Templates Sketchbook & Drawing

Standard Sketchbook

9 x 12 in CMYK 3:4 portrait

A 9 by 12 in standard sketchbook page. The most common drawing-pad size in North America and the default for figure studies, character sketches, and finished line work.

9 x 12 in

about the size of a sheet of office paper

About this size

The 9 by 12 page is the default sketchbook size because it sits at a useful compromise between portability and working room. Large enough that figure drawing and gestural mark-making feel natural; small enough that a full pad fits in a backpack without thinking about it.

It is also a versatile working size for finished line art. Many comic and illustration workflows use 9 by 12 as their primary drawing size before scanning and reducing for final layout.

  • Sketches
  • Studies
  • Drawing practice

Pro tips

  1. 1 Roughly the same area as A3 but proportioned more landscape-friendly. The 3:4 ratio reads as a natural drawing surface rather than a document page.
  2. 2 A versatile size for figure studies, character sketches, and finished line work. Most sketchbook habits assume this format.
  3. 3 Standard pad sizes at most art stores. Easy to find, cheap to stock.

Other useful sizes in Sketchbook & Drawing.

3.5 x 5.5 in

3.5 x 5.5 in

Pocket Sketchbook

Pocket Sketchbook is a 3.5 x 5.5 in Sketchpad template for sketchbook & drawing projects.

Start with this size
8 x 8 in

8 x 8 in

Square Sketchbook

Square Sketchbook is a 8 x 8 in Sketchpad template for sketchbook & drawing projects.

Start with this size
9 x 12 in

9 x 12 in

Bristol Board

Bristol Board is a 9 x 12 in Sketchpad template for sketchbook & drawing projects.

Start with this size
10 x 14 in

10 x 14 in

Watercolor Block

Watercolor Block is a 10 x 14 in Sketchpad template for sketchbook & drawing projects.

Start with this size