Sketchbooks are wonderful things. They’re a place to let your imagination roam free and a space to switch off from the world while building your creative skills.

That works perfectly when your setup is static, tucked into one dedicated space. But the moment you want to sketch on the train, head to your local park, or take your creativity on the go, keeping all your supplies in one place can quickly become a challenge.

Well, not anymore!

Introducing Artgecko Book Bands! These are an easy, practical solution designed for artists who want to create anytime, anywhere. These elastic sketchbook bands feature three secure loops and slip effortlessly on and off your sketchbook. They stretch to accommodate expanding pages, while also keeping loose sheets neatly tucked inside.

That moment when you finish a sketchbook brings a mix of emotions. Delight, relief, excitement, inspiration… and then a little dread. Questions start racing through your mind:

"What will go in my next sketchbook?"
"Which media should I choose?"
And most importantly… "what size and format should I pick?"

After a quick online search, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Conflicting advice, endless sketchbook brands, and format debates make choosing your next book, way harder than it needs to be. That’s why we’ve put together this guide! Created to explore why thinking outside the rectangle and going for square as your next sketchbook, could be the creative refresh you didn’t know you needed.

All artists know that the foundation of a brilliant masterpiece is good-quality materials. While the saying goes “a bad workman blames his tools”, the reality is that poor art supplies can genuinely hinder your practice. From coloured pencils that snap every 15 minutes to markers that bleed across the page instead of blending, we feel your pain.

With so many options available, finding the right supplies for your work can be a lengthy and frustrating process. That’s why we’ve pulled together this handy guide, breaking down each of our paper types to help you find the right grade and texture for your art style. It should also make choosing the best sketchbook for your needs a whole lot easier.

Get creative this Christmas with the Artgecko Flashy A4 sketchbook. This bright, colourful hardback drawing sketchbook has premium 150gsm cartridge paper. It is perfect for festive doodles, gift ideas, and cosy winter sketching. Discover simple seasonal projects and see why FLASHY is the ultimate sketchbook for December creativity.

Rethinking “Eco Friendly” in Art

When many artists see the term “eco friendly,” they think of flimsy papers, muted colours, or sketchbooks that won’t survive serious experimentation. The idea that sustainability equals lower quality is a complete myth, however that’s easy to dispel.

Eco conscious choices don’t limit your creativity, they expand it. Subtle variations in recycled paper, tiny flecks in pages, or repurposed materials can turn even familiar media into something new and unexpected.

The key is mindset: sustainability encourages you to see materials differently, experiment more, and engage creatively with what’s at hand.

Think you’re too busy to sketch every day? Think again! Building a daily sketching habit doesn’t mean hours of work - just a few minutes with your favourite sketchbook. Whether it’s quick doodles in your A5 travel sketchbook or bold ideas in your A3 all media book, those small moments add up to big creative growth.

Take a read of this blog for our tips, tricks and more on getting into the routine of a daily sketching habit and up your creative skills.

One of the most common problems artists face when using a sketchbook is paint and ink bleed. You finally create a bold, colourful page - only to turn the sheet and find the pigment has seeped right through. Whether you’re working in a pro sketchbook or an A4 sketchbook, bleed-through is one of the biggest frustrations in creative work.

The good news? With the right paper, tools, and techniques, you can stop paint bleed in your sketchbook and keep your artwork looking clean and professional.