Why You Don’t Need a Sketchbook to Be an Artist
If you’ve spent time in the art community online, you’ve probably heard the idea that keeping a sketchbook is essential for improving as an artist.
While sketchbooks can be a great tool, I’m here to tell you—it’s okay if they don’t work for you. They don’t work for me, and that hasn’t stopped me from growing as an artist.
Why sketchbooks don’t work for me
As much as they’re celebrated in the art world, sketchbooks just haven’t been a part of my process.
A different medium doesn’t feel right.
I’m mostly a digital artist, and my iPad is where I feel most comfortable.
Paper, for me, is a completely different medium, and I just don’t draw as well on it.
This makes sketching in a sketchbook frustrating because I lack the precision I have on my iPad. The process also feels slower, and it often doesn’t turn out how I want it to, which just feels discouraging.
I love creating finished pieces, not studies.
For me, art is all about the joy of creating something complete. I want to share my work with others, and that finished piece brings me a sense of accomplishment and dopamine.
I tend to focus on drawing characters and whole illustrations, which means I want to skip the drafts and go straight to the final artwork.
A sketchbook feels like a chore and a barrier to that, rather than an exciting step in the creative process.
The benefits of sketchbooks—and why they still aren’t essential
Now, there are definitely good reasons to use a sketchbook, especially for practicing anatomy, gesture drawing, or experimenting without pressure.
You might improve certain skills faster if you dedicate time to sketching repeatedly in a single session.
But here’s the truth: the only way to improve in art is to draw, and your process doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.
You don’t have to follow traditional advice to see growth—you just have to keep creating in whatever way motivates you.
Creative freedom in your process
One of the most freeing things I've realized is that there is no one “right” way to approach art.
It’s about finding what works for you, whether that’s skipping the sketchbook entirely, focusing on full illustrations, or experimenting with different tools.
You don’t need to follow what everyone else says you should be doing, as long as you’re enjoying your journey.
You can improve without a sketchbook
Even though I don't use a sketchbook, I’ve still managed to improve a lot as an artist.
It might take me a bit longer to work on certain aspects, but the important part is that I’m motivated and excited to keep drawing.
There’s no need to rush the process or force myself into a method that doesn’t bring me joy.
My improvement has come from drawing consistently and from enjoying the process, not from following a prescribed path.
The pressure of "following the rules"
It’s easy to feel pressured by all the advice online about what makes a “good” artist.
But what I’ve realized is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Some artists thrive with sketchbooks, others prefer digital tools or working straight to final pieces.
It’s important to embrace what works for you and not feel like you have to follow the “rules” to be a legitimate artist.
Art is about creativity, not conformity.
Your process is yours: Enjoy your journey
At the end of the day, what matters most is that you enjoy your art and the process behind it. Don’t let the noise of the internet or traditional advice distract you from your creative flow.
Whether you use a sketchbook, work digitally, or skip rough drafts altogether, the only thing that truly matters is that you enjoy creating art.
If you want to follow along with my creative journey, check out my social media profile @shadowbloom_art for updates, tips, and my latest projects.
Notice how my art style changes over time — those shifts often reflect the ways I adapt and explore new techniques in my process!
