The opera's subject is Don Juan, the notorious libertine of fiction, and his eventual descent into hell. For Mozart, it was an unusually intense work, and it was not entirely understood in his own time. Within a generation, however, it was recognized as one of the greatest of all operas. Don Giovanni; Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Don juan mozart.
What to Look for When Choosing the Best Sketchbook. Choosing the surface you will be drawing on is just as important as choosing the perfect pen, the perfect model, or getting the perfect idea, and it should not be neglected. Here is a list of best sketchbooks for different types of drawing, as well as tips on what to look for when buying them. Made out of premium quality art-paper, this A4 size drawing book is an ideal sketchbook for an artist. It is quite durable and made from acid-free paper. The book is quite heavy as the papers are of excellent quality. It is great for sketching, stippling, and practicing various other techniques. Best Mixed Media Sketchbooks Reviews 1. Canson XL Series Mix Paper Pad A tight budget should never get in the way of making art.
- Best Sketchbooks
- Best Sketchbooks For Markers
- Best Sketchbook Paper
- Best Sketchbook For Beginners
- Best Sketchbooks For Artists
- Best Sketchbook For Markers
Every artist needs a sketchbook to draw on the go and to quickly capture ideas. But picking the right sketchbook can be dizzying with so many options, not to mention different sketchbooks excel at different things(charcoal, toned paper, markers).
If you just need a solid reliable sketchbook for drawing then your best choice is the Pentalic Sketch Book with a spiral bound spine. All pages measure close to A4 size and they're all perforated so you can tear out any sketches that you wanna keep.
Also the hardbound covers can offer working surfaces to draw anywhere! You can take this sketchbook to the park, on the train, or anywhere you want to draw.
Pentalic Wirebound Sketchbook
This Pentalic sketchbook is sturdy and super easy to carry around. The strong front & back covers are easy to lean against when sketching and the wire binding stays out of the way whether you're drawing, painting, or just doodling.
Best Features:
- Measures 8.5″ x 11″
- Solid cover prevents damage to pages
- Works great with pencil, ink, and paint(including watercolor)
But you should know that not all sketchbooks are made equal.
Pentalic is a solid choice for someone just looking to sketch—but what about doing finished drawings? Or rendering with chalk or ink?
In this guide I'll explain the different types of sketchbooks and how to select the best one for your needs.
What To Look For
The first thing you need to consider is why you're getting a sketchbook and how it'll be used.
Do you want to draw illustrations and color with marker? Or do you want to use watercolors? Or maybe you want toned paper to work on a fixed background.
There are so many different styles to choose with different sizes, brands, and paper types. Most beginner artists just need a simple sketchbook with white paper that works.
In this case the Pentalic mentioned above is excellent.
But let's take a look at the different options you might consider:
- Size(A4/A3/A2)
- Spiralbound or hardbound
- Softcover or hardcover
- Default orientation(landscape or portrait)
- Type of paper
- Total number of pages
- Price
If you just want a simple sketchbook then the A4 size should be enough. But if you plan to use it for full drawings then you might want something a larger to show off your skills.
I always prefer spiral-bound over hardbound because it feels better for sketching on the go. However when drawing at a desk or on a board the spirals can elevate the book, tilting unevenly to one side.
Sketchbook orientations can always be changed by flipping to page. But you also have to consider where the binding is and if that'll get in the way of sketching.
All these features can drive you batty if you're brand new to sketching.
Best Sketchbooks
However as you progress and improve you'll learn a lot about paper types and artistic mediums. You'll learn which sketchbooks work best for you and which don't.
My goal with this post is to save you time by helping you pick the right sketchbook for any situation. I've organized my top 10 picks here, but if you have other suggestions feel free to share and maybe we can add them to the list.
Pentalic Sketch Spiral Bound
First up is my top pick for beginners and advanced artists alike. The Pentalic spiral-bound sketchbook has a sturdy construction, 160 pages, and thick paper quality so you can draw heavy & dark without bleeding through.
If you plan to use markers then you'll want another book. However these pages can hold up with ink, colored pencils, or even very light markers(probably not markers like Prisma).
It measures the standard A4 size of 8.5″ by 11″ so this should feel like drawing on copy paper. Each page is actually pretty smooth too, so it does replicate the feel of copy paper if you're used to that texture.
The hard covers are strong and will not bend or risk damage your drawings. It also makes the perfect surface to lean against if you don't have a desk or board handy.
For the price it's a great buy and you get plenty of pages to work through.
I recommend this Pentalic sketchbook if you need a durable choice to dive in and start sketching. It's not great for finished work, although you can bring some drawings to a complete render if you wish.
Moleskine Art Plus
The classic Moleskine Art Plus is a favorite among artists, designers, and writers alike. It's a universally-loved sketchbook because the brand is trustworthy and the quality is noticeable.
The Art Plus sketchbook is small yet versatile. It measures 5″ x 8.25″ so you can take this pretty much anywhere. It's a fantastic portable sketchbook that really feels like a quality design.
All of the 104 pages are thread bound meaning they use thread to keep them together. This is a staple of Moleskine notebooks and it's one reason why people love them so much.
This model is a hardback sketchbook which I find ideal for artists. But they do have paperback sketchbooks if you prefer that style.
I think the hardback is better for resting your palm and for keeping the inner pages free of crinkles. It's not super hard but it's definitely strong enough to stand on its own.
You'll get plain white paper that can hold well through ink and pencil. Plus the book comes with a wrapper elastic to mark your place wherever you leave off. This is a neat little feature so you don't have to flip around to find the next blank page.
Overall a brilliant sketchbook or notebook for any purpose. Moleskine is top quality and if you're OK with a classic spine then you can't go wrong with the Art Plus.
Leda Art Supply Sketchbook
Leda is another big brand that makes their own sketchbooks for artists of all types. This particular model comes in three sizes: small(3.5″ x 5.5″), medium(5.5″ x 8.2″), and large(7″ x 10″).
The smallest size is really damn small but perfect for on the go. It's really just a doodling book because the size limits how much you can draw.
Both the medium and large sketchbooks are made for fairly adept artists who want a sizable surface for drawing. They all have the same cover design, paper quality, and number of pages(160 total).
These pages are dense and they can easily support graphite, ink, or charcoal. This is a softcover sketchbook so it is flexible and easy to bend. Great for storage, not so great for keeping your pages straight.
And the Leda sketchbooks use a sewn binding which is much stronger than any glue or adhesive. It's truly an au naturale sketchbook for artists, writers, draftsmen, animators… pretty much anyone!
Leda's quality is just as great as Moleskine. The biggest benefit here is the softcover binding and the higher number of pages.
Canson Artist Series
If we're talking quality brands then Canson has to come up. They make some of the best art supplies and paper products around.
Best Sketchbooks For Markers
They have an entire line of Artist Series Sketchbooks all with perforated pages, a spiral binding, and a softcover design.
With this series of sketchbooks you have four different sizes to pick from:
- 5.5″ x 8.5″
- 9″ x 12″
- 11″ x 14″
- 18″ x 24″
Best Sketchbook Paper
The largest size is really huge and measures two feet wide!
The 18″ sketchbook is the only one with a landscape orientation so if you're looking for a super long sketchbook it's gonna be your best bet.
All other sizes use portrait orientation and they all share the same spiral binding.
One thing you might not like is the cover design. It uses ugly Canson branding with splash artwork as a marketing ploy. Most artists(myself included) prefer the solid black color.
But this is only a beauty mark and it does not affect the quality of the pages.
Each sketchbook comes with 100 full pages and supports dry mediums like graphite along with charcoal.
Canson is a reputable brand so their Artist Series is a great choice, especially if you're looking for a long landscape-oriented sketch pad.
Strathmore Field Sketch
I've been using the Strathmore Field Sketcbook for years and it's one of my favorites. Not super thick but also not super small.
It only comes with 70 pages which is on the lighter side. But every sheet is made from recycled paper which is eco friendly and often a selling point for artists.
There is some grit to the pages and they have their own 'tooth' and texture. These pages are definitely not flat so they can be nice for rendering(although it is sketchbook paper).
The front & back are completely hardcover which is great for artists who like to draw everywhere. And the spiral binding doesn't interfere when laying flat on the table. This is one of the few spiral-bound sketchbooks that actually lays flat(or close to flat).
Strathmore's field sketchbook has my seal of approval for beginners and experienced artists alike.
It does not have many pages but every sheet comes from recycled paper and they some nice texture to avoid that flat feeling.
Pro Art Spiral Bound
The Pro Art spiral-bound sketchbook is yet another A4 8.5″ by 11″ option for artists. This is much cheaper than others because the brand isn't as well known.
But the paper quality is similar and it works just like every other bound sketchbook.
However one big downside is the quantity. You only get 80 sheets of paper which is still pretty low considering others come with 160.
Best Sketchbook For Beginners
But every sheet is perforated and comes with a bit of texture too. This is high-quality thick paper made for ink or pencil and charcoal. Probably won't support watercolors though.
All-in-all a decent buy for the price. It's nothing special but it does provide a sturdy sketching experience from start to finish.
Strathmore Spiral Toned Sketch
There are dozens of toned sketchbooks to try with different shades of tan or grey. And the Strathmore Toned Tan sketchbook is an excellent choice for breaking into the world of toned sketchbooks.
This one is dirt cheap since it only comes with 50 pages and it's fairly small measuring 5.5″ x 8.5″.
But the page quality is superb and it's my favorite shade amongst all the tanned sketchbooks.
You can hit this paper with anything from graphite to charcoal, chalk to China markers or colored pencils. It'll hold up with so many different mediums that it's basically a universal sketchbook.
Seriously this paper quality is incredible. You can absolutely use this to create finished drawings with any medium you like.
And Strathmore has many other toned sketchbooks if you're looking for a different size or color.
Either way I highly recommend Strathmore for toned work(specifically for beginners). As you get better working on toned paper you can certainly branch out and try others too.
Rendr Hardbound Sketchbook
If you're looking for a thick sketchbook that'll handle any materials then take a peek at the Rendr Hardbound Sketchbook.
It's surprisingly cheap for such durable paper, although you only get 48 total pages. But you can use everything from ink to copic markers. Nothing will bleed through to the other side.
When you draw with marker it does tend to bleed into the surrounding creases on that side of the paper, but nothing that's noticeable. It certainly won't ruin your drawing and you'll learn to control it with time.
With this hardback book you'll have no trouble finding a surface to draw on. However it does slant a bit when laying flat on the table so you'll need to consider that before buying.
Finding a quality sketchbook that also supports markers is a huge task. But Render's hardbound sketchbook is a brilliant choice for this exact task.
I won't go so far as to say Render makes the best sketchbook for markers. But I will say it's in the top five and it's a brilliant beginner's book for getting into copic/prisma coloring.
GAM Landscape Sketchbook
One thing I like about the Global Art Materials sketchbooks is the diversity of styles. Take for example their large landscape sketchbook measuring 5.5″ x 8.25″ with a total of 128 acid-free pages.
From this basic setup you can choose between four different colors for the cover(red, blue, black, and green). And you can pick from five different sizes that also support these differently colored covers.
- Large Landscape(5.5″ x 8.25″)
- Large Portrait(8.25″ x 5.5″)
- Square(5.5″ x 5.5″)
- Pocket Landscape(3.5″ x 5.5″)
- Pocket Portrait(5.5″ x 3.5″)
Even the 'large' sketchbooks are still pretty small. Surprisingly these are resilient sketchbooks that can take pretty much anything.
You can go to town with markers, graphite, charcoal, any type of ink… pretty much any mediums can work well in this sketchbook. However watch out for watercolors because they may not bleed through, but they can crinkle the pages.
The sheer variety and style of this sketchbook makes it perfect as a travel companion. If you're looking for a sturdy binding with smaller dimensions then this is your book.
Stillman & Birn Hardbound Landscape
The Stillman & Birn Alpha Series has a number of great sketchbooks. I'm specifically focusing on their hardbound landscape sketchbook measuring a lofty 9″ x 6″.
It's surprising how few artists know about this brand. They certainly aren't popular worldwide but their quality is superb. It's also tough to find such great paper mixed into a hardcover landscape-oriented sketchbook.
The paper is thick and textured. It comes with a Bristol vellum surface which is tailor made for grabbing any type of pencil, charcoal, crayon, or any similar dry medium.
You only get 62 pages which can be a letdown since the price is higher than most sketchbooks. But if you're willing to give this a shot then you might be pleasantly surprised with the paper quality—surprised enough to stick with it even with a 62-page sketchbook.
If you're a complete beginner I'd recommend the Stillman & Birn Gamma sketchbook which uses the portrait orientation while keeping the vellum paper.
Strathmore 400 Field Watercolor
If you were waiting for a watercolor-focused sketchbook then you've finally found it! The Strathmore 400 series comes in landscape orientation with a spiral binding which is perfect for resting on an easel or a drawing board, indoors or outdoors.
I'm not usually a huge fan of the fixed binding but you could also look into the Strathmore STR-483-5. However that one only comes with 24 pages while the Strathmore 400 has a total of 30 pages(mixing cold press watercolor and sketch).
Strathmore's field books are some of the best and the spiral binding makes them super easy to leave open anywhere while you work.
I cannot recommend this enough for watercolorists. The paper quality is superb and yes it can be a bit pricey. But it's also one of the strongest bindings you'll find.
What To Look For
The first thing you need to consider is why you're getting a sketchbook and how it'll be used.
Do you want to draw illustrations and color with marker? Or do you want to use watercolors? Or maybe you want toned paper to work on a fixed background.
There are so many different styles to choose with different sizes, brands, and paper types. Most beginner artists just need a simple sketchbook with white paper that works.
In this case the Pentalic mentioned above is excellent.
But let's take a look at the different options you might consider:
- Size(A4/A3/A2)
- Spiralbound or hardbound
- Softcover or hardcover
- Default orientation(landscape or portrait)
- Type of paper
- Total number of pages
- Price
If you just want a simple sketchbook then the A4 size should be enough. But if you plan to use it for full drawings then you might want something a larger to show off your skills.
I always prefer spiral-bound over hardbound because it feels better for sketching on the go. However when drawing at a desk or on a board the spirals can elevate the book, tilting unevenly to one side.
Sketchbook orientations can always be changed by flipping to page. But you also have to consider where the binding is and if that'll get in the way of sketching.
All these features can drive you batty if you're brand new to sketching.
Best Sketchbooks
However as you progress and improve you'll learn a lot about paper types and artistic mediums. You'll learn which sketchbooks work best for you and which don't.
My goal with this post is to save you time by helping you pick the right sketchbook for any situation. I've organized my top 10 picks here, but if you have other suggestions feel free to share and maybe we can add them to the list.
Pentalic Sketch Spiral Bound
First up is my top pick for beginners and advanced artists alike. The Pentalic spiral-bound sketchbook has a sturdy construction, 160 pages, and thick paper quality so you can draw heavy & dark without bleeding through.
If you plan to use markers then you'll want another book. However these pages can hold up with ink, colored pencils, or even very light markers(probably not markers like Prisma).
It measures the standard A4 size of 8.5″ by 11″ so this should feel like drawing on copy paper. Each page is actually pretty smooth too, so it does replicate the feel of copy paper if you're used to that texture.
The hard covers are strong and will not bend or risk damage your drawings. It also makes the perfect surface to lean against if you don't have a desk or board handy.
For the price it's a great buy and you get plenty of pages to work through.
I recommend this Pentalic sketchbook if you need a durable choice to dive in and start sketching. It's not great for finished work, although you can bring some drawings to a complete render if you wish.
Moleskine Art Plus
The classic Moleskine Art Plus is a favorite among artists, designers, and writers alike. It's a universally-loved sketchbook because the brand is trustworthy and the quality is noticeable.
The Art Plus sketchbook is small yet versatile. It measures 5″ x 8.25″ so you can take this pretty much anywhere. It's a fantastic portable sketchbook that really feels like a quality design.
All of the 104 pages are thread bound meaning they use thread to keep them together. This is a staple of Moleskine notebooks and it's one reason why people love them so much.
This model is a hardback sketchbook which I find ideal for artists. But they do have paperback sketchbooks if you prefer that style.
I think the hardback is better for resting your palm and for keeping the inner pages free of crinkles. It's not super hard but it's definitely strong enough to stand on its own.
You'll get plain white paper that can hold well through ink and pencil. Plus the book comes with a wrapper elastic to mark your place wherever you leave off. This is a neat little feature so you don't have to flip around to find the next blank page.
Overall a brilliant sketchbook or notebook for any purpose. Moleskine is top quality and if you're OK with a classic spine then you can't go wrong with the Art Plus.
Leda Art Supply Sketchbook
Leda is another big brand that makes their own sketchbooks for artists of all types. This particular model comes in three sizes: small(3.5″ x 5.5″), medium(5.5″ x 8.2″), and large(7″ x 10″).
The smallest size is really damn small but perfect for on the go. It's really just a doodling book because the size limits how much you can draw.
Both the medium and large sketchbooks are made for fairly adept artists who want a sizable surface for drawing. They all have the same cover design, paper quality, and number of pages(160 total).
These pages are dense and they can easily support graphite, ink, or charcoal. This is a softcover sketchbook so it is flexible and easy to bend. Great for storage, not so great for keeping your pages straight.
And the Leda sketchbooks use a sewn binding which is much stronger than any glue or adhesive. It's truly an au naturale sketchbook for artists, writers, draftsmen, animators… pretty much anyone!
Leda's quality is just as great as Moleskine. The biggest benefit here is the softcover binding and the higher number of pages.
Canson Artist Series
If we're talking quality brands then Canson has to come up. They make some of the best art supplies and paper products around.
Best Sketchbooks For Markers
They have an entire line of Artist Series Sketchbooks all with perforated pages, a spiral binding, and a softcover design.
With this series of sketchbooks you have four different sizes to pick from:
- 5.5″ x 8.5″
- 9″ x 12″
- 11″ x 14″
- 18″ x 24″
Best Sketchbook Paper
The largest size is really huge and measures two feet wide!
The 18″ sketchbook is the only one with a landscape orientation so if you're looking for a super long sketchbook it's gonna be your best bet.
All other sizes use portrait orientation and they all share the same spiral binding.
One thing you might not like is the cover design. It uses ugly Canson branding with splash artwork as a marketing ploy. Most artists(myself included) prefer the solid black color.
But this is only a beauty mark and it does not affect the quality of the pages.
Each sketchbook comes with 100 full pages and supports dry mediums like graphite along with charcoal.
Canson is a reputable brand so their Artist Series is a great choice, especially if you're looking for a long landscape-oriented sketch pad.
Strathmore Field Sketch
I've been using the Strathmore Field Sketcbook for years and it's one of my favorites. Not super thick but also not super small.
It only comes with 70 pages which is on the lighter side. But every sheet is made from recycled paper which is eco friendly and often a selling point for artists.
There is some grit to the pages and they have their own 'tooth' and texture. These pages are definitely not flat so they can be nice for rendering(although it is sketchbook paper).
The front & back are completely hardcover which is great for artists who like to draw everywhere. And the spiral binding doesn't interfere when laying flat on the table. This is one of the few spiral-bound sketchbooks that actually lays flat(or close to flat).
Strathmore's field sketchbook has my seal of approval for beginners and experienced artists alike.
It does not have many pages but every sheet comes from recycled paper and they some nice texture to avoid that flat feeling.
Pro Art Spiral Bound
The Pro Art spiral-bound sketchbook is yet another A4 8.5″ by 11″ option for artists. This is much cheaper than others because the brand isn't as well known.
But the paper quality is similar and it works just like every other bound sketchbook.
However one big downside is the quantity. You only get 80 sheets of paper which is still pretty low considering others come with 160.
Best Sketchbook For Beginners
But every sheet is perforated and comes with a bit of texture too. This is high-quality thick paper made for ink or pencil and charcoal. Probably won't support watercolors though.
All-in-all a decent buy for the price. It's nothing special but it does provide a sturdy sketching experience from start to finish.
Strathmore Spiral Toned Sketch
There are dozens of toned sketchbooks to try with different shades of tan or grey. And the Strathmore Toned Tan sketchbook is an excellent choice for breaking into the world of toned sketchbooks.
This one is dirt cheap since it only comes with 50 pages and it's fairly small measuring 5.5″ x 8.5″.
But the page quality is superb and it's my favorite shade amongst all the tanned sketchbooks.
You can hit this paper with anything from graphite to charcoal, chalk to China markers or colored pencils. It'll hold up with so many different mediums that it's basically a universal sketchbook.
Seriously this paper quality is incredible. You can absolutely use this to create finished drawings with any medium you like.
And Strathmore has many other toned sketchbooks if you're looking for a different size or color.
Either way I highly recommend Strathmore for toned work(specifically for beginners). As you get better working on toned paper you can certainly branch out and try others too.
Rendr Hardbound Sketchbook
If you're looking for a thick sketchbook that'll handle any materials then take a peek at the Rendr Hardbound Sketchbook.
It's surprisingly cheap for such durable paper, although you only get 48 total pages. But you can use everything from ink to copic markers. Nothing will bleed through to the other side.
When you draw with marker it does tend to bleed into the surrounding creases on that side of the paper, but nothing that's noticeable. It certainly won't ruin your drawing and you'll learn to control it with time.
With this hardback book you'll have no trouble finding a surface to draw on. However it does slant a bit when laying flat on the table so you'll need to consider that before buying.
Finding a quality sketchbook that also supports markers is a huge task. But Render's hardbound sketchbook is a brilliant choice for this exact task.
I won't go so far as to say Render makes the best sketchbook for markers. But I will say it's in the top five and it's a brilliant beginner's book for getting into copic/prisma coloring.
GAM Landscape Sketchbook
One thing I like about the Global Art Materials sketchbooks is the diversity of styles. Take for example their large landscape sketchbook measuring 5.5″ x 8.25″ with a total of 128 acid-free pages.
From this basic setup you can choose between four different colors for the cover(red, blue, black, and green). And you can pick from five different sizes that also support these differently colored covers.
- Large Landscape(5.5″ x 8.25″)
- Large Portrait(8.25″ x 5.5″)
- Square(5.5″ x 5.5″)
- Pocket Landscape(3.5″ x 5.5″)
- Pocket Portrait(5.5″ x 3.5″)
Even the 'large' sketchbooks are still pretty small. Surprisingly these are resilient sketchbooks that can take pretty much anything.
You can go to town with markers, graphite, charcoal, any type of ink… pretty much any mediums can work well in this sketchbook. However watch out for watercolors because they may not bleed through, but they can crinkle the pages.
The sheer variety and style of this sketchbook makes it perfect as a travel companion. If you're looking for a sturdy binding with smaller dimensions then this is your book.
Stillman & Birn Hardbound Landscape
The Stillman & Birn Alpha Series has a number of great sketchbooks. I'm specifically focusing on their hardbound landscape sketchbook measuring a lofty 9″ x 6″.
It's surprising how few artists know about this brand. They certainly aren't popular worldwide but their quality is superb. It's also tough to find such great paper mixed into a hardcover landscape-oriented sketchbook.
The paper is thick and textured. It comes with a Bristol vellum surface which is tailor made for grabbing any type of pencil, charcoal, crayon, or any similar dry medium.
You only get 62 pages which can be a letdown since the price is higher than most sketchbooks. But if you're willing to give this a shot then you might be pleasantly surprised with the paper quality—surprised enough to stick with it even with a 62-page sketchbook.
If you're a complete beginner I'd recommend the Stillman & Birn Gamma sketchbook which uses the portrait orientation while keeping the vellum paper.
Strathmore 400 Field Watercolor
If you were waiting for a watercolor-focused sketchbook then you've finally found it! The Strathmore 400 series comes in landscape orientation with a spiral binding which is perfect for resting on an easel or a drawing board, indoors or outdoors.
I'm not usually a huge fan of the fixed binding but you could also look into the Strathmore STR-483-5. However that one only comes with 24 pages while the Strathmore 400 has a total of 30 pages(mixing cold press watercolor and sketch).
Strathmore's field books are some of the best and the spiral binding makes them super easy to leave open anywhere while you work.
I cannot recommend this enough for watercolorists. The paper quality is superb and yes it can be a bit pricey. But it's also one of the strongest bindings you'll find.
If you're looking for a portrait orientation then check out the Pentalic Watercolor Dream Catcher. It has a similar design with stronger pages, yet no spiral binding(unfortunately).
Hardcover Art Alternatives Sketchbook
Looking for the strongest sketchbook known to man? Want something so huge and bulky that it'll take you months, if not years, to complete?
Then you'll adore the Very Big Sketchbook made by Art Alternatives.
This thing is absolutely massive totaling 300 pages(front and back) for a total of 600 sides of paper to sketch your heart away.
I'm not a huge fan of the binding style but it is very high quality. This paper can support gel pens, fountain pens, all forms of graphite/carbon and even some watercolors. But I don't recommend this as a watercolor sketchbook.
Instead this works better for artists who want to watch their progression over time. In the span of 300 pages you can make a lot of progress, do a lot of studies, and learn so many techniques.
I'd recommend this more for beginner-to-intermediate artists who want to keep it as a journal of their artwork. This thing is massive but it also offers a great drawing experience with thick pages and a hard cover design.
Best Toned Sketchbook
So what is the best toned sketchbook? Depending on what color, size, and orientation you want, this is a tough question to answer well.
But overall I do recommend the Strathmore spiral toned pads for the paper quality and binding.
Spiral bound sketchbooks are just easier to work with(in my opinion) and they offer more flexibility whether you're drawing on a drawing board or drawing outside in the grass. The only thing I don't like is the size. The tanned tone sketch pad measures 5.5″ x 8.5″ which feels a bit small to me.
Some artists like to use the gray toned sketchpad which is just as great. It's a lot bigger(9″ x 12″) and somewhat easier for beginners to pick up.
If you're new to shading and lighting then a toned sketchbook won't help you master shadows, lights, or rendering. But a toned sketchbook can help you understand how rendering works and how you can choose to leave out(or add) certain details.
But overall my #1 recommendation here is the Strathmore toned sketchbook.
Best Sketchbook For Markers
There are so many different types of markers that you can use for coloring. How do you even begin looking for sketchbooks?
As a general recommendation I like the Global Art Materials large landscape sketchbook which holds up well with all markers. It comes in many colors and has an elastic wrap to keep your pages bookmarked.
But this isn't always the best choice since even their largest sketchbook is still kinda small(5″ x 8″).
If you want a large sketch pad for markers then the Canson XL Series is perfect. The smallest Canson size is equal to GAM's largest sketchbook. And the Canson XL can be purchased as large as 18″ x 24″ which is a huge area for drawing/coloring.
Again this all boils down to your needs. Both are great, yet both work best for different scenarios.
Go with the GAM sketchbook if you'll be coloring for fun or if you want a portable sketchbook. The Canson XL series is better for larger studies.
Finding Your Sketchbook
Ultimately the best sketchbook is the one that works for you. They all come in different sizes, shapes, bindings, and with a large variety of paper styles.
Picking the best sketchbook is a tough call, especially as a beginner. But it gets easier if you know exactly what you want. I recommend the Pentalic Sketch Book specifically for newer artists who just need a sketchbook to practice more often.
But there is no 'wrong' answer so take a look around and see what you can find.
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Choosing the surface you will be drawing on is just as important as choosing the perfect pen, the perfect model, or getting the perfect idea, and it should not be neglected. Here is a list of best sketchbooks for different types of drawing, as well as tips on what to look for when buying them.
1. Rhodia Landscape Webnotebook – 96 sheets, gsm 90, 210 x 145mm (8¼ x 5½ inch)
This is the perfect drawing notebook. It's landscape oriented, with 96 sheets of wonderful, high quality paper. The dimensions are about A5. The paper is acid free, and the gsm is high, which makes it really durable and ensures there is no bleed through, so it's perfect for ink drawing. The surface is smooth and the paper color is a lovely shade of white. It also has a useful inner pocket and a ribbon page marker. This is my favorite because the size is perfect, sheet thickness is perfect, and it also looks amazing. I do most of my drawing with ink pens, and this sketchbook has almost no see-through, which is essential. The biggest con is that it costs four times as much as some other great notebooks. It's very much worth it though. For more information, customer reviews and prices click here.
Understanding Paper Weight
Paper weight is a term which often causes confusion among people who are just looking to buy the best possible drawing notebook, pad or sketchbook, and don't want to be bothered with technicalities. The most important thing to remember is that the greater the paper weight, the thicker the paper. Weight is expressed either as basis weight, as caliper, or in gsm (grams per square meter). Basis weight is a fixed weight of 500 sheets of a type of paper measured in pounds (not all paper types have the same sheet size). Caliper is a term which refers to the thickness of a single sheet of paper (in 1/1000 of an inch). Gsm is simply how many grams paper weighs per square meter. So what you should look for when choosing drawing notebooks, or trying to buy the best sketchbook to suit your needs is the caliper number, or the gsm. The higher these numbers are, the thicker the paper. For example, normal office printing paper is 80 gsm, and most newspapers are printed on 40-50 gsm paper. Generally, paper with gsm of 90 or higher is considered high quality, and it will be good enough to use with almost all types of ink, dip or fountain pens.
Best Sketchbooks For Artists
2. Leuchtturm Hardcover Notebook – 249 pages, gsm 80, 210 x 145mm (8¼ x 5½ inch)
This is my favorite 'every day' sketchbook. It's perfect for doodling and writing down ideas, or creating concepts. Even though the paper is only gsm 80, it's completely bleed-proof. The paper is high quality and acid free. My favorite thing about this sketchbook is that it's thread bound, hence it opens flat, which enables you to draw without having to use one hand for holding the notebook down. The cover is washable, which can come in handy if you drag your sketchbooks around with you for months (or years) like I do. They come in a variety of colors, you can get them dotted, plain, lined or squared, and they also have numbered pages, which I love. For more information, customer reviews and prices click here.
Texture (Paper Tooth)
Paper's texture is important when choosing the best sketchbook because not all media will perform optimally on all types of surfaces. For example, ink pens and markers generally do best on smoother surfaces, while charcoal or pastel prefer rough textures. If you tried using them the other way around, the result wouldn't be good. There are many different textures, and they range from smooth to rough, with a lot of 'in-betweens'. There is really no strict rules, and the best way is to experiment and learn from your mistakes. Try out several different types and you will soon learn to tell which type of surface is best for what.
3. The Classic Moleskine – 192 pages, 3.8 x 5.8 inch (96 x 147 mm), gsm unknown
Best Sketchbook For Markers
This sketchbook is an absolute classic. it offers great design, and the two main sizes (pocket and regular) can cover all your doodling needs. The problem is that the paper is not as good as it may seem (or better say it doesn't keep up the pace with the design and brand popularity). The gsm number is undisclosed by the company, but it's obvious that it can't be higher than 75-80. This makes Moleskines my favorites for pencil drawing and sketching, but they are definitely not my first choice when it comes to ink pens or fountain pens. There is no bleed through, but the see through is too much. Still, Moleskines are among the best sketchbooks you can get. For more information, customer reviews and prices click here.
Acid Free or Archival
One of the most important properties of paper is its acidity or pH value (measured on a scale from 0 to 14, 0 being acid, 14 alkaline and 7 neutral). Paper which is considered acidic has a pH value below 7. This is important to know because the life expectancy of paper is highly dependable on its pH. The more acidic the paper, the shorter its life expectancy. Simply put, you wouldn't want to spend several months drawing on pH 3 paper because the drawing would fade by the time you finished. Most types of paper today are acid free. This means they were made using alkaline paper making technology (the pH of the production materials higher than 7). If you can, always try to get acid free paper when buying sketchbooks, they will last much longer. Archival paper is a naturally acid free paper. In addition to that, it should also meet several other requirements to claim that title. It's generally considered to be the highest quality paper, it's especially permanent and durable. Archival paper is often used for very important legal documents etc.
4. Palomino Luxury Notebook – 160 pages, gsm 90, 130 x 210 mm (5 x 8¼ inch)
This is a well rounded, perfect sketchbook with high quality, thick, smooth, acid free paper. The design is amazing, and the hardboard cover is very durable. The biggest downside is the price, but Palominos are still among my favorites. For more information, customer reviews and prices click here.
5. Field Notes – 3 sketchbooks, 48 pages, 3.5 x 5.5 inch (90 x 140 mm), gsm unknown
These are cheap and extremely good. What I like most is the satin finish on the paper's surface which makes them perfect for ink drawing. These are see through though, same as Moleskines, so you will probably be drawing on every other page. Besides that, they are probably best value for money when comparing best sketchbooks (around $3 a piece). For more information, customer reviews and prices click here.
6.Muji Notebook – set of five pocket size (A6 notebooks), 105 x 148 mm (6 x 4.5 inch), (the best cheap sketchbook)
These are made in Japan out of more than 50% recycled paper. They are extremely cheap (around $10 for a pack of five). The paper is of ok quality, and most fountain pens will not bleed through. They are great for carrying around because they are pocket size. All in all, cheap, great design, good paper, handy. For more information, customer reviews and prices click here.
7. Masterclass premium (9 by 12 inch) hardcover
This is the perfect practice sketchbook. It's not meant to be carried around, but it's great for working at home. It has a 'not too white' white color, and the spiral binding comes in handy too. It comes with 100 sheets of fine 60 pound paper, and the price is extremely reasonable. The surface is acid free and slightly perforated, and it will work wonderfully with all dry media such as pen, pencil or charcoal. A perfect practice pad. For more information, customer reviews and prices click here.
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