Book excerpt: Artists use sketchbooks for a myriad of purposes - to capture a moment, to develop an idea, to record a scene... This book advises on how to enjoy keeping a sketchbook and how to make the most of their use. With practical examples throughout, it is a beautiful and valuable guide that will inspire you to pick up a pencil or brush, mark the page and start your own visual diary. Topics covered include looking at different types of sketchbooks - their size, theme and purpose; ideas for drawing and painting in a sketchbook inside, outside or while travelling and advice on professional sketchbooks and scrapbooks. It considers all types of sketchbooks - their size, theme and purpose and gives ideas for drawing and painting in a sketchbook inside, outside or while travelling. With advice on professional sketchbooks and scrapbooks and profiles of a range of artists who provide inspiration and examples, this will appeal to artists, illustrators, designers and everyone involved in visual arts. Beautifully illustrated with 243 colour photographs.