Alina Michelle

Thank you :)

So, invest in sketchbooks. When I was 14 I had the hardest time keeping a sketchbook and always drew on notebook or printer paper. Paper can really change the way a drawing looks and how well your tools move along the paper grain. So if you’re like me, and cannot stick to a single sketchbook, keep all of your drawings and invest in a archivable portfolio book you can purchase at a michaels or aaron brothers. I really believe in keep all your drawings when your young, it shows how far you grow each year and you can always go back and glean cool ideas.

As far as what materials I use now, I like to use moleskin sketchbooks. Never buy these in person. Buy them online on amazon, as it’s at least 30% cheaper. I use the 8x11” for my classes and the 5x8” for personal use. Just know when buying these from amazon, make sure to look at the size and that in the description or in the reviews its a sketchbook and not one of their notebook (the paper is very thin and meant for writing). I stay away from ring sketchbooks. They always fall apart and the user experience overall the just awful. What’s awesome about the moleskin notebooks, is that the books open fully and easily, not often a quality in sketchbooks.

I’ve also made sketchbooks with newsprint paper (you can purchase this in large drawing pads or in more notebook sized at your local art store). I had extra newsprint left over from a drawing course, and I wanted to be able to make quick gesture drawings on the go.  A quick google search for DIY sketchbooks will show you how to make you’re own sketchbook. 

As far as drawing materials themselves, I use a variety of pencils (6b - soft to 4H hard), ball point bens, ink with brushes, water color pencils, water colors, charcoal, and oil pastels.

Always feel comfortable to experiment  if you an experiment in your private sketchbook, then where can you? Also, don’t be afraid to fail, no drawing is your last drawing. Art making is a practice we are ever perfecting as we go through life.