Currently, watercolor art has become popular globally. It is a classic art and crafts hobby that people enjoy. For most individuals, it is an activity that they have enjoyed since childhood, while others have discovered the activity in adulthood. However, whether you are a beginner or an expert artist, it is essential to have the best watercolor sketchbook for your craft.
Best Watercolor Sketchbooks in 2024
10. Paul Rubens Watercolor Paper Block
The papers of this sketchbook are made of 100% cotton making your sketches sink without moving. The papers are also thick; hence you can use both sides without worrying that the wet media will mess the other side of the paper. The papers are not hot-pressed, and thus they are smooth in texture. The soft texture ensures that both the wet and dry media can glide on the surface effortlessly. Thread is used to thread the journal, making it durable without the feeling that it will break apart easily. You can remove the thread at the center to have bigger sheets.
9. Bellofy 50 Sheet Watercolor Paper Pad
The pages of this sketchbook are made using fully recycled non-toxic materials that are bound together using glue. Therefore, you can easily detach and reattach them when you want. The pages of the sketchbook are highly durable. The ability to reattach and detach pages is what makes the sketchbook fun and unique. In addition, the company offers a 90-day cash-back warranty. The design and the texture of the paper pad can protect your art and save it from damage. The disadvantage of this sketchbook is that it is not versatile; it can fit watercolors, but it is not good with mixed media.
8. Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolor Paper Journal
This journal is made using quality papers. It has a high-grade texture, and the papers are thick to prevent color from run-off or spread. Therefore, you do not have to worry about ruining your artwork because of overtime discoloring or water damage. The journal is bound using a wire, and the papers used are 100% cotton watercolor paper. In addition, the pages are acid-free, cold-pressed, and designed to withstand saturation of color and maintain its shape under any condition. Nonetheless, the journal is expensive and comes with few sheets.
7. Pentalic 5” by 8” 140 pounds AF Aqua Journal
Pentalic AF Aqua Journal is aesthetically pleasing and perfect for pictures. It comes with a ribbon marker that helps to improve its general appeal. It is bound in a manner that makes it easy to hook your brushes inside and move with it wherever you go. Furthermore, it is lightweight, portable, and comes with an elastic holder at the top to increase the book’s durability and safety. Also, it is bound in a landscape format using six signatures. It allows you to present your ideas easily. It has 48 pages, which is less compared to a standard sketchbook.
6. Field Artist Rectangle Watercolor Journal
This journal comes wrapped in a beautiful hardcover that makes it adorable. It is made using soft grey leather material and a logo that is engraved in it. The logo makes the journal feel traditional. The quality of the pages is good, with a relative thickness that prevents leaking of color. It does not allow run-off even when you have done painting on every page. The pages can soak up paint, and thus the drying process is easy. It is cold-pressed, making the texture and the finishing of the paper good for different methods of sketching and painting. However, the sizes of the pages are too small for you to achieve detailed work.
5. Moleskine Art Watercolor Album
Moleskine Art Watercolor Album has an excellent built. It is designed to support practicability of time and durability effectively. It is the right size that can be carried around. Additionally, it is designed with a spine that can lay out flat wholly. Therefore, making sure that you can concentrate on your art piece rather than worry about a sketchpad shutting close. The pages have a nice texture to present flawless watercolor paint. However, the papers are not excellent when it comes to color absorbency. It takes longer for any painting to dry. It is not recommended for thick acrylics or oil-based paints.
4. Arteza Watercolor Sketchbooks
This sketchbook is a perfect size in that it is neither too big nor too small; hence they are portable, and they can fit in a standard bag. Also, it offers you value for your money. The front hardcover is sturdy to ensure that your artwork is protected from tearing and folding at the edges. It comes with different accessories such as an elastic band and a ribbon bookmark that helps to shut the book. Additionally, it has an inner pocket for your cards as well as small artworks. It is manufactured using quality white paper. The papers are cold-pressed for acid-free and texture to prevent yellowing. The papers are dual-sided, and they are perfect for dry media, wet media, or a combination of the two. Finally, natural linen binds the pages to keep them in place.
3. Leda Art Supply Softbound Cover Sketchbook
The texture of this sketchbook is soft to improve the overall quality of painting, regardless of the style of drawing or painting you want to use. The paper soaks up water and oil-based paints faster than standard sketchbooks. Therefore, your paint will dry quickly. The pages are double that of a traditional sketchbook. The dimension of the product offers enough space for you to express yourself in whatever way you choose. You will not have any problem when you decide to use acrylic, graphite sketches, or watercolor. However, the larger size pages and the thick pages make it hard to carry the sketchbook around.
2. Speedball Travelogue Artist Watercolor Journal
Speedball Travelogue Watercolor Journal has elegant. It is lightweight, and thus you can easily move around with it. Overall, the build of this product is ergonomic because you can easily draw on it and carry it around. It comes with 60 sheets, which is better than other sketchbooks mentioned in this list. The sheets also make it possible to travel with it. The pages are environment-friendly and acid-free, meaning they are heavy enough to reduce color spreading. Thus, it fits the needs of both beginner and expert artists. However, it is bound using linen, which reduces its durability.
1. Canson XL Series Mix Paper Pad
It is a sketchbook with heavyweight paper that is ideal for painting using watercolor. It is versatile, and thus you can use this sketchbook for mixed media, collage, drawing, and sketching. Therefore, you can experiment and push your limits. It comes with 60 sheets, offering enough paper to work on. It is acid-free, thus increasing its durability without breaking and fading. Moreover, it has a fine and smooth texture that makes it easy and flawless when adding layers and blending colors.
