Hello! It’s Chou-Tac.
Last night, I was at Panam, a French pub in Ho Chi Minh City run by my Franco-Viet friends Khiem and Remy. As always, I brought my sketchbook and my Pilot pen with me. While the crowd was singing karaoke, I was quietly doodling a sneaker.
Drawing in a lively place is never easy. My right hand was shaking, and I couldn’t turn my paper, which I find essential for faster and more precise sketching. Despite that, I enjoyed sketching with a loose hand—something I always recommend.
The Problem with Expensive Sketchbooks
Many beginners buy beautiful sketchbooks with thick, quality paper and fancy covers. But when they open them at home, they often feel paralyzed to sketch—afraid to spoil the pristine pages. This fear might even stop them from sketching for years.
What Makes a Good Sketchbook?
A good sketchbook isn’t defined by how much it costs. It’s one you feel proud to carry everywhere and, more importantly, one you’re not afraid to make mistakes in.
Your sketchbook should be like your best friend, a place where you can freely express your best and worst sketches without fear.
My Favorite Sketchbook Setup
I use a sketchbook with a soft leather cover I bought in Thailand. It’s flexible and durable. The pages are detachable with rings, so I can reorganize or remove sheets easily. The rings can be annoying for drawing on the left page if you’re right-handed, but overall, it’s very convenient.
Try different sketchbooks to see what fits you best. The key is to not be precious about your sketches.
Your sketches—good or bad—are part of your creative process. Let go of perfectionism, and watch your skills grow naturally.
Cheers,
Chou-Tac
If you want to be among the first one to join us, send me an email at choutac@thedesignsketchbook.com :)
PPS: I show you also below the screenshot on how I draw the Adidas shoe.
[…] Can lead to over-editing and hesitation […]