While Loish has released physical books like The Art of Loish and The Sketchbook of Loish , the digital format—specifically —has become a holy grail for artists seeking a portable, zoomable, and searchable archive of her creative process. But what exactly makes this PDF such a sought-after resource? And more importantly, what can you learn from it to elevate your own art?
She prefers an A4-sized Moleskine sketchbook 0.5.3 .
typically leads to unofficial or pirated download sites, as the artist and publisher, 3dtotal Publishing , explicitly stated during the original Kickstarter campaign
Rough, quick iterations of characters she might later draw digitally.
Small explorations of lighting and palette that precede her major pieces.
In her book The Sketchbook of Loish: Art in Progress , Lois van Baarle pulls back the curtain on her private sketches, showing us that even masterpieces start as loose, energetic lines. Here is why this book is more than just an art collection:
Perhaps the most valuable technique revealed in the book is her unique rendering method: Instead of relying heavily on line art, Loish starts with a rough, messy painting. She then uses a simple two-step process—alternating the Eyedropper tool with the Brush tool—to "smooth out and clean up" the colors until she finds the exact shape and hue she desires. This approach is revolutionary for artists who spend hours perfecting line art only to find it flattens their painting.
The two detailed tutorials in the book offer a masterclass in Loish's specific technical approach:
A physical sketchbook allows for mistakes that don’t feel like "waste" in the way a digital canvas might.
While the temptation to look for a free PDF download on file-sharing sites is high, purchasing the book legally ensures that independent artists like Loish and niche publishers can continue producing high-quality educational resources. The Value of the Physical Book
This isn't just a coffee table book; it’s a learning resource. Loish provides two detailed tutorials
Focuses on the "rough work" behind Lois van Baarle's (Loish) famous digital paintings, including sketchbook pages, speedpaints, and character studies. Learning Resources:
Have you studied from Loish’s sketchbook? What was the single biggest breakthrough you experienced? Share your thoughts in the comments below (or on your own sketchbook page).
Are you looking to improve your , color theory , or digital brushwork ?
She favors this brand because the paper is "nice and thick," which is ideal for the various media she might use 0.5.3. 2. What's Inside?
