Pretty Sketchy

I seem to be getting into many conversations lately on the merits of keeping a sketchbook. Almost everyone agrees they are a good idea, but surprisingly few actually do it. The excuse I hear most often from non-sketchers is “I can’t draw”. And now I’ll tell you what I told them:

Sketchbooks are not about being a good artist, they’re about being a good thinker.

Obviously, some people bring the practice of sketching to a higher art form, but to me it’s always been about visual brainstorming and record-keeping in a format with a ridiculously low barrier to entry. My drawings look like shit, but fidelity doesn’t matter as long as I can convey my ideas to others or to my future self.

We should revel in not caring how good or bad we are, and by knowing that our means for thinking has improved with each stroke of our pencils. The point is to keep doing, it’s how you get stuff done. And most certainly how you get better.

I’m trying to get myself into the habit of filling up a page or so a day. Sometimes this might just be a list of thoughts, other times it’s a drawing or bunch of thumbnails. I don’t care if practice makes me perfect, I’m happy if practice keeps me competent.

In the spirit of awareness, I’ve set up a Flickr group for this very purpose. Post one, and only one, spread/page from your sketchbook. It’s always fun to see how everyone else’s mind works.


73 Comments


Commenting is not available in this section entry.

On the Subject of Me

Jason Santa Maria is a graphic designer living and working in sunny Brooklyn, NY. More »


Recent Projects

  • They Might Be Giants
  • Typekit
All Projects »

A Book Apart

Responsive Web Design, by Ethan Marcotte. From A Book Apart.
“Insightful, witty and practical, Responsive Web Design points us in the direction of a new web.”
—Mark Boulton
Order »

Daily Photography

Gold Medal

With Support From


Recommended Reading

Eats, Shoots & Leaves coverEats, Shoots & Leaves
by Lynne Truss
All Books »

Search The Site


Oddities & Diversions

Design Is History

Design Is History, created as a teaching tool for young designers just beginning to explore graphic design and as a reference tool for all designers. Chock full of great info.

Education at FontShop

Education at FontShop, a great resource for tips, tricks, and type knowledge.

A List Apart: Issue 311

A List Apart: Issue 311, Start web design projects the right way. Learn when and how to say no. Articles by Whitney Hess and Kevin M. Hoffman.

Past Oddities & Diversions »

Happy Cog Hosting Powered by
Happy Cog Hosting