Thanks Doug: your thoroughness, humour and photography are all much appreciated. Since you asked, the Pith books seem to use a Coptic stitch construction, which is an ancient form of binding as the name suggests that has become very on trend amongst small volume binders over the last ten years or so. Quite a few people make their own sketchbooks using this structure because it opens flat and you don't need anything much in the way of specialist equipment.
Well done Doug ,getting your art on those pads…what an achievement..you should be very proud of yourself!Very useful information here!I only have very cheap sketch pads that I dabble on and have always wanted a really nice proper pad lol!I think it’s a confidence thing ,thinking my art isn’t good enough and I would be somehow spoiling a nice pad,probably lots of other people have been in this phase but you have given me the encouragement to get on Amazon and buy one..Thanks so much for sharing!❤
Brilliant review and summary. I think I’ve tried all except the Khadi and hi-end Etchr; the one I have used ( will have to check ) wasn’t very impressive. Thank you for your time and effort discussing all of these wonderful sketchbooks. And, your work is so very good. How about a book of your sketchbook favourites thus far? I’d buy it and I bet many others would too!
I've been using Hahnemuhle, Moleskine, and Rhodia. My experience is similar to yours. I'm in denial about the cost versus value of the Moleskine, but at least I get to hang out with the cool kids when I use it...... Hahnemuhle is the winner for me in terms of how it takes watercolor, and the Rhodia is great when I'm using fountain pens or graphite pencils. I went to the Khadi website and I think I'll try one of their sketchbooks for watercolor, and maybe some of their loose sheets. Thanks for the reviews!
Thanks for the video, I really enjoyed seeing your artworks in your different sketchbooks. The Etchr sketchbooks are definitely one of my favourites, the cover is actually white canvas on purpose because it’s meant to be painted on. I always paint the cover with acrylics after I finish the sketchbook, it’s one of the things I enjoy the most about it.
I have used Royal Talens Art Creation books for sketching, watercolor and gouache for years and they are a fraction of the price of the books reviewed here. For instance my watercolor sketchbook cost around £6.
Thanks Doug ~ very helpful and timely as I’m just about to buy a new sketch book for this year’s Inktober challenge. I used a L’Oiel one last year (A5) and liked it, but think it was a bit pricey. I’ve an unused A5 Moleskine on the shelf … am saving it until I feel worthy!
I live in the town that manufacturers one of your favorite sketchbook and grew up close by to Bee Creative paper company. I guess that is why I love paper.
Thank you for the video! I find I am more spontaneous when I use a less expensive sketchbook- I don't feel like the picture has to be perfect or that I'm 'wasting' paper :) less 'fear of the blank page too.
Nice review. I have a number of these sketchbooks, some I like more than others. I have the Khadi fat book which is so much fun to use. If you enjoy that, the Artway Indigo cotton rag sketchbooks are worth a try. Don’t knock the lighter weight paper sketchbooks. I regularly use Royal Talens Art Creations (cream coloured paper - 140gsm), as well as a Ryman soft cover (more off white than cream paper - 120gsm) and both are great for gouache, mixed media, some light wash, and neither has bleed through from my rohrer & klinger sketch ink. All relatively cheap and all come with an elastic strap. The best thing is I can resist becoming precious with them.
Thanks Doug. A very useful video. I'm a complete novice and have tried a few cheap sketch books, but at the moment I'm using Seawhite and Pith. Love them both and I agree with you on the Pith books, they are really interesting and feel quite different and special. Thanks again.
Great advice Doug, going to try Pith, Arteza and Khadi. I have never used the Etcher as they are too expensive for my need. Tried Moleskine and I really didn’t like the paper. Using Seawhite, Strathmore and Stillman & Birn, love them all. Thank for your run down on sketchbooks.
Great video. When I finish this, I'll be ordering a copy of Pith sketchbooks. I have a custom-made journal that uses the same binding system, and it's my favorite journal after Elia, which uses Tomoe River paper and is better for fountain pens. As for my sketchbooks I'm not real picky as long as it's 100% cotton paper and the paper is heavy enough to take a light watercolor wash. I do prefer hardback or wire bound sketchbooks.
This was really extensive, great comparisons, thanks! Now I want to try a few. Personally I'm a big fan of Kadhi. It has so much character to it. Great video, it was worth the wait 😂
Etchr is my favorite and I like that I can get it in both hot and cold press. The white cover is intended for your art work. A close second is the Stillman & Birn Beta series which is a slightly textured surface and their Zeta series is incredibly smooth and great for pen and ink.
Love my etchr hot pressed sketchbook the best but also like the strathmore and stillman and birn too zeta series as i prefer hot pressed textures as im really into detail and botanical type work.
Congrats!!!! Nothing like your art on a Cover 👍👍👍🎉 … outstanding! Whew … though I was the only one who bought a Zeta by accident. Good to have a companion in that respect 😂 I’ve tried & have most of those (exceptions: Seabright & that new one) Etchr is actually a mixed media book which I find interesting because I consider Canson’s Montval mixed media to be excellent and a step above its Montval watercolor paper. It’s some of the best flowing water anything on the planet, imho. Problem is the economical ones are spiral, including the ArtBook lines. You’re definitely right about Hahnemule and S&B Beta … just awesome, hands down for watercolor. Strathmore is also at the top. Khadi is simply fun & unique. Some new ones (hardbound) to try out that I think beginners would like & won’t pocket pick …. Baohong, Speedball (200 gsm Red WC journal ) , Potentate / Lightwish, Tumuarta (25% cotton or 100% cotton ),
For a long time I’ve used the moleskine, I started with the sketch book and loved it because of its cream colored paper and I’ve even used a bit of water colors with it. Then I used their watercolor paper and liked it a lot as a beginner that doesn’t know a lot about watercolors. But recently I’ve been dissatisfied with their paper. I find it hard to get any real watercolor effects with it. So now I’m using stillman and burn and like it. I want to try the “khaki” paper you mentioned. There is another watercolor I’ve seen someone using, it’s speedball and it’s 300 gsm. Has a blue flower on the wrapping. The cover is like the Artizia one. I’m thinking of getting it. Have you ever tried it?
Thank you very much! This was a very comprehensive video and I really enjoy the way you explain things. I use mostly Canson (I don't enjoy it), because there's not much else I can get where I live. I have tried the Academy and Baohong papers and I like them a lot, but I haven't found them in sketchbook format... Also, I'm a begginer and wouldn't know much about this subject (except that it's really easy to tell between cellulose and cotton paper). Thanks again 😊🙏
I just got a Baohung sketchbook from Temu. Got it last night so I haven't had a chance to try it. I do have Baohung blocks in cold, hot and rough press.
My go to sketchbook is the Arteza. The size is perfect for my bag, for leaving in the car or on a corner of my work desk. I get them from Amazon -Prime Day and Black Friday sales often have great sales on them for bundles. I just received a Baohung cold press sketchbook, but haven't had a chance to try it yet. I've used Baohung cold, hot and rough, in blocks and loose sheets and love them. For gifts that will be framed, I use Fabriano. I also have the Strathmore in a larger size.
Tried Khadi after watching one of your previous videos and its definitely my sketchbook of choice now. Lovely texture. Also a fan of the Seawhite of Brighton sketchbooks but everything seems a little boring after trying Khadi paper. Might give the Arteza pad a look now though.
Please consider moving away from RU-vid and Patreon. I’d love to become a supporter but can’t see Patreon’s garnishing relationship to creators. Substack? At least they are transparent about their revenue model.
