How to Fill a Sketchbook Page

In this video, I share how I fill up a sketchbook page. This process is the foundation of what I do as an illustrator. It's a great way to practice drawing, figure out your artistic style and generate lots of ideas. It's also a helpful method to break free of artist block, allowing you to freely explore your ideas without the pressure of making a "perfect" sketchbook page or "good" drawings.

As you'll see in the video, I like to draw cartoony characters and random doodles, but this process can be replicated with whatever you like to draw. I encourage you to try it out and let me know what you think!
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10 Step Process
0:00 Intro
0:38 1: Start in the middle
1:04 2: Then draw something next to the first thing
1:20 3: Don’t worry if one of the things you draw is bad
1:43 4: Just draw the next thing…
2:03 5. …and the next
2:19 6. Just keep drawing
2:38 7. Fill in the gaps
2:44 8. Each drawing is a reaction to the space around it
3:39 9. When in doubt, draw a wizard
4:24 10. Finish the page
5:36 You filled the page!
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Email: gregkletsel at gmail dot com
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Music by J Rizzy Gets Busy and Kevin MacLeod

[hellowless]

I just discovered you through the zines video and I already adore you. In a social-media world full of burned-out, profit-oriented artists you really know how to bring the fun back to the arts! Also incredibly helpful tips <333

[piampoo]

greg, your videos are FANTASTIC!! i just now discovered you but this channel has serious potential! the inspiration and positive vibes, im all here for it!! really hope you come back some day dude.

[AtomicRakshasi]

You don't have that many videos but each one of them is incredibly useful and doable! You're an excellent teacher.

[eelhum]

just binged all your videos first thing in the morning and I am itching to draw!! Thank you so much for everything you share!

[darkobingus]

This is so cool! I’m a motion graphics artist who just started contracting full time and I find this really entertaining, I can apply this thought process to character sketches before I model them. Love your art, would be cool to see new content🙏🏽

[dirkvoltaar]

Come on back Greg! Just discovered your channel. Feeling inspired!

[TheBearEdits]

Wish you'd come back with more vids, love revisitng the few you have though!

[newflanged_]

Hey Greg! When I read the title I thought: well, this is more of a “look what I draw” video than anything else, but this is packed with great pieces of advice in just 6 minutes! I love that you truly use the sketchbook as a place to materialize ideas and then work further on the best ones! It’s also very true that when in doubt the best thing is sticking to what we love drawing and for me those are usually floating heads, flowers, 🧳 suitcases and random food! 🌝
Big hug
Ben

[Goldiewashere]

THIS video is what we've all been waiting for! (well at least I have)

[morpheium]

I’ve always wondered how people do this so easily! This helps a lot will try!!

[drendelous]

Greg, I need more of you in my life. Come back to youtube

[happynaturalist]

I also found you through zine vids! YOU actually introduced me to zines this month, and I’ve already made and started distributing my first one.

I didn’t know what to expect from this video, and I certainly didn’t expect SO much good information presented in such a playful way. Thank you for sharing your perspective and expertise with us.

[ckvs]

Hey Greg! this exercise is great! I always started my drawings on the top left. But thanks to you, I now know that the composition is much better starting with a first drawing through the center. I really like to see how each drawing works on its own and together at the same time ... I already want to see your next video.

[hanh]

your videos are really good and inspiring! wish u upload more! u don't have to upload on a schedule, really great to hear ur thoughts on creating stuff every now and then

[ashleychang]

I love the content and i love how he is like just draw the next thing that fit in and improvise something amazing

[florarose]

The page is so aesthetically pleasing ! Love you layout of it, I will do it ! Thanks Greg !

[bughangout]

love your art style ur insanely creative!

[sofi-pnno]

I just want to thank you for all the videos you have made, they are helping me much for improve my illustration skills. Also you have become a very inspirational illustrator to me. Thanks again for join YouTube And let us see some of all your knowledge !! You have to made more videos please!! :)

[sandyh.]

I came across Mikkeller while in japan a couple months ago and fell in love with the illustrations for their beers. I cant get it where i live, which is disappointing since i liked the ipa a lot. I only picked it up because of the art on the can. Saw your shirt and got excited to see it!
I have one mikkeller sticker i got from japan only the 1 craft beer place i could find, and slapped it on my sketchbook when i saw your sketchbook tour. Small world! Great video!

[zainlead]

you are a underrated artist. Your videos are really valuable, short concise & gives alot easy, simple tips & tricks to apply.
I just founded you yestarday on insta and you have become one of my inspiration.
respect from Pakistan