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We have covered an article in the past about artists’ sketchbooks. If you are preparing for art college admissions, it becomes all the more crucial that you keep a sketchbook, and make this practice a constant. For it is something very easy and convenient to do at home without a lot of hassle or prepping, yet at the same time something that keeps your creative flow going.

<student sketchbook example>

We have already talked about this multiple times, but some art schools, like CalArts, Cooper Union, and many more, ask the applicants to submit their actual, physical “sketchbooks,” or examples of sketchbooks as part of their application requirements.

Mix a bunch of materials that you wanted to play with, and start making random sketches, layer one on top of another, and have fun. We make it sound free and open-ended, because your sketchbook actually can be just that.

<student sketchbook example; mixed media>

Even when optional or not asked, it is always a great idea to include your sketchbook pages to show your thought process, what you think in daily life, and how you draw and think.

<student sketchbook example; accepted to SVA/Pratt/Ringling/more>

Study colors and mediums. The best way to practice painting is just doing it 🙂

Remember, your sketchbook doesn’t have to be complex or time-consuming (unless you want that!), nor technically superlative.

You can have your sister or family member model for you, make continuous gestural drawings, for example.

It is all about honesty, having fun, experimenting, and really just letting out anything that you have to in your mind. Less thinking, more doing, especially if you are still afraid if you are “good enough,” because as cliched as it is, there is no good or bad in keeping your sketchbooks! So go frenzy with it as much as you’d like.