Parker M.
Sketch-In: a non-instructional, social gathering where we get together to work on our books!
Karen Schoenitz
@karenschoenitz
Blue Bottom Art
@bluebottomart
Celebrating the opening of the Sketchbook Library in 2022!
Work in your favorite medium or try something totally new: there's no wrong way to Sketchbook Club.
Beginners, experienced artists, everyone in between: you’re invited to make your mark by joining the third iteration of the Princeton Sketchbook Club.
Everyone in the Club receives the same 8×5” sketchbook, a blank slate to completely customize. At the conclusion of the project, your book will become part of the Princeton Sketchbook Library for all to enjoy.
Since 2021, we’ve featured 300+ sketchbooks in the library, open to the public six days a week. While many are local to NJ and gather for Sketch-Ins to work on their books in the company of fellow creatives, many books are sent across the country and returned by mail, filled to the brim with doodles, writing, collage, painting — everything you could imagine.
Sketchbooks will be available for local pick-up and domestic shipping this summer.
Join the list below to receive an invitation directly in your inbox.
Sketchbook Club FAQ
YES! The Princeton Sketchbook is open to everyone, regardless of experience with making art. We welcome beginners and experienced artists to contribute their unique voices to the project. Children are also welcome to participate. All books are accepted into the collection. We do not jury any of the work.
Your book must remain within the original dimensions of 5 x 8” inches.
Don’t forget that your sketchbook will become part of a collection that will be viewed and handled by the public. If you choose to use art materials that could smudge, like charcoal, please seal or fix the work before you turn in your book. Your book should be durable and be able to withstand normal wear and tear.
We welcome artists in a variety of mediums, but some do work better than others. Tools like graphite, charcoal, and pen do well on the thinner paper, while wetter mediums like watercolor, inks, and paints might warp the pages. We’ve found that using them in moderation still results in a fabulous sketchbook, so try it out and use whatever you’re comfortable with.
Absolutely! Check out some awesome examples of decorated sketchbook covers on this page and on Instagram. Just remember, same advice as above applies. Try to avoid materials like excess charcoal or graphite that will rub off onto viewers’ hands. Or remember to hit it with some fixative before turning your book in.
The Arts Council values, respects, and appreciates that you are contributing your work to the Princeton Sketchbook Club. By agreeing to participate, you still retain ownership of your work. We own the physical sketchbook, but your work is your work. The ACP retains the right to use your artwork to share the project, but will always credit the artist as specified.
This is our favorite question of all! Please share that you are part of the Princeton Sketchbook Club by documenting your progress on your book, finished pages, where your book has traveled to, etc by using the official hashtag – #princetonsketchbookclub and tag the ACP at @artscouncilofprinceton on Instagram. We will share to keep your fellow sketchers inspired and get folks excited about coming to see the library! Just keep in mind that if your IG account is set to “private”, we will not see your posts or be able to share.
