🎨 Sketchnoting Guideline Part 3/3: Your First Sketchnote !

(Yes, Even If You Think You Can’t Draw)

Hey there!

If you're here, that means you either liked what you read, accidentally clicked a link, or (my personal favorite) you're looking for creative sanity in a world that’s not helping. I’m Urmila, writer, artist, educator, accidental IT professional, certified yogi, and full-time believer that creativity is for everyone.

☕ Teacups and Tiny Victories ✌

This Substack is my love letter to slow growth, messy beginnings, and the magic that happens when we show up as ourselves, even when we’re still figuring things out. If this piece gave you even a tiny spark of joy or clarity, I’d love it if you bought me a coffee.

Thank you for being here - for reading, reflecting, and showing up with such beautiful humanity. You make this all worth it. 💛

Now, let’s dive in…

🎨 Sketchnoting Guideline Part 3/3: Your First Sketchnote!

Welcome to the final frontier of sketchnoting initiation - actually doing it.

If you're here, that means you've already survived:

and

Now let’s get messy. Let’s make your very first sketchnote — even if you think you can’t draw your way out of a paper bag

Let’s goooooo.

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🧳 Step 1: What to Capture? (Spoiler: Not Everything)

When you're out and about - especially on a trip — everything feels fresh and new. Which is great... until it becomes too much.

So here's what I do:

• Capture what calls to you, not what should call to you.

• Focus on how something made you feel - did it spark joy? Confusion? Mild disgust?

• Bonus points if it made you laugh or say, “What even IS that?”

• I try to include both good and bad moments, but let’s be real — nobody wants a Debbie Downer sketchnote.

Pro tip: Use your phone notes app, take photos, or scribble quick ideas in your sketchbook. Memory is like a sieve. Don’t trust it.

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✍️ Step 2: Start With the Title - Yes, Like a Big Baby Step

Your title/theme is the anchor of your page. The North Star. The Beyoncé of your sketchnote.

• Put it at the top for safe players 🥱

• Or throw it somewhere unexpected —-middle, corner, floating near a doodle of a confused-looking cat - for extra fun 😎

• Plan roughly where the 4–5 main elements will go before diving in

• Start from the top left (classic reading flow) or wherever your rebellious soul desires

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🌈 Step 3: Color Me Messy But Fabulous

Color makes your sketchnotes pop, like glitter in a world full of grey.

• Stick to no more than 4 colours unless you want your page to look like a toddler had access to ALL THE MARKERS.

• Highlight with pop color for me, it’s yellow -it’s loud, it’s proud, it gets attention like that one friend at parties.

• Use color to highlight emotions or key moments - not just because you can.

Warning: Too many colors = visual chaos. Less is more… unless you’re going for chaotic energy on purpose. We don’t judge here.

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🔤 Step 4: Keep It Short & Silly (KISS Method)

This isn’t a term paper. This is a snapshot of your brain.

• Keep subpoints short - think tweet-length thoughts

• Leave space between things so your page doesn’t suffocate

• Mistakes are part of the process. Embrace them.

• Pen users: Don’t reach for the eraser -you’ll get stuck in beginner limbo forever.

• Digital folks: Stop undoing every little thing. You’re not editing a thesis.

Mistakes mean you’re trying. Scribble over it, laugh at it, or turn it into a hat. Improvise, baby!

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📸 Step 5: Use References – Because Google Is Free & So Are You

You don’t have to draw from memory like some kind of Renaissance genius.

• Google a stick figure pose if you’re stuck, so you don’t microobsess on details and lose your sanity and time.

• Draw half-body figures - they’re way more forgiving than full-body disasters

• Use your front camera to copy your own expressions. People might think you're weird — but hey, you’re also making art!

  

  the notes i made while i was on the go

  
  

  

  the sketchnote i made based on my notes

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🎁 Step 6: Steal My Template (Seriously, Please Do)

I made you a sketchnoting starter pack - a cheat sheet disguised as a visual dictionary.

It includes:

• Faces, hair styles, poses, fonts, and expressions

• Title placement, visual interest

• A list of prompts to jumpstart your brain

All the stuff that makes your first sketchnote feel less scary

Want it? Join the subscriber chat!

We’ve got templates, tips, and zero judgment. Just a bunch of people drawing weird stuff and laughing at each other’s mistakes. Bring your sketchbook, your questionable stick figures, and your sense of humor.

Your first sketchnote is waiting. And trust me, it’s going to be glorious.

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🎥 Want a Demo?

Check out my video where I create a sketchnote from start to finish on Procreate. Spoiler alert: I mess up a few times. Then I roll with it like a boss.

Because sketchnoting is about capturing moments, not perfection.

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🎨 Bonus Invite: Join a Free Virtual Sketchnoting Session!

Want some real-time doodling vibes with other sketch-curious folks?
Just say the word in the subscriber chat, and I’ll hook you up with an invite to our next free virtual sketchnoting session!

We’ll draw, we’ll laugh, we’ll accidentally draw faces with three eyes — it’s gonna be a vibe.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, JUST ASK ME:)

me waiting for your questions or sketchnote or both:)