Sketchbooks are an interesting and personal place, it’s such an amazing way to improve and progress as an artist. This week on The Thriving Women Artists’ Podcast, Sarah, Ping, and Dorien discuss the benefits of working in a sketchbook, why they always have one with them, what you can use your sketchbook for, and how to start the habit of using one regularly. Make sure you follow @twapodcast on Instagram for a weekly drawing prompt.   KEY TAKEAWAYS If you’re using a sketchbook you don’t lose any of the work you’ve done. You can look back and see how you’ve improved or changed, or even find inspiration. A sketchbook is a playground where you can experiment. You don’t have to fill it with masterpieces. Sketchbooks help you formulate what’s in your mind and transfer it onto the page. It’s like the skeleton of your work. When you keep a sketchbook you notice the different moods you have when you’re working. You can look back and see how productive you were at one time or maybe you can see that you are suffering from a lack of inspiration. Get different sizes and different types of paper. You can have different books for different types of sketches. You can print off or design your own cover so you have a connection to it before you even start working with it.   BEST MOMENTS ‘It’s such an encouragement to look back and see the progress’ ‘Failure is allowed’ ‘How can I work though this in a way that I enjoy it and keep going’   ABOUT THE PODCAST A serious and fun podcast for female creatives hosted by Ping, Dorien and Sarah, three happy artists from Amsterdam.  This podcast will inspire you to make a living out of your art. We welcome you to be part of this community of like-minded people. www.thrivingwomenartists.com www.instagram.com/twapodcast    ABOUT THE HOSTS   Ping He Ping is a watercolor artist. Her work is inspired by nature and her motherhood experience. She develops her greeting cards brand and teaches Botanical Illustration courses online and offline. www.pinghe.art [email protected] www.instagram.com/pinghe.art   Sarah van Dongen Sarah is a children’s book illustrator and visual artist. She takes her sketchbooks and art supplies everywhere, which results in illustrations based on observation and daily life. www.sarahvandongen.com [email protected] www.instagram.com/sarahvandongenillustrations   Dorien Bellaar: Dorien is an illustration artist. Her work is mainly focused on illustration for children, editorial/food illustration, hand lettering, and she likes to combine those into both traditional and digital art. www.dorienbellaar.nl [email protected] www.instagram.com/dorienbellaar See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.