# Concepts App Authors - The Concepts Sketchnoting Toolbox (Highlights) ![rw-book-cover|256](https://readwise-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/static/images/article3.5c705a01b476.png) ## Metadata **Cover**:: https://readwise-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/static/images/article3.5c705a01b476.png **Source**:: #from/readwise **Zettel**:: #zettel/fleeting **Status**:: #x **Authors**:: [[Concepts App Authors]] **Full Title**:: The Concepts Sketchnoting Toolbox **Category**:: #articles #readwise/articles **Category Icon**:: 📰 **URL**:: [concepts.app](https://concepts.app/en/tutorials/concepts-sketchnoting-toolbox/) **Host**:: [[concepts.app]] **Highlighted**:: [[2021-09-08]] **Created**:: [[2022-09-26]] ## Highlights - Mike Rohde, champion of sketchnoting and creator of the highly digestible The Sketchnote Handbook, shows that by using five basic shapes (a circle, square, triangle, line and dot), you can sketch quick, simple images along with your words to capture big ideas. ([View Highlight](https://instapaper.com/read/1442277346/17400692)) #rl - Step 1 - Make a Sketchnoting Project in the Gallery ([View Highlight](https://instapaper.com/read/1442277346/17400702)) - Step 2 - Create a Drawing Template ([View Highlight](https://instapaper.com/read/1442277346/17400703)) - This is as simple as opening a new drawing and setting it up with your favorite background, brushes, tools and gestures for sketchnoting. ([View Highlight](https://instapaper.com/read/1442277346/17400704)) - 1 - Set your Paper Size to Infinite ([View Highlight](https://instapaper.com/read/1442277346/17400708)) - 2 - Choose a Paper Background ([View Highlight](https://instapaper.com/read/1442277346/17400709)) - 3 - Set Up Your Gestures ([View Highlight](https://instapaper.com/read/1442277346/17400713)) ### Create a Drawing Template - Tool #1 - Pen ... Set it to 1.5 pts, color black, and adjust it to between 10% - 15% smoothing so your lines flow like your thoughts. - Tool #2 - Fountain Pen ... Set the Fountain Pen to 3 pts. Give it 100% opacity, 12% smoothing, and make the color black. - Tool #4 - Filled Stroke ... Set the tool to 100% opacity and 20% smoothing, and choose a highlight color. You'll use this tool in a layer beneath the Pen so the ink stays nice and crisp on top. - Airbrush is best for soft shadows - set to 50 pts, 20% opacity, 20% smoothing. ([View Highlight](https://instapaper.com/read/1442277346/17400955)) - Marker is for crisp emphasis - set to 40 pts, 20% opacity, 20% smoothing. ([View Highlight](https://instapaper.com/read/1442277346/17400958)) - Filled Stroke defines areas - set to 20% opacity, 20% smoothing. ([View Highlight](https://instapaper.com/read/1442277346/17400966)) ### A Few More Useful Tools - 1 - Duplicate With sketchnoting, flow is key. So on items where you've already drawn the main idea, just Select > Duplicate and place it. ([View Highlight](https://instapaper.com/read/1442277346/17401020)) - If you forget because you're busy drawing, you can always Select the misguided strokes and drag them onto the correct layer thumbnail in the menu. ([View Highlight](https://instapaper.com/read/1442277346/17401025)) - Automatic mode puts each tool into its own layer for you. So each time you pick that tool, it will draw inside its layer namesake. It also lines the layers up in a smart order. By default, the Fill tool or Airbrush will always draw in a layer beneath the Pen, so the ink stays on top. ([View Highlight](https://instapaper.com/read/1442277346/17401027)) - 3 - Group Strokes to Group Thoughts ([View Highlight](https://instapaper.com/read/1442277346/17401031)) - 4 - The Object Library (iOS only) ([View Highlight](https://instapaper.com/read/1442277346/17401034)) - With the Make Your Own Objects feature, you can drag anything you sketch into a library, then tap them back out at any time, in any drawing, when you're in a hurry. ([View Highlight](https://instapaper.com/read/1442277346/17401035)) - We highly recommend Mike Rohde’s The Sketchnote Handbook for learning the simple shapes and sketching techniques you use for sketchnoting. ([View Highlight](https://instapaper.com/read/1442277346/17401061)) - Jot down the title, author, a link if possible, and the date you took the notes. ([View Highlight](https://instapaper.com/read/1442277346/17401062)) - Sketchnoting Tools and Techniques - Graphic Recorder Tobey Busch shares tips for creating simple visual images and sketchnotes. ([View Highlight](https://instapaper.com/read/1442277346/17401068)) #rl - Visually Minded: Drawing and Presenting Ideas as Sketchnotes - Visual thinker and sketchnoter Jonny Daenen shares techniques for drawing and organizing graphic presentations and sketchnotes for ideas you are passionate about. ([View Highlight](https://instapaper.com/read/1442277346/17401070)) #rl - How to Save the Earth with a Sketch - For kids and adults — learn how to create a visual solution for real-world change using your pencil, a piece of paper and a few great ideas. ([View Highlight](https://instapaper.com/read/1442277346/17401075)) #rl - 5 Tools for Visual Thinking on Your iPad - Five great tools to help you take notes, think visually and communicate on your iPad with Concepts. ([View Highlight](https://instapaper.com/read/1442277346/17401076)) #rl