Common Sketchbook Questions Answered
Sketchbooks are used for coursework; to record ideas and develop them before a final piece.
A spiral bound book is the least expensive yet most practical method as you can fold the previous pages to lean on them. Additionally, the front cover can have any design you want since it won't affect your grade at all.
A spiral bound book is the least expensive yet most practical method as you can fold the previous pages to lean on them. Additionally, the front cover can have any design you want since it won't affect your grade at all.
What colour should my sketchbook be?
Most sketchbooks are white/ cream coloured which makes each piece of art stand out clearly. Some people prefer more sophiticated black paper as it complements photography sections well. However, they may need to write in expensive tipex or gel pens or the font wont be visible, although this can be overcome by sticking in white sheets of lined paper wherever necessary. Try to avoid any other colour as the paper could affect the colour of your work: if you have red paper and paint over it with yellow, you will get an orange piece.
Most sketchbooks are white/ cream coloured which makes each piece of art stand out clearly. Some people prefer more sophiticated black paper as it complements photography sections well. However, they may need to write in expensive tipex or gel pens or the font wont be visible, although this can be overcome by sticking in white sheets of lined paper wherever necessary. Try to avoid any other colour as the paper could affect the colour of your work: if you have red paper and paint over it with yellow, you will get an orange piece.
What quality should my sketchbook be?
Your school might supply sketchbooks. If not, go to a local art shop or look online until you find a good value sketchbook. A high quality heavy paper called cartridge paper is suitable for drawing on and is commonly used at GCSE level or higher. Most professional sketchbooks bought from an art shop or even online will be cartridge paper anyway so don't go out of your way to find a specific type of paper. It should be acid free so your work wont fade over time. If you are making your own sketchbook, a teacher should supply you with cartridge paper or something they think is suitable for your medium of recording. Try to avoid 'normal' paper (16 weight paper) as it is flimsy and low quality.
Your school might supply sketchbooks. If not, go to a local art shop or look online until you find a good value sketchbook. A high quality heavy paper called cartridge paper is suitable for drawing on and is commonly used at GCSE level or higher. Most professional sketchbooks bought from an art shop or even online will be cartridge paper anyway so don't go out of your way to find a specific type of paper. It should be acid free so your work wont fade over time. If you are making your own sketchbook, a teacher should supply you with cartridge paper or something they think is suitable for your medium of recording. Try to avoid 'normal' paper (16 weight paper) as it is flimsy and low quality.
What size and shape should my sketchbook be?
If you like small sketches and a lot of detail, it might be easier to get an A4 book as you might find the thought of filling an A3 book daunting. However, if you like big and bold statements, an A4 book may seem to restricting. If you use an A4 sketchbook, you will still have to the same amount of work as anyone else, either by drawing smaller or just filling in more pages.
You could use a separate sketchbook for each project or save paper and continue using one until you reach the end. If you choose the latter, make sure to have a clear title page so the examiners know which project they're marking. To vary the style of your work, you could use a separate sketchbook for each project in a different size or colour until you find one that works for you.
Additionally, you could make your own sketchbook by working on paper and binding the sheets together at the end of your project. This would allow you to use various textured surfaces and colours, not just the traditional white or black paper.
REMEMBER, you can work in a sketchbook and still hand in separate sheets of paper or 3D objects alongside it. However, some people might work on sheets of paper and pin them or stick them to a large A1 PDF board to avoid restrictions of size altogether.
Most people prefer their sketchbooks Portrait but you can turn it Landscape any time if it will suit certain pieces of work better.
Only use A5 for a Creative Journey and for refining small, detailed sketches.
If you like small sketches and a lot of detail, it might be easier to get an A4 book as you might find the thought of filling an A3 book daunting. However, if you like big and bold statements, an A4 book may seem to restricting. If you use an A4 sketchbook, you will still have to the same amount of work as anyone else, either by drawing smaller or just filling in more pages.
You could use a separate sketchbook for each project or save paper and continue using one until you reach the end. If you choose the latter, make sure to have a clear title page so the examiners know which project they're marking. To vary the style of your work, you could use a separate sketchbook for each project in a different size or colour until you find one that works for you.
Additionally, you could make your own sketchbook by working on paper and binding the sheets together at the end of your project. This would allow you to use various textured surfaces and colours, not just the traditional white or black paper.
REMEMBER, you can work in a sketchbook and still hand in separate sheets of paper or 3D objects alongside it. However, some people might work on sheets of paper and pin them or stick them to a large A1 PDF board to avoid restrictions of size altogether.
Most people prefer their sketchbooks Portrait but you can turn it Landscape any time if it will suit certain pieces of work better.
Only use A5 for a Creative Journey and for refining small, detailed sketches.
Where can I purchase a sketchbook?
Most Art students have A3 Sketchbooks offered to them at school for a lower price than can be found on the high street at the end of the year before the GCSE period starts. They can also be bought from Amazon or E Bay. Good quality Art products can be found at The Works:
Most Art students have A3 Sketchbooks offered to them at school for a lower price than can be found on the high street at the end of the year before the GCSE period starts. They can also be bought from Amazon or E Bay. Good quality Art products can be found at The Works: