Hello, creative friend!
If you’ve ever wanted to start or deepen your sketchbook practice, you’re in the right place. This post is a hub for all my best resources on art journaling, illustrated journals, and creative sketchbook habits—from free guide, videos, insights to in-depth classes.
I regularly share new videos on my YouTube channel, and I have several Skillshare classes dedicated to sketchbooking. Plus, this year, I’m planning to publish even more classes on watercolor techniques and keeping a sketchbook or illustrated journal.
Whether you're a beginner or looking for fresh inspiration, I hope you find something here to spark your creativity!
Start with My Free Resources
If you’re new to art journaling or simply curious about my process and approach, I recommend starting with my YouTube videos. These give you an inside look at my sketchbook practice, different styles, and how I use my art journal for self-expression.
- Spring & Summer Art Journal – Sketchbook Tour (Almaty, Kazakhstan, 2023)
- Sketchbook Tour – Family Trip (Turkey, March 2023)
- Sketchbook Drawing – How to Use a Routine Story as Inspiration
- 5 Tips to Start Your First Sketchbook
- A Sketchbook That Changed My Life – How to Overcome the Fear of a Blank Page & Draw Freely
Watching these videos will give you an idea of how keeping a sketchbook or illustrated journal can be both a creative outlet and a form of self-care.
Free PDF Guide: How to Start & Keep an Art Journal
Want to dive deeper? I’ve put together a concise, practical PDF guide with the key insights from my experience:
- How to choose a sketchbook
- How to find motivation & stay consistent
- How to make creativity a joyful part of your daily life
Creativity is always an act of self-care. This guide will help you start your art journal with confidence and joy!
How to Choose the Best Sketchbook for You
Choosing the right one can make a huge difference in how much you enjoy your art journaling practice. I love small art journals with fewer pages. For beginners, I recommend starting with a sketchbook that has no more than 20 pages and thick paper—140 gsm or higher. I often use handmade sketchbooks (I make them myself from various types of paper) because it’s not easy for meto find a suitable one in art shops.
However, I recently bought a sketchbook that I’m quite happy with:
Here’s the Amazon link if you’re curious.
Explore My Skillshare Classes
If you’re ready to take your sketchbook practice to the next level, I invite you to explore my Skillshare classes! Each class is designed to help you develop confidence, find inspiration, and stay consistent with your creative habit.
Skillshare is an incredible online learning platform for creatives. We have a vibrant, warm, and supportive community there. To watch my classes, you’ll need a subscription, which gives you unlimited access to all my lessons as well as countless others in a wide variety of creative fields.
Skillshare offers a 1-month FREE trial, so you can explore and see if it’s the right fit for you—risk-free!
My 10-Year Sketchbook Journey: How to Start an Art Journal, Enjoy It, and Keep Going
If you’re thinking about watching my classes, I’d recommend starting with this one! It’s just 30 minutes long and takes you through my journey—from a complete beginner to an artist working worldwide. In this class, I share my experiences, lessons, and insights to help you find your own way to create, express yourself, and enjoy keeping a sketchbook.
Other Classes
All my classes on sketchbooking and art journaling focus on flexible ideas and techniques, allowing you to adapt them to suit your own creative needs.
5 WOW Creative Ideas to Fill Your Sketchbook
Discover 5 WOW ideas to illustrate your daily life, your dreams, and your emotions in an artist's sketchbook.
They are very simple but spectacular and you can easily apply them to your needs.
Create with Recycled Paper & Learn How to Draw
A comprehensive guide to creating your own unique art journal
By the end of this course, you'll proudly have your very own sketchbook filled with several beautifully crafted pages, and you will gain the knowledge and inspiration to continue your creative journey.
Seasonal Sketchbook Ideas: Create Beautiful Watercolor Pages
Embrace the beauty of season in your art journal! In this class, we’ll explore a simple yet impactful way to create a personalized, meaningful spread that reflects your mood and creativity.
This flexible approach can easily be adapted for any season or personal theme.
Sketching on Brown Paper: Basic Techniques and Easy Prompts
Learn how to draw and paint on tinted paper in 4 easy-to-follow tutorials.
If you're looking for fresh inspiration in your creative journey, give drawing and painting on brown craft paper a try.
And more classes are coming soon! This year, I’ll be publishing new lessons on watercolor techniques and keeping a sketchbook or illustrated journal—so stay tuned!
Let’s Stay Connected!
Every month, I write a Warm Letter to share my creative insights and news. It’s supportive and therapeutic, and I’m proud to say that 60% of my subscribers read my letters and often write back. You can find the form at the bottom of the page or here.
I also welcome you to join me on Instagram @olga_bonitas!
Happy creating! ✨
Olga