A sketchbook is an artist’s closest companion and something they cannot afford to live without. They will spend most of their time with a sketchbook and pour in their thoughts without thinking twice, just like with a partner or close friend. Many artists find the time to fill their sketchbooks with a bevy of paintings and drawings, even if they have a busy routine. Someone sketching and drawing since childhood will likely be skilled enough to the point where their sketchbooks may feel like a private art gallery.
So, how do you pick the right sketchbook for you? Good question!
Because sketching has become one of the most popular hobbies in recent years, many businesses are coming up with new versions of sketchbooks every day. We have rated and reviewed some of the finest sketchbooks currently available online so you can let your artistic side loose.
Let’s start our list of the finest sketchbooks with this pack of 2 from Artisto, a brand known for its arts and crafts accessories. You will feel the difference in your sketches, as the sketch papers are bright white with a fantastic texture. Whether you are a beginner artist who’s still struggling with sketching, or a veteran artist who just wants to update their collection, this sketchbook will cater to all your needs.
These sketchbooks are excellent for dry media, with no smudged lines on the high-density paper. Each book has 200 acid-free sheets 100 gsm thick that measure 9×12 inches. Artists will appreciate how the absorbency, texture, color, and weight of these books will contribute to their overall experience. The micro-perforation on each page and sheet texture set these sketchbooks apart from others on the list, and make them the best overall.
Love to draw but don’t feel like you’re progressing your skills fast enough? All you need is some direction in your practice, and the right “prompts” to help you grow your sketching skills step by step.
Figuring out what to draw is one of the hardest parts when it comes to drawing, and this sketchbook solves that issue. It includes well-designed prompts that can keep you busy for a whole year. It tells you exactly what to work on every day, which makes it less likely for you to skip practice. There’s lots of diversity to keep challenging you in new ways, including varying subjects like fireworks, speeding trains, portraits, and much more. Just grab a pencil and get to work!
Veteran artists swear by Strathmore scrapbooks, and this one is no exception. This book is ideal for sketching with dry media, and the page’s texture is smooth, making it suitable for taking notes, measurements, and drawing. It also comes in a handy size, so you can take it with you for on-location sketching or drawing landscapes. The sturdy and durable hardcover keeps your work intact without folding or creasing the sheets.
The main feature where this sketchbook shines is the lightweight and high-quality paper. It is ideal for working with pastels, pens, and pencils. Moreover, the pen glides smoothly without bleeding, giving you more control over the media for sharp and controlled lines. The overall quality of this sketchbook makes this our runner-up in this list
You can transfer all your thoughts on this sketching paper pad without worrying about smudging, and frequent erasing won’t damage the paper surface, so beginners can use it for multiple drawings without worrying about warping. The sturdy spiral binding allows you to smoothly flip the page, and you can draw or paint on both sides. Additionally, you won’t have any trouble detaching the paper to give the sketch to someone.
This sketchbook’s compact size and protective cover make it suitable to stash in your backpack and carry around to have something with you every time. Another great feature of this sketching pad is that it is made of recyclable and acid-free paper that minimizes blotches and transfers. The pH-neutral sheets won’t turn yellow, keeping your artwork looking as good as new for years to come. If you are looking for a durable sketchbook, this premium product with a lower price tag is a great affordable choice.
The spiral-bound on top of this sketchbook by Bachmore makes it suitable for both left and right-handed people and is worth a mention in this list. The papers are smooth, allowing pens and pencils to glide smoothly to draw clear lines. You can tear the paper easily to give your amazing art pieces to the special ones in your life.
The acid-free, thick, and strong paper makes this sketchbook ideal for caryons, charcoals, pencils, sketching sticks, and other dry media. The hardcover is 100% handmade, which is a nice touch. The hard bottom pads on the front and back cover keep your hard work safe and secure. This sketchbook contains 100 pieces of 100 gsm white paper that won’t bleed colors.
This smudge-resistant, premium-quality, and versatile sketching pad set bring you 200 beautiful white and smooth 60 gsm sheets to draw on the go. Since there is always an opportunity to draw something, having sketchbooks handy is a very practical decision that an artist can make. These sketch pads’ compact and portable size makes them a must-have for anyone into on-site or impromptu sketching. The strong hardback allows you to draw anywhere without needing a drawing board.
The acid-free, non-fading papers eliminate the worry that your favorite sketches and drawings will deteriorate over time. On top of this, the pH-neutral sheets don’t turn yellow even when kept in storage for years. The quality texture of the sheets allows almost all dry media to grip the surface and glide smoothly, giving you the finest results. Perforated edges and the spiral binding allow for easy tearing of the pages when needed. The sheer number of pages you get for the price makes this sketchbook a great value option and a worthy mention in our list.
There are so many sketchbooks to choose from, and each one excels in a different area (charcoal, marker, gel pens, toned paper, watercolors). If you’re looking for the greatest sketchbook, you’ll want to make sure that the paper is heavy enough, the binding is solid, and the cover is sturdy enough to preserve your work. For those who like to take out their sketches, the pages should be entirely perforated so they may easily be detached. Scroll through this handy guide to know how to choose the finest sketchbooks.
This is the most common binding type, and the easiest to deal with for artists. The perk of spiral binding is that you can fold the pages over completely without creasing or warping the sheets. Such sketchbooks are easy to manage, and the perforated edges make tearing the paper a breeze.
The only drawback of wired binding is that you may damage the paper when taking these sketchbooks out with you.
Veteran artists may not choose a glue-bound sketchbook because it doesn’t lay flat on surfaces or it can be a hassle to pull out sketches. Professional artists should avoid using glue bindings because they can get in the way of sketching and the glue type that most companies use is generally harmful from an archival perspective. Glue binding is most commonly used by manufacturers that offer inexpensive sketch pads. We recommend cutting out the pages with a precision blade to ensure a hassle-free sketching experience if you go for glue-bound sketchbooks.
Thread bindings, which may be seen in some of the most expensive sketchbooks, make the book appear slimmer, and it is especially noticeable when compared to a wire-bound sketchbook. The lack of glue or chemicals in a thread binding makes it an excellent option for artists who are concerned about the longevity of their work. It’s much easier to concentrate on your drawing when you’re using a sketchbook with a thread binding that lies flat on your desk.
There are so many sketchbook brands to choose from that it might be difficult to make a decision. To get the most out of their sketchbooks, artists and individuals should take the following features into account before making any purchases.
A sketchbook’s size depends on your needs as an artist, writer, or just someone searching for a place to jot down their thoughts. Even if limiting yourself to a specific size might be difficult, it is essential to choose a notebook that is practical for your intended purpose.
The weight of your sketchbook is another important feature that can make or break things. The more pages you want in it, the more bulky your sketchbook will be. If you’re looking for something for random, quick sketches, you may want to choose a lightweight book rather than a heavy one with unnecessary pages and sheets.
You need a book with a sturdy binding for a long-lasting journal. A strong binding keeps all the content tightly knit to ensure that the pages won’t fall out while you move around. You should look for terms like “long-lasting spine” to rest assured you are investing in the right product.
The most used papers in a sketchbook are cartridge-toned paper, watercolor paper, and black paper. Your intended purpose will affect your decision as you need different types of papers for different activities.
If you’re a regular artist, you’ll find that you instinctively sketch at a certain scale. You may prefer to use only a quarter of the page or use the complete page to show your creativity. Keep this aspect in mind before choosing a sketchbook to ensure it can handle the artwork you intend to draw.
It’s a good idea to think about how you intend to use this notebook. You also need to think about where you’ll draw since if you prefer drawing from the comfort of your home, you can get a sketch pad that is bigger and bulkier. However, you will definitely need something compact and lightweight to keep in your backpack if you prefer drawing landscapes and objects outside.
Before choosing a sketchbook it is important to decide on the media you want to choose because not every type of paper is suitable for each medium. For example, if you get a sketch pad for dry media and use it for water-based painting, colors will bleed through the page.
If you often use pencils and colored pencils, a thin 20-pound paper is a good choice for your doodles. Thicker paper with heavy saturation is better for watercolor paints, gouache paint, or markers.
You can draw virtually anything on a sketchbook from clothing designs to sketches and landscapes. The only aspect to consider is that you should choose the right type of sketching paper according to your activities.
Printer paper is a lower-quality paper that is designed for printing, markings, or drawing raw models rather than finished sketches. Though it is less expensive than high-quality sketch paper, you can’t get finished results and won’t be able to preserve the artwork for long. It can be a cheaper option for kids to learn, play, and work.
Leather sketchbooks are elegant and ideal for folks who spend just as much time at home as they do on the road. Using a leather-bound sketch pad is a long-term investment that will serve you well for many years.
People use sketch books in a variety of ways. Artists use them for drafts of their work or to make sketch art. People also use them for doodling or jotting down ideas.
Yes. Most sketch books are composed of paper that can be tossed in the recycling bin.
At Art Life Today, our passion for arts and crafts is at the heart of everything we do. We understand that the right tools and materials can make all the difference in your creative projects, so we take our responsibility as reviewers seriously. Our goal is to help you discover the best products that will inspire your creativity and bring your artistic visions to life.