Sketchbooks
Papers built to handle wet media
As your pens move beyond writing into sketching and painting, the paper starts to matter just as much as the tool itself. Wet media needs a surface that can handle more liquid without feathering, warping or breaking down.
Strength comes from paper weight, surface sizing and fibre type. For fountain pens and ink, we generally recommend 150–200gsm paper. For watercolour, 250gsm+ gives better durability and control.
Choose cold press paper to emphasise texture and pigment movement, or smooth hot press paper for detailed work and fine line pens. Spiral bindings are practical for travel and quick studies, while stitched bindings are better for double page spreads.
Popular choices for fountain pen sketching include Stillman & Birn Alpha softcovers and Global Hand-Book. Watercolour sketchbooks with cotton paper take longer to dry, providing more time to adjust your work.
For a deeper comparison of surfaces, sizing and texture, explore our blog guide to sketchbooks and wet media papers.
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- FABRIANO Studio (1)
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- HAHNE Watercolour Book (8)
- HAHNE ZigZag (4)
- HAND-BOOK Travelogue (10)
- SEAWHITE Travel Sketchbook (1)
- SEAWHITE WC Travel (2)
- STILLMAN Alpha (12)
- STILLMAN Beta (12)
- STILLMAN Delta (2)
- STILLMAN Gamma (2)
- STILLMAN Nova (5)
- CLAIREFONTAINE Fontaine (0)
- DALER Ebony (0)
- FABRIANO Accademia (0)
- FABRIANO Venezia (0)
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- HAHNE Sketch & Note (0)
- LEUCHTTURM1917 Sketchbook (0)
- MIDORI MD Sketchbook (0)
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- STRATHMORE Series 500 (0)
- TRAVELERS Regular (0)
- TRAVELERS Spiral Ring Notebook (0)
HAHNEMUEHLE 100% Cotton Watercolour Sketchbook - 250gsm - 60 pages - A4 Landscape
A premium watercolour sketchbook from HAHNEMUHLE made from 100% cotton. High quality 250gsm weight cold press paper, with surface sizing to handle ...
View full detailsHAHNEMUEHLE 100% Cotton Watercolour Sketchbook - 250gsm - 60 pages - A4 Portrait
A premium watercolour sketchbook from HAHNEMUHLE made from 100% cotton. High quality 250gsm weight cold press paper, with surface sizing to handle ...
View full detailsHAHNEMUEHLE 100% Cotton Watercolour Sketchbook - 250gsm - 60 pages - 19.5 x 19.5cm Square
A premium watercolour sketchbook from HAHNEMUHLE made from 100% cotton. High quality 250gsm weight cold press paper, with surface sizing to handle ...
View full detailsHAND-BOOK JOURNAL CO - Travelogue Series - Watercolour Journal (300gsm) - Insta Square (8.25 x 8.25" / 21 x 21cm) - Grey Linen
Bound in natural linen, these three new journals offer watercolorists an attractive and practical option for travel painting. Inside are 60 pages o...
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STILLMAN & BIRN Nova Sketchbook - Softcover - Portrait XL (8 x 10" / 20.3 x 25.4cm) - 150gsm - Beige
STILLMAN & BIRN Nova Sketchbook - Softcover - Portrait XL (8 x 10" / 20.3 x 25.4cm) - 150gsm - Beige
This is the same as the Alpha paper except that it is toned for mixed media.Contains 150gsm, medium grained, beige paper. We have always favouried ...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Delta Hard Cover Sketchbook - A4 (8.25 x 11.75") - 270gsm
Only Stillman & Birn offers a sketchbook system that gives artists the choice of paper weight, shade, and surface type best suited to their spe...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Beta Hard Cover Sketchbook - A4 (8.25 x 11.75"/21.0 x 29.7cm) - 270gsm
Only Stillman & Birn offers a sketchbook system that gives artists the choice of paper weight, shade, and surface type best suited to their spe...
View full detailsHAHNEMUEHLE 100% Cotton Watercolour Sketchbook - 250gsm - 60 pages - A5 Landscape
A premium watercolour sketchbook from HAHNEMUHLE made from 100% cotton. High quality 250gsm weight cold press paper, with surface sizing to handle ...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Alpha Hard Cover Sketchbook - A4 (8.25 x 11.75" / 21 x 29.7 cm) - 150gsm
Only Stillman & Birn offers a sketchbook system that gives artists the choice of paper weight, shade, and surface type best suited to their spe...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Alpha Sketchbook - Softcover - Portrait XL (8 x 10" / 20.3 x 25.4cm) - 150gsm
This is the same Alpha paper as in the Stillman & Birn Alpha hard cover sketchbooks. Stillman and Birn listened to urban sketchers and made thi...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Beta Sketchbook - Softcover - Portrait XL (8 x 10" / 20.3 x 25.4cm) - 270gsm
This is the same BETA paper as in the Stillman & Birn BETA hard cover sketchbooks. Stillman and Birn listened to urban sketchers and made this ...
View full detailsHAND-BOOK JOURNAL CO - Travelogue Series - Watercolour Journal (200gsm) - Grand Portrait (10.5 x 8.25" / 27 x 21cm) - Grey Linen
Bound in natural linen, these three new journals offer watercolorists an attractive and practical option for travel painting. Inside are 60 pages o...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Nova Trio Sketchbook - Softcover - Square (7.5 x 7.5" / 19 x 19 cm) - 150gsm - 46 Sheets
Only Stillman & Birn offers a sketchbook system that gives artists the choice of paper weight, shade, and surface type best suited to their spe...
View full detailsHAND-BOOK JOURNAL CO - Travelogue Series - Watercolour Journal (200gsm) - Insta Square (8.25 x 8.25" / 21 x 21cm) - Grey Linen
Bound in natural linen, these three new journals offer watercolorists an attractive and practical option for travel painting. Inside are 60 pages o...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Alpha Hard Cover Sketchbook - A5+ Landscape (9 x 6") - 150gsm - 62 Sheets
Only Stillman & Birn offers a sketchbook system that gives artists the choice of paper weight, shade, and surface type best suited to their spe...
View full detailsWINSOR & NEWTON Watercolour HC Sketchbook - 300gsm - 100% Cotton - Cold Press - 40 pages - A4 Portrait
Winsor & Newton Hard Bound Watercolour Visual Journals contain artist quality, 100% cotton, acid free, cold-pressed (medium texture) watercolou...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Alpha Hard Cover Sketchbook - Spiral - (7 x 10"/17.8 x 25.4cm) - 150gsm
Only Stillman & Birn offers a sketchbook system that gives artists the choice of paper weight, shade, and surface type best suited to their spe...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Beta Hard Cover Sketchbook - Spiral - (7 x 10"/17.8 x 25.4cm) - 270gsm
Only Stillman & Birn offers a sketchbook system that gives artists the choice of paper weight, shade, and surface type best suited to their spe...
View full detailsHAHNEMUEHLE Akademie Watercolour Sketchbook - 200gsm - 60 pages - A4 Landscape
A premium watercolour sketchbook from HAHNEMUHLE. High quality 200gsm weight paper, with surface sizing to handle all wet techniques. Fine grain te...
View full detailsHAND-BOOK JOURNAL CO - Travelogue Series - Watercolour Journal (300gsm) - A5 Landscape (13 x 21cm) - Grey Linen
Bound in natural linen, these three new journals offer watercolorists an attractive and practical option for travel painting. Inside are 60 pages o...
View full detailsCANSON (Saunders Waterford) Spiral Art Book - Cold Press - 300gsm - 100% Cotton - A5 Landscape - 40 Pages
A watercolour sketchbook with beautiful 100% cotton Saunders Waterford paper. 100% cotton rag. Acid free. Available cold press surface only. Spiral...
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STILLMAN & BIRN Alpha Sketchbook - Softcover - Square (7.5 x 7.5" / 19 x 19 cm) - 150gsm - 46 Sheets
STILLMAN & BIRN Alpha Sketchbook - Softcover - Square (7.5 x 7.5" / 19 x 19 cm) - 150gsm - 46 Sheets
This is the same Beta paper as in the Stillman & Birn Beta hard cover sketchbooks. Stillman and Birn listened to urban sketchers and made this ...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Nova Sketchbook - Spiral - (7 x 10"/17.8 x 25.4cm) - 150gsm - Black
Only Stillman & Birn offers a sketchbook system that gives artists the choice of paper weight, shade, and surface type best suited to their spe...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Beta Hard Cover Sketchbook - A5 (5.5 x 8.5"/14.0 x 21.6cm) - 270gsm - 26 Sheets
Only Stillman & Birn offers a sketchbook system that gives artists the choice of paper weight, shade, and surface type best suited to their spe...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Beta Hard Cover Sketchbook - Spiral - Square (7 x 7"/17.8 x 17.8cm) - 270gsm
Only Stillman & Birn offers a sketchbook system that gives artists the choice of paper weight, shade, and surface type best suited to their spe...
View full detailsHAHNEMUEHLE Akademie Watercolour Sketchbook - 200gsm - 60 pages - A5 Portrait
A premium watercolour sketchbook from HAHNEMUHLE.High quality 200gsm weight cold press paper, with surface sizing to handle wet techniques.Fine gra...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Alpha Sketchbook - Softcover - A5 Landscape (8.5 x 5.5" / 21.6 x 14 cm) - 150gsm
This is the same Alpha paper as in the Stillman & Birn Alpha hard cover sketchbooks. Stillman and Birn listened to urban sketchers and made thi...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Alpha Sketchbook - Softcover - A5 Portrait (5.5 x 8.5" / 14 x 21.6 cm) - 150gsm - 46 Sheets
This is the same Alpha paper as in the Stillman & Birn Alpha hard cover sketchbooks. Stillman and Birn listened to urban sketchers and made thi...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Beta Sketchbook - Softcover - A5 Portrait (5.5 x 8.5" / 14 x 21.6 cm) - 270gsm - 26 Sheets
This is the same BETA paper as in the Stillman & Birn BETA hard cover sketchbooks. Stillman and Birn listened to urban sketchers and made this ...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Beta Hard Cover Sketchbook - Spiral - (6 x 8"/15.2 x 20.3cm) - 270gsm
Only Stillman & Birn offers a sketchbook system that gives artists the choice of paper weight, shade, and surface type best suited to their spe...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Alpha Hard Cover Sketchbook - ~A5 (5.5 x 8.5" / 14 x 21.6 cm) - 150gsm
Only Stillman & Birn offers a sketchbook system that gives artists the choice of paper weight, shade, and surface type best suited to their spe...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Beta Sketchbook - Softcover - A5 Landscape (8.5 x 5.5" / 21.6 x 14 cm) - 270gsm
This is the same BETA paper as in the Stillman & Birn BETA hard cover sketchbooks. Stillman and Birn listened to urban sketchers and made this ...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Beta Hard Cover Sketchbook - (9 x 6") - 270gsm - 26 Sheets
Only Stillman & Birn offers a sketchbook system that gives artists the choice of paper weight, shade, and surface type best suited to their spe...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Delta Sketchbook - Softcover - Portrait A5 (5.5 x 8.5" / 14 x 21.6cm) - 270gsm (Copy)
This is the same DELTA paper as in the Stillman & Birn DELTA hard cover sketchbooks. Stillman and Birn listened to urban sketchers and made thi...
View full detailsHAHNEMUEHLE 100% Cotton Watercolour Sketchbook - 250gsm - 60 pages - A6 Portrait
A premium watercolour sketchbook from HAHNEMUHLE made from 100% cotton. High quality 250gsm weight cold press paper, with surface sizing to handle ...
View full detailsHAND-BOOK JOURNAL CO - Travelogue Series - Watercolour Journal (200gsm) - A5 Portrait (5.5 x 8.25" / 14 x 21cm) - Grey Linen
Bound in natural linen, these three new journals offer watercolorists an attractive and practical option for travel painting. Inside are 60 pages o...
View full detailsCANSON (Montval) Spiral Art Book - Cold Press - 300gsm - 20 x 20cm - 48 Pages
Ideal for watercolour - Cold pressed - Weight:  300 gsm - 48 pages / 24 sheets - FSC®  certification Made in United Kingdom. Â
HAND-BOOK JOURNAL CO - Travelogue Series - Watercolour Journal (200gsm) - A5 Landscape (13 x 21cm) - Grey Linen
Bound in natural linen, these three new journals offer watercolorists an attractive and practical option for travel painting. Inside are 60 pages o...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Alpha Hard Cover Sketchbook - A6 Portrait (4 x 6" / 10.2 x 15.2 cm) - 150gsm
Only Stillman & Birn offers a sketchbook system that gives artists the choice of paper weight, shade, and surface type best suited to their spe...
View full detailsSEAWHITE OF BRIGHTON Watercolour Travel Sketchbook - 200gsm - 60 pages - Landscape A5
Minimalist black sketchbook with good quality watercolour paper. Cold pressed, 200gsm, acid free paper, with light texture (like Moleskine) that su...
View full detailsSEAWHITE OF BRIGHTON Watercolour Travel Sketchbook - 200gsm - 60 pages - Portrait A5
Minimalist black sketchbook with good quality watercolour paper. Cold pressed, 200gsm, acid free paper, with light texture (like Moleskine) that su...
View full detailsWINSOR & NEWTON Watercolour HC Sketchbook - 300gsm - 100% Cotton - Cold Press - 40 pages - A5 Landscape
Winsor & Newton Hard Bound Watercolour Visual Journals contain artist quality, 100% cotton, acid free, cold-pressed (medium texture) watercolou...
View full detailsSEAWHITE OF BRIGHTON Watercolour Travel Sketchbook - 200gsm - 60 pages - Square (14 x 14cm)
Minimalist black sketchbook with good quality watercolour paper.Cold pressed, 200gsm, acid free paper, with light texture (like Moleskine) that sui...
View full detailsHAHNEMUEHLE Akademie Watercolour Sketchbook - 200gsm - 60 pages - A6 Landscape
A premium watercolour sketchbook from HAHNEMUHLE. High quality 200gsm weight paper, with surface sizing to handle all wet techniques. Fine grain te...
View full detailsHAHNEMUEHLE Akademie Watercolour Sketchbook - 200gsm - 60 pages - A6 Portrait
A premium watercolour sketchbook from HAHNEMUHLE. High quality 200gsm weight cold press paper, with surface sizing to handle wet techniques. Fine g...
View full detailsHAND-BOOK JOURNAL CO - Travelogue Series - Watercolour Journal (200gsm) - Pocket Panorama (9 x 21cm) - Grey Linen
Bound in natural linen, these three new journals offer watercolorists an attractive and practical option for travel painting. Inside are 60 pages o...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Alpha Sketchbook - Softcover - A6 Landscape (5.5 x 3.5" / 14 x 8.9 cm) - 150gsm
This is the same Alpha paper as in the Stillman & Birn Alpha hard cover sketchbooks. Stillman and Birn listened to urban sketchers and made thi...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Alpha Sketchbook - Softcover - A6 Portrait (3.5 x 5.5" / 8.9 x 14 cm) - 150gsm
This is the same Alpha paper as in the Stillman & Birn Alpha hard cover sketchbooks. Stillman and Birn listened to urban sketchers and made thi...
View full details