Sketchbook Joy: How to Embrace Your Creativity and Fill Your Sketchbooks with Colour

by Katie Moody

Creativity exists in everyone!

Find joy in this inspiring, beautiful and uplifting art instruction book from sketchbook lover, tutor and artist Katie Moody.

Art can be accessible, so much fun and positive for your mental health, mindfulness, and memory. Kickstart your creative journey with this exciting guide to developing your art skills every day through your sketchbook.

Even if you are sparkling brand new to art, Sketchbook Joy’s aspirational prompts will encourage you to unlock your creativity and fill your very own gorgeous sketchbook to cherish.

Learn how to paint through the accessible medium of fun gouache and explore the expressive joy of mixed media by drawing in pastels & pencils.

Be excited by unique examples and ideas from artist Katie Moody’s stunning illustrations, and explore:

• Essential sketchbook supplies and how to use them
• Basic painting and drawing techniques
• Colour theory
• Sketching things around you
• Projects that include botanicals, birds, rural landscapes, urban scenes, and painting from your window (or phone)
• Ideas and way of filling your sketchbook
• Tips for building a creative practice and making time for it – and you

Discover your inner creative, enjoy the process, and sketchbook your way to joyful wellbeing.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Crafts

160 pages, Paperback

First published March 4, 2025

Reviews

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous guide to using sketchbooks to capture your artistic creativity, with lots of easily followed tips. Loved it!

[LX · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a lovely read. The artwork of Katie Moody was also a delight to see when reading. There were so many tips and steps on what to do, what to try, new things, new mediums and step by steps that didn't seem or look daunting to try out. I am really pleased to have read this and also take note of a bunch of new methods to try and adapt to my own shoddy attempts at art and just overall sketching. It really gave me the urge to get creative!

[Mandy Kool · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a long time follower, fan, and supporter of Katie Moody. The title of this book fits so perfect with who she is as a person. Katie is a joy and her work and dedication to her craft speak for themselves.

I’ve had this book preordered since the day she announced it was available on Patreon, but I am so grateful to the publisher to get an Advanced E-Copy so I could drool over it before my copy arrives in March.

This book doesn’t disappoint. It’s filled with Katie’s thought processes, practices, suggestions, tutorials and all the ways she uses her sketchbook as a way to go through life. I’ve taken part in many of her challenges and followed along. Her concept of play is clear within these pages and you can feel her love for this book project radiating off every page.

This book is for the beginner and expert alike. That’s what I love so much about Katie’s approach. There is always something to learn, even if it is just to loosen up and explore the world around you in a sketchbook. I cannot recommend this book enough. If I could rate it higher than a 5, I would. That’s how valuable it is.

[Jessie (Saffity) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great one for those who are starting out their art journey. As a beginner I find I often fall to the same pitfalls talked about in this book, wanting perfection, things not going as well as I want or imagine. Katie helps you give yourself permission to just have fun with your art. Going through mediums, inspirations, beginning colour theory, she gives you everything you need to get you started with just making art. The projects at the end help give a starting point, walk you through a new technique, or just a group of ideas to look through if you find yourself stuck for what to sketch. A wonderful resource to help you fill up your sketchbooks. I read this e-book through NetGalley.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sketchbook Joy is a really accurate name for this book. It just feels so inherently positive and conversational, like I just learned to paint from a friend. This book contains so much great information about making art, from using color and selecting tools, to techniques for specific media and step-by-step tutorials. And it's all explained in a way that feels really encouraging and low pressure. Casually creating art is one of my favorite hobbies, but like many people, I often find myself intimidated, staring at a blank sketchbook page with no idea what to do with it. This book has so many fun ideas to get past that block and the best part is that every page is full of the author's own beautiful artwork. I highly recommend this book to anyone who's looking for a little sketchbook inspiration!


Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of inspiration, philosophy, and plenty of the author’s great art from her sketchbooks. This was a delight.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sketchbook Joy is the perfect title for Katie Moody's book! I first became familiar with Katie's work (are we on a first name basis? I feel like we should be!) when she taught a virtual class on drawing a landscape with mixed media and I've followed her on social media since. Her online presence is reflected in this book where she is supportive and encouraging while teaching and providing tips about using different media, playing with color and trying techniques to create art. I appreciated the process pictures to see how the work would unfold and, of course, it's just a beautiful book to flip through for inspiration. While some of the projects seem advanced and daunting, she takes you through each step so it's less intimidating and much more approachable. Ultimately it's about making marks and creating art and, as she emphasizes in her book, it's definitely art!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto for the opportunity to enjoy Katie's work in her e-arc.

[Araya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arc Review:
Overall Rating: 3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

A nice guide on how to use a sketchbook in the most artistic way possible, and it gives you lots of tips.

Thank you NetGalley

[notreallyacat · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a gorgeous book! If you picked up a copy for the illustrations alone, I wouldn't fault you. In fact, if (when? 🤞) Katie Moody releases an art book of some kind—whether that's literally just a compilation of her work or something more unique, like a children's book—I'll be first in line to snag a physical copy.

As it stands, I found the organization of the book a bit interesting. About half of the book (or at least a good thirty pages) is taken up by a breakdown of very simple sketchbook practicalities—how to pick out a sketchbook, what mediums to use, hue vs. saturation. This content was fascinating and as beautifully illustrated as the rest of the book, but ultimately, it ended up reading very "sketchbooks for beginners"—which was odd because other content felt much more advanced, and once the content transitioned into projects, many felt beyond the beginner level. I personally don't consider myself a beginner at all and still felt intimidated by a few!

WHO IS THIS BOOK GREAT FOR?
• Fans of Katie Moody, of course!
• Anyone who wants to admire the stunning art (get this in hard copy, folks!)
• Those who like step-by-step guides to completing specific art projects
• Someone looking for a "sketchbooks for beginners" sort of book but is ready to take on a challenge—this book will let you hit the ground running!

WHO ISN'T THIS BOOK GREAT FOR?
• Folks looking for some sort of nebulous "inspiration"—this isn't a book of prompts, though it has a few great pages of prompts at the very end
• Super experienced artists (unless you're willing to sit through some review)
• Total 100% newbie artists (unless you're okay feeling a little lost sometimes or letting yourself learn as you go—which, to be fair, is fun!)

Ultimately, this book wasn't at all what I expected from the description. But it was fun anyway! If it had been marketed differently and reorganized a bit, it would have been a sure five stars for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the temporary digital loan of this book! All opinions are, of course, my own.

[Jennyfer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have spent years battling with the ideal that I'm "not good enough" as an artist. I haven't used a sketchbook for ideas and swatching and ~playing~ with my art; rather I meticulously plan in my head before daring to commit that to paper.

Katie Moody's book "Sketchbook Joy" is designed to turn that thinking around, giving permission to play while creating a daily art practice, whether you have 5 minutes or 5 hours to draw. This book is full of inspiration and encouragement.

There is a lot of information in here about the different media to use when sketching - from paints to inks to pencils to pastels to markers to collages and much much more, and some out of the box techniques to get the most out of each. Whatever mediums call to you - use it!

The second half of the book is all about projects. Not how-to guides, but gentle suggestions to frame your work so as to create a book that brings you joy, whether it be a travel sketchbook, a visual journal, swatch collections, still life or botanical studies, urban scenes, landscapes, or even images from Google Maps!

There are prompts and inspirations, to help you through artists block, let go of perfectionism, and make a sketchbook that is uniquely ~you~.

~ Many thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~

[Sarah Guerra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katie Moody’s Sketchbook Joy is an absolute gem for anyone looking to dive into the world of creativity or rekindle their artistic spirit. As a new mom with a goal to create more this year, I’ve been searching for a way to ease back into my artistic hobbies, and this book couldn’t have come at a better time. It’s a gorgeous guide, thoughtfully designed to inspire and encourage both new and experienced artists alike.

Moody does a fantastic job of breaking down various art media and tools, making it an excellent companion for anyone studying art or simply exploring creative expression. The explanations are clear and approachable, providing a solid foundation for beginners while still offering fresh insights for seasoned artists.

The projects included in the book are another standout feature. They serve as wonderful jumping-off points for those who might feel intimidated by the blank pages of a new sketchbook. Moody’s prompts are both inspiring and practical, offering a gentle push to overcome creative blocks without overwhelming the reader.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book. It’s a book I’ll be returning to often as I embrace my creative journey this year.

[Royal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone can draw! Beginner friendly starter and well intentioned guide to sketching and art. Katie Moody starts off Sketchbook Joy with a brief intro to the world of art and delves a little into color theory, techniques, and tips for drawing, creating and imagining.

The illustrations and examples are really good. I also appreciate the encouraging and upbeat voice throughout the book and many options she presents help readers get started in learning to sketch and start a sketchbook. The latter half of the book has a lot of interesting project ideas and references. I think if you’ve ever taken an art class (even at a high school level), this book might be too basic but this is a great pickup for anyone trying a new creative hobby who has never dabbled in drawing (like me).

Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are independently my own.

[Nikki Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sketch artist Katie Moody had created this beautiful instruction book to help start you off on your sketchbook journey.

Upon finishing this, it has created a creative spark inside me, to return to doing art projects that fill me with joy.

This book shares many ideas of what you can try art wise, to find what is right for you, giving inspiration and help you find your style. There are endless options. It also suggests different types of sketchbooks and art mediums that you can use and teaches you how to mix colour and mix different media.

There are many projects shared, which serve as great starting points and I personally would love to have a hand at creating the ink flowers, butterflies, wildflowers and it has sparked an idea to create my own sketchbook journal, which also incorporates my reading.

Thank-you @netgalley @quartobooksuk @leapingharepress and Katie for a Digital Advanced Readers Copy, in exchange for an honest review.

[The Bookish Chimera - Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Sketchbooks are where ideas are formed, low-pressure doodle happen, sketch take shape and experiments can lead to more and more creativity.”

Sketchbook Joy is a very nice book. First, it’s one of these “how to” art books that you will simply enjoy browsing because the content is very pretty. How the book is built is a bit different than what I’m accustomed to, as it begins with an exploration of what you can do with a sketchbook –which gives you motivation to actually open one– then gives some detailed tutorials about supplies and techniques, before proposing several steps by steps in order to make these concepts yours more than to “simply” reproduce an image.
It was a very nice read, and it gave me the motivation to try!

Thank you to the author and Quarto Publishing Group for the eARC via NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

[Bookskee · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's 2025 and I plan to embrace my creative side this year. So picking this up on Netgalley was a no-brainier and I'm so happy I did!

I love the simplicity of the illustrations, the gentle reminders not to seek perfection in your creativity.
This was such a positive book and made me want to search for all my hidden paints and pencils right away.

I definitely recommend this book for anyone about to start a creative journey, anyone whose creativity has stalled, anyone curious about different art mediums.

Such a great book and it'll make a wonderful gift.

I will definitely be purchasing a physical copy if possible!

Many thanks to Netgalley an Author for the chance to read this lovely book!

[Dani Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

This book is great! Very helpful for both beginner and experienced artists. Sketchbook Joy offers a simplified but detailed guide for using a sketchbook. I feel like that even someone with little to no artistic experience could pick this up and have all the information they need to get going in a sketchbook. From supplies, and color theory, to tips for drawing on location and prompts for when you just aren’t quite sure what to draw. I have some sketchbook experience but mine has been sitting on my desk for sometime untouched and felt I inspired to pick it up and draw!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are considering sketchbooks as a way to start or reinforce an art practice, this little book may be just the nudge you need.

None of the content is new or revolutionary. Still, the information is solid, the advice is practical, and (best of all) the illustrations are delightful.

The author's artistry is beautiful but not so intricate as to be intimidating. Her step-by-step instruction may inspire even the greenest beginner to experiment with various media and techniques in the low-pressure pages of a sketchbook. While appreciating her sweet renditions of chickens, coastlines, and everyday items, I grew eager to open my own sketchbooks and play with the stash of gouache I've been hoarding but have yet to try.

[Holly Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book, whether you are completely new to sketch booking or are a seasoned artist, this is full of great tips and information about mixed media. Katie’s writing is full of encouragement and play and makes creating art really accessible using whatever mediums you have at home. I particularly liked the format of the projects, as the instructions aren’t so detailed that you get overwhelmed and are loose enough that you can learn the right techniques (such as working from light to dark, starting with the larger elements and adding details last) while adding your own self to the finished piece and not getting stuck in making it look exactly like Katie’s work. I’m feeling really inspired to get my sketchbook out now and fill some pages.

[Garren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read an arc through NetGalley. Completely my opinion in this review.

I so loved this sketch art book. I am more of a colorer, but I definitely am going to try out some sketching too. I liked the authors idea to use nature and traveling as sketch ideas, along with a ton of other cool prompts. I really recommend this book for artistic folk.

Beautiful art throughout the book too. Thanks for the ideas.

[SketchyNewEngland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really was a joy to read. It was super informative without being wordy or too much. The illustrations are BEAUTIFUL and worth the cost alone. I was so inspired to start crating myself I immediately grabbed my sketchbook and watercolors. There were some really creative techniques mentioned I had never thought of before. The supply list at the end was also really helpful. Thank you NetGalley for the review copy!

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was great to read this encouragement for keeping a sketchbook which is something I'm just on the verge of starting. I loved the idea of commonplacing with drawings not just writing and ideas for incorporating pastels which I haven't tried yet. This book is a great reference for all the possibilities you could include in a sketchbook. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Christina Vourcos · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many ideas for sketchbook art!

I love how inspiring Katie is. She includes so many ideas that can inspire sketchbook art. I couldn’t resist reading all the way through as soon as I received a copy. I can’t wait to start working on the ideas in this book. I know I will be using this book when I need inspiration.

[Miss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully designed book full of lovely artwork and tips for using different types art mediums with a good selection of projects. The tone of the book is very encouraging to enjoy creating and let go of perfectionism.

[Emmy P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an approachable guide to not only beginning a sketchbook, but expanding your beginner art practice. As an artist I would happily recommend this to students as a place to start.

[Danielle Mccoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.

I like this book of ideas and thoughts on how to use a sketchbook for fun and art.

[Gaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. I am not a very good artist but this shows that anyone can have fun with art despite level.

[Jen S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was already inspired before I finished the book!!!!! I have sketchbooks I start them then get in my head about keeping them going, after reading her book I have so many ideas already!!!

[Katra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice kick in the pants, thanks.

p-n, s-n, v-n

[Rene' Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning book! I am a huge Katie fan and her book is beautiful and incredibly inspiring!

[Emily]

This was a pretty good guide for beginners who are interested in starting/workiing in a sketchbook. There were various prompts, tips, and techniques. I loved the included resources.. The book started off with detailed information on materials, color theory, etc. while the second half had various prompts. I wish there were more prompts and the first half of the book was definitely longer than the second half.

*Thank you, NetGalley, for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.*