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.

If you've ever tried watercolour on standard paper you’ll know the frustration; paint pooling in strange places, colours drying flat, and pages buckling before you’ve even finished your first wash. It’s easy to blame your technique, but more often than not, it’s the paper. Watercolour isn’t just about paint and brushes - the surface you work on plays a huge role in how everything behaves. And once you experience the difference, it’s hard to go back.

If you're dipping your toes into watercolour painting, you're in for a treat! Watercolour is one of the most forgiving and fun media types to play with colour. This guide is packed with beginner tips to help you master the basics, all while working in a great watercolour sketchbook.

Painting with acrylics can be a fun and hugely creative process for a wide range of artists of all levels and skill sets. The medium supports textural and colour exploration, and it is also a great way to experiment and learn more as you go.

When starting with acrylics, we always recommend focusing on which paper or surface the paint will be applied to. In fact, in our previous blog post, we go into detail about this, so if you'd like to learn more, you can read that here. In short though, high quality acid free cartridge paper is a great starting point. The higher the gsm, the better - 240 gsm textured acrylic paper or 300 gsm smooth papers are brilliant for this media.

But what about when it comes to putting paint to paper? Well, in this blog, we share our top ten acrylic techniques that you can try, to build upon your acrylic skill set. So without further ado, lets get into it!

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.

Christmas has a way of sneaking up on us. One minute it’s September, the next you’re knee deep in wrapping paper, half written lists, and a calendar full of social plans. It’s brilliant, but it’s a lot. This is exactly why, every year, more people reach for a sketchbook, some craft supplies, or even a fresh A4 sketchbook as a way to slow down and make the season feel a little more thoughtful.

Read on to find some inspiration to get creative this Christmas whilst balancing the busy times of the season.

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.