Best sketchbook on Reddit
119 reviews from r/ArtistLounge, r/Watercolor, r/Gouache and 14 more subreddits
119 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Canson
4.1
(17)
"Canson XL mixed media hasn’t let me down yet. They’re pretty cheap and can handle pretty much anything."
"Canson mixed media pad is my personal fave."
"Great marker-compatible paper, had a great time using it!"
"Canson XL mixed media sketchbooks have held up well imo."
"The Canson XL mixed media rough has been a big win in my book."
"Canson and Strathmore are the only two brands I have tried and they both worked well for my needs."
"Check out Hahnemühle and canson. I currently have a sketchbook that opens 180°"
"I haven't tried it, but I'd expect good things based on the pedigrees of the paper."
"Canson Montval Field WC wirebound pad"
"Canson sketchbooks handle paint well and come in various sizes."
#2
Etchr
4.5
(13)
"I'm in love with the Etchr everyday hot press sketchbooks. The A6 is the perfect low pressure size for me."
"They are pricey, but I think they are excellent, especially for a journal form."
"I like the Etchr one."
"Amazing paper, 100% cotton, but the price increased from $35 to $50."
"Third the Etchr sketchbook recommendations. They’re awesome. I prefer the one with the smooth grey cover over the paintable white cover one."
"Etchr from Aus as someone else noted are very nice (and they come with a cover you can paint)."
"Etchr sketchbooks are fantastic. They are 300gsm 100% cotton in many sizes."
"The standard series Perfect Sketchbook is also a great option."
"Highly recommend Etchr Perfect Sketchbook Signature series in B5 size."
"I haven't found anything that compares to the etchr sketchbooks."
#3
Strathmore
4.4
(9)
"The best sketchbook i tried for watercolor is the Strathmore 400"
"Strathmore Mixed Media Visual Journal is another favorite of mine."
"I've enjoyed the Strathmore watercolors sketchbook."
"I like it so much that I'm planning on getting another one!"
"I am using Strathmore 400 with around five layers."
"Strathmore 400 visual journal - these might be discontinued but you can still find them."
"Opens flat, paper has enough tooth for graphite, works with ink."
"Holds up well with gouache, the papers remain flat despite being less than the standard 300gsm."
"The paper isn’t super thick, but it is 100% cotton, so it generally holds up pretty decently to everything I’ve thrown at it."
#4
Hahnemühle
3.8
(9)
"This is my absolute favorite sketchbook line."
"Im a fan of Hahnemühle's Cappuccino Book"
"Check out Hahnemühle and canson. I currently have a sketchbook that opens 180°"
"Hahnemuhle toned WC Book Beige"
"Hahnemuehle makes 100% sketchbooks that check all your boxes except for the weight, they’re 200gsm which is closer to 100lb."
"Their cp paper is slightly smoother."
"I like the Hahnemuhle ones, but they seem to only go up to A4."
"Hahnemuhle is not as good as Moleskine or Pentalic."
"I haven't loved the hahnemuhle paper I tried in the past."
#5
Ohuhu
4.2
(6)
"Marker Pads Art Sketchbook, Ohuhu 6.9"x6.5" Mini Square Size, 120LB/200GSM Heavy Smooth Drawing Papers."
"The paper is really nice and thick enough for mixed media and markers."
"Ohuhu has a spiral-bound sketchbook for their alcohol markers."
"I like Ohuhu sketchbooks the most. They have thick paper, but ink still does bleed through if you layer heavily."
"Ohuhu makes really good sketchbooks. 200 g paper. It still bleeds but markers behave well on it."
"Good ink absorption but pages are tearable."
#6
Arches
4.8
(5)
"The Arches Oil Paper comes in a big roll, allowing for economical cutting to size."
"You can get 10 sheets of Arches Bright White size 22x30 for under $100."
"Making your own sketchbooks is a rewarding and creative process."
"Binding your own sketchbook using Arches paper is easy and allows for customization."
"I’ve started making my own accordion style books from the bigger sheets of watercolor paper."
#7
Moleskine
3.1
(7)
"Moleskine is better than Hahnemuhle."
"Moleskine Art WC album, hardcover, large and pocket size"
"I use a moleskine watercolor book and like it, but it’s not the regular moleskine paper."
"It can handle around 4 layers of colors before being saturated, but doesn't break!"
"The Moleskine paper doesn't hold up to wet media."
"Any chance you got regular moleskin instead of moleskin watercolor? That might be your issue."
"The paper has a lot of feathering and is too expensive."
#8
Fabriano
4.8
(4)
"A big Fan of Fabriano 1264 and Canson XL Mixed Media."
"[Fabriano Studio Fat Pad](https://www.dickblick.com/products/fabriano-studio-drawing-fat-pad/)"
"It’s probably the best quality out there."
"Fabriano's Venezia sketchbooks will handle some watercolors, but not as nicely as good heavy 100% cotton watercolor paper. They are a good all-around mixed media sketchbook."
#9
Rendr
4.5
(4)
"I like Rendr sketchbooks and paper."
"They’re made specifically to prevent bleed through."
"I really like these kind of sketch books as well. Rendr, Ohuhu double-sided, Canson "Wall", etc."
"I use a Rendr one I use for markers only."
#10
Baohong
4.0
(3)
"A little pricey at $29 on Amazon, but I will buy this one again."
"I hear Baohong is good and can usually be snagged for much cheaper than Fabriano."
"The texture is a bit rougher than other cold press, but it fits your requirements."
#11
Bristol
5.0
(2)
"Seconding the recommendation for thick, smooth bristol~"
"Heavy, smooth Bristol paper"
#12
Stillman & Birn
5.0
(2)
"Stillman & Birn is great, or koh-i-noor"
"Stillman & Birn - Zeta"
#13
Crescent
5.0
(2)
"Crescent RendR series is my go to for alcohol markers."
"They don't bleed and come in a variety of formats."
#14
Stillman and Birn
4.5
(2)
"Stillman and Birn have great sketchbooks! They also have a huge variety."
"Stillman and Birn have a lot of different series and many are mixed media."
#15
Winsor & Newton
4.0
(2)
"I've used the Winsor and Newton sketchbook for marker pieces and the paper works well."
"If you're interested in drawing, I suggest the Winsor and Newton Sketchbook."
#16
Talens
4.0
(2)
"EU here use Talens sketchbooks for coloring pencils, painting with acrylics, gouache, acrylic gouache, watercolors not too wet brush, etc."
"My favourite are the Talens Art Creations sketchbooks. They come in multiple colours, in a4 size (+ some others)..."
#17
Pentalic
4.0
(2)
"I'm quite fond of Pentalic travel sketchbooks"
"Pentalic watercolor field book."
#18
Articka
4.0
(2)
"The Articka sketchbook is a great alternative to the illo sketchbook, featuring smooth bright white 180gsm paper and a similar style."
"Testing sketchbooks so you don’t have to, with positive feedback on the product."
#19
Bee Paper
5.0
(1)
"I do highly recommend the watercolor sketchbook by Bee Paper, it’s like 30 sheets of *100% cotton* paper for only 20 bucks"
#20
Seawhite of Brighton
5.0
(1)
"I love Seawhite of Brighton. Really good variety of sketchbooks."
#21
Canvas Graduate Book
5.0
(1)
"Ive found this is honestly fantastic for poscas - it was pretty cheap on amazon for like £10 too."
#22
Handbook Journal Co
5.0
(1)
"I’ve used and loved both versions."
#23
Sketchbook
5.0
(1)
"I find it helps me keep track of my progress with my art."
#24
Aquabee
5.0
(1)
"Aquabee Super Deluxe is one of my favorite sketchbooks."
#25
Blick
5.0
(1)
"Blick art has a whole line of sketchbooks that come in all paper types, medium support, and various sizes. I prefer watercolor paper because it handles wet mediums well."
#26
Koval
5.0
(1)
"Koval sketchbooks are handbound with thicker and stiffer paper, making them ideal for watercolor."
#27
Saunders Waterford
5.0
(1)
"10 sheets of Saunders Waterford for about $60."
#28
Kraft
5.0
(1)
"The kraft paper scrapbook is sturdy and takes gouache paint well after the initial wash."
#29
Soho
5.0
(1)
"The book lays flat for most pages and comes in various paper types and thicknesses."
#30
Clairefontaine
5.0
(1)
"This paper tolerates water-based mediums and is of decent weight."
#31
Lama Li Paris
5.0
(1)
"The paper is recycled cotton cloth and has a really interesting texture."
#32
Royal Talens
2.5
(2)
"Royal Talens has multimedia sketchbooks too, great value and the paper is smooth but slightly thinner still so again using both sides is not a good idea."
"Not suitable for watercolor as it requires heavier and more absorbent paper."
#33
Pentalic Nature Sketch Pad
4.0
(1)
"The Pentalic Nature Sketch pads would serve you well."
#34
Strathmore Mixed Media Journal
4.0
(1)
"I'm fine with the Strathmore Mixed media journal, 100% cotton."
#35
Canson Mixed Media
4.0
(1)
"I also like Canson Mixed Media."
#36
Daniel Smith Titanium White Watercolor Ground
4.0
(1)
"I recently tried out Daniel Smith titanium white watercolor ground though—stuff is pretty great for painting opaquely with gouache!"
#37
Maruman
4.0
(1)
"I've also used maruman sketchbooks for marker work and I really like the paper here."
#38
Copic
4.0
(1)
"- copic paper, it's designed for marker and should have less bleeding and warping."
#39
Michael's Artist Loft
4.0
(1)
"I really enjoy Michael’s Artist Loft brand watercolor pads!"
#40
Walmart
4.0
(1)
"Wal Mart has nice size multi media."
#41
Koh-I-Noor
4.0
(1)
"The paper is designed to be removed and then placed back in the sketchbook."
#42
huelox / Lightwish
3.0
(1)
"I bought an 8" squate 'oil pastel sketchbook' by huelox / Lightwish. It’s okay IMO, a lot like Strathmore mixed media 400 but with"
#43
Deleter
3.0
(1)
"The Deleter Marker Paper doesn't bleed through but I wouldn't do watercolor."
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