What sketchbook should I choose?

My sketchbooks through the years

Hi everyone!

I thought today I would share with you my thoughts on different sketchbooks that I have tried. There are so many types of sketchbooks out there, it can get overwhelming to decide which one is a good match for you. Below I will share the sketchbooks I like and what I have used them for.  This post is not sponsored, these are based on my personal preferences and style.

The most important thing to consider when choosing a sketchbook, is the type of paper it has since this is what will determine what type of media you will be able to use in it.

I usually decorate my sketchbook covers to make them my own. The sticker on the little sketchbook is by @ratherpuckish on Instagram.

 For regular drawing I like any sketchbook. There are so many to choose from with different covers and sizes. I like the larger sketchbooks as this size allows me to draw a lot of different sketches on a page. I also like the hard covered ones as these sketchbooks can lay flat on a table. I use these sketchbooks to brainstorm ideas which can be later used for proper paintings or projects. For these sketchbooks I like to use graphite pencils, ink pens, colored pencils, and certain markers. You need to be careful about wet mediums as these types of sketchbooks cannot take water very well. If you do you can end up with holes in the paper.

One sketchbook that was huge one year was the Ilo Sketchbook. This one has stronger paper, at 180 g/m2 (the higher the number the more layers of paint it can take). I like it because I can use gouache, acrylics and markers as well as all other dry media in it. I do not recommend it for water media though. It comes as a 8x8 inches, is hardbound and costs about $17.

There are also sketchbooks that are made for certain types of media. One that I would like to mention is the RENDR sketchbook. It is a special sketchbook as I have never used anything like it. Alcohol markers are amazing to use but they bleed through any type of paper except this one. How? I have no idea! But it’s like magic. You can use alcohol markers on both sides of the paper which you can’t do with any other type of paper, even if it is marketed as “marker paper”. It is a hardbound 8.5 x 11 inches and it costs about $27. The only downside is that you can’t really use water based mediums.

I decorated the cover of the RENDR sketchbook as it comes in black

For wet mediums I prefer mixed media or watercolor sketchbooks. My recommendations when choosing these are to look for the type of paper they have. The higher the g/m2 the more layers of paint and water they can take. I usually prefer them above 200 g/m2. I like hardbound sketchbooks as they lay flat on a table. The types of mediums you can use on these sketchbooks include: gouache, watercolor, ink, acrylic, acrylic gouache, colored pencils, markers, graphite, alcohol markers and much more. Below are brands that I recommend to try:

 Stillman and Birn: Zeta (smooth surface) or Beta (cold press) more texture. These have 270 g/m2 and are softbound. They range in price from $15-28.

 Hahnemuhle: I love the watercolor paper in them. They come in multiple sizes and are hardbound. They have 200 g/m2 and are 100% cotton. They range in price from $15-35.

Arteza: I like the watercolor ones. They have multiple sizes and are 230 g/m2. I like the square size. These range from $26-35 (per pack of two or three).

Strathmore: Mixed Media  at 190 g/m2 you can still use a lot of layers and use wet medium. You do need to be careful not to use too many laters as the paper can peel.

Strathmore: Watercolor comes in 300 g/m2 this one you can use wet medium and dry medium. It does have texture to it so keep that in mind.

Strathmore has so many different sizes and different bindings. In my opinion this brand is so versatile. This is the brand I started with. Their prices range from $9-25.

Pictured here are the following brands: Strathmore, Archer and Olive, Jane Davenport, Ilo, and one I made myself.

In the end it all comes down to preference, your style and what medium you want to use. I recommend for you to try all kinds of mediums. Experiment! Enjoy the process!

I hope with this guide you find the sketchbook that works for you.

Whatever you choose, I hope you enjoy it and make it your own.

Your artist friend

-Luamy