A sketchbook is everything, man.
Mine carries comic ideas, character sketches, teaching schedules, reminders, scraps of paper, and things I write down because I know damn well I’ll forget them otherwise. Somewhere in there, a vampire cheerleader might show up. That’s how it goes.
In this video, I walk you through how I prep a new pocket sketchbook, from fixing up the cover to laying out the month ahead. You’ll also get a look inside some older books and see how this little system helps me keep making things while life keeps happening.
Watch the video and get your own sketchbook out. You can set yours up while I work on mine.
I like these small, simple books because they fit in my pocket. When an idea hits, I have somewhere to put it. A scene for FUGLY, something for VIGIL, a note for Dragonbreath, or a drawing that doesn’t belong anywhere yet—it all gets a home.
The pages are full of experiments. Sometimes I’m figuring out a pose. Sometimes I’m writing a few words that might become a story. Sometimes I’m just messing around long enough to discover something worth keeping.
Here’s how I get a fresh one ready:
Fix up the cover. I cover the cardboard with adhesive labels to give myself a smoother drawing surface, then add my own artwork. Clear packing tape helps protect it from the abuse of being carried around all month.
Make room for loose stuff. A pocket in the back holds business cards, receipts, tickets, and whatever else needs to come along.
Keep useful notes handy. Schedules and sticky notes move over from the previous book when I still need them.
Draw out the weeks. I make a simple grid with seven days and a space for notes. A ruler, a marker, and a little patience get it done.
Add some color. Green is for money-related things, orange is for FWACATA and creative work, and pink is for school. It helps me see what’s happening at a glance.
Then comes the part that keeps the work moving: PAD—Panel a Day.
Getting to the drawing board for twenty minutes and finishing a panel adds up. Some days, that little check mark represents a sketch, a scene written, or progress on another project. I want a record that I showed up and did something.
Crossing things off helps, too. There’s a small satisfaction in looking at a page and seeing evidence that you got your shit done.
Lately, I’ve been working with one month, one book. When I flip back through it, I can see what I was making, what needed my attention, and where my head was. I keep the old ones because there are still ideas in those pages waiting for another chance.
Some of those drawings also find their way into ART TO THE FACE, my monthly sketchbook zine. This video lets you see where that material starts.
And sorry about the abrupt ending! The camera got hot and cut off while I was working on the cover. Apparently, it had reached its creative limit before I had.
If you enjoy seeing how the comics, drawings, and odd little ideas come together, subscribe to FWACATA here on Substack. Follow along for comics, art, writing, videos, and more time at the drawing table. A paid subscription helps support the work and keeps me making more of it.
Tell me in the comments: what goes into your sketchbook—and would you like more live drawing sessions?
Now grab a little book and put something in it.
