5 Tips for Your Sketchbook + small sketchbook tour

[@JelArts]

For those who are wondering what pen I'm using in the video, it's called a Pentel Aquash. I filled it with water and some drops of ink. It's linked in the description!

[@peacil4426]

JelArts oooo im the first to c this

[@holacomoestas8373]

Thanks

[@thestaircasetonowhere2303]

+JelArts could you please do an eye tutorial?

[@MP-ko5br]

I have the same watercolor brush! It's absolutely amazing!

[@thomasbust4116]

JelArts you are very helpful !

[@ieuanyin]

I’ve just noticed that most KZbin artists are left handed. Loved the vid!🙃🙂

[@laziidays]

I know right! I love to draw and i think im good at it but.......... Im right handed.......but i use my legt fro almost everything too... XD

[@animalsfurever7899]

I think I read somewhere that left handed ppl r supposed to be more creative? Idk if it’s true tho. I’m a righty lol

[@MrParkerman6]

Lefties being more creative is a myth. Creativity isn't on the right side of the brain only.

[@user-cn3ip6ok8p]

I watched the entire video without noticing and then when I read this comment I had to go back lol

[@yesiamanarmy5910]

My teacher said that the lefties in our class are good at art

[@enpjnk3288]

Sketch books for other people are books where you can test around and experiment and practice and where you can make the most mistakes because it’s your book but for me a sketch book is a book where I keep my art and then I can look back at it in the next years and I’ll see how well I developed so I can make mistakes in a snazzy and presentable way and I’d rather do my art and keep it there and I paste my art that I cut out when I didn’t have my sketchbook around.

[@deathnote58]

enpjnk same

[@AnnaAttemptsArt]

I feel like that’s more of an art journal, or portfolio, I don’t really know though haha

[@kiritokirigaya6716]

If you make mistakes and experimenting on the sketchbook , you can also look back at it again and think how you start to become good at it. Its the same thing. All of my art are inside my sketchbook and i can just look all of my old artwork easily

[@NIN0ID]

Watching you paint is so relaxing

[@JelArts]

Thank you!

[@eggegg2786]

Tip: Especially for people who doodle a lot *cough* me *cough cough* If you like to keep your sketch book some what clean and kinda “perfect” I would suggest one for all art works and pieces and another smaller, cheaper one for doodles, art ideas, and some practices. That way the sketchbook will look more clean.

[@deborahgoedhart476]

That's so true!! I do that too!! 😃

[@Fleurig-xr5mm]

I have a sketchbook for practice, and a sketchbook for big "perfect" art stuff. So I always cut the doodles out and paste them in the art sketchbook

[@awabia]

I just bought 2 sketchbooks. One of them is the same mixed media one you have in this video! I haven't used a sketchbook since high school, so I'm pretty excited to start again

[@Supercoolgirl1938]

Awabia Belle congrats!

[@anaeliseianna]

That mixed media one is my favorite sketchbook ever, period.

[@gabbygriffin1850]

Honestly, in my opinion, spiral sketchbook are a lot better than normal book spines. Normal book spines usually break off, which actually gets pretty annoying, especially if you want the outside of your sketchbook to look nice or to even keep the sketchbook in one piece. You also can’t lay the pages out flatly or rip them out easily.

[@ABIXWEEZY]

Lol i haven't found luck with spiral notebooks. For some reason in my past sketchbooks all the spirals would bend and also pages would start to fall out.

[@imbored4929]

One word: Moleskine

[@arlenealennox3136]

Another word: Stillman and Birn

[@Lemu_with_a_shirt]

Putting anything spiral bound in a bag just leaves you with a mess though, they only work if you don't ever take it anywhere.

[@mariacosta-yn8om]

I am very late to the party but I love the normal ones because you can transform an a5 page into an a4 because you can fill a whole spread continuously. My first sketchbook was a spiral one and it is a lot nicer to draw on the go though.

[@bentinho]

You can reduce and almost eliminate smudging by using one of those office paper clips (the ones with the folding arm things...) to keep the sketchbook tightly closed. Since the smudging is caused by the pages rubbing together.

[@JelArts]

+bentinho That's a good idea, thank you!

[@Rettomus]

I've noticed that for me, majority of the pencil smudging happens when I flip to a new spread. (E.g when I've filled the spread that has the pages 1 and 2, flip to a new spread and draw on the page 3, causing the pages 1 and 2 rub together and smudge.) Keeping a piece of clean paper between few of the most recent spreads has reduced the amount of smudge significantly. I don't know if this works with more toothy paper or softer pencil leads, but it has kept my (mostly graphite pencil-filled) sketchbooks pretty smudge-free. I use thin and smooth paper and a B lead.

[@lunayen]

bentinho Thanks for the tip!

[@elliart7432]

bentinho oh my god, thank you! I've had so many good sketches completely ruined by not taking that into consideration

[@nefertitimontoya]

Binder clips or bulldog clips!

[@vanessarmega]

I wanted to thank you for always replying to so many comments! I remember when you first replied to me! It made me feel so good inside and and made me feel like you care about your subscribers! I really appreciate all your time and effort put into you channel! Thanks!

[@JelArts]

Vanessa R Ahh thank you so much! That's so nice of you to say since I always make an effort to reply to people - at least within the first 24 hours of a video. If the video starts getting a lot of views it can get difficult to keep up 😅

[@lemonademilkshake6387]

I tend to stick tape over finished graphite drawings so the graphite doesn't smudge! Obviously, make sure you are completely done with your drawing before you stick the tape over, and be really careful when you do stick it down, but it works a treat!

[@lauratanteiart2837]

I bought a book-like sketchbook just because I really love the look but it really isn't as practical as a spiral one Love the video

[@JelArts]

I love the look of it too and it probably holds the pages together better, but I love being able to flip all the pages around with the spiral. It's a hard decision! I might try a book one next time.

[@lauratanteiart2837]

yeah the spiral one is way better for that. I'm looking forward to it if you do! :D

[@iasyama1999]

honestly I've always hated spiral ones because they tend to disrupt my gestures and are bulky.

[@trinayatesanimation]

So I tried one of strathmore's new watercolor sketchbooks, similar to the one you're using, and it was the 'design your own cover' kind of sketchbooks so i was super excited. The paper was so thin and could not take ONE wash of watercolors, and the papers would fall out so easily!! I learned a lesson- do NOT put your stickers on a new sketchbook before trying it out first and seeing if you like it. So much money just washed down the drain :( I'm now using a delta sketchbook, which is great with watercolors! It behaves differently from the normal watercolor paper, but it's still really nice and has a sketchbook feel. It was about $15, which is on the pricy side for a sketchbook, but I think it's completely worth it. Though the canson mixed media sketchbooks are wonderful for watercolor too. Thanks for such a great video!

[@JelArts]

sablesalamanders I think that's the same sketchbook I use! But mine is mix media.... Maybe there's different kinds. I completely forgot to mention that the paper does dissolve a bit because it's mix media and probably not the best quality, so I try not to scrub at the paper too much. It works if you don't saturate it too much/scrub at it while it's still wet. So, not for actual paintings, but for colouring sketches with watercolour it works fairly well.

[@trinayatesanimation]

JelArts mine could have been a dud as well! It is a new line of sketchbooks after all, and strathmore paper is usually pretty good.

[@kforkorin]

H

[@kforkorin]

sablesalamanders j

[@kforkorin]

sablesalamanders n

[@ellarosecampbell5622]

My favourite sketchbook is the Canson mixed media. It will take many different kinds of media (as it says in the description), the pages are crisp & white which I like, the paper is nice quality - more thick and not flimsy. They come in many sizes, which I use for different things (art classes, personal, carry around). I just love them!! It took me a really long time to find a sketchbook I loved. But around last year I figured out I liked this one.

[@bunny1656]

For some reason the cason mixed media paper can't handle my watercolor

[@jj_the_antisocial5863]

@@bunny1656 i had the same problem bc i wanted to start watercolors and learn how to use them but i think i'll just invest in a watercolor sketch book and keep my canson so that way i have options, and the canson COULD be for watercolor but only for the lightest thinnest way so you basically cant do anything you would with normal watercolor paper but i feel you'd have to be careful if you'll use it for that purpose

[@sylendraws1249]

Go to the library steal a book, whiteout the whole thing. Then Bam Free Sketchbook!

[@justjourney9792]

Master thief

[@bar8aliths_fan]

_S. H. O. O. K_

[@ruth-jr9bs]

You can't draw over white out tho :/

[@Smoll_Beanie]

@@ruth-jr9bs You could paint the pages with white acrylic paint instead

[@axcealn]

10/10 I used some thick paint instead, it worked.

[@izg247]

I love these videos, they're so calming especially after a stressful day.

[@makagogua]

oh gosh I love love looove your sketchbook videos

[@JelArts]

+OtterDraws Thank you! I'm so happy to hear that because I want to make more 🙂

[@makagogua]

+JelArts awww please do! I enjoy sketchbook videos immensely but I especially love your ones!

[@LivvyHackett]

I’ve always got my sketchbooks and general supplies as cheap as I can go without being totally unusable (except in rare moments when I buy some nice paints or markers). One of my favourite sketchbooks was a free sketchbook, that was really a hotel brand hardcover plain page book not really for drawing. My most recent is a $2 soft cover I use for markers and inking. Getting cheap isn’t absolutely an awful idea sometimes.

[@glyff194]

Great video! As for the two types of sketchbook, spiral vs book binding: some people sketch in spiral bound, then cut and paste/tape best work into book bound for consolidation and neatness

[@yalo_999]

Thank you 😍😍😍

[@martinaplaninsek7756]

I tnink im going to watch this video one more time....

[@hannarodriguez1084]

I use the same sketch book! I love your little drawings with the water color pens. I’m left handed too, so sometimes I use it upside down so that the spiral doesn’t get in my way 🙃

[@the_bob_147]

Why am i watching this for the 3rd time?

[@cierrac1932]

Awkward Spook Draws 147 because it’s aweeesssommmee

[@razorbackstudiosartchannel2941]

I don't know Dory. You tell me. ;)

[@toxix.st6439]

No its a glitch in the matrix,.... A figment if your imagination........(twas but a joke don't kill me ;-;)

[@kcred5689]

I use a sketch pad from amazon for $1.99 and it is by far my favourite! There is no bleeding, it doesn’t go to the next page, it is amazing

[@gabmatth]

a thin/light wash of water over pencil prevents it from smudging ! so if u don't have hairspray/are trying to be more environmentally friendly, that works

[@mylittleorbit6356]

I have to say that I've been watching different artists and youre my favorite right now.

[@VisualMind]

Be careful with chalk pastels or pencil and hairspray. Because the Hairspray might bleed through the page and then you have the pigment of your medium on the other page as well. Happened to me once and ruined one of my favorite drawings :/

[@MondayMorningMist]

I agree, and I have another thing to add: hairspray is not archival, and can end up yellowing your drawing over time. Spray fixative actually isn't too expensive, and the bottles last a long time, so I think it's safer to just shell out the extra bucks.

[@lacintadudley2625]

I used to do a lot of charcoal/pastel work, and agree with RainiDays: fixative is ten times better

[@KimonoSuki]

@@MondayMorningMist ehh i rarely work with an acrual graphite pencil but for the few times i do im not gonna shell out $20 for some fixative,,$1.50 hairspray works fine and idk how it'd get through to the other side, one light spray is enough usually?

[@hailstormk9417]

I’m wondering what about thin paper/sketch paper,won’t the spray buckle paper that thin when working with pastels or charcoal? Or when doing art like that should you use different paper?

[@dipnitty8184]

I have to put fixative on all my heavy pencil sketches because my cat loves to walk on my books and I get little footprints everywhere 😅

[@ntinag.5698]

You really have to make more sketchbook themed videos they're so awesome and inspiring!!😍 And the informations are so helpful💯💯

[@JelArts]

+Ntina G. Ah thank you so much! That means a lot to me. I definitely plan on making more!

[@rutcorfort]

Oh yeah! About the hair spray fixer thing I heard about it before, it really works! I used it for a street theatre play where I was wearing some fantasy make-up, and I used hair fixer and it really worked, it didn't go away and it stayed in my face all they long! I've never thought about using it with art, thanks Jel!! :D

[@mon4d]

Nice and helpfull tips! Thank you! I know it's a bit against what you said in your video, but I actually like to sometimes just pick a random page to draw instead of going page by page. That helps me a bit with being scared to "ruin" it. And I actually like the random kind of style that makes for. And Jel, I just gotta say this: You always seem soo sympathetic in your videos! Haha, when you made the thumbs-up I found that really funny ^^ I also notice that you constantly improve on your video quality too! It's really cool to see you trying new things and improving! I can definitly already see a big improvement from when I started to follow your channel a few months ago! :)

[@mon4d]

Oh I think sympathetic might not be a good word for it.. In German it's sympathisch :p I mean like friendly, likeable ^^

[@lilyorsman1427]

You have been a really big inspiration for me and my art. Your voice is really nice and soothing to listen to while drawing and you give absolutely amazing advice. Thank you for existing :D

[@JelArts]

+Lily Jarman Aw thank you so much! That's so kind of you to say 💕

[@fortnitecrazy5426]

After watching your sketchbook videos I have been using my sketchbook so much more. Your really inspiring me to draw so thx!

[@chuuchuuchaosbaby1866]

i am actually in love with this video. i never really know what to do with them and i end up hating my sketchbooks. thank you for this.

[@afalara5126]

Really like your videos about sketchbooks ! And others too! Please keep doing your videos,I support all your art .

[@JelArts]

+Afalara 512 I really appreciate it 💕 I plan to, for as long as I can!

[@ashleycofield2026]

I’ve used hairspray as a fixative for oil pastel and it does work.

[@saulbadman5164]

I really like watching your videos while drawing . It motivates me!!

[@Lunaeincola]

My favourite type of sketchbook to use are : Spiral bound landscape sketchbooks ( A5/A4 format) Atm art gecko are my faves . AND 140x140 chunky square sketchbooks book bound - super comfy to work in and can take them anywhere with you no problem.

[@PhoebesWorldProductions]

Your sketches throughout this video are great. And I love the fish sketch, too.

[@ausflybaby]

Pause at 0:34 I just wanted to say that I absolutely love this art style. I had to stop, pause the video, and take everything in. It’s _so beautiful._ I was wondering if anyone knew what this style is called, or if it even has a name. Thankyou 😊

[@crystallinegirl23]

I have a friend that puts tracing paper over graphite drawings to keeping written from smudging

[@amrumo8547]

Looking back on this video, that hairspray trick has literally helped me for the past 3 years. Wild.

[@ch4rm3in]

I am also with the spiral sketchbook squad

[@alex-xf2jf]

Some people dont like them but they're honestly the best type if you clip them so the pages dont rub together.

[@ArtKitty53]

in my sketchbooks i sketch on one side because i always like how pencil looks but i had the same feeling of emptiness on the unused side. So my solution was to glue in some mix media or watercolor paper and do a finished illustrations! really easy and fun to do, and im getting painting practice in it too!

[@siriusteking9755]

I have been using diffrent kind of sketch books, never found one that i liked till last year when my friend got me a sketchbook, and I just really love it, its just easier for me to ues

[@ch4lk250]

I love the those tree drawings! So beautiful!

[@EmilyArts]

Your absolutely killing it jel!! These videos are awesome! I've learnt so much so thank you!! :D

[@mady8846]

Omg this video was so useful, especially the hairspray hack. Thank u!

[@sherlockoberon_akomi9781]

Woah! I just... Wow. You're vids are amazing!! 🐺💗

[@JelArts]

+RedAnimationWolf Thank you!! 💕💕

[@yourfatherhasarrived8748]

Ok but honestly these sketchbook tours are great Idk why I like yours more than others, it's also very helpful

[@JelArts]

+Fearless Hunter Ahh that means a lot, thank you!!

[@hallegonzales6269]

I've completed two so far and looking forward to using this info for my next.

[@gaba_kp]

I just got some sketchbooks I love drawing in and your videos are very helpful 💕

[@Dragondude2525]

True. They don’t have to be expensive but if you’re into drawing with alcohol markers, Rendr is the way to go!

[@amelka47]

I'm using Daler Rowney fixative on both sides of pencil drawings on my W&N sketchbook don't smudge, it protects the pigments very well:) Great video by the way!

[@ashlynnmiller5733]

So I decided to do a count of how many times you said sketchbook in the entire video but I counted 10 within the first 50 secs and I think I'm good

[@TheInkyKoiStudio]

This video is so aesthetically pleasing, I also love sketchbooks! You’re super inspiring :)

[@KillerTacos54]

I love watching videos about sketchbook. Thanks a bunch for this one

[@JelArts]

+KillerTacos - TheEvolutionryGamer You're very welcome 👍

[@abigailhyde2697]

New Sub :D I love your art style and especially those watercolours of trees that you showed. I am really looking forward to learning from you.

[@Burnteh]

if you don't have a spray fixative you can cover the page in a wide clear tape (like packing tape)! it's not ideal for finished pieces but i often do it for studies and model drawings and such that i've done in charcoal

[@leealex5976]

The workable spray fixatif by Krylon (1306) is really great! It locks in the heaviest amount of graphite!

[@Biancainez]

You could always glue Bristol bird or even just cardboard on the back of your soft paperback sketchbooks! Glue it down and then glue paper down on the front and fold it over on the corners with some glue that way you don’t have a messy edge and it won’t peel apart as fast. Also that way it’s nice and easy to draw on!

[@natamauli9944]

You have the power of calming people through the videos ! Great video

[@trishabesarra]

I love your art style it’s so pretty

[@govindgaira8454]

I liked the blue fishes! 😄 But the video inspired me to keep testing! Because it is not necessary that every drawing have to be perfect in a sketchbook! 😄😄 And yup thank you for the date idea, it's really amazing! 😆

[@tinybird2413]

I'm also a fan of spiral bound. I like the 5 x9" size so it fits in my purse! The giant problem with spiral bound is that the pages can shift around due to the looser binding so smudging, page bending and page tearing ends up being an issue. Something to help minimize this is to get a sleeve or elastic to hold the book firmly closed. Sometimes if the bleed through is really bad from markers, I will cover the back with post-it note paper and draw over that. makes a neat patch work effect that people think is fancy LOL

[@ginasartcorner5686]

Ah this is just realy relaxing :) Sketchbooks are great and I really enjoy your videos that you make for them!

[@fmaramen]

I love your videos they inspire me to stop being to scared to use my hoard of empty sketchbooks

[@morena9900]

I went to an art studio where we used a lot of pastels and we always used hair spray as a fixative and it always worked.

[@TheSamasi]

The forest scenes are so cute ❤️

[@quinnmcnulty4517]

I use the new vision sketch book and I'm loving it it's a 12 by 9 so pretty big. I am a graphite artist so not using graphite is not something I can do. But I have seen some people us watercolor to hold graphite to it's page and seems to work pretty well

[@vividlyvivacious]

I’m so happy that you took my suggestion in the last video to paint in real time! 😊 although I guess a lot of people may have been asking for one.... but I’m still really happy you took my suggestion! I’ve only been subscribed to you for a month or so but I can really tell that you really care about your subs and I really feel loved, thank you! Can’t wait for the next video and your absolutely positively amazing! EDIT: Can I ask where you got that small strathmore sketchbook you used for marker swatches? I’m looking for a somewhat small sketchbook and the one you used looks perfect! I live in Canada so sometimes Amazon doesn’t ship things to here.

[@sadcottonballdog]

I like to put clear tape over some of my heavily graphite covered drawings. Like for example, if there was a drawing of a plant that was colored in heavily with graphite, I would tape it up with clear tape. The rest don't have to be taped unless they are a smearing threat too XD

[@LacyMayArt]

Great ideas! I am a good way through my sketchbook. It's the first time I've really gotten pretty far into my sketchbook. I hope to finish it, I have never finished one before. 0:

[@axcealn]

About the spiral-bound or book-bound sketchbook thing, once when I had a book-bound sketchbook, the spine one day just all of a sudden stared ripping off. And the thing is it’s not like I really drew often in it, and I treated it pretty well, so idk what’s up with that. I guess some problems with a spiral-bound sketchbook is, if you get too close to the spirals it’s uncomfortable to draw. But in the end, I still would say I like the spiral-bound sketchbooks more.

[@OhNoItsExpiredMilk]

I recomend all artist that use markers use Shitajikis they are very useful I think amazon sell them they are a long piece of plastic you can put behind the paper to avoid any accidents or if u prefer drawing on really hard surface u can use it too also if u have a heavy hand and press on the paper too hard and itll show on the back I highly suggest it

[@Ridia3D]

Thanks for the tips! :D It's so calming and fun!

[@Ilsezwarts]

I decorate my hardcover sketchbooks all the time!! you're making it sound as if you can only do that with soft cover,

[@kalel311superman9]

I always put s date on my drawings and i use both sides of the paper, skipping pages seems strange to me, but that is just me someone else might feel different.

[@izzy7824]

i've literally watched this about 10 times and i love it so much💗

[@YKSNİNEFENDİSİ]

I bought clairefontaine cray'on is this good?

[@robertenglish4947]

An excellent video, thank you! Keep up the good work!

[@user-rj1px2ll4m]

You helped me sooo much much in my never ending art journey

[@JelArts]

+vampire queen I'm happy to help 👍

[@venuso6260]

I've watched this so many times lol I love your channel ♥

[@Slinky100]

The size I like is 8 x 5 but I’m JUST getting into scketchbooks. Since I already have a display drawing tablet. (Which is the Huion Kamvas pro 13) and it’s active drawing area is 11.54 inches. And I didn’t really want a very small or big scketching book. So I chose a 8 x 5 inch 60 pound scketchbook.

[@billybelafonte7364]

0:53 mm. I really love Blick's hardbound sketchbook 8 1/2" x 5 1/2"

[@lonli786]

this may be late BUT i dont put the date on the front of my sketchbook but at the page i draw at or at the back of the page i draw on if it covers the complete page.

[@martearty922]

This is a really nice and helpful video! Thanks❤

[@jessondesign]

Your videos inspire me to keep making videos and art, thank you (:

[@viechaya9983]

I love your art style

[@nefertitimontoya]

My personal favourite is case binding, soft cover, passport-8.5x5.5" size. I tend to prefer cheaper paper (daler rowney simply and a dollarama have been my favourite). I've been collecting for years but started actually filling last year, and have since filled 12.5

[@coralsdog3436]

I have a tip! sometimes I test out drawing and shading color pencils and I put water on a brush and go over it and let it draw its so smooth! I use the tip alot

[@-lost-6487]

In my sketch book, when I finish a picture I put the date in the corner or the top of it and on the bottom of the day I put my age of when I drew it

[@djinn.n]

For the bleeding problem, I take a piece of thicker paper (like construction paper ect. does not have to be expensive) and put it between the paper I’m drawing on and the page under it and it helps soak up / prevent the extra medium from going onto the next page. However, this will ruin the back of the page you are using but it would’ve already been ruined had I not been doing this anyway.

[@rayac578]

I love small moleskine, but I use a lot of the canson mixed media

[@TwoTailedSponge]

I have an idea, if you want to use both sides of each page, but have "bleed through" on one page, use post it notes or small card stock paper sheets, scribble on those, and tape them on the back of each sheet.

[@JelArts]

This is a good tip!

[@zainabjafri887]

You can also watercolor over your granite drawing to seal it in

[@banterisk]

I think that the Canson sketchbook works pretty well but there’s a few sketchbooks that I really like (I can’t remember their brands rn) and they are small enough to fit in my purse

[@breewest118]

I do the same thing! everyone is this brand or that brand!.... I'm like, this paper feels good. Haha and I can't decide between spiral or book bound eather. keep up the good work

[@KatrinaStigers]

For graphit and charcoal I cute a price of tracing paper to fit and tape it on one side of the page, then if pages rub it rubs the tracing paper not the drawing, contains the graphite to that page, and you can just flip it up when you want to look through your sketches

[@waywardgirl34]

Goah Jel soooo good love you alot! In a point youre videos are SO useful :D Tysm!

[@JelArts]

Estere Skrule Thanks, that means a lot! I'm so glad you enjoy my videos 💕

[@waywardgirl34]

JelArts But It's Sooo true ily alot and you're videos!

[@waywardgirl34]

JelArts You should make more amazing videos like these they help me alot! I even got out of artblock! Tysm! You're Videos Are awesome.

[@makarm369]

It's great video😍😍❤❤should I watched it over and over😁😁 .... hmm I'm like u when in using 10$ sketch just 4 practice it's really helps ^^

[@JelArts]

yeah $10 usually gets you a pretty decent sketchbook. I'm pretty sure the Canson XL mix media ones are under $10. I got mine for $7 (CAD).

[@bippersquipper5878]

Please learn grammar

[@rox3893]

You don't even have the correct sentence grammar either. No period uh kind of throwing stones at glass houses there.