I’ve decided to use Alpha 8×10″ softcover sketchbooks on my upcoming Europe trip and as I haven’t used this format much in recent months I decided to do a review of two trips where I did use this book. Port Macquarie Trip 2024 and Bathurst Road Trip 2023. I also found a few examples from Dec 2024.

It’s also good timing to do this review as I’m hosting a Group Self-Paced Version of my Sketchbook Design course starting on 9 July – find out more details here. So I’m thinking about these pages in light of the concepts taught in that course. It’s interesting to note which ‘elements’ (Lesson 1) I used frequently and which elements are not included. I’m also thinking about how often I used contained composition (Lesson 2) vs open compositions (Lesson 3) and how I constantly changed the size and placement of images to create variety in a sequence of pages (Lesson 4).

Here are the pages…

Single sketch per double-page spread

Multiple Images per double-page spread

I’m looking forward to doing lots of sketchbook design during my upcoming trip and putting this little collection together has given me some ideas to start with.

I love the process of designing sketchbook pages as it gives me freedom when I’m sketching . I don’t have any pressure to produce a great sketch because I know that I can achieve a pleasing spread during the design phase of finishing my pages. It is also a great way to constantly refine my compositional skills!

Just a reminder…

Group Self-Paced Version of Sketchbook Design

starts 9 July 2025 – work through the lessons in 9 weeks with an inspiring group of sketchers

Design beautiful layouts for every page by learning how to add elements, preserve white space and think about placement before you start sketching.