Classic
Moleskine Art Sketchbook
The quintessential pocket sketchbook, with thick ivory paper.
- 165 gsm paper
- Hard cover with elastic closure
- Inner pocket
Home / Sketchbooks
Sketchbooks
The right sketchbook changes the way you draw. We help you choose based on paper, weight and the technique you use most.
Leuchtturm1917 Sketchbook
180 gsm paper suitable for mixed media, with numbered pages.
- Lies completely flat
- Acid-free paper
- Several cover colours
Best value
Canson XL Mix Media
Spiral pad for practising without worrying about using up paper.
- 300 gsm paper
- Takes light washes
- Micro-perforated sheets
Hahnemühle Nostalgie
Very smooth paper, perfect for graphite, charcoal and ink.
- 190 gsm paper
- Smooth surface
- Sewn binding
For watercolour
Stillman & Birn Beta
A sketchbook designed for painting with watercolour and gouache without the paper buckling.
- 270 gsm paper
- Medium grain
- Handles several layers
Clairefontaine Goldline Watercolour
Pad glued on all four sides for fine-grain watercolour.
- 100% cotton paper
- Does not warp when wet
- Ideal for final pieces
For watercolour
Moleskine Watercolour Notebook
Landscape format with thick watercolour paper, perfect for travel journals and colour sketches.
- Watercolour-friendly paper
- Landscape format
- Sturdy hard cover
Hahnemühle Toned Sketchbook
Grey or beige toned paper for adding highlights with white pencil and shadows with graphite or ink.
- Toned paper
- Ideal for light and shadow
- Sewn binding
Best value
Royal Talens Art Creation Sketchbook
Affordable hardcover sketchbook in lots of sizes and colours, so you always have one at hand.
- Good price
- Lots of sizes
- Paper for pencil and ink
Strathmore 400 Series Sketch
Spiral sketch pad with good-weight paper, designed for daily practice without worrying about waste.
- Spiral opens fully
- Sturdy paper
- For daily practice
Stillman & Birn Alpha
Very versatile medium-weight white paper: graphite, ink, markers and light washes.
- Very versatile paper
- Takes light washes
- Studio quality
Mixed media
Canson Mix Media Imagine
Mixed media pad that handles markers, ink and light watercolour without buckling too much.
- For mixed media
- Smooth paper
- Good price per sheet
Quick guide
How to choose: sketchbooks
Paper weight
Below 120 gsm the paper is for pencil and ballpoint. Between 150 and 200 gsm it handles markers and ink. For watercolour, look for 250 gsm or more.
Binding
Spiral binding opens fully flat and lets you tear out pages; sewn binding is nicer and more durable for a visual journal.
Size
A6 or A5 to carry with you all the time, and A4 or larger for studies and more finished pieces.