I am a self taught artist, through and through. Everything I know about all mediums comes from my own experience. One question I had when I began my art journey was the phrases that are used. In this post, I explain different sizes and sketchbooks, including sketchbook a4, and how phrasing will help you out.
There are a lot of sketchbook sizes.
Sketchbooks are a very diverse tool, and quite easily accessible, for an artist of any kind. Sizes can vary for many reasons: portability, mediums, exploration, budget, display, and so much more.
Something that I learned recently was how common classification was named. In the past, I would just try to look up “12” x14” sketchbook” on amazon. However, this made it difficult for me to read sizing on sketchbooks, and I did not realize that many other people clarify their desired sketchbook size in a different way.
Heres most of the different sizes:
- A0: 33.11 in x 46.81 in
- A1: 23.39 in x 33.11 in
- A2: 16.54 in x 23.39 in
- A3: 11.69 in x 16.54 in
- A4: 8.27 in x 11.69 in
- A5: 5.83 in x 8.27 in
- A6: 4.13 in x 5.83 in
- A7: 2.91 in x 4.13 in
- A8: 2.05 in x 2.91 in
- A9: 1.46 in x 2.05 in
- A10: 1.02 in x 1.46 in
Learning the size differentiation will help you in more ways than one. The main reason is because it can help you classify what type of sketchbook you prefer to use. Also, this can depend on medium.
Graphite Pencil and Charcoal:
Graphite pencil and charcoal drawings are often created using sketchbooks of various sizes, depending on the artist’s preferences and the level of detail they want to achieve. Here’s a bit more detail about the sketchbook sizes commonly used for graphite pencil and charcoal drawings:
- A4: This size provides a good balance between space and portability. It’s larger than a typical notebook but not too big to carry around. A4 sketchbooks are great for capturing details and working on more elaborate compositions.
- A5: A5 sketchbooks are smaller and more portable. They are great for quick sketches, studies, and practicing techniques. While they might not offer as much space for intricate details, they are handy for capturing ideas on the go.
Ink and Pen:
Smaller sketchbook sizes are often favored for ink and pen drawings due to their convenience and suitability for different styles of work. Here’s a bit more about using smaller sketchbook sizes for ink and pen drawings:
- A6 and 5 in x 7 in: These smaller sizes are excellent for capturing quick sketches, doodles, and ideas. They’re portable and handy for on-the-go drawing. The limited space encourages concise compositions and allows for exploring intricate details with ink and pen.
Watercolor and Gouache:
Larger sketchbook sizes are often favored for watercolor and gouache due to their ability to accommodate the water-based nature of these mediums. Here’s more information about using larger sketchbook sizes for watercolor and gouache.
- A4: A4 sketchbooks measure approximately 8.27 inches by 11.69 inches. They offer a moderate amount of space for your watercolor and gouache work, allowing for a reasonable level of detail while remaining relatively portable.
- A3: A3 sketchbooks are larger, measuring around 11.69 inches by 16.54 inches. They provide significantly more surface area, giving you ample space to explore larger compositions and more intricate details.
Markers and Colored Pencils:
A5 and 8 in x 10 in sketchbook sizes are indeed popular choices for working with markers and colored pencils. Here’s more information about using these sizes for your artworks:
- A5 and 8 in x 10 in Sizes:
- A5: A5 sketchbooks are compact and portable, measuring approximately 5.83 inches by 8.27 inches. They’re great for artists who want a balance between space and portability.
- 8 in x 10 in: This size is slightly larger than A5 and is often used in countries that use the imperial system. It offers more canvas space while still being relatively easy to carry.