Sketchbook Tools (And Tips) To Overcome Creative Block

Learn how to use paint markers and other simple materials to find fresh ideas and fill a blank sketchbook with bold patterns

Finding yourself creatively blocked can be daunting. Whether it’s burnout, an emotional barrier, or impostor syndrome, many things can make us dread the blank page.

That’s where a personal sketchbook comes in. Polina Oshu (@polinaoshu) is an artist and surface pattern designer, and here she shares tools and techniques that will unlock your creative flow. Learn how botanical patterns helped Polina create a unique style, which exact pens and sketchbooks can help you experiment, and her three key pieces of advice to overcome fear.

Unblock creativity with pattern

Polina loves creating floral patterns especially, which she has used in projects for textile, paper, books, packaging—even knitting and embroidery! Her sketchbook is a place of total relaxation, where she freely paints vibrant botanicals and abstract motifs…and her 136k Instagram followers certainly appreciate the sheer variety and volume she creates!

Working in a sketchbook without pressure means allowing things to go wrong, permitting your childlike imagination to re-emerge, and letting go of expectations.

Plants and flowers are the subject Polina most often engages with, as there’s a wealth of reference material online and outdoors. Plants can grow in unexpected ways and create unique shapes. Exploring repetitive patterns can free our minds up to feel more relaxed and meditative.

If you’re ready to start filling your own sketchbook with bold designs, read on for everything you will need.

Which materials and tools will help me conquer the blank page?

There are only a few materials you need to get started—perfect for a low-effort warm-up or a chilled creative session on a quiet day.

You’ll need…

1. A new sketchbook, or one with lots of pages to spare.

2. Your drawing tool, in Polina’s case Posca paint markers (but you could use paint, collage, pencils).

3. Colored paper to use in backgrounds or collages.

4. Scissors.

5. Glue.

What are paint markers?

These are the most distinctive items in Polina’s toolkit. The Posca pen by Uni is a water-based marker that uses a highly pigmented acrylic ink. They come with a variety of nibs including chisels and brush tips, and there are currently fifty-five colors in the range.

They work on most surfaces and are weather-resistant, so Posca pen art appears everywhere, from graffiti to ceramics to humble paper.

Polina’s top tip is to always shake your marker for a few seconds with the cap on before starting, to evenly distribute the ink inside!

What makes paint markers perfect for sketchbooking?

Polina explains that Posca pens are an ideal tool for unblocking your fear of the blank page, for several reasons. Firstly, you can easily cover one layer with another, as the pens dry opaque. They also dry very quickly, so are perfect for experimenting and layering up—and you can cover mistakes, so the pressure is off.

Additionally, the thin nylon nibs are great for adding detail as well as filling out wider areas, and the pens have no strong smell compared with oil-based markers.

Which sketchbook should I use?

Polina recommends a few brands in her course and on her Instagram.

1. Moleskine (plain notebook with 70 gsm paper, which is quite thin).

2. Leuchtturm 1917 (with 70 gsm).

3. 1canoe2 (with 160 gsm).

4. Mossery (very thick, perfect for mixed media work).

In all cases, a small format is better because it means you can complete your illustrations more easily, and feel more motivated to create one every day. Watch out for smooth paper types, which are what you want for Posca pens—they can have a rough nib which could damage the upper layers of more textured or delicate paper types.

What are some tips I can use to overcome fear?

There is no Ctrl+Z in real life, but imperfections are essential to experimentation and growth as an artist. Sketchbooks exist for you to explore and make mistakes. If you’re still nervous, here are some final thoughts from Polina to calm that inner critic.

1. Don’t be afraid to spoil pages

Think about your emotions: nobody is happy all the time—we're often sad or angry. In the same way, your sketchbook won’t always be perfect. You’ll have good and bad days, and that’s normal.

2. Have a special sketchbook for your “ugly” work

Especially when exploring your style for the first time, you might want a totally private space where you can draw mixtures of styles that you aren’t sure about, or don’t end up working together.

3. Cover over pages you don’t like with colored paper

Using a paper that still works with Posca pens, find a sheet that is larger than the spread in your sketchbook you wish to cover. Coat the spread in glue, then attach the colorful paper and close the sketchbook so it folds in the right place. Finally, cut all of the excess paper off. You now have a double spread in a new block color. You can conceal mistakes and also get inspired with a new kind of background with this method.

The next time you want to run a mile at the sight of a blank page, hopefully these materials and tips will help you get started! If you’re excited to explore nature through bold patterns in your sketchbook, check out Polina’s course, Botanical Patterns in a Sketchbook: Conquer the Blank Page. Then discover even more ideas with our full range of sketchbook courses.

You may also like:

- The Sketchbook: an Archive of Your Creative Processes
- Adding Watercolor to Your Sketchbook Drawings
- 12 Online Illustration Courses to Master Your Technique in 12 Months
- Exploratory Sketchbook: Find Your Drawing Style, course by Sarah van Dongen
- Illustrated Sketchbooking in Full Color, course by James Chapman