6 Tips/Ideas for Your Sketchbook

[@iclaimthisname9767]

I do something weird with my sketchbooks: I draw things badly ON PURPOSE to make it less scary to draw in it. All those sketchbook tours on youtube are way too perfect, and in one way they push me to be creative, but in another way they discourage me to make art because I'll never be as good as them. If the first few pages are terrible, it's less hard for me to draw stuff that I'm not good at

[@anusaarikoski6458]

CyborgDraws just be who you are, have your own goals. It's good to have people you admire, but not good to compare. And what I have learnt, is not to compare. I can wish to be as good as someone else but I also know everyone cant be the same. Art is great because it can be anything, it can be photo realistic, manga or stick figures. Most importantly, you need to do it for yourself

[@laundrysauce354]

That's pretty cool, I feel embarrassed when I'm showing my sketchbook if I have bad stuff on it, when they see that page I just groan and try to take the thing back lol

[@Codswallop58]

CyborgDraws That's a pretty damn good idea.

[@iclaimthisname9767]

Laundry Sauce I don't even show my sketchbook to people anymore... I've learned to say no. A sketchbook is very personal to me, and I don't want people judging me for art I make in my free time (I act a lot differently when I'm with people then when I'm alone)

[@dankbananabrother9928]

Dont say that you will never be like them you have an awesome idea

[@SwanCreates]

You're teaching me to have fun with my sketchbook. Thank you. I always stress myself out by thinking that everything has to be perfect and it stops me from actually drawing. Now that I'm having fun, I draw more every day. 😗

[@swaggyyoutuber2963]

Oh hi! I love your channel!

[@maria.miutescu]

Hi swan!

[@cranberry.afonya]

*Customize your sketchbook!* My sketchbook's cover is a naked statue. I covered _the place_ with leaves, does that count? :|

[@isabell2579]

Not reading the name of your potato friend means that this conversation is hilarious

[@alexzandriae.9632]

I usually put stickers all over the front of my sketchbook. It takes me a while to fill a sketchbook sometimes, so I'll go and collect stickers while filling it to put on the cover. That way each one is different but it also kinda shows what I was feeling or doing while I was filling the sketchbook

[@janedoe7167]

AlexZandria E. I do the same thing but I draw on the cover and make the whole sketchbook mine you know

[@pinklemon3555]

thats actually a cute idea!

[@flemli8314]

I want to go to sketchbook land a place where you can make mistakes and draw what ever you want it can be cheap and everyone loves art and your art

[@madhatter2143]

Flem li yes... um is that an actual place?

[@flemli8314]

Mad hatter21 no but i felt like she spoked about sketchbooks like this maybe someday all artist of the world are going to create that beautiful place

[@Micsma]

Flem li this place exists. It's called "not giving a fuck".

[@firstnamelastname8865]

Flem li come with me, and you'll be, in a world of pure imagination

[@hiretheartist6618]

It's called a sketchbook.

[@nyee.q.s608]

Summarization: just draw until its full.

[@patiencerose9534]

For real

[@trishzecrazy]

I use a workable fixative because even though it is sealed, you can still work on it like a layer. (If you are drawing in pencil, after you put on the fixative, you can make it darker)

[@JelArts]

Ah that's a good tip!

[@xargothunter5746]

Until I started watching youtube, I never thought that workable fixative was a thing. Never actually ej n head of it. I have used fixative for decades, with soft pastels, graphite and charcoal, and always used it between layers, continuing on top of it when dry. Ive just bought a can of what ever brand was on sale in what artsupply store I went into. When I took up coloured pencils a few years back, I did the same, never really thought of it. I might have gotten fewer layers than I would have with no fixative or a workable, but I never missed it.

[@poop-lu8kz]

shes amazing at drawing

[@dhanishpatil3127]

Yep

[@Gummihahn]

I messed a page up from my expensive grey paper sketchbook which had thick pages...i was kinda mad and frustrated so i actually bought a new one which was pretty cheap just 4€ and i started to draw everyday. Before that i only drew "detailed" pictures with lots of effort (im a beginner that's why i wrote detailed like that xD). Now i just draw whatever comes to my mind, i will even take it with me on a trip to Asia soon and perhaps draw some landscapes or furniture! (I kinda love architecture so i only draw related stuff lol) You're so right about not being afraid to draw into your sketchbook! It takes a lot of courage at first but drawing is so relaxing a messed up front page of your cheap a$$ sketchbook shouldn't make you worry! Sorry for the long text XDD Good luck with your drawings to whoever might read this!! :3

[@heiiart6382]

I looove listening to your videos while drawing, it's like a podcast with art advice

[@dear_totheheart]

Great tips! I've never been afraid about ruining my sketchbooks but I'm just rather disappointed in my current skill level and sometimes don't know what even to draw, so this was encouraging. I'll definitely need to just draw and stop being so afraid. And I adore how much you draw birds, those cockatoos were adorable!

[@heyitsme2057]

i think everyone should have art in their lives. i really believe that art- and not just drawing, but all types- has really improved my life.

[@charlottep5309]

I recebtly got a new HUGE mix media sketchbook, and everytime i did something in it I ripped it out. Finally I got up the courage to put ink to my page and keep it there. Yet I had no clue what to put there, so I turned to youtube. Then I got it. I wrote in the middle of the page "I'm writing this to make the first page less scary" and then drew a bunch of weird shape things with odd faces. My sketchbook was officially kicked off, and I'm now not scared to work in it! Thats my (random) sketch book story thing..,,yeah. ok bye :P

[@Micsma]

Violet Strawberry well done. I really.. really want to get the Really Big Sketchbook thing. It's massive and has a huge number of pages.

[@romeoa.6634]

Thanks, I’m doing the same thing ✨

[@bluek7921]

Yay! I Really Love Your Sketchbook Videos

[@carovaldes8430]

okay this video opened my eyes.. I used to draw on my sketchbook for other ppl, that ppl were always telling me to draw this and draw that , but i was afraid of my sketchbook, i was afraid of ppl to say that they don't like some of my sketches..but thanks to you now I'm not afraid of what they might say..now I'll just practice and do my art no matter what ppl might say...Thank you!

[@adidas1258]

I am 11 years old and i love to draw. Your videos realy inspire me . my only problem is that i am afraid that i will not get better at drawing. I am also never realy sure that i realy want to be a artist later in my life... what should i do?

[@natalieweng4115]

Live in the moment and push through, if you don’t look back or forward, you’ll improve before you know it. ;)

[@zionweise3282]

I "realy" think you can do it buddy

[@Micsma]

Keep drawing. Keep arting. You can be an artist and do literally anything else. You can be an artist in literally anything. Just be sure it's not the corpses of the damned.

[@adidas1258]

Will i get better if i draw from refrence most of the time?

[@wolfofdawn4053]

Adi Das yes definitely as long as you are not copying, references will help you to know what the thing you are trying to draw (or part of it) looks like

[@pigeon445]

GOSH!! the cockatail and the cockatoo that you drew are SO COOL!!

[@iloveghibli9608]

Can you do an acrylic tutorial?

[@sacha5985]

I've already watched this, but you are actually the first person who doesn't say "Spirals only annoy left handed people while drawing." Thank you.

[@blackshadowarts4540]

A mild to thin Watercolor wash also locks in the graphite. I’ve done this for a couple months now and it’s worked surprisingly well. Plus the watercolor on top of the sketches looks pretty cool.

[@estrility6440]

Because of you I got into drawing things other than people. 😂

[@emeraldm0on-yt]

Floral Gamer I've always really been into fish oddly enough

[@Hijrahydratehiro]

I wish I would finally draw people

[@emeraldm0on-yt]

Doodle Hood i draw people, but like....idk, i feel they're overrated.

[@toonist7490]

love you jel

[@user-kr5nd3ix7o]

Your voice is so soothing I just wanted to thank you for making such cute and conversational videos! Also your art is absolutely beautiful!!

[@NIN0ID]

I love your sketchbook videos!

[@amygarcia2563]

Love listening to these while drawing in my sketchbook.💙

[@sunshinemishasmommy5352]

I really enjoyed this video...I like looking at other people's sketchbooks because it gives me inspiration of things to draw in my own :)

[@carolkinopf]

Yayy I love this video!! I've already watched so many about sketchbooks but yours is my favorite!! I loove your bird drawings and doodles, they are so cute!!! *^* 💞

[@JelArts]

+Anilorac K Ahh thank you! I'm really happy to hear it!

[@finalfantasydirgeofc]

I'm lefthanded too, I understand the annoyance of the spirals. Nice tip, I don't know how I never thought of that. Also, you have a really nice voice. Sorry if there's anything wrong with my english, it's not my first language, I'm brazilian

[@ghostingg5216]

I love this. I feel like this is gonna help me fill my sketchbook!

[@JHamuko]

I love watching your sketchbook videos while I doodle in mine it's motivating XD

[@bean9]

I've recently started enjoying my sketchbook more! Here is how I'm making it nicer for me 1. Post it notes are lifesavers, they also add some texture which in really like in my sketchbook rn 2. Adding in ripped up paper, stickers and random pieces of washi tape to decorate, it fills in gaps, adds texture, and I feel like it's less of a pristine perfect thing that I can't harm any more 3. Colours. I find using colours makes me enjoy it more, also makes it look cool. Eg. sketch in a coloured pencil, use a coloured pen, use highlighters or markers to colour in/outline your favourite drawing on the page 4. Turn the page, if it keeps going wrong, turn the page. Don't waste anymore of your time in, especially when your annoying it's not going as planned. You can always go back and finish it off so don't worry! 5. If you have fear of a new sketchbook, turn to the back, and Swatch your favourite supplies! Gets you ready to draw, you know how they will react to the new paper, and you can't go wrong

[@elsecallers]

the moment you said you were also lefthanded i instantly subscribed bc sister the struggle is /real/

[@jumpergodesss6882]

are colored pencils diffrent from crayon pencils? or did she say crayola

[@serena4531]

They're the same. Some countries say it differently. For example, in Canada we say "pencil crayons". But I guess in the US they say "colored pencils".

[@annalolitaestelle5761]

Some people call coloured pencils ‘crayons’ where I live too which can be confusing - but for the record crayola coloured pencils are very nice to draw with! :D

[@jumpergodesss6882]

2serena7 thankyou for explaining that! i was really thinking she was useing some sort of colored pencil with crayon in it or something. Thats really cool! and yes in the us we call them colored pencils. 😄

[@jumpergodesss6882]

Anna Lolita Estelle Husband yes! they really are, that's what i use too

[@quiltknit]

In the United States! Yes, Colored Pencils are not the same as Crayolastore Crayons or the Crayons listed by other brands. Crayons are very waxy! Even, when there is wax in pencils, the formula is differs. It lay down differently.

[@isabellekiley358]

i really love your channel, you help me a lot n motivate me to improve. just wanted to say thanks

[@popsmorris5887]

I take a small sketchbook with me all the time. I don't care if people look, it has lead to some interesting conversations. It gives me something to do while waiting for food or at other times when I have idle time. Good tip.

[@HPartfreak]

For the hairspray, when I was in school my art teachers always had Aqua Net around the room. They both loved that brand a lot. :D

[@ilikecats3687]

These videos are so calming...

[@IshioShima]

That's what I did! I had a wirebound sketchbook so I drew vertical on the side that didn't bother me and drew horizontal on the side that bother my hand, I loved that sketchbook~

[@jessicasartrestraint5614]

Oh my god I am SO in love with those coloured pencil birbs! 😍💖

[@jewelbird8840]

im left handed too! Yay!! i enjoy this channel because its so easy to relate too as an artist, Ive been struggling with my art. but this really helps me a lot, Thank You.

[@jmeyer3rn]

I LOVE this video!! Thanks for sharing.

[@almondmilk1900]

Your voice is so calming and sweet!

[@kefkajanar12324]

I've had trouble filling my sketch book and this really helped! Thanks dude!

[@JelArts]

+Lloyd Maximus I'm so glad it helped!

[@venuso6260]

Augh I love the mini cat drawing in the corner of your sketchbook cover!!! I can't get over how cute it is haha

[@JelArts]

+V Luvzcats Thank you! I'm thinking about decorating the rest of it but I'm not sure. I might cover it with birds.

[@venuso6260]

JelArts That's a great idea! Your bird drawings are really good, I think that would fit nicely on to the cover

[@creekkidart7554]

i agree about spiral sketchbooks, it seems like the lay flat and soft cover sketchbooks are more popular right now but i prefer being about to flip the pages around and hold it in my lap

[@korag7431]

These are relly good tips. Nice drawings!

[@madisonelizabet4150]

These are beautiful drawings! I love the birds, you have become so good! ❤️

[@maddiemay1999]

Modpodge is what I use to seal my drawings if I really want to preserve them and it’s kinda cool cuz it adds a little texture to the page too!

[@diasaunders184]

You’re my favorite art youtuber by far :)) Your style is *b e a u t i f u l* and your videos help me so much. I’m proud of my sketchbook now thanks to you. love from dia ❤️

[@annalolitaestelle5761]

You can seal artwork with adhesive (sticky-back) plastic too. You can get it pretty cheap if you check in your local supermarket and it works really well - I’ve used it to seal collages, drawings and I’ve used it for stickers too so that the paper on the front isn’t exposed!

[@jaydyboo]

I have a Twisted Reality themed sketchbook that I'm working and tracing paper also works well to stop transfer on other images and pages.

[@redmi5088]

Love these kind of videos

[@chimenemarks]

I actually use a nail polish top coat to seal my art. It really works wel and it also makes the colours more vibrant. You have to make sure that u use a new one though becous a used one can have a bit of a colour the you used on your nail in the brush

[@gracegazaway237]

I do this in all my sketchbooks/journals, I put stickers and tape things on the inside covers.

[@SirHavin]

I don't know about that tape-covering method on such thin paper like sketchbook paper, but I have taken to taping a sheet of tracing paper over the pieces I want to keep smudge and stain free.

[@yoshdragon]

You are such an inspiration!

[@dariaaskhat4532]

Thank you so so so so much for the hairspray tip, i've been struggling with smudging a lot lately, therefore this is incredibly helpful♡

[@sharonoh9120]

i know this is an old video but i hope you see this comment: please make a video tutorial on how to draw birds! i love birds and i love your style of drawing/coloring them. i don’t have prismacolors but i would still love a tutorial. (even if it’s just you showing ur drawing process for several different species!)

[@luna_feles4165]

To the tip with the small sketchbook: if you want to improve drawing faces for example, you can draw one face on one page and you can clearly see your progress in the end. For example in A6

[@redsephone]

I just may do that!! I'm horrible at faces so seeing a progression of improvement would be fun!! Thanks

[@iikittydr8503]

I have random paper towels sticking out of my sketch book. It might look weird and messy, but it prevents smudging

[@kcred5689]

I’ve been doing art for 4 years and I’ve only just found my style! I’m better at drawing body parts than anything else but I love drawing flowers and animals

[@zainabconteh9567]

*Yes! Finally! An artist that is left handed!*

[@JelArts]

left handed high-five!

[@zainabconteh9567]

JelArts *high-fives*

[@avasweeney6723]

I struggle to find motivation to draw in my sketchbook or even draw in general. I’ve watched your motivation video and it helped a little but how do I actually have the motivation to sit down and draw? How do I get over my perfectionism??

[@nelly._.8128]

Ava Sweeney JUST DO IT! DONT LET YOUR DREAMS BE DREAMS! JUST...DO...IT!

[@jumpergodesss6882]

when im feeling like that i look at things that inspire me to draw. or what had inspired me to draw. cause sometimes we've lost sight of why we started drawing in the first place. I also remind my self that "you gotta get all the bad ones out so only the good ones are left"

[@wolfofdawn4053]

Tell yourself. I'm gonna sit down and draw one line. Then tell yourself to draw another line and before you know it you will be in the flow of it.

[@balamuralibalakrishnan3087]

Ava Sweeney You dont need to get over your perfectionism you draw until you feel its right Some people leave drawings halfway Some people dont Some people do and dont at the same time So if u wanna draw something until its perfect then do it Dont let anything hold u back from drawing/sketching

[@almacintosh161]

Go into your photo file and pick something to sketch. That's what I'm doing.

[@kol246]

ahh!! just found ur channel and this is really cool!! on the smudging - sometimes ill just tape any paper lying around over the drawing im worried will smudge (usually sketches done with charcoal are the ones who get the special treatment). I guess if you still wanna easily access the drawing tracing paper or tissue paper would work too

[@aestheticbunnie4311]

Love your drawings

[@szvang8227]

Omgggg this is something i needed for so long im getting smuch motivation to draw in my sketch book now.

[@magicalamity4518]

There are also spriral bounds with the spiral on top, but i feel they are not as stable and don't hold the pages in as well over time.

[@woodengirl127]

im a lefty as well and i recommend sketch books from japan bc the spiral is on the other side!

[@ketsyamota]

As far as smudging goes, what I usually do is I wrap the page in cheap tracing paper. That way it doesn't transfer or smudge and it kind of protects the page from other stuff.

[@magdalenakasprzyk7955]

You have inspirated me to draw in my sketchbook I love u 😍

[@joan_of_snark]

you could also you could also turn the sketchbook upside-down and use it backwards. if that makes any sense lol

[@spike9295]

darcsfx so that the spirals don’t hurt your hands? I do that...

[@hyarizk9832]

what i personally do to keep the pages from smudging eachother is to put a paper to isolate the two pages it isn't pretty and can be annoying if someone flips through it, but because you can never fully trust hairspray or putting tape over drawings, this method really helped me. also, thank you so much for all your vids of tips and ideas for sketchbooks, they have helped me so much over the last few days with what i do.

[@ilovetomholland6069]

this really helped me thank you jel arts

[@vanessarmega]

I love drawing birds ! The are so cute! 💕 I'm not very good at drawing them, but I still enjoy doing it!

[@feliciel_ink]

hey there, really liked the video. I thought i'd tell you that what I do to avoid the smudge thing is I tape on the top an a4 transfer/tracing paper.

[@TimeCodeMechanics]

I'm left handed too and started turning my sketchbook.

[@pr3ttyb0n3z2]

I loved this video!! Thanks for the tips :D These drawings were amazing!!! Love you and your videos!! Too bad I'm late :) These might help me with improving, even though I seem to stick to one style, so maybe I may not improve

[@panicatthechipotle8160]

I love your Sketch book videosss!! ;000

[@JelArts]

+PanicAtTheHamilton21BMCChiplote HoodiesRLife Thank you!!!

[@panicatthechipotle8160]

JelArts aWwWwww Thank youuu ;0

[@DoodlingCami]

yay i'm excited for the sketchbook tour

[@seashell9570]

While watching this video I got motivated to draw so thanks :)

[@shiftmobile6687]

My friend got me a sketchbook for my birthday and it has spirals, but their on the top :)

[@xushi1916]

I was really hating myself for drawing on the opposite pag of my sketchbook because it passed the pastels i added to a drawing on the previous spread making the pigment transfer to the other page of the next spread. I just put clear tape on top of the drawing with pastels as a cheap fix XD

[@yeahitsme3754]

Thank you for everything you're doing and saying. It's really helpfull :)

[@silliestgoose169]

I used hairspray on a charcoal drawing and it sealed it pretty well, but I’d recommend that you be careful and try not to spray too much like I did (it warped the paper a tiny bit). But yeah otherwise it’s a nice alternative for a sealant if that’s all you have around. also, love the video!

[@eveyy.b]

Becuz of this channel, I have found my own art style. Now that I have found my own art style, I feel like I can draw more freely and more things that I want.

[@opzct_5896]

Yay! So helpful

[@jhiliilu]

Dose watercolors smudge on the front page of a sketchbook?

[@silentmouseroni9346]

I hate being left handed because of spirals. There is also the desks at school and smudging your writing and drawings. It suuuucks but I still love my left hand.😊

[@yoongiverse273]

This was so helpful! Thank you! 💕

[@robinl9206]

Really enjoyed your sktches. Thanks

[@kittentoys2051]

I'm left handed, and if I used a spiral bound sketchbook, I start from the back to avoid the spiral digging into my wrist. ^^ Usually though I use handbound ones though. I just like them more.

[@kata8520]

I LOVE UR SKETCHBOOK VIDS! 💙

[@adriannamcquade]

SO DO I :D

[@hailstormk9417]

Can regular sketch paper handle a fixative

[@ugh696]

My favorite sketchbook is a Ucreate Sketch You can get it in the school supplies section in Walmart and it has 75 pages and its $4 I've had more pricey sketchbooks and art supplies, but I've found that this sketchbook, Prismacolor pencils, and acrylic paints + canvases are my favorite art supplies. I got ten 8×10 canvases for $6 last night!!

[@celiacoco7590]

does the art spray block oil pastels?

[@ReadRenard]

Love your tips as always!

[@evan10307]

I like using journals as sketchbooks, because their cheap, easy, and they work well with ink or dry materiel, and usually theres not to many pages.

[@tisme7956]

You can tape a plastic pocket along the top of the page so it sits over the drawing to stop it smudging onto the next side.

[@Connan_does_things]

Mod Podge or clear acrylic paint (sealer) works like the tape. It gives a bit of a glossy look as well so keep this in mind. Hope this helps someone! ❤️

[@lord_vigo_ghoul]

Is it ok if I paint mod podge over my drawings? It's waterproof and it protects the things you paint over

[@leowright2251]

I've used modpodge and it works, a really good thing to use is liquitex varnish- but it's always good to test it over a quick doodle with the medium and paper you'll use it on first, sort of like a patch test, before layering over a piece you care about