Fixing Ugly Sketchbook Pages

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Fixing ugly sketchbook pages is a fun way to make a sketchbook more useful. It’s so satisfying to alter art that you dislike. Learn how I change the ugliest pages into something a little bit better.

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Sketchbooks have many purposes. You can use them to work out ideas, warm up for a painting, escape through art, explore color, and so much more.

I love looking back through my sketchbooks for inspiration. Sometimes a simple doodle is the perfect inspiration for what I want to work on next. I also love repainting the same thing in multiple colors and with different types of media.

So to make my sketchbooks extra inspiring, I sometimes go in and change the ugly pages.

Yes, there’s value in the ugly pages as well. It’s so fun to look back and see how much your skills have progressed.

But there will always be pages that are demotivating or depressing. Some are just swatches. Some are unfinished and need more love. Some are just plain ugly.

If the thought of “destroying” the ugly pages upsets you, this post may not be for you. I’m not saying everyone should fix ugly pages. I’m just saying that they can. It’s your sketchbook. Do what makes you happy.

Sketchbooks are expensive, so this is my way of getting a little more out of them.

Fixing Ugly Sketchbook Pages

Here are a few ways I like to fix the ugly pages, along with what I learned from each attempt.

In this video, I used some pages that I used for warm-ups. These methods work for more colorful pages as well.

Draw Over It

For the first spread, I drew flowers over the stripes and colored them in with a black brush pen. I love a graphic black illustration over a watercolor background.

While the results aren’t my favorite, the idea of painting black over a colorful background still inspires me.

Paint Over It

For this 2nd spread, I used Acryla Gouache to paint a fish on a solid background. This works over more colorful backgrounds as well. You can add as much paint as you want.

Add Even More Paint

The 3rd spread was filled with paint swatches and shapes. I added more color to the background and let it dry. Then I drew letters and hearts and added acrylic paint on top, leaving the colorful background.

While I don’t love the color combo, it reinforces how much I love negative painting.

Paint More

The final spread was a page of color mixes. I love painting these to explore color mixing, but I didn’t necessarily need them as a sketchbook spread. So I added more lines and turned them into a grid of colorful stripes.

I find grids incredibly soothing to paint, so this is something I find myself painting a lot.

Watch the Video

Other Ideas for Fixing Pages

Here are a few more ideas for fixing ugly pages.

Collage

If you hate an entire page, you can collage over it. You can even glue a new piece of watercolor paper over the whole thing and start over.

Add Linework

Sometimes a painting doesn’t feel pretty because it’s not finished. I find that adding linework disguises so many imperfections and helps a piece feel finished. I like using pens and colored pencils for this.

Adding More Layers

As mentioned above, sometimes it’s just not finished. Add another layer of paint. Add in shadows and highlights. Try mixed media. If nothing else, you might find a new combination of art supplies to love.

More Sketchbook Ideas

I absolutely love sketchbooks. Here are some of my favorite sketchbook ideas.

You might want to check out my sketchbook playlist on YouTube.

Wanting to sketch more? These are my best tips for starting a daily sketchbook practice.

Not sure what to draw? Every month, I send a list of drawing prompts and a color palette to my newsletter subscribers. Join us!

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