Here at Animation Apprentice we recommend that all our animation students keep a sketchbook.
For animators, keeping a sketchbook is more than just a pastime—it’s an important tool for growth and creativity.
Here’s why every animator should make drawing and scribbling in a sketchbook part of their daily practice:
Enhance Your Observational Skills
Animation thrives on bringing life to the smallest movements and expressions. By sketching real-world people, animals, and environments, animators sharpen their ability to observe and capture details, whether it’s a fleeting smile or the fluid motion of a bird in flight.
Improve Your Drawing Confidence
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| Fast sketches and gesture drawings help with key poses |
Regular sketching builds muscle memory and strengthens foundational skills. This confidence translates to quicker, more dynamic character designs and storyboards when working on professional projects.
Generate Ideas
A sketchbook serves as a personal vault for creative ideas. A simple doodle or character concept can inspire a whole sequence or even an entire film. It’s a space to explore without the constraints of client briefs or deadlines.
Develop Your Own Style
Experimentation is key to artistic growth. A sketchbook allows animators to test techniques, play with shapes, or exaggerate forms, helping them discover and refine their unique voice in animation.
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| life drawing – quick sketches |
Provides a Break from Screens
Animators spend long hours working digitally. A sketchbook offers a tactile, screen-free way to connect with their craft.
Build a Portfolio of Progress
Over time, a sketchbook becomes a visual diary of an animator’s growth. It showcases the evolution of their skills and can even serve as a portfolio piece to demonstrate creative processes to studios or collaborators.
Tips for Animators Keeping a Sketchbook
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Sketch daily, even if it’s just for 10 minutes.
- Carry your sketchbook everywhere—you never know when inspiration will strike.
- Focus on movement—sketch actions, not just static poses, to hone animation-specific skills.
- Experiment—try different tools, perspectives, or subjects to keep things fresh.
