Why Animators Should Keep a Sketchbook

Alex Williams sketchbook 1989

Here at Animation Apprentice we recommend that all our 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

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 a Unique 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.

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

• 
  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.

To find out more about Animation Apprentice, click here for a link to Frequently Asked Questions. To sign up for our next classroom at Animation Apprentice, follow this link.