Sketchpads

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of notebook or pad designed specifically for drawing and sketching, often featuring rough, textured paper
2. A bound collection of blank sheets used primarily by artists for capturing ideas, designs, or illustrations
3. A practical tool for students and professionals alike, enabling the practice of visual creativity on the go

Etymology: Sketchpads is simply the plural of sketchpad, so the history lies in the two parts of the compound. "Sketch" came into English from Italian "schizzo," a word for a rough, quick drawing or outline, and it carries the sense of working fast and loosely rather than producing a finished piece. "Pad" is an older English word for a soft cushion or a bundled stack of material, which is why a stack of sheets bound at one edge is called a pad. Put together, a sketchpad is a bundle of paper meant for quick, unfinished drawings rather than polished work. The plural simply counts several of these bound stacks, usually sold together or kept by an artist for different projects.

Synonyms: drawing pads, art pads, drawing books, sketchbooks, notebooks