7+ Best Sketchbooks for Artists in 2024 (2024)

Are you interested in sketching and looking to buy a sketchbook? For the best sketchbooks, keep reading.

Unlike notebooks or drawing books, sketchbooks are necessary tools for artists. The sketchbook or other materials may vary based on the artists and their works. It is important to know about the texture of the paper before putting your efforts into it.

A sketchbook is a perfect space for an artist to convert their ideas to reality. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the quality of the sketchbooks.

For example, if you are an artist who works with markers or watercolor, then you need to buy a sketchbook with thick paper.

At the same time, if you are using dry materials, then you can select a sketchbook with thin paper.

The Best Sketchbooks for Artists Compared

7+ Best Sketchbooks for Artists

1. Moleskine Art Sketchbook

Best sketchbook overall

Size: 5 x 8.25 inches | Book layout: Hard-bound, side, portrait | No of pages: 240 | Paper weight: 121lb

As one of the larger sketchbooks, the Moleskin Art Sketchbook is a great choice for artists. It makes the artist comfortable in working on their artwork by giving them great space. With high quality and durable cover, the sketchbook has rounded corners that won’t bend.

The sketchbook has an elastic closure band with storage folders that makes it more impressive. The ivory-colored paper helps the users to work smoothly. With 240 pages, a sketchbook allows you to explore a lot with your work. Due to these features, you can use fountain pens easily. Artists can use this sketchbook not only for sketching but also for drawing journals and writing.

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2. Strathmore 400 Series

Best sketchbook with spiral bound

Size: 9 x 12 inches | Book layout: Spiral-bound, portrait | No of pages: 50 | Paper weight: 60lb

With a paper weight of 60lb, the Strathmore 400 Series sketchbook is perfect with a proper texture, size, color, etc. Professionals can use Strathmore 400 Series Sketch Pad for various purposes like pastels, colored pencils, etc.

Even though you may find it small, it is available in different sizes. The artist who mostly focuses on structural sketches can select this sketchpad. You can use a wide range of dry mediums in this sketchbook. With 50 pages of creamy and smooth texture, you can sketch your artwork.

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3. Canson Artistic Series

Best sketchbook applicable for watercolors

Size: 5.5 x 8.5 inches | Book layout: Spiral-bound, side, portrait | No of pages: 20 | Paper weight: 140lb

If you are an artist who mostly uses wet mediums, the Canson Artistic Series sketchpad is a perfect choice for you. With thick paper, it assures the users that the colors will not bleed. With perforated pages, the sketchbook is designed well with a removable half sheet. You can even reinsert the pages and turn them into bookmarks.

Along with these features, Canson’s artistic series sketchbook can easily withstand erasing, repeated washing, and scraping.

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4. Leda Art Supply

Best for beginners

Size: 7×10 inches | Book layout: Hard-bound, portrait | No of pages: 160 | Paper weight: 81lb

If you are a beginner who needs a sketchbook for continuous practice, the Leda Art Supply is a good pick for you. Even though you may find it smaller than A4 size, the sketchbook is beneficial to carry.

Since it is not expensive compared to other sketchbooks, you can use it for daily practice. It is spiral bound, so the sketchbook has a cover that is waterproof and can safeguard your work. In addition to these, micro perforations in the creamy pacers make the pages easily removable.

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5. Pentalic

Best wire-bound sketchbook

Size: 4 x 6 inches | Book layout: Spiral-bound, side, portrait | No of pages: 110 | Paper weight: 70lb

Don’t worry if you are tired of searching for a sketchbook that you can carry in your pockets. The Pentalic wire-bound sketchbook is a great choice considering its compatibility. Even though the sketchbook lacks perforations, you can use this book for rough work or daily practices.

With 110 pages, you can use all kinds of dry mediums in your sketchbooks. The spiral bound along with the hardcover makes it more impressive.

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6. Bellofy 200 Sheet

Best smudge resistant sheets

Size: 5.8 x 8.3 inches | Book layout: Spiral-bound | No of pages: 100 | Weight: 1.51 pounds

Having high-quality thick pages, the sketchbook is small and compact so that you can easily carry it wherever you go. With micro-perforated pages, you can easily remove the pages and use them for presentation or framing.

The Bellofy sheets are not only smooth but strong so that you can use all types of mediums no matter wet or dry. With the help of the spiral bound, it provides a flat surface to both sides that is beneficial for left-hand users.

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7. Strathmore Spiral Toned Sketch Book

Best toned sketchbook

Size: 9 x 12 inches | Book layout: Spiral-bound, portrait | No of pages: 50 | Paper weight: 80lb

Are you in search of a toned sketchbook? If so, this is a great option. This sketchbook is ideal for realistic results. Sketching on these warm colored papers has the ability to give life to your sketches.

Along with these, the smooth paper texture works well with mediums like colored pencils to graphite. Even though it is a good fit for dry mediums, you can use this sketchbook for mixed mediums.

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How to Choose a Sketchbook for Artists

Cover and Binding

You may find sketchbooks with two binding choices such as hardbound and spiral bound. If you consider the spiral bound, you can easily turn the pages and use both sides. Whereas hardbound will have large volumes of papers. You should go for your preference and flexibility in choosing the sketchbook with the suitable binding option.

Size

Size is the first factor to focus on when buying a sketchbook. You can see the sketchbook for A3 or A4 sizes in the market. If you want to explore the whole page and sketch it out then you can go for a larger size, such as A3.

Paper

Paper and its quality are important factors when buying a sketchbook. As a professional, you must look for some features like paper weight, texture, etc. But for that. you must first check for the mediums you are using in the book such as charcoal, watercolor, etc.

While considering the weight, the paperweight is mentioned in the form of GSM which is good for beginners. Even though all the sketchbooks have addressed weight in GSM the weight of each brand may vary from the other. If you want to use watercolors in a sketchbook, you can go for 200 GSM. So other than a paperweight, you can also check for the textures. Medium-grain paper is one of the best choices for beginners. To go for a particular medium, you may choose smooth or mild textures.

Considering the above-mentioned features, this article lists the best sketchbooks for artists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Best Sketchbooks for Artists in 2024 Summary

Artists or professionals use the sketchbook effectively for documenting their observations about their surroundings. They also use it to convert ideas into masterpieces. Sketchbooks are not only meant for dry mediums but also mixed mediums.

Therefore, it’s better to choose the right ones considering the thickness, textures, and cover of the sketchbooks. If you are a beginner, you should select a budget-friendly sketchbook so that you can work and practice daily. For professionals, Moleskine Art Sketchbook is a great example whereas Leda Art Supply is best for beginners.

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