This sketchbook sat untouched for years!

This fancy Etchr accordion sketchbook sat on my shelf for years before I finally picked it up. The 100% cotton paper, the beautiful cover and the box it came in made me way too precious about it. And the accordion format alone can feel pretty intimidating. But in between adventures, I finally took it out of its box so I could fill it.

It turned out to be so much more fun (and way less scary) than I thought!
I treated it like I treat all my sketchbooks: as a book for playing. I did play with the idea of repeating a color/material throughout the whole book, for cohesion. But that would make it too much of a project and I didn't want to take any of the freedom away. Maybe I'll do it in a next (accordion) sketchbook, because I do think there's great creativity in restriction. I tried out all sorts of materials and drew on the go, in cafes, at home and with friends. There are quick drawings I’m not crazy about, and there are moments I captured more successfully. Just like in any other sketchbook.

click the image to watch the video

Sketchbook shown: Etchr accordion sketchbook, size A6, 100% cotton, hot press

What’s the worst that could happen?

It was a bit sad to see that book sitting unused on my shelf every time.
If you have any sketchbbooks on the shelf that just feel too precious to use, let's ask this question: what’s the worst that could happen if you pick up that one sketchbook you’ve been dreading? Maybe a few drawings you don’t love. But you’re drawing, experimenting, playing and learning along the way. Bad drawings, good drawings, they’re all better than an empty sketchbook that's left out!
It’s just a stack of paper waiting for your creativity, and whatever you fill it with, it will become a happy, unique sketchbook that’s completely yours.

If you want a regular sketchbook practice and more confidence filling page after page, you might be interested in my online program launching soon. It’s inspired by my book Life is Better When You Draw It and you can follow it at your own pace, in your own space. I can email you as soon as I have news about it. Sign up for the interest list.

If you don’t have the book yet, get your copy here.