect how much you enjoy using your sketchbook. If the pages are too thin, they won’t handle watercolours or markers well.

My Paper Recommendations (For store-bought sketchbooks):

Thickness: 140 gsm or above (for watercolour, ink, and mixed media)
Texture: Smooth or lightly textured, depending on your preference
Colour: White is great, but tinted or brown kraft paper can open new creative possibilities!

Want to Sew Your Own Sketchbook? Experiment with Different Papers!

One of the best things about handmade sketchbooks is that you can mix different paper types for added inspiration:

🎨 Watercolour paper – Perfect for painting and mixed media
📜 Brown kraft paper – Adds warmth and an earthy aesthetic
🖤 Black paper – Great for neon and white highlights
🪶 Tracing paper or patterned sheets – Adds layers and creativity

💡 Pro tip: Tinted paper lets you draw with white or light-coloured pencils, creating effects that aren’t possible on plain white paper. I share detailed tutorial in my beginner-friendly Skillshare class Sketching on Brown Paper: Basic Techniques and Easy Prompts - check it out!

4. Choose a Customisable Sketchbook

Your sketchbook is personal—make it yours!

📖 What to Look for:

✔️ Blank cover—so you can design it however you like!
✔️ No spiral binding—so you can easily add extra paper inside!

I love customising my sketchbooks. Whenever I travel, I buy a postcard from a museum, event, or special place and glue it onto the cover. It serves as a beautiful memory and makes my sketchbook feel even more special.

🗂️ Bonus Tip: I always glue a paper pocket inside my sketchbook to store tickets, instant photos, cards, and small keepsakes. For my current sketchbook, I even added a few sheets of high-quality watercolour paper so I can paint wet-on-wet when needed.

The Ideal Sketchbook for Art Journaling

To sum up, here’s what makes a great sketchbook:

✅ About 20 pages—easy to finish and motivating
✅ 140 gsm or above paper—handles watercolours, ink, and mixed media
✅ Mixed paper types—adds creative variety
✅ Blank cover—perfect for customisation
✅ Cheap (£5 or less) or free—so you’re not afraid to experiment!

Examples of My Favourite Sketchbooks:

A4 Sketchbook by Zieler (20 pages, £10 for 3-pack) – My current go-to!
Watercolour Journal by Flying Tiger (£5, solid cover) – A bit thick, but affordable and high quality!