Sketchbooks are handy tools to prepare for painting
There are many types of sketchbooks on the market to use for drawing your preliminary picture before you paint. But all you really need is a piece of paper. Having a sketchbook is handy because you have a diary of previous pictures you have drawn and then went on to paint. They come in all kinds of sizes; from small to large. Use one to suit your needs. In the graphic below is an example of a sketchbook I have used from many of the pictures that I have gone on to paint and sell later.

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