The 10 Best Sketchbooks That Will Make You A Better Designer
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Best Sketchbook
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For this post, I have put together a collection of the best sketchbooks available for purchase.
UPDATED: September 25, 2019.
All ideas have to start somewhere, for most designers that starts with a sketch.
Whether you are a traveler, designer, architect or student you are sure to find the right sketchbook for your needs.
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So here is my list of The 10 Best Sketchbooks That Will Make You A Better Designer.
Enjoy!
1. Moleskine Art Plus Sketchbook
The Moleskine Art Plus Large Sketchbook is made with top quality heavy paper and is perfect for on the go drawings, sketches and tempera colors. Every Moleskine product is thread bound and has a cardboard cover with rounded corners, acid free paper, a bookmark, an elastic closure and an expandable inner pocket that contains the Moleskine history.
Specifications:
Layout: Plain Paper
Dimensions: 5" x 8-1/4"
Hard Cover with elastic closure and bookmark ribbon.
Color: Black
Pages: 104
Internal Accordion Pocket
Paper Weight: 165 gsm/111 lb.; FSC Certified Paper; Acid-Free (pH Neutral)
2. Pentalic Traveler Sketchbook
Wherever you go, capture life as it happens with this art journal designed to fit anywhere.
160 pages of acid-free recycled 74 lb. (120 gsm) paper is perfect for sketching, notes and field work.
Includes an elastic enclosure, ribbon marker, back page pocket.
Flexible Italian made cover.
3. Art Alternatives "Very Big" Hardcover Sketchbook
Each sheet measures 12.5-x-10.75-inches. Perfect for small or large scale drawings in multiple media.
600 pages ( 300-sheet) book to fill with fun drawings and artistic creations
75lb - acid-free bright white paper with perfect texture for drawing
Makes a great coffee table book and awesome gift-perfect for artists and students.
Fill with art work from you and your friends and family or watch your art progress over time in one huge book.
Must-have Accessory
Don’t forget a pencil… the all-metal body rOtring 600 is great for sketching.
4. Strathmore Series 400 Sketchbook
Best quality with superior sheet formation, harder surfaces and a variety of textures that work with a wider range of media and styles.
Choice of paper is one of the most important decisions you'll make as an artist.
Appreciate how color, absorbency, texture, weight and size contribute to help you create different artistic effects.
400 Series Recycled: Best quality recycled paper contains 30% post-consumer fiber that is rated Grade A for cleanliness.
Strathmore supports environmental solutions that don't compromise paper performance, appearance, or price.
Superior sheet formation, harder surfaces and varying textures work with a wider variety of media and styles.
5. Pentalic Hardbound Sketchbook
This Pentalic Hardbound 8.5x11 Inch Sketchbook contains 110 sheets of white, 70 pound (144 gsm), acid-free paper.
The sturdy, elegant cover features a leatherette texture and keeps your artwork and notes intact while providing a firm drawing surface.
The hardbound spine is specially designed to lay flat while in use and conveniently stands upright on a bookshelf.
This book is perfect for sketching, writing, and classwork.
Paper is sourced from certified sustainable forests.
6. Moleskine A3 Art Plus Sketchbook
The Moleskine Art Plus A3 Sketchbook has 96 wide pages in high quality heavy paper, ideal for tempera colors. 160 gsm/111 lb. acid free paper.
Specifications:
Layout: Plain Paper
Dimensions: 16-1/2" x 12"
Hard Cover with elastic closure and bookmark ribbon.
Color: Black
Pages: 96
Internal Accordion Pocket
Paper Weight: 165 gsm/111 lb.; FSC Certified Paper; Acid-Free (pH Neutral)
7. Leda Art Supply XL Sketchbook
PERFECT PAPER: Dense 81 pound paper ideal for pencil, ink, pen, pastel, charcoal and even a light water-color wash.
HUGE SKETCHBOOK: 8.5 x 12 inch gives you plenty surface for art making.
PREMIUM: 160 pages of smooth, cream-colored paper with slight tooth accents your colors.
SOLID: Flexible all weather cover and stitched thread-bound book lays flat for easy sketching.
PROFESSIONAL: Impressive look and feel will match your passion for art.
8. Canson Artist Series Sketchbook
Versatile surface for a variety of dry media with a fine texture
Heavyweight sketch paper with a nice tooth that erases cleanly and is smudge resistant
Micro-perforated for easy removal of the true size sheets
Great for use with pencils and suitable for charcoal
100 sheets of 9"X12" acid free 65lb / 96g paper
9. Leda Art Supply Softbound Cover Sketchbook
PERFECT PAPER: Dense 81 pound paper ideal for pencil, ink, pen, pastel, charcoal and even a light water-color wash.
LARGE: 7 x 10 inches just right sketchbook size.
PREMIUM: 160 pages of smooth, cream-colored paper with slight tooth accents your colors.
FLEXIBLE: all weather cover protects your art and provides support in the field.
SOLID: stitched thread bound book lays flat for easy sketching. Makes an impressive gift.
10. Masterclass Premium Sketchbook
DURABLE HARDCOVER
Made of the highest quality materials to protect your art for years to come.
Solid hardbound cover that can be used as a drawing surface.
Twin loop metal spiral binding.
The highest quality paper, resistant to the passionate artist (bleeding, rough erasing, and shading).
VERSATILE PAPER
100 Sheets of 60 pound fine textured bright paper.
Acid free, and lightly perforated.
Ideal for all dry media including pen, pencil, charcoal, marker, pastels, crayons, and sketching sticks.
REFINED EXPERIENCE
Masterclass Premium Sketchbooks are in a league of their own.
I hope this list has been helpful, if I left out a sketchbook you think is important, let me know in the comments below.
Thanks for reading, see also my posts on:
The Top 50 Most Essential Architect Supplies
Brandon Hubbard, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
