15 Artist Sketchbooks for Art Inspiration and Art Style Exposure

Are you shopping for some new inspiration to ignite your creativity? Maybe you're interested in broadening the art styles you're being exposed to. By doing this, you also push yourself to think creatively in your own artistic process.

Well, this is the post for you. I've gathered 15 digital sketchbooks with various art styles from artists you may or may not have discovered yet. This list will be in an order of price range, ascending from $5 and up. Though, I've included an artist that graciously offers free viewing of their sketchbook with the option to donate.

Finding New Art Styles and Exploration

It is beneficial to give yourself permission to explore, while dropping any limitations that come with self-imposed labels, mediums and comfort zones. There are so many colors to a creative voice. Self-expression is limitless. Why box it? Why not play with different techniques, concepts and challenge yourself? You could experience being rewarded by what you discover as your creativity expands.

Viewing other creators' art styles is not a venture to go shopping for the perfect new creative identity that you'll dress up as. Though – of course – it could be. I will never tell another how to express themselves. However, exposure to different art styles can help us dissect different methods of exaggerating and depicting realities, scenes, forms and colors.

This can help to open our minds to being more experimental and push our creative expression that much further.

Please note that this post includes some affiliate links, however they will not affect your pricing.

1. Witches Sketchbook by Chaton Laser

The first sketchbook on the list is by the artist Chatonlaser. Anaïs is a freelance illustrator and comic artist that, at the time of this post, works as the art director and lead pixel artist for the Netflix game Lucky Luna.

Their art style is within the anime stylization, ranging from more detailed characters to more chibi variations that all have a playful charm to them.

Out of all the sketchbooks on this list, it does have the least pages. Which is another reason it is first on this list. However, I knew that Chatonlaser's art style might also attract an artist's tastes like it did with me. So, definitely worth mentioning.

2. Resurrection by Devlinart

John Devlin, Devlinart, has a moody, grim ink illustration style. If you are drawn to the dark fantasy art aesthetic of games like Bloodborne and Dark Souls, then you may be interested in this art book. Resurrection has a collection of Sekiro themed artwork.

Here are some of their Elden Ring themed sketches to get a better feel for this artist's style.

Although this book hasn't received any ratings to reference, it is offered at quite a low price and it could be a hidden gem for lovers of this style of work.

3. Leaf's & Kidd! Sketchbooks by Suad the Kiddo

Suad the Kiddo is an illustrator that gives the vibes of Animal Crossing's K.K Slider meets the Amazing World of Gumball with graffiti elements. That being said, their illustrations focus on animal characters. Adorable ones, I must say. Saud's sketchbooks would be attractive to those who also love doodles.

So, I am actually recommending two sketchbooks for this. Leaf's Sketchbook will be the first half of year 2023, while Kidd! will be the later half. If you buy both of the books, you will have a total of 150 pages to enjoy.

As a child, the first characters I learned to draw were Sonic and Tales from Sonic the Hedgehog. So, this style is encouraging me to explore my inner child expression again.

Leaf's | January to June 2023

Kidd! | July to December 2023

4. Sketchbook #3 by Blackjunkgallery

Blackjunkgallery, Guillaume Singelin, is similar to our first artist on this list when it comes to their art style ranging from more detailed characters to chibi body characters. Artists that love line art, especially clean with hatching, thin monoline strokes and tons of little details – check out this comic book artist's sketchbook.

5. 2021 Sketchbook: Ink & Markers Vol.2 by Reeartwork

Reeartwork, Nina Ree Bernudez, is an illustrator and webtoonist [My Plastic Straw] with a cute art style. The tube like limbs used have likeness to minimalistic vector characters and Adventure Time. Just what comes to mind. I really like this artist's vibrant, yet balanced color palettes, playful doodle elements and hovering style eyes.

6. Sketchbook #1 by Shihoran

Shihoran will definitely attract anime art style lovers, as well as, those who enjoy creators who design original characters. This sketchbook is filled with work in progress sketches, line art and colored art of their OCs.

7. Art of Alan Stewart Vol.1

Artofalan, Alan Stewart, is a character designer of a long list of wonderful titles. Some being Kid Cosmic, The Powerpuff Girls [2017 - 2019] and Hilda. It's very enjoyable to look through Alan's work. Especially, the personal play fanart sketches that I can feel the relatable love of the franchise. Check out this artist's Instagram. It feels as if I am hanging out and remembering some characters I love. Alan's gesture studies are really nice to dissect, as well.

8. 2023 Sketchbook by Morgan Beem

Morgan Beem is a freelance illustrator and comic artist. The combined stylization choices of anatomy, line art, hatching and watercolor create such an appealing look. There are some elements of surrealism and fantasy, which I am such a sucker for. The sketchbook has a collection of studies, sketches and finished illustrations from 2021 to 2023.

9. Shapes - Sketchbook by Max Grecke

You may already know that Max Grecke is an incredible freelance artist. If you don't– Well, you're welcome 😌 Max has worked with Riot Games and has also done art for collectible gaming cards. The point of this post is an encouragement to give yourself permission to be more experimental and gain that spark to try new things. Checking this artist's work will be a great reference to see how you can play with different styles without boxing and restricting yourself.

The sketchbook has grayscale illustrations, sketches and a tutorial. Plus, 4 PSD files are included.

10. Sketchbook by Gorchart

Gorchart is an illustrator and tattoo artist that has a vibrant, yet alternative and grim style that is honestly so delicious to my dark whimsy taste. Even those who enjoy alternative fashion will love the outfits and accessories of the characters. The sketchbook will even include some commentary on their art process, tutorials and tattoo design advice.

11. 2020 Sketchbook Collection by Abel Art

Abel Art, Martin J. Abel, is one of those artists I see from afar and think, "Wow.. I resonate with this person. I would totally be friends with them." This artist lays out some of the most gorgeous sketchbook spreads, and they truly are inspiring. Alluring to lovers of fantasy and faerytale lore rich content. Martin often includes little self-portraits of themself and uses their sketchbook as a place to also work through difficult emotions. A great example to add to the many uses of a sketchbook or art journal.

12. Art of Cory Loftis

Cory Loftis is an artist known for working on Zootopia, Wreck-It Ralph [1&2] and Raya the Last Dragon. That's only naming a few. I really adore Cory's work. Especially, the stylization of anatomy and the expressions of the characters. The animal characters are without a doubt my favorite, including the concept art Cory did in the art book for Zootopia. The Art of Cory Loftis pdf will include a collection of illustrations with some work in progress sketches & ink drawings.

13. KimKidoo Sketchbook Practice

Kim Kidoo [김기두] is an animation storyboard artist that has also taught a Coloso course on storyboarding. Their work tends to be dynamic figure drawings and character poses. Anime is a definite influence. Fair warning: the sketchbook does include some sensual poses. You can see a preview of the inside before purchasing. If you are interested in animation, storyboarding or posing, you should check out this sketchbook.

14. 3 Artbook Combo Pack: Vintage Cheeks Vol.1-3

Sean Galloway is a lovely comic artist and comic cover designer. Sean has worked on the 2006-'07 Hellboy as a character designer, covers for Marvel and DC, as well as, their own comic zines. Sean's shape language and way of exaggerating proportions is quite divine. This pack would be perfect for inspiring you to push your figure drawings and play with artistic decisions for limbs and poses in perspective.

15. Sketchbook 2015-2020 by Allison Chin Art

Allison Chin is an artist that creates beautiful landscape paintings and ink sketches. When it's a painting the colors have gorgeous variations, while the ink drawings have this incredible hatch linework to admire. Allison's work feels so dreamy. The sketchbook will focus more on work in progress to inking. This artist is offering a look behind the scenes for free. As you know, artists support artists! So, definitely considering donating to this generous artist.

These were 15 Artist Sketchbooks to spark your inspiration. Whether you pick up one, a couple or all of them, you are bound to enrich your creative mind. Have fun, explore and remember to give yourself permission to expand without limitation.