5 Ways to Protect Your Sketchbook Pages (Which is BEST?)

[@karlacruz75]

A studio tour would be perfect❤

[@artofjesskarp]

Thanks :)

[@Kenzimattie]

Please do one

[@alicelundhpapiernik8630]

Yes plase do ❤

[@alicelundhpapiernik8630]

Please *

[@verenadraws4889]

Yes, thaught about that too while watching :))

[@docfrayon]

I make my own sketchbooks... Thanks to you, I now have ideas of integrating a5 sized tracing paper in them. Quite easy actually and still rather cheap :)

[@Skeazix]

What a great idea! * low key steals *

[@mikegrant4424]

Something I like to use daily Jess is a product called Patty Wax and also Sandwich wax. They are culinary wax, paper products you can find in any restaurant supply store. They come in 6X6 Sheets 1000 to a box for about $4.99 and also 12X12 sheets 1000 per box for about 8.99. They are thin and great for keeping your pages clean but I also use the 6X6 sheets as paint palets for my acrylic paints for easy clean up. Very cost-effective.....

[@artofjesskarp]

Ohhh wow! Amazing! Thanks so much for sharing :) that’s awesome and thanks for watching ✨

[@THEMAYQUEEN1]

I am an architect by profession and love drawing on kitchen greaseproof paper (parchment) paper. It has a thousand uses in art for sure.

[@artofjesskarp]

Yessssss!!!!

[@berolinastrassmann]

I use Schmincke wax medium to protect watercolour and ink sketches in some of my sketchbooks. I also make my own sketchbooks for soft pastels, oil pastels and water soluble wax pastels, using Paint On by Claire Fontaine or Canson Mi-Teintes paper and adding one sheet of acid free tracing paper between the sheets. All pages are protected and it looks great. All materials are acid free. Thanks for these tips!

[@SharonCullenArt]

Personally I cannot stand fixative and when I first started out I was working on a commission of an eagle in pastel. Oh my gosh. I was all finished and it melted my white and light colors. It was heart wrenching and I did it from 2-3 feet away. I also don’t find that it protects well. It can still be smudged easily. I don’t work in pastel often but most often work in gouache and watercolor. I like to use Dorland’s wax medium. I love it. And pages will not stick together either. On wood surfaces after painting with gouache I also will use furniture wax which give a shiny surface and it will last forever. Varnish works but wax is so quick and easy and dries in about 20 minutes.

[@elizabaum]

My dad uses tracing paper for storing smaller loose originals, mostly pastels. He just tucks the them between the pages of the pad like it's a portfolio.

[@G5020-gb5zq]

I just wanna thank you for all that you do in the art community. You’re so inspiring. I’ve been watching your channel for some time and have been encouraged to start my own KZbin channel. I’ve never painted before I’ve only sketched. It’s been over 15 years since I picked up a pencil because of your channel. I’m taking on the task to “master” gouache. Again, thank you so much.

[@artofjesskarp]

Thank you so much. This message means the world to me. Congratulations on creating again and I wish you all the best always!! Happy arting!!

[@csfavero]

I'm an architect from Brazil and here is very commom to professors in college to recommend parchment paper for technical drawing practice because of the low cost in comparison with more "professional" papers. I personally worked in a firm where the head architect till this day still begins the design studies of the project in parchment paper and I always loved that

[@Splat654]

I also use tracing paper a lot. I not only use it for page protection, but I like to, sometime do lineart on it for the cketch underneath.

[@artofjesskarp]

Great idea! Thanks for watching ✨

[@hiddentidesgaming]

For those who can't find workable fixatives locally or can't purchase online, a lot of people have used hairspray as an in a pinch alternative (for sketches, not finals obviously). Cold wax medium is good for gouache and watercolors being sealed in, It also helps to prime your sketchbook pages too, especially if you wanna do a medium it normally can't handle. With any kind of painting in sketchbooks a good way to protect the pages is to make sure you let it dry fully before closing it, so having a way to keep it open is just as important. For keeping it closed, if it doesn't have a strap you can get large rubber bands or maybe a stretchy headband/hair tie, if you're crafty glue on some velcro.

[@GladysHunnam]

I use hairspray, an art teacher told us it works just the same and plus it's cheaper. It works wonderfully!

[@artofjesskarp]

Amazing! Thank you so much for sharing and for watching! Hope you enjoyed :)

[@mjpete27]

@@GladysHunnam Just an aside Hair spray is NOT to be used for finished artworks. It yellows over time and can actually eat your paint! Weird eh? YES!

[@sarahbee1205]

Eeekkk! 2 uploads within a week?! So happy to see you! Loving the new content and consistency you continue to provide!

[@artofjesskarp]

Thanks!

[@GladysHunnam]

I use fixative on my charcoal portraits but once it's finished. I haven't used soft pastels in a while but I use it too when the work it's done :)

[@artofjesskarp]

Yes!! Thanks so much for watching :)

[@HeikeX]

I use wrapping tissue paper 🙂 Thank you for your tips, I guess all of the mentioned papers will work well.

[@artofjesskarp]

Thanks!!

[@tiwantiwaabibiman2603]

Wrapping tissue paper often is not acid free and can be made with formaldehyde (the odd smell). FYI...

[@sketchbookscheming]

Thanks for the great info. I found some parchment paper already cut into 8 x 8 inch squares, which is perfect for the size of my sketchbook. I think their main use is to wrap up burger patties for freezing. 😃

[@artofjesskarp]

Sounds great! Love that!!! Thanks for watching :)

[@EiffelFlower]

I am so glad to learn you can protect pencil drawings. I have a whole sketch book full of Landmarks in pencil. 😊BTW your hair looks awesome.

[@artofjesskarp]

Yes! Thank you :)!!

[@katelyn8092]

Hi Jess! Love your videos. I have a highly cost effective protective idea that I havent seen anyone else type yet. To prevent graphite from smudging and messing up other pages. Use clear tape to "seal" the drawing. Obviously this wont be ideal for taking pictures of the art and everything, but i think its still helpful. Just take alot of pics before, seal with tape and youre good to go.

[@mariejunde3949]

Great tips! I use tracing paper for the most part and keep all the tiny scraps as well. I’d love to hear how you protect your pages from bleeding markers. Great video ❤

[@artofjesskarp]

Thank you so much!!

[@artofjesskarp]

Thank you!!

[@Leikya19]

Gouache paintings can be sealed with cold wax / wax medium.

[@artofjesskarp]

Cool thanks!

[@hiddentidesgaming]

Same with sealing watercolors!

[@stephanie_smith]

Just be aware it does slightly darken the colors...but yes it's a great medium to use to seal it!

[@cassandrascott2613]

I found my hard bound/soft bound sketchbooks smudge less as their pages have less movement against one another compared to Spiral/wire O bindings.

[@artofjesskarp]

Ooooooh yes!!! EXCELLENT point!

[@LinxFraulein]

Thank you Jess, very helpful advice! I recently completed my sixth sketchbook, and this time around, one thing I tried to include more of was acrylic paint - not a medium I normally use (I'm an alcohol marker girl). And I think the most frustrating thing was how the pages kept sticking together, even with a gesso undercoat and varnish finish. So it was great to see you post a video on how to protect your pages! 😊 Keep on shining 🖌🎨🖼

[@SuperFcsmith]

Since I draw with ball point pens in a Urantia Book I have to deal with constant ink leaching through the paper. I’m experimenting with Workable Fixative to hopefully seal the fiber of the page. But most importantly I try to take pictures of every drawing so I have a record of it before it just ages to a brittle crumbling heap of dust. Thanks for the video!

[@artofjesskarp]

Great idea! Thanks for sharing :) Hope you found it useful!!!

[@ChantelleArts]

these are really cool techniques! plus for watercolour and gouache I like to use cold wax medium 🥰

[@artofjesskarp]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@bhuvanakrishna7752]

Lovely!❤ Can you make a video on varnishing watercolour paintings?

[@artofjesskarp]

Ooooh I have never done it but I will make some research on this :) thanks for watching!!

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

Thanks for sharing these 5 tips! I’m surprised that you didn’t mention using one of my favorites Dorland’s Wax. I have used Waxed Paper also for some of my sketchbooks. I have used a few of the ways that you mentioned, parchment paper, tracing paper, & spray Fixatif. Can’t wait to see all of the videos of the Artists in Wonderland Collaboration!!! Have a great Memorial Weekend Jess!

[@artofjesskarp]

Never heard of it but will check it out! Thanks for sharing :) I can’t wait for you guys to see our Artist in Wonderland videos!! Thanks for watching :) have a beautiful Memorial Weekend too!

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

@@artofjesskarp You’re most welcomed! Definitely do a test with the wax on a scrap before using it on your mixed media. I use it for my watercolor & gouache paintings.

[@sylwiabojszczak1141]

I use hairspray, in my opinion it is better than fixative. However, I will try to test tracing paper, I won't have to wait for the paper to dry :), with my 3 cats it will be much easier

[@username60737]

I've read that hairspray yellows over time

[@artofjesskarp]

I heard that works! Thanks so much for watching :)

[@williamerickson520]

In my art classes I was always told to only use one side of the paper to prevent smudging, especially with graphite. Using graphite primarily, I see why that was recommended but I always thought it was wasteful, effectively using only half of the sketchbook. I like the tracing paper idea and I think I’ll try it out. Thank you for these tips.

[@OliverM-q3i]

Love this- and its very helpful- Wondering if you could do a video about tips of Acrylic painting- specifically coverage- if you do any of that...☺thanks jess! love the vid♥

[@artofjesskarp]

Sure thing will do my best. Thanks!

[@OliverM-q3i]

@@artofjesskarpthanks!

[@lindsey_sro]

Love this video! Can you please do a video explaining your face drawing process, and tips for proportions? That would help me sooooo much!

[@messengerofgoodnews]

This has been an incredibly informative video! Thank you so much for sharing this information with us! I have been thinking about methods to possibly preserve the artwork in these mini books I'm going to be making with children this summer for a summer class and yeah the only thing that I thought of was wax paper for like food and I like that you have given me so many other options to consider as well! I actually was looking into pre-cut little sheets I guess for like meat or whatnot because I don't really want to do any more heavy lifting that I already have to for the class for prep for the little ones. So that's kind of funny, but I guess it limits me in terms of like what I can use those sheets with. It would have to be for only small projects. Perfect video and right on time!

[@maryamjameela1738]

I personally use wax papers in between the artworks ,and it's a cheap alternative

[@pjdean3477]

Wow! You are mad talented! I was just thinking about tracing paper...now I am subscribing!!

[@Sharon-k3o]

Loved your informative video. I started using marker paper from the pads I’ve received from subscription boxes. I don’t use or like alcohol markers simply because of the bleed through and smell. Should I ever need marker paper I know right where to find it. 😊

[@artofjesskarp]

Thank you so much! Amazing !!

[@muallaemine]

Fun fact: I actually write and doodle and sometimes draw in my books almost daily. I use pencils for this as the paper in books won’t have a chance with most other pen types. I really can’t remember when I first started doing this but since most of my books are ones that I read or reference over and over again I always keep papers around to put in between the pages. Since I am an avid fountain pen user too i’ll almost always have rodia staplebound notebooks of all sizes everywhere. So basically my book pages are full of writing and doodling and the occasional drawing; I have the rodia paper in between the books pages and as I can’t stop myself I will write and doodle on those papers with fp and ink as well 😂 So it’s a daily mix of written and doodled papers with pencils and fountain pens! İt’s quite fun actually to go back to those pages. Only some places in some books are soo full that I had to get new ones just to be able to read the og text 😂 So basically I use paper. İn my office work we used to use a lot of copy paper to print documents. We use to buy them in bulk. But throughout the years as everything got to be digital, a lot of paper was left untouched. I still have some of that paper around! So I’ll use those as well. Either in notebooks sketchbooks or books 😊

[@flame6021]

Tracing paper is such a good idea, so simple especially since I don't use it a the time and have extra

[@artofjesskarp]

Yes!!! Thanks :)

[@RichardPace]

ON acetate - -some artists, like Dacid Downton, made great use of painting on acetate overlay on the paintings and drawings - -interesting colour work there, if Interested

[@artofjesskarp]

That’s great advice! Thanks!

[@artistkusum_]

Feeling so low because of hot weather 🌡️ and not being able to do anything, I was just waiting for your video, now I'd be able to feel motivated again and will start working soon ❤❤ lots of love 💕

[@artofjesskarp]

Thanks for coming! Hope you enjoyed :)

[@amarin8600]

Oooooh. So many great ideas. Thanks Jess. Have you tried PVA size over a graphite pencil drawing? I used it over a paper drawing and then oil painted over it. It didn’t bleed. And has no ˋfume‘ smells like the fixative. Gamsol makes it

[@artofjesskarp]

Ohhhhh super cool! Thanks for sharing!

[@vupps]

Jess, would tissue paper work as another alternative? Because quite a bit of those are always around my house! Gotten them to line the gifts before it’s packed neatly on a fancy wrapping paper!😊

[@artofjesskarp]

I’m sure that can work! Give it a try! My only thought: Just wouldn’t use any colored ones bc you never know if any of the dyes they use in the tissue paper would rub off on the artwork! Thanks for watching

[@EmilyP-tz6bu]

I've been using parchment paper washi taped in a corner to prevent my sketches from smudging in my sketchbook, but I'll have to look into the other options ❤

[@artofjesskarp]

Awesome!! Thanks for watching ✨

[@jyoti8465]

Love your videos!❤ I love to watch your videos and with every video, I glad I learn something new. Thanks for being consistent and supportive❣️

[@artofjesskarp]

Thank you!!

[@artwithbecky]

Funny that you mention parchment paper being good for warm climates. I have been using parchment paper for my sketchbooks and I live in AZ. Hadn't considered that this might be the best option for my climate though. ;)

[@theherbalbeecottage]

I am an artist who loves fixative. I would do the other methods, but I don't like things falling out of my sketchbook. I love that there are so many methods to preserve our creations and that we can pick what works best for us! I love this community! 😊❤

[@artofjesskarp]

Thanks for sharing! I love this community too! Thank you also for watching :)

[@incognitoedc]

To keep the tracing paper from falling out fold the paper into a double sheet and place over the sketchbook page. I do most from the top but sometimes do them sideways. Works great!!!

[@PhoebesWorldProductions]

😃👍🏼 Thank you. I use Wax paper.

[@tararaichand3417]

I also find keeping my sketchbook pages clean. I will definitely try out it will be very much helpful. Thanks for your advice.❤

[@artofjesskarp]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@chakshitasharma9240]

Amazing tips jess ..very helpful..i also use tracing paper...its best ...but more tips are very helpful..thanks for sharing ❤❤❤

[@marleynissley]

What do you recommend for covering oil pastels in a sketchbook?? Thank you ❤ your hair looks beautiful!

[@CreativeSteve69]

Thanks for this video Jess, as alway really helpful tips willing to give all these methods a try, whenever i feel ready on testing out on selling my artwork when I reach at comfortable level. :) Will keep these in mind.

[@artofjesskarp]

Thank you so much!

[@kayleemarielee]

I'm using tracing paper on my sketchbook to protect one of my drawings so far 😊🎉

[@artofjesskarp]

Awesome! How do you like it?

[@kayleemarielee]

@artofjesskarp Good! So, for so good 👍 😉 !

[@kayleemarielee]

I also used finished spray after every drawing I finished too

[@Life_of_TUSH]

Thank you! I love copy paper!!!

[@artofjesskarp]

Yes! Amazing thanks for watching :)

[@Ghostrob2023]

Thank you for the helpful tips as well as sharing this video with us. May I say that you look beautiful, and I can't wait to see what you have planned with the next video.

[@artofjesskarp]

Thank you so much!

[@Ghostrob2023]

@@artofjesskarp You're very welcome! 🤙

[@MarcNassif-tb5ib]

Very informative! Could we have a video with tips on how to fill sketchbooks/break artblock?

[@artofjesskarp]

Great suggestion! I have some videos on my channel of awesome ways to fill a sketchbook! Hope you find it helpful :)

[@sadhnapayal622]

Hey Jess! How about urban sketching using alcohol markers? Especially, a seascape 😊

[@ChuckLeeMBM]

Dope tips! Now I just need to actually finish a sketchbook lol.

[@artofjesskarp]

Thanks Chuck!!

[@ThaBIGBOSSX]

Thank you for uploading this 🙏

[@mjpete27]

Hullo Jess, I am awaiting videos from the Artists in Wonderland, I am trying to be patient honest I am!! I move between spray Fixatives and Glassine. I find the Glassine works best for soft Pastels and I buy it by the roll! 32 to 36 inches wide and 10 to 25 foot rolls! I have used watercolor paint over graphite drawings just to "fix" the graphite down and it can give the drawings a "mood" to enhance if you like that sort of thing. Krylon is my most purchased fixative brand. You can get it just about everywhere even WalMart! It also comes in workable, UV protective, Glossy and Matt surfaces! I have also used Casin spray for pastels, but you got to be so careful! Pastels get dark so easily so I avoid sprays as much as I can.

[@artoscopebysneha2019]

Such a informative video.... Thank you for the tips and you are the best!❤

[@artofjesskarp]

Thank you!!! Hope you enjoyed

[@miiaproductions]

I have peen using parchment paper to protect my sketchbook drawings for years now. It's really cost effective and easy to cut to size 😊

[@sledgehammer-productions]

what are your thoughts on using hair spray as a fixative? I only use it on soft pastel drawings.

[@thestaz8564]

thanks! good video! sometimes fixative, I dont mind sketchbooks to smugde and get "ugly" :D The sketches that turn out great, I just cut out from the sketchbook.

[@curtisthomson4209]

Thank you!

[@artofjesskarp]

Thanks for watching!

[@yulleyi]

Thank you for the pro tips! So useful!

[@artofjesskarp]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@sbjabber]

Hey Jess, do you use any type of fixative for protecting watercolour painting on a loose sheet of cold press paper that is stored in a portfolio? I saw Nicki Traikos from Life I Design use cold wax to protect her watercolour painting made on loose sheets as well as notebook pages. It’s the same wax she uses to protect her oil paintings. But I’m not so sure about using wax, because wax catches dust.

[@AndreeaEremiaArt]

Thanks for the tips😊😊😊. Amazing video.

[@artofjesskarp]

Thanks for watching!

[@krithikad3412]

Thankyou jess for the useful tips ❤and you look so gorgeous 🥰🔥😍

[@artofjesskarp]

Thank you! 🥹🤗

[@michelleford405]

Thanks for the tips!!!❤

[@artofjesskarp]

You’re very welcome! :)

[@tracyj2886]

Thanks🎉

[@melissac.9488]

Hi Jess, thank you very much for the tips. I tested cold wax to seal neocolors, gouaches and watercolor paintings. But my pages remain sticky. I even had a smudge of colored pencils (from the next page) 😢 Have you ever used cold wax medium to seal projects ?

[@jeanetteanderson3912]

Omg you are so talented I love all your work. Just gorgeous 😍 ❤️ 👍🇨🇦

[@KasumiSan1989]

I love sketchbook dates!

[@artofjesskarp]

Thanks!

[@FatmaBağırova-g8p]

what would you recommend as the best drawing pencil ? to draw a bust

[@OrganizeCreateDecorate]

Thank you, Jess. Great information.

[@artofjesskarp]

You're so welcome! Glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching!

[@OrganizeCreateDecorate]

@@artofjesskarp You are very welcome.

[@antoniomonteiro1203]

I always enjoy your videos. If I'm allowed to make a remark, the plural of medium is media... latin!... :D

[@artofjesskarp]

Thanks :) Ofcourse !

[@alibhamohanty1143]

I use only normal notebook paper which is scrape in between my sketches and cani continue it because I prefer more pencil sketches nowadays

[@artofjesskarp]

Awesome! Great idea! Thanks for sharing :)

[@alibhamohanty1143]

@@artofjesskarp welcome Jess

[@debsmith7050]

TY

[@artofjesskarp]

Thanks for watching!

[@nishilarambannishilaramban8336]

You are beautiful, and ur art is so beautiful ❤

[@ryannaellerbee4577]

Dose wax paper work too instead of tracing paper?

[@callimico5488]

Sunlight will accelerate the "yellowing" of nonacid free paper but such paper will yellow even in the presence of air over time. Use Acid-Free Paper. This is a question and you are too young to have experienced it long term, acetate is not an acid-free material, as you said, an ingredient is wood pulp, will the acid in acetate leach out over time and effect artwork? The acetate itself yellows over time. Just the second video of you I have seen - love you!

[@mickrozycki451]

what sketchbook are you using?

[@arcoiris_naranja]

What about waxes?

[@artofjesskarp]

Those can work too! Many suggested it for gouache and watercolor in the comments

[@haiderartvlog]

Soooooooooo soooooooooo poo nice ❤

[@artofjesskarp]

Thanksn

[@miraxterrik]

Did you move from that beautiful lake view place?

[@silvertales]

I go between tracing paper or parchment paper, whatever I have on hand, and noticed neither one of them will curl or stick in the central Florida humidity.

[@john-rh6wr]

a cheap and easy way to have a fixative without spending a lot of money is using hair spray as a fixative.... (test your surface first)

[@jayaram322]

Amazing😍😍

[@artofjesskarp]

Thank you!

[@ErinLKramer]

In my Mossery watercolor sketchbook I use the thick junk mail flyers. During elections I get a lot of political ads so I put them to use.

[@kazzified29]

When the acetate paper came out, I had flashbacks to maths class and the overhead projector. 🫣 I alternate between using greaseproof paper (baking paper/parchment paper) and tracing paper in my sketchbooks. Tracing paper was so difficult to source in my town so I used greaseproof paper. It can be fiddly because it’s in a roll, but once I roll it the opposite direction, it tends to go flat.

[@artofjesskarp]

Hahaha oh boy. Not the overhead projector 🤣🤣🤣 thanks for sharing that’s super cool. Also thanks for watching ;)

[@bellamorgenrot3921]

First comment. Love you Jess❤!

[@artofjesskarp]

Yay! Thanks for coming!

[@RiverAugustinArt]

Do you have a new Studio? If yes can u show it to us!🥺

[@aslamhashmi2086]

I just cut a plastic carry bag of the size of my page and place it 😅😅 New sketchbook start pls

[@sizohmthethwa]

❤❤❤

[@artofjesskarp]

🫶🫶🫶

[@localartistlouiec1353]

My name is Louis. I have a condition. 22q I had open heart surgery when I was three months old. Art is my favorite thing to do all time. We should do a Collab together.

[@tekleart10]

🤗🤗🤗

[@fredandre6311]

Salut.❤️ Tu connais le travail De claire weedling.?

[@fredandre6311]

Claire weedling.. excuse faute orthographe 🌈

[@fuzzydragons]

I dont do anything lol, if its going to smudge, its going to smudge 😝

[@wolfpack8275]

booring as video