A Real & Honest Travel Sketchbook Flip Through (What Worked… and What Didn’t)
- Apr 10
- 3 min read
Have you ever wondered what a real travel sketchbook looks like beyond the “perfect” pages shared online?
In this honest travel sketchbook flip through, I’m sharing the reality behind my sketchbook—from pages that worked beautifully to the messy, unfinished ones that didn’t quite go as planned. Because the truth is, sketching while travelling isn’t always calm or perfect… and that’s exactly what makes it meaningful.
If you’ve ever felt frustrated with your own sketchbook or unsure if you’re “doing it right,” this is a gentle reminder that your sketchbook doesn’t have to be perfect to be valuable.
In my recent YouTube video, I shared a real and honest flip through of my travel sketchbook from our last summer trip (2025). And here, I want to share a bit more—because there’s always more behind each page than what you see at first glance.
Not Every Page Is Meant to Be Beautiful
When I look through my sketchbook, I don’t see a perfect collection of drawings.
I see:
Pages that worked beautifully
Pages that feel a bit awkward
Pages that are messy and unfinished
And that’s exactly how it should be.
A travel sketchbook is not a portfolio. It’s not meant to impress—it’s meant to capture moments as they happen.
Some days you have time, energy, and inspiration.
Other days you’re tired, distracted, or just not in the mood.
Both belong in your sketchbook.
What Worked (And Why)
There are always a few pages that feel more “alive”. And when I look closely, it’s not because they’re perfect—it’s because of how they were created.
1. Keeping It Simple
The pages that worked best were the ones where I didn’t overcomplicate things.
A quick sketch.
A few lines.
A limited colour palette.
That’s it.
2. Drawing in the Moment
Some of my favourite pages were done on location.
Not from a photo later.
Not carefully planned.
Just sitting there, observing, and sketching.
There’s an energy in those pages that’s hard to recreate afterwards.
3. Adding Small Notes
A few handwritten words can completely change a page.
The place.
The weather.
A small thought or feeling.
Those little detail bring everything back when you look at it later.
What Didn’t Work (And That’s Okay)
This is the part we don’t talk about enough.
Some pages didn’t turn out how I expected—and that used to bother me a lot.
But now, I see them differently.
1. Overworking the page
There were moments when I kept adding… and adding… trying to “fix” the sketch.
And in the process, I lost the freshness.
I overworked the colours here 👉
2. Trying Too Hard to Get It Right
When I focused too much on proportions or details, the artwork becomes stiff.
The drawing lost its spontaneity.
This page has too much details, too busy.
3. Waiting for the “Perfect Moment”
Some pages never happened because I thought:
“I’ll do this later, when I have more time.”
And of course… later never came.
⸻
🌍 The Reality of Sketching While Travelling
Travelling is not always calm and slow.
Sometimes it’s:
Busy
Tiring
Unpredictable
You don’t always have the perfect time or place to sit and draw.
And that’s why your sketchbook needs to fit into your life, not the other way around.
Quick sketches.
Simple moments.
Letting go of expectations.
That’s what makes it sustainable—and enjoyable.
💛 Why the Messy Pages Matter Most
Here’s something I’ve learned over time:
The pages I used to dislike… are often the ones that bring back the strongest memories.
Because they’re honest.
They show:
Where I was
How I felt
What that moment was really like
Not polished. Not perfect. Just real.
✨ If You Feel Like Your Sketchbook Isn’t “Good Enough”…
Let me say this gently:
You’re not doing it wrong.
If your sketchbook feels messy, inconsistent, or imperfect…
you’re actually doing it right.
Because you’re using it.
And that matters so much more than how it looks.
🎥 Watch the Full Travel Sketchbook Flip Through Video
If you’d like to see these pages and hear the full story behind them, you can watch the video here:
🎁 Want to Start Your Own Travel Sketchbook?
If you’re not sure where to begin, I’ve created a free Travel Sketchbook Guide with simple prompts and ideas to help you start (without pressure or perfection).
And if you’d like more guidance, inside my course Sketch Your Travels, that will be launching soon, I walk you step by step through building a sketchbook practice with ink, watercolour, and storytelling—without pressure or perfection.
Join the waitlist for my upcoming course and learn how to sketch your travels with confidence, simplicity, and joy.
When you join the waitlist, you’ll receive the Free Travel Sketchbook Starter Guide.
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