Do you love to sketch? Sketching is not just a hobby; it improves focus and concentration in a person[1].
Sketchbooks are important for artists because the sketchbook’s quality impacts how good the final sketch will look.
If your preferred choice of medium is pen and ink, you need a sketchbook that has heavy paper. Thin sheets of paper can smudge the ink or imprint the excess ink on the other side of the sheet.
Let us look at the best sketchbooks for pen and ink that have thick and smooth paper sheets.
Contents
#1 Artist’s Choice Sketchbook
The Artist’s choice sketchbook or sketch pad is one of the best Sketchbooks for pen and ink. The paper in this sketchbook is very high-quality. It has 90 gsm thick, smooth-finished paper. The sheets from this sketchbook have a non-reflective surface.
Features And Benefits
- Two In One: This sketchbook comes in a pack of two. Combining both the sketchbooks, you have 150 sheets of paper for drawing or writing. It’s a good deal because you get two for the price of one.
- Durable Binding: This book has a durable and strong binding. Each sheet in this book has a perforated finish, and this finish makes it easy for you to tear the sheet of paper and then frame or store them.
- Chemical Free: You can easily draw on the paper in this sketchbook as this paper is all-natural and safe. It does not contain any harmful acids or chemicals, and you get to move around with this sketchbook when you are traveling easily with high-quality paper with neutral pH.
- Versatile: You can use this sketchbook for a variety of other purposes as well. The high-quality paper in this book is ideal for writing as well as drawing. Many artists also use these pads or books as journals, diaries, or drawing pads.
Why should you buy it?
You should buy this sketchbook as it is free from harmful chemicals and substances. The paper in this sketchbook has a neutral pH, and it does not contain any harmful acid or chemical.
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#2 Crescent Render Hand-bound Sketchbook
The Crescent sketchbook is an innovative way to make your imagination turn into reality. It gives you the freedom to use pen and ink to pen down your imaginations on this small hand-bound sketchbook. The thickness of the paper is 180gsm. You can easily use parkers, paint-pens, pens that will not bleed on the other side of the page. The book has a render no show-through paper designed to use all media types to show your creativity.
Features and Benefits
- Sturdy and robust paper: Use every page as your legacy and keep it with you forever as the pages are strong enough that it does not let the colors of colorful pens and their ink bleed easily. Enjoy using every part of the render paper with ease. There is no limitation to the type of media you want to use as you can use anything on the sheet without worry about color bleeding, page tearing, and more.
- Professional quality notebook: the notebook is made with a soft-touch cover that is hard-bound; this makes it very convenient for the user to carry the diary along with you in a small bag. No-show through technology gives the user the benefit of using each page to the fullest.
- Dimensions: the notebook size is 5.5 inches X8.5 inches; it has 48 pages and has acid-free white paper lignin-free. The user can use 100% of the paper with ease. The heavy-duty Smyth-sewn binding makes the notebook strong and long-lasting.
Why should you buy it?
The notebook is perfect for children as both the sides of the paper can be used for drawing 96 different drawings with any colored ink. Sheets are bleed-proof that gives children and beginners full use of the sheet. The notebook is tough as the pages are tightly bound with Smyth- sewn technology.
- Professional Quality hardbound sketchbook with soft-touch cover
- Rendr no-show thru technology allows you to use every side of every page
- Ideal for most art media. Perfect for markers
- Heavy duty Smyth-sewn binding
- 110lb. /180Gsm, acid-free, Two-Sided sheets
#3 NIL TECH Toned Tan Paper Sketchbook
Now you can use gel pens, colored pens, and paint pens with ease on this toned tan sketchbook. With micro-perforated sheets and twin-spiral binding, it is very convenient to detach the sheets from the sketchpad. The sheets are acid-free and are 175gsm thick. There are 70 sheets; use both sides with ease. You can make 140 drawings in each book.
Features and Benefits
- Toned tan paper: the paper gives the artists the freedom to use the sheets for light and dark shades. All colors show beautifully on the sheets as the colors “pop” out, giving more creativity to your work. As the paper is acid-free, the colors and shades do not fade with time.
- Perfect for showing precise marks: the sheet’s fine-tooth surface shows fine lines, strokes, and all the detailing done in the drawing. In other words, this paper helps to bring life to the drawing!
- Dimensions: There are 70 sheets of heavy paper used in the sketchpad that weighs 107 pounds. The paper is of large size that is 9X12 inches giving more room to the user to show his\her creativity.
- Eco-friendly: The sheets of the sketch pad are acid-free, non-toxic, and easy to use by beginners and creative artists. You can give it to students and loved ones as it is perfect for gifting.
Why should you buy it?
The sketchpad is perfect for students and sketchers for aiding their creativity. The toned tan paper is made with top-notch quality and lets users show their creativity with pens and colorful inks. The sheets are eco-friendly and non-acidic; they will keep your drawings just like new for a long time to come.
- BONUS HOW TO DRAW ONLINE LIBRARY and STEP BY STEP DRAWING TUTORIALS - You don't just get the toned tan paper sketchbook but it also includes an exclusive access to Online Library of Best Drawing Tutorials which is useful for all skill levels where you can learn right techniques and tips to start or improve your artistic skills! Also includes Step-by-step drawing tutorials of your favorite celebrities, anime and movie characters, and many more!
- THE PERFECT PAIR FOR LIGHT AND DARK MEDIA - The toned tan paper makes the colors pop and vibrant, bringing more "life" to your work! Perfect to create a wide range of shades from light highlights to dark shadows.
- 70 SHEETS OF HEAVY WEIGHT PAPER - Why Settle for low quality paper from other brown paper sketchbook competitors if you can have thicker heavyweight 107 lb/ 175gsm paper for a much lesser price with the NIL-Tech Toned Tan sketchbook. Perfect to use with white charcoal, graphite, chalks, sketching sticks, markers, colored pencils, gel pens, and a lot more!.
- DUAL SPIRAL BOUND SKETCH PAD WITH EASY TO REMOVE PAGES - Unlike other types of drawing pad bindings, Spiral binding makes it easy to flip over to different pages, and it can lay flat while you are drawing. This feature is often overlooked but a huge help. Each page is micro-perforated for you to detach your beautiful masterpiece easily.
- LARGE PAPER SIZE - Unlike any other 9 x 12 sketchpad that decreases its size when you remove it from the pad, each page of NIL Tech sketchpad measures exactly 9 x 12 inches even after you remove it from the pad. Giving you more room to express your creativity!
#4 Leda Art Sketchbook
The Leda Art sketchbook is handy and compact. The pages are 5.7 x 8.25 inches in size. You can carry this sketchbook on the go, and this will help you draw or sketch, taking inspiration from different sources.
Features And Benefits
- Premium paper: This sketchbook uses high-quality fine and smooth paper. This paper has a quality of 130 gsm. The paper’s smooth and fine texture in this sketchbook will help you to draw without any smudges and imprints on the back.
- Flexible: The outer cover on this sketchbook is all-weatherproof. It does not get wet, protecting your precious artwork from water or stains.
- Versatile: This sketchbook has 160 sheets of paper that have beautiful color accents. You can freely use different ink pens, charcoal, pencils, and markers on these sheets.
- Perfect For Gifting: You can give this sketchbook to your friends and family. People who love to draw or sketch would love this sketchbook as a gift.
Why should you buy it?
The size of this sketchbook is ideal and compact for traveling. You can easily carry this book with you everywhere you go. If you are a creative person and like to take inspiration for your art from different sources, this book would be the perfect art companion.
- PREMIUM: 160 pages of smooth, cream-tone paper accents your colors. mixed media
- PERFECT SIZE: This A5 sketch journal is 8.25 x 5.7 inches. Fits in your bag for sketching on the go
- VERSATILE: dense 81 pound paper perfect for black and colored pencils, ink, pen, charcoal and light water-color
- ALL-WEATHER COVER: The sketch pad has a pliable, all-weather soft cover that is water-resistant, which safeguards your artwork in the great outdoors
- SOLID: Crafted with a stitched thread binding, this sketchbook is designed to lay flat for easy drawing. With archival paper, your art will last for decades
#5 Watson Guptill Sketchbook
The Watson Guptill Sketchbook has 176 paper sheets for drawing and sketching in a convenient, large size. The sketchbook has a spiral binding, a lay-flat design, and ph-neutral non-acidic paper. The binding is durable and will last many sketching sessions!
Features And Benefits
- Large: You will get ample space on this sketchbook. It has a large design. You can use the space to make more vivid sketches.
- Durable: It has a high-quality binding and outer cover. The binding and outer cover work in tandem to protect your precious pieces of art and hard work from sustaining any damage.
- Premium Quality: The paper in this sketchbook is of very fine quality. It is ideal for all types of art. You can draw with ink and pen on this paper, and it would not smudge or crumble. The paper absorbs all the extra ink, which protects your sketches from smudging.
- Versatile: You can use different methods and materials for drawing. These paper sheets would not imprint your sketch or draw on the backside of the sheet.
Why should you buy it?
You should buy this notebook because it is pretty lightweight (it weighs about 1.78 pounds). You will be able to easily move around with this sketchbook when you are traveling. This book can fit inside your carry bag.
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Hardcover Book
- Watson-Guptill (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 176 Pages - 03/01/1996 (Publication Date) - Watson-Guptill (Publisher)
#6 Ohuhu Sketchbook
This sketchbook has a solid binding that allows you to tear the pages of this book easily. Unlike traditional notebooks, tearing one page from this book would not affect the other pages. It has heavy drawing paper that can easily absorb ink in your drawings.
Features And Benefits
- Heavyweight Paper: This notebook has premium quality paper with a rating of 200 gsm. It is thick enough to work with pen and ink.
- Double Sided: The paper sheets on this sketchbook are suitable for drawing or sketching on both sides. As each paper has a high thickness in this book, the drawing on one side would not imprint on the other side.
- Acid-Free: The papers in this book are free from acid and other harmful chemicals. These sheets of paper have a neutral pH value. They are made from 100% natural chemicals and substances.
- Portable: This sketchbook is very portable, with dimensions of 8.3 inches per side. This book has a square design. Many artists also use this book as a handy diary, journal, or art book.
Why should you buy it?
You should buy this sketchbook as it has a solid and durable binding. You can easily tear the sheets off from this book and use the sheets for framing. Tearing pages individually would not weaken other pages, unlike the traditional notebooks.
- 8.3x8.3 INCH PORTABLE MARKER PADS: Why limit yourself when you could be using a better-sized surface to draw on! You'll feel the freedom with the Ohuhu Marker Pad, which lets you go from drawing to sharing on social media in a snap! Plus, marker sketchbook is super portable and fits in nearly every bag, so you can draw wherever inspiration hits you with marker paper sketchbook!
- 120LB (200GSM) HEAVYWEIGHT MARKER DRAWING PAPERS: It's the perfect combo of durable and delicate. This 120LB (200GSM) heavyweight art sketchbook paper has a smooth, flat surface that prevents bleeding, smudging and feathering for clean artwork. Hardcover sketchbook is a great choice for most of DIY art medias. From alcohol-based markers to water-based markers, from colored pencils to charcoal, from pastels to inks, and more!
- ACID-FREE ART MARKER PAPERS WITH MAXIMUM BLENDABILITY: Keep your artwork looking great for years to come since it's 100% acid-free and even better, sketch drawing pad is crafted specifically for use with Ohuhu markers for seamless blending!
- DOUBLE SIDED, 78 SHEETS, TOTALLY 156 PAGES: Each sheet of thick paper sketchbooks features a double sided texture, offering up 156 pages total to explore your professional or beginner creativity. Works for all sorts of styles, including sketch, stipple, draw manga, cartoons, still life drawings and more!
- EASY-TEAR PAGES: Sometimes you mess up and want to start over, or you want to tear out a page to share with a friend. Whatever the reason may be, sketch book for markers is easy to rip out pages thanks to the perforated edges which make sketchbook for alcohol markers a breeze. Carry your portable square sketchbook wherever you go, from traveling to class or wherever! 156 pages sketchbook is also great as a back to school supplies.
Buyers Guide The Best Sketchbook For Pen And Ink
High Quality
The best sketchbooks for pen and ink have very high-quality paper. Paper that has a higher gsm rating is of higher quality. A Higher GSM rating also means that the paper is thick.
Heavy and thick paper is ideal for drawing and sketching as thin paper sheets are easily smudged and crumbled. The thick paper also enhances the color accents from your drawing.
The paper should also be smooth without any creases or markings. Many sketchbooks also have plain paper, and it is easier for the artists to draw on plain paper than ruled paper.
Durable
Sketching or drawing requires durable books. Artist’s always want to preserve their art, and you cannot keep your art safe in a book that is not durable.
Liquids are among the biggest enemies of drawings and sketches. You can protect your art by choosing a sketchbook that has a durable hardcover.
There are sketchbooks available in the market which have leather hardcovers that are water-resistant.
Ergonomic
It is also important that the sketchbook you buy has an ergonomic design. The size of your sketchbook should be ideal for traveling. The sketchbook should not be too big or too small. Many sketchbooks have A-4 size sheets of paper, which is a fairly compact size.
Drawing books that have high-quality side binding are also very ergonomic. You can easily tear the sheets of paper from these books without weakening the whole sketchbook.
Looking for a Sketchbook for Painting?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What type of paper is best for pen and ink?
Drawing paper is best for pen and ink. It is heavier than the regular writing sheets of paper. Drawing paper is also smoother and finer than a sketching sheet of paper.
You can draw with a wider range of colors and objects. You can draw with darker and brighter substances such as charcoal, fountain pen, and ink on a drawing sheet.
Q: What is the difference between sketching paper and drawing paper?
Sketching paper is generally used by artists to sketch, practice, and try out different art styles, whereas they use the drawing paper to produce their finished or complete artwork.
In comparison to each other, sketching paper is slightly less thick and less fine than drawing paper. Drawing paper has better color absorbing properties than sketching paper.
Check out some of the best graphite Drawing Sets!
References:
[1] The “thinking” benefits of doodling – Harvard Health Blog – Harvard Health Publishing