If you sketch, you would understand the simple pleasure of opening up your sketchbook and letting your imagination and creativity loose.
Sketching is regarded as one of the more essential pastime options, I personally put it up there with eating and breathing:) But even more reasonable people admit to the advantages of drawing every day.
It enhances one’s creativity, hand-eye coordination, improves memory[1], develops focus[2], and can even relieve stress, anxiety, and depression[3].
Sketching can also help in strategic planning skills, space management skills, etc. It encourages unending thinking and imagination.
The right sketchbook can double your fun of sketching. You might want to consider the size, what orientation you want to sketch in, whether you like a spiral-bound or hardbound, and what medium you use. The last one is especially important.
This article will help people looking for the best sketchbooks for pencils, charcoal, ink, and other dry mediums.
Contents
#1 Strathmore 455-3 400 Series Sketch Pad
Strathmore 455-3 400 Series Sketch Pad is perfect for art exploration as it contains heavyweight extra-thick sheets for drawing and sketching. You can also use this pad for practicing techniques and strokes, quick studies, and dry media. Also, the heavy chipboard backing and double-spiral binding provide high levels of durability.
Features and benefits
- Heavyweight Sheets: Strathmore 455-3 400 Series Sketch Pad contains heavyweight, micro-perforated sheets designed to be true to size. You can easily draw and sketch with any dry media.
- Fine Tooth Surface: The sheets in this sketchbook have a very fine tooth surface, which is ideal for drawing with various kinds of pencils and colors, including graphite pencil, colored pencil, charcoal, sketching stick, marker, soft pastel, mixed media, oil pastel.
- Durability and Sturdiness: This sketchbook has a durable cover made of heavy chipboard. The book has a double-spiral binding, which provides durability and makes it sturdy enough even for rough usage.
- Dimensions: This acid-free sketchbook has a size of 11.6 x 8.8 x 0.6 inches and weighs 15.8 ounces. Despite its heavy back and thick sheets, it is light in weight, making it easy to carry it around while traveling.
Why should you buy it?
Strathmore 455-3 400 Series sketchpad is an ideal choice for people looking to express their imagination on paper. The heavyweight sheets, which are micro-perforated, provide a great means of drawing, painting, sketching, and whatnot. The tooth surface easily grabs different dry media types, including pencils, paints, oil pastels, etc.
- All-purpose paper intended for experimentation or perfecting techniques
- Pack of 2
- Includes 100 sheets of paper per Pad
- 60-pound weight paper
#2 Bachmore Sketchpad
Bachmore Sketchpad is perfect for random doodling and making memories. Whether you are an amateur or an expert, this sketchpad can open up a whole new world of imagination for you. It contains 100 beautiful and smooth acid-free sheets that can be easily torn with punctures.
Features and benefits
- Smooth Sheets: Bachmore Sketchpad contains 100 slick-smooth, micro-perforated sheets that are made of acid-free paper. You can easily sketch portraits, draw sceneries, and paint with different colors. You can use any dry pen, including a sketching stick, oil pastels, charcoal, etc. You can use dry pencils as well.
- Hard Cover: Apart from the thick sheets, this sketchpad gets its sturdiness from its hardcover, which is 100% handmade. It protects the sheets and keeps them intact.
- Durable Design: The thick sheets, along with the hardcover and bottom covers with double-spiral bindings, make a strong and sturdy sketchpad. When you need to share, you can easily tear the pages.
- Ideal Size: Bachmore Sketchpad has an ideal size of 9 x 11 inches and 68 pounds. One can easily carry it around in any medium-sized bag. It can also be considered as a thoughtful gifting option for your loved ones.
Why should you buy it?
Bachmore Sketchpad allows you to use any dry pens and pencils for making beautiful pieces of artwork on extra smooth, micro-perforated sheets. The hard covering with double-spiral binding gives it a durable design making it easier for transportation.
- INCLUDES - 1 pack of sketchbook with size 9’’ x 12’’, 100 inside paper. The weight for each paper is 68lb/100gram, which is much thicker and better than the similar sketchbook offered by other brands.
#3 LYTek Hardcover Sketch Book
LYTek Hardcover sketchbook will help you keep your sketches organized in several high-quality sheets. This sketchbook comes in a pack of 2. The extra-thick hardcover, along with spiral binding, keeps your drawings protected.
Features and benefits
- Premium Quality Sheets: LYTek Hardcover Sketch Book contains 160 high-quality micro-perforated sheets made of acid-free paper. You can sit for hours and draw on these sheets using any dry media, including pens, pencils, and pastels. You will not have to worry about bleed-through and fading as the sheets are made of thick drawing paper.
- Hardbound Cover: This sketchbook comes with a hardbound cover that protects your sketches. The cover keeps the pages protected from creasing and crumbling. The cover also has a water-repellent surface; thus, you will not have to worry about your drawings and sketches getting spoiled by water.
- Sturdy Design: In addition to hefty pages and a hardbound cover, this sketchbook comes with a double-spiral binding, keeping the pages intact. The micro-perforated sheets allow the users to tear the sheets from the sketchbook at any time.
- Ideal Size: Size is an important factor, especially when it comes to a notepad or a sketchbook, as the bigger sizes are difficult to carry around. This sketchbook comes in a pack of 2 and has an ideal size of 6 x 9 inches with a lightweight design. Thus, you can carry it in your schoolbags and backpacks easily.
Why should you buy it?
It is time to organize your designs, drawings, and doodles with the LYTek hardcover sketchbook. It offers 160 premium quality sheets made of acid-free paper. The sheets are protected with a hardcover and a double-spiral binding, providing them with sturdiness and durability.
- PREMIUM QUALITY AND VALUE PRICE: 2 Pack of thick, large sketchbooks – 160 sheets in all – so you can draw, sketch, doodle & color on the go or just keeping your doodles organized. All at an affordable value price, this makes a great spiral sketch book.
- HEFTIER DRAWING PAPER: Every LYTek sketch book offers thick acid-free paper – 63lb./95gsm – perfect for dry media such as pencils, pastels, pen, etc. Every page of the LYTek art sketch book is perforated, so you can detach it cleanly & safely making this your perfect sketch book for drawings.
- DURABLE WATER REPELLENT HARDCOVER AND BACK: Coated sturdy chipboard hardcover and back can protect paper from creasing. The 9x12 hardcover sketchbook makes for a great surface to sketch against on the go. The water repellent cover of the dry media sketchbook can protect the artwork from the splashing water or even in the rainstorm.
- STRONG TWIN WIRE SPIRAL-BOUND AND CONVENIENT PEN LOOP: This Spiral-bound sketchbook makes it smooth and easy to turn to pages. The elastic pen holder on the cover of the water repellent sketchbook is perfect for kids or adults as a book for art class.
- AMERICAN BASED COMPANY: We are a family-run small business located in Seattle specialized in paper book products. Along with the sketchbook with spiral binding, We are HERE to help and will stand behind every LYTek product - and those who invested in them!
#4 Leda Art Supply Cover Sketchbook
Leda Art Supply 160 Pages Softbound Cover Sketchbook aims at making the hidden artist inside you shine. The set of smooth cream-colored pages along with a softbound cover make it a perfect art journal. You can lay the book flat while drawing with pencils, pens, pastels, and watercolors.
Features and benefits
- High-Quality Sheets: Leda Art Supply Sketchbook contains 160 smooth cream-colored sheets to make your colors more vibrant and lets them “pop.” You can use ink pens, pencils, watercolors, and pastels to create your art; there will be very little bleeding and smudging with these media. You can even use markers, although they will show on the backside of the paper.
- All-Weather Cover: All your artwork is safely protected in your art journal as this sketchbook comes with an all-weather softbound cover that is flexible and water-resistant.
- Sketchbook Design: This sketchbook is thread stitched along its cover, which allows it to lay flat and lets the artist use the entire page. The solid binding provides the book with durability. There is an elastic band to keep the pages closed.
- Perfect Size: You can doodle every time you get bored and draw everything you see around yourself in this sketchbook as it has a very handy size of 7 x 10 inches. The lightweight and handy design allow you to carry it while traveling in a medium-size bag.
Why should you buy it?
Leda Art Supply Sketchbook is perfect for all artists out there. You can draw, color, and doodle whatever you want as it comes with high-quality sheets bound by a soft and flexible cover. This sketchbook has a very lightweight design; thus, you can carry it around wherever you go.
- JUST THE RIGHT SIZE: This custom 7 x 10 inch Leather sketchbook is perfect for artists of all levels
- PREMIUM QUALITY: With 160 pages of smooth, cream-tone paper, this sketchbook will beautifully accent your colors and bring your artwork to life
- VERSATILE PAPER: Featuring dense 81 pound paper, this sketchbook can handle a wide range of mediums including colored and black pencils, ink, pen, charcoal and even light watercolor
- DURABLE DESIGN: The all-weather cover not only looks great but also protects your art from the elements. Plus, it feels great in your hand!
- CONVENIENT FEATURES: An elastic strap keeps pages together and marks your place, while a back pocket provides a handy spot to store pencils, brushes or even your phone
#5 Art-n-Fly Smooth Sketchpad
Art-n-Fly Smooth Sketchpad gives wings to your imagination. The extra smooth sheets are perfect for fine lines and detailed drawings made with pencils and pens. The sketchpad lays open flat; a thick spiral binds it. You can use it for classroom experimentation, quick notes, preliminary drawings, and many other things.
Features and benefits
- Smooth Sheets: You can express your imagination onto the paper using this sketchbook. It contains 100 premium quality smooth sheets made of acid-free paper. You can use any dry media, including pencils, pens, and markers. You will also not have to worry about damaging the sheets while erasing them because the sheets are 100gsm thick.
- Spiral Bound Design: Art-n-Fly Smooth Sketchpad has a spiral-bound design that keeps the sheets intact, thereby protecting your artwork. You can lay the book open while drawing for better illustration. The micro-perforated sheets can be torn out easily when you need to share your designs with others
- Multi-Purpose: Art-n-Fly Smooth Sketchpad is a versatile pad that can be used for quick studies, random doodling, preliminary drawing, and other classroom experimentations.
- Perfect Size: The sketchbook has a 9 x 12 inches and a lightweight design, which means it can fit into handbags and backpacks.
Why should you buy it?
Art-n-Fly Smooth Sketchpad is an all-purpose pad perfect for doodling, sketching, and quick studies. You can use any dry media without having to worry about smudging, fading, and bleed-through. The ideal size of the sketchpad makes it easy to carry it around.
- Versatile Sketch Pad: The perfect drawing pad for artists, from hobbyists to professionals. This sketchbook is intended for technique practices and pairs best with dry media applications.
- Smooth, Sturdy Paper: Our drawing book features 100 sheets of 9”x12” acid-free 70lb or 100g paper. The medium weight of the drawing paper allows for erasing without damaging the surface, while the smoothness allows for easy sketching, no matter what drawing supplies you use.
- Spiral-Bound with Perforated Edge: An essential addition to your painting, drawing, & art supplies, this sketchbook for drawing is bound with a convenient spiral and finished with a perforated edge, so you can cleanly remove the art paper.
- Grab Your Pencils, Pens, and Markers: The smooth but subtly textured surface makes this a4 paper ideal for sketching pencils, calligraphy paper, markers, pens, and more.
- An Art Supplies Staple: Whether you’re shopping for art supplies for adults or a drawing pad for kids, this spiral sketchbook does it all.
#6 Watson Guptill Large Sketchbook
Watson Guptill Large Sketchbook is perfect for storytelling through drawings and sketches. It comes with 176 pages, which can be drawn upon with any dry media. The lay-flat binding provides a larger space for your drawings.
Features and benefits
- Premium Quality Sheets: Watson Guptill Large Sketchbook contains 176 pH-neutral sheets for drawing using any dry media. Let your imagination go wild and draw for hours on these high-quality drawings sheets.
- Durable Hard Cover: This sketchbook comes with a hardbound cover, which provides it with the endurance to withstand regular wear and tear. This makes the sketchbook durable and sturdy.
- Lay Flat Design: Watson Guptill Large Sketchbook has a lay-flat design as it is perfectly bounded on the left side. Such a design provides the artist with more space for illustration.
- Perfect Size: Nothing can be better than the sketchbook you can carry around to draw your memories. This sketchbook has an ideal size of 8.54 x 0.76 x 11.24 inches, making it quite handy and portable.
Why should you buy it?
Watson Guptill Large Sketchbook is perfect for all artists. This sketchbook offers high-quality sheets and a lay-flat design so that you can use the entire page and not waste any space on the paper.
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Hardcover Book
- Watson-Guptill (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 176 Pages - 03/01/1996 (Publication Date) - Watson-Guptill (Publisher)
Buyers Guide
Have a look at some of these points you might want to consider before buying a sketchbook for a pencil:
High-quality Sheets
Look for sketchbooks that offer high-quality thick and smooth sheets with a higher GSM. Such sheets are ideal for drawing using dry media such as pens, markers, pastels, and pencils. There is nothing to worry about smudging, fading, bleed-through, or spoiling the page while rigorous erasing.
Hardbound Cover
It is essential to look for a sketchbook with a hardbound cover to keep your drawings protected. Such covers prevent the sheets from creasing and crumbling. Also, sketchbooks with hardcovers can essentially stand out daily abuse and mishandling.
Handy Design
It is important to look for a sketchbook that has a handy design so that you carry it easily wherever you go.
Looking for a great Painting Sketchbook?
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of paper is used in sketchbooks?
Sketchbooks should ideally contain smooth sheets made of acid-free paper. The sheets should have a relatively higher GSM as compared to the ordinary papers meant for writing. Thick and smooth sheets enable free strokes and better illustration while sketching and drawing.
What is the difference between drawing and sketching paper?
Drawing paper is meant for finished artworks or random doodling, while sketching papers are multi-purpose as you can use them for quick studies, preliminary sketching, and classroom experimentation.
What paper is best for charcoal?
Charcoal sketching and drawing work can often leave marks and spots on the sheet. Thus, the sheet should be thick enough to withstand rigorous erasing and marking so that it doesn’t get torn off or spoilt.
Is 70 GSM paper good for drawing?
70 GSM or higher is perfect for drawing or sketching. The sheets having a lower GSM can be extremely thin and delicate for erasing and rough markings.
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References:
[1] The drawing effect: Evidence for reliable and robust memory benefits in the free recall – Jeffrey D. Wammes, Melissa E. Meade, Myra A. Fernandes, 2016 (sagepub.com)
[2] The “thinking” benefits of doodling – Harvard Health Blog – Harvard Health Publishing
[3] Art Therapy