In this blog I share my favorite sketchbooks for watercolor. The sketchbooks I describe are really suitable for watercolor paint, so for when you're using quite a bit of water. Per brand and series I explain why I like them so much and how much water they can handle.
Do you often use different materials in your sketchbook ? Maybe you can use the blog about mixed media sketchbooks, in which I also mention the Stillman&Birn sketchbooks.
I also made a reel of it, because it was very difficult to show the sketchbooks clearly in photos.
The watercolor sketchbooks I mention in this blog:
- Hahnemühle watercolor book
- Hahnemühle 100% cotton
- Hahnemühle Zigzag
- Etchr Accordion
- Etchr hot&cold pressed
- Etchr 'The perfect sketchbook'
- Mossery Watercolor & 100% cotton watercolor
All the sketchbooks in this comparison are bound, so you can use them flat. Because of this, the canvas you paint on is suddenly twice as big. Only the Mossery sketchbook has an option for a spiral: this can be useful if you want to fold the sketchbook.
Hahnemühle Watercolor Book
The Hahnemühle Watercolor Book is a classic that is loved by many watercolorists for good reason. This sketchbook has 200gsm (cellulose) paper that is perfect for both wet and dry techniques. The paper has a fine grain structure, comparable to cold pressed paper. This paper can handle quite a bit of paint in the form of washes, but because it is 200 grams paper it can bubble a little. For 200 grams paper it feels thicker and can handle a lot of water. Available in both landscape and portrait, A6, A5, A4, 14x14cm and 19.5x19.5cm.
Hahnemühle 100% Cotton Sketchbook
For those looking for premium paper, the Hahnemühle 100% Cotton Sketchbook is a great choice. This sketchbook features 250gsm cold pressed bright white paper made from 100% cotton, which ensures that the water absorbs nicely. The colours remain vibrant and bright, and the paper has a nice structure that supports both wet and dry techniques well. Available in both landscape and portrait, A6, A5 and A4 and two square sizes.
Hahnemühle Zigzag
The Hahnemuhle Zigzag Book is a special one, the pages of this sketchbook are connected to each other. They actually form one very long page. These books have 300 grams cold pressed paper.
Etchr Hot and Cold Pressed Sketchbooks
All Etchr sketchbooks are made with 100% cotton paper, which works great! You can also choose between hot pressed and cold pressed paper. Choose a smooth or a more textured surface, depending on your preference. The hot pressed paper is smooth and ideal for detailed work and illustrations. The paper is a bit thinner, 220 grams, but can still handle quite a lot of water.
This sketchbook is also on the mixed media list. Do you want to work with multiple materials in your sketchbook? In the hot pressed variant you can also work very well with, for example, colored pencils and markers. The cold pressed paper has a fine texture and is perfect for traditional watercolor techniques. This paper is also bright white, and is 230 grams. Both variants are beautifully bound and available in both landscape and portrait in a6, a5, B5 (my favorite size) and A4.
Etchr Accordion
The Etchr Accordion books have the same paper, but with a different binding.
Etchr Perfect Sketchbook
The Etchr Perfect Sketchbook is a favorite among many artists because of the thick watercolor paper and its quality. This sketchbook has 300gsm 100% cotton paper which is fantastic for watercolor. The paper is sturdy and can handle large amounts of water without bubbling or warping. The sketchbook also has a nice look on the outside. It is available in a landscape A5 or A4.
Etchr Signature Sketchbooks
For these Etchr Signature sketchbooks you unfortunately have to dig deeper into your pockets, but they are so beautiful! These sketchbooks are filled with the 300 grams Fabriano Artistico paper, and the edges of the pages are so beautifully handmade. With these sketchbooks you can choose between a B5 hot or cold pressed.
Strathmore watercolor book
Mossery Watercolor Sketchbook
The Mossery Watercolor Sketchbooks are not only functional but also stylish. With 300gsm cold pressed they are perfect for watercolor. With a Mossery Sketchbook you can choose 100% cotton paper and for the binding you can choose between having a wirebound or a bound sketchbook. What also makes Mossery really special is the large assortment of beautiful covers to choose from. In terms of size you can only choose an A5 sketchbook.
Conclusion
That was my roundup of our favorite watercolor sketchbooks! Each of these sketchbooks has its own unique advantages. I hope this blog helps you find the perfect sketchbook for your watercolor creations! Happy painting!
Do you already have a favorite watercolor sketchbook? Share it with me in the comments below!
Until next time,
Love, Judith
