If you’re looking for a space to let your imagination run wild, express your creativity, or want an area where you can keep all your notes and jot down ideas, we recommend investing in a sketchbook. Idea for both new and seasoned artists as well as those who like to record their thoughts, outline plans, or make notes for everything from recipes to DIY projects, sketchbooks can be the place where your mind is allowed to run free.
When deciding what type of sketchbook to purchase, it’s essential to think about what you’ll be using it for. Depending on the type of medium, including pencil, charcoal, pastel or paint, different sketchbooks are better suited to different art utensils.
If you want to be able to remove the pages to display your art or you want to be able to pass a note along to a friend, a sketchbook with perforated pages will work well for your needs.
It’s also important to consider how often and where you’ll be using your sketchbook. If you want to be able to take your sketchbook with you everywhere you go in order to be prepared whenever inspiration strikes, a smaller book with a durable cover is best. If the sketchbook is going to stay at your desk or on your bedside table (dream inspirations!), a more substantial book may be more appropriate.
Whatever sketchbook you decide to purchase, don’t be afraid to make mistakes with your art. Practice every day or as often as you can, and let your inspiration flourish. And most importantly, have fun!
1. Strathmore 400 Series Sketch Pad (2-Pack)
BEST OVERALL
Stock up with one of the best sketchbooks for artists. Each of these Strathmore sketchbooks comes with 100 sheets in its 9-inch x 12-inch wire-bound book. Each page is perforated for easy removal and the durable book has a heavy chipboard backing that provides a sturdy surface. The thick and textured pages have a fine tooth surface that can handle all types of writing and art instruments as well as repeated erasing. Strathmore uses acid-free paper to provide longevity to whatever type of art you create in the pages of the sketchbook.
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2. Pacon UCreate Poly Cover Sketch Book
PROTECTIVE COVER
Pacon’s sketchbooks are economical and widely available, making them a great option for the casual artist. Each sketchbook includes 75 sheets. The sheets are perforated, making this a great option for students who may need to turn in individual pieces. The book has a front and back cover made from poly, helping to protect the pages from damage.
3. Blick Studio Hardbound Sketchbook
BEST VALUE
Blick is one of the best sources for art supplies, and they also have a great in-house line for stationery and other supplies. This option is a great pick if you’re looking for something to take with you in your bag, on a commute or to draw on a bench — it’s compact and hardbound, and the hard textured cover helps protect your drawings. The acid-free pages are 98 gsm.
4. Leuchtturm1917 Sketchbooks
BEST COLOR VARIETY
Leuchtturm1917 is one of the most popular brands for notebooks, and they’re also a great bet for those looking for sketchbooks. These hardbound notebooks come in a wide range of colors, so you can find the one that suits your personality or pick up a variety of notebooks and color-code them for different projects. Each notebook includes 96 pages, which are 150 gsm. The notebooks have a page marker and an elastic closure.
5. Strathmore 400 Series Recycled Paper Pads
BEST ECO-FRIENDLY
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly option, Strathmore offers a version of its 400 notebooks that are made from 30% post-consumer materials. These notebooks come in a wide variety of sizes, from smaller 3½” × 5″ pads up to large 18” × 24” pads. These wire-bound notebooks also feature perforated pages for easy removal.
6. Moleskine Art Sketchbook
BEST DETAILS
Moleskine is a household name in the world of notebooks, and they also carry great sketchbook options, like this hardcover notebook. Like Moleskine’s hardcover notebooks, this sketchbook has an elastic closure, a ribbon page marker, and a pouch in the back that’s ideal for storing folded-up pages. The ivory-colored pages offer a soothing alternative to optic white.
7. ARTEZA Sketch Book
ALSO GREAT
The ARTEZA comes in a set of three sketchbooks, which each book containing 100 pages. The ARTEZA are the smallest sketchbooks on our list, making them ideal for traveling. The spiral bound notebook has perforated edges for easy removal and the thick, acid-free paper works with pens, pencils and pastels, boasting minimal bleed-through and fading.