Sketchbooks are an important way for illustrators to develop material to call upon later within a job context. Sketchbooks are free from expected outcomes and time constraints, an open space for exploration and contemplation. There's no right way to maintain a sketchbook practice, but we're going to explore ways it can be used. Sketchbooks can look inward, visually manifesting your inner dialogue. Sketchbooks can look outward, a tool to understand the world around you. They sometimes fall somewhere between these two approaches, a dialogue between your imagination and surroundings. We'll share examples of illustrator's sketchbooks, including Gina's and Matt's inward and outward facing approaches. Then it's a drawing party for sketchbook exploration together. We'll have lots of visual stimuli, but feel free to bring your own. Similarly, we'll have some ink, pens, paint markers, and gouache on hand, but bring your favorite stuff too. Then, of course, bring your sketchbook!