Best Sketchbooks for Artists (Buyer’s Guide and Recommendations)

Finding the best sketchbook will depend on your own different requirements like preferred size, texture, and medium choice.

Sketchbooks for artists can be made with different mediums in mind like graphite, ink, watercolor, or even paint.

After considering the medium you plan to use with your sketchbook you then can think about what type of paper would work best for it. For example, charcoal pencils and pastels are more suited for paper with more of bite and more texture whereas graphite pencils and ink are better for smoother paper.

Some main factors to keep in mind when considering the best sketchbook for you are:

• Prefered Medium Type
• Paper Type
• Binding Type
• Size
  

We will break down the best sketchbooks based on these factors as well as further exploring a variety of other sketchbook features.

There is something undeniably beautiful about an organized (or disorganized) sketchbook that contains all of an artist’s scribbles, ramblings, and sketches. 

So hopefully with this list and guide you can find the best sketchbook for you and your artistic endeavors. 

Why You Can Trust Our Reviews

These reviews are based upon over 20 hours of research which were used to scour reviews on top art sites, Google Shopping, Reddit, and Amazon. These recommendations represent the culmination of our team’s work in finding the top-quality sketchbooks that we fully stand behind. 

Using first-hand, personal experience with these sketchbooks whenever possible, we have made it our mission to consider the pros and cons of each sketchbook and provide an unbiased, detailed look at everything they have to offer. 

Best Sketchbook For Artists In 2023

Moleskine Art Sketchbook 

The Moleskine Art Sketchbook has a smooth surface and is ideal for sketching with various dry media, such as pencils and charcoal.

Its acid-free and heavy premium paper are the sketchbook’s most outstanding vital qualities. It is an excellent option for artists interested in keeping their work over time, and it also provides a sturdy surface for sketching and does a decent job of preventing bleed-throughs.

Also, the sketchbook sizes and elastic closure are perfect and convenient for your quick sketches or portrait ideas. 

PROS

• Has a hard cover, elastic closure, and an expandable inner pocket
• Has a perfect size for on-the-go drawings 
• Thick and sturdy 

CONS

• Not good for alcohol-based mediums
• Hard to work with watercolor

Strathmore Medium Drawing Pad 

The Strathmore Medium Drawing Pad is a part of the brand’s 400 series of drawing pads, designed to provide you with the best surface for your creative projects. It is offered with a medium-textured, smooth surface that is always durable.

The surface has a medium tooth that works well with graphite and colored pencils, charcoal, and even paints, and the drawing paper has a cream color, making it ideal for finished artwork. This sketchbook is a must-have for everyone who wants to improve their technical drawing skills and put those into practice.

PROS

• Spiral-bound
• Acid-free
• Thick and smooth paper
• Can withstand repeated erasing

CONS

• A bit pricy 
• Few sheets

Fuxi 9″ x 12″ Sketch Book 

If you are looking for bright white paper, this Fuxi Sketchbook is for you. The drawing paper of the Fuxi sketch pad has a rough texture, perfect for dry mediums, and is thick enough not to cause bleeds.

The cover and the back are thicker and harder and can be used as a drawing board. It is also very portable and simple to carry around.

PROS

• Spiral-bound
• Acid-free and non-faded
• Thick paper
• Can withstand repeated erasing

CONS

• Not for watercolor and markers

Premium Black Sketchbook 

The Premium Black Sketchbook is a high-quality sketchbook that features 96 sheets of heavyweight, finely-textured archival drawing paper, providing a sturdy drawing surface and preventing any bleed-through from the opposite side.

It features a surface that is well suited for working with colored pencils, charcoal, graphite, and pastels while being sufficiently smooth for use with ink.

All in all, it is perfect for your daily sketching or practice drawing.

PROS

• Sturdy book bound
• Fine surface
• Easy page removal (micro-perforated)

CONS

• Not for markers and watercolors

Arteza Mixed Media Sketchbooks 

Arteza Mixed Media Sketchbooks are popular among artists because they can work with dry media and light washes of wet media. The paper quality is also excellent, with medium-weight sheets with a smooth texture perfect for most mediums. 

This sketchbook is highly recommended for beginners.

PROS

• Spiral-bound
• Acid-free Thick paper
• Can withstand repeated erasing

CONS

• Not for markers

Articka Note Hardcover Sketchbook 

The Articka Note Hardcover Sketchbook features a hardbound cover with high-quality, durable bright white paper. Even though it contains 120 pages, it is portable, allowing you to avoid the inconvenience of carrying a huge and bulky sketchbook.

It works well with dry media and as well as light wet media. Also, if you use markers, it surprisingly works well.

PROS

• Has a hard cover and elastic closure
• Thick paper and sturdy
• Easy erasability
• Perforated pages

CONS

• Not good for alcohol-based mediums
• Does not have much tooth on it (might be good for people who love smooth paper)

Canson Artist Series Watercolor Pad 

For artists who use watercolors, this sketchbook is for you, the Canson Artist Series Watercolor Pad. It makes use of heavyweight, cold-pressed French watercolor paper.

The surface can endure being scratched, erased, and washed repeatedly and does not deform or change shape when dried. But of course, be mindful not to wet your brush too much, as it might just stay above your paper surface. 

PROS

• Spiral-bound
• Acid-free
• Thick paper
• Great for wet mediums
• Withstands frequent erasing

CONS

• Not that much absorbent 

Leda Art Supply