Choosing The Right Sketchbook

 

 

 

No matter your artistic style or craft of choice, a good sketchbook can make the world of difference to your work! We’ve been busy finding out all about the best sketchbooks on the market, whether you’re looking for cheap and cheerful, pocket sized or eco-friendly, we’ve got you covered!

 

 

 

Ok Play Sketchbook A5 (£8.00)

If you’re looking for something kid friendly to get your burgeoning artists’ imaginations whirring, or simply enjoy a fun pixel-art style yourself, this bright and fun sketchbook from Paperchase could be just what you need! Measuring 14x21cm, containing 30 plain pages of paper and a sheet of fun stickers, the durable and practical top-edge ring binding should help it withstand overexcited kids and clumsy adults alike!

 

The Panama Collection Portobello sketchbook 21x26cm (£175)

If you’ve got some serious cash to splash then why not get yourself this Smythson sketchbook that really is the height of luxury? Boasting 68 leaves of gilt-edged, white wove paper and bound in durable cross-grain lambskin, it even comes with a HB pencil… what a bargain!
 

 

Studio Oh! Colour Palette sketchbook 17.8x25cm (£19.95)

If you’re looking for premium quality without a sky-high price tag, then this fun paintwork design sketchbook from Liberty London might be more your style. This cotton canvas hardcover sketchbook has 140 blank pages of acid-press paper and prides itself on being suitable for most mixed media art. The exposed binding lies flat when open, avoiding messy creases at the edges of your work.

 

 

Wiro sketchbook A5 (£2.49)

If you’re just starting out with your first foray into sketching, or simply want to save pennies and aren’t too concerned with fancy paper options and just want lots of pages to play with, WH Smith’s basic 50-page A5 sketchbook is probably what you’re looking for! The hardboard front and back covers, small size and durable wiro binding make this little book ideal for those concerned that their work might take a knock while out and about or even at home (no matter how hard you try, ‘keep out of reach of children’ is always far easier said than done!).
 

 

Sennelier Aquarelle watercolour sketchbook 16x24cm (£12.95)

This concertina sketchbook is highly suitable for those who particularly work with watercolour, although it promises to work well with other materials and medias as well. This book may only feature 12 sides of paper, however the accordion-style folded paper can be pulled out and used to produce a panorama or a sequence of drawings. If you’re more for large sketches instead of smaller drawings, this could be something a little different to try.

 

Earthbound spiral recycled sketchbook A4 (£8.99)

If you’re a proud eco-warrior and want to get your sketch on without worrying about the environment, this is the perfect sketchbook for you! Made from 100% recycled paper, the 160 pages within this A4 notebook leave plenty of room for you to sketch away guilt free.

 

 

Daler Rowney Ingres pastel sketchpad 40x30cm (£20)

Are you a firm believer in bigger is better? It’s your lucky day! At a whopping 40x30cm, it’s one of the largest sketchbooks on the market. Containing 24 sheets of paper in three pastel shades of white, it’s particularly ideal for those who love creating large-scale paintings or pastel sketches.

 

 

Moleskine pocket sketchbook 9.5x14cm (£9.39)

If you’re a travelling sketcher and need to be able to slip your sketchbook in and out of your pocket throughout the day, then this sketchbook may be more your style. This pocket-sized notebook contains 192 plain pages and comes with a ribbon placeholder and removeable card with the history of the Moleskines. Good for when you need something quick to read while out and about!
 

 

Jackson’s softcover sketchbook 21x20cm (£2.00)

If you’re less concerned about durability and more about ease of use, this sketchbook could be the one for you. This softcover sketchbook is wonderfully lightweight and highly portable, with 16 pages of white matte surface paper that are perfect for drawing and sketching. It’s ideal for those only using dry media, although it can handle water-based markers if necessary.

 

 

Pisces Heavy Metal acetate spiral sketchbook A4 (£9.99)

Are you an experimental artist and need a durable sketchpad, able to handle the most marvellous mixed media? This is definitely a sketchbook worth considering! Boasting a design worked ‘specially to encourage experimentation and creativity’, a piece of clear acetate is bound between every two sheets of paper. This allows for overlapping artwork and the ability to use a variety of medias from acetate pens to acrylics!
 

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Where can I buy them?

Ok Play Sketchbook A5 (£8.00)

The Panama Collection Portobello sketchbook 21x26cm (£175)

Studio Oh! Colour Palette sketchbook 17.8x25cm (£19.95)

Wiro sketchbook A5 (£2.49)

Sennelier Aquarelle watercolour sketchbook 16x24cm (£12.95)

Earthbound spiral recycled sketchbook A4 (£8.99)

Daler Rowney Ingres pastel sketchpad 40x30cm (£20)

Moleskine pocket sketchbook 9.5x14cm (£9.39)

Jackson’s softcover sketchbook 21x20cm (£2.00)

Pisces Heavy Metal acetate spiral sketchbook A4 (£9.99)

 

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