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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WINSOR & NEWTON Watercolour SC Sketchbook - 300gsm - 100% Cotton - Cold Press - 40 pages - A5 Landscape
Cotton gives your watercolour more time to shine Winsor & Newton Visual Diaries Watercolour Journal uses 100% cotton cold press paper, giving w...
View full detailsWINSOR & NEWTON Watercolour Spiral Sketchbook - 200gsm - 100% Cotton - Cold Press - 40 pages - A4 Portrait
Cotton gives your watercolour more time to shine Winsor & Newton Visual Diaries Watercolour Journal uses 100% cotton cold press paper, giving w...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Zeta Sketchbook - Softcover - A5 Landscape (8.5 x 5.5" / 21.6 x 14 cm) - 270gsm
This is the same ZETA paper as in the Stillman & Birn Zeta 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 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 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 detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Nova Sketchbook - Softcover - Portrait A5 (5.5 x 8.5" / 14.0 x 21.6cm) - 150gsm - Beige
This is the same as the Alpha paper except that it is toned for mixed media. Contains 150gsm, medium grained, grey paper. We have always favouried ...
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 detailsCLAIREFONTAINE Travel Watercolour Sketchbook - Rough 300gsm - 100% Cotton - A5 - 20 Sheets
Professional grade watercolour paper from CLAIREFONTAINE. 100% cotton rag. Acid free. Internal sizing to keep pigment vibrancy. Available in rough ...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Zeta Sketchbook - Softcover - A5 Portrait (5.5 x 8.5" / 14 x 21.6 cm) - 270gsm
This is the same ZETA paper as in the Stillman & Birn Zeta hard cover sketchbooks. Stillman and Birn listened to urban sketchers and made this ...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Epsilon Sketchbook - Softcover - A5 Portrait (5.5 x 8.5" / 14 x 21.6 cm) - 150gsm
This is the same Epsilon paper as in the Stillman & Birn Epsilon hard cover sketchbooks. Stillman and Birn listened to urban sketchers and made...
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 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 detailsFABRIANO Venezia Journal - Natural Grain - 200gsm - 15 x 23cm (6 x 9") - 48 sheets
These elegant journals contain 48 sheets (96 pages) of 200gsm Academia paper. Ideal for drawing, sketching and light washes. The texture on the cov...
View full detailsFABRIANO Classic Artist's Journal - Ingres Paper - 90gsm - A5+ (16 x 21cm) - 192 Sheets
The FABRIANO artist's journal is an elegant travel diary, ideal for capturing emotions or simply for taking notes. The "Classic" version is disting...
View full detailsHAHNEMUEHLE 100% Cotton Watercolour Sketchbook - 250gsm - 60 pages - A6 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 - 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 detailsHAHNEMUEHLE Travel Journal (140gsm) - Hard Cover - A5 (13.5 x 21cm) - Landscape
A good quality notebook that is great for capturing notes or sketches on the run.Acid free 140gsm paper, inside a classic hard cover binding with e...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Epsilon Hard Cover Sketchbook - Spiral - (6 x 8"/15.2 x 20.3cm) - 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 detailsHAND-BOOK JOURNAL CO - Travelogue Series - Drawing Sketchbook (~130gsm) - Large Portrait (8.25 x 5.5" / 21 x 14cm) - Ivory Black Cloth
This is a great sketchbook for dry media including pencil, pen, markers, pen & ink. Will also accept light watercolour without buckling the pap...
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 detailsWINSOR & NEWTON Watercolour Spiral Sketchbook - 300gsm - 100% Cotton - Cold Press - 40 pages - A5 Portrait
Cotton gives your watercolour more time to shine Winsor & Newton Visual Diaries Watercolour Journal uses 100% cotton cold press paper, giving w...
View full detailsLEUCHTTURM1917 Sketchbook - Landscape (A5) - Denim
The same high quality binding as LEUCHTTURM1917 Notebooks but with heavier, whiter paper, designed for sketching with dry media: 150gsm paper Bril...
View full detailsLEUCHTTURM1917 Sketchbook - Landscape (A5) - Black
The same high quality binding as LEUCHTTURM1917 Notebooks but with heavier, whiter paper, designed for sketching with dry media: 150gsm paper Brill...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Epsilon Sketchbook - Softcover - A5 Landscape (8.5 x 5.5" / 21.6 x 14 cm) - 150gsm
This is the same Epsilon paper as in the Stillman & Birn Epsilon hard cover sketchbooks. Stillman and Birn listened to urban sketchers and made...
View full detailsMOLESKINE Art Watercolour Block - Large Landscape (A5) - 300gsm
Heavyweight watercolour paper conveniently bound in a tear off A5 landscape black of 20 sheets. Made using 35% cold pressed cotton blend. Glue boun...
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.
SEAWHITE OF BRIGHTON Concertina Sketchbook (Slipcase) - 140gsm - 70 pages - A4
Hard to find concertina sketchbook that comes with own slipcase. Good quality, white cartridge paper 140gsm. Constructed as 2 concertinas, glued ba...
View full detailsRHODIA Touch - Double Accordion Watercolour Book (100% Cotton, 300gsm CP) - 24 Pages - A5 Portrait
Hard cover sketchbook. Accordion style with two arms of 12 pages each. 100% cotton, 300gsm. Acid free and pH neutral. Approximate size is 14.8 x 21cm.
SEAWHITE 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 detailsHAHNEMUEHLE ZigZag Watercolour Sketchbook - 300gsm - 18 pages - A6
A concertina sketchbook with heavy watercolour paper. Accordion style to allow you to create a study or storyboard. Heavy 300gsm weight and with su...
View full detailsHAHNEMUEHLE Nostalgie Sketchbook - 190gsm - 80 pages - A4 Portrait
A premium sketchbook from HAHNEMUHLE. High quality190gsm weight paper, with an almost smooth surface suitable for pen and ink. Natural white colo...
View full detailsHAHNEMUEHLE Nostalgie Sketchbook - 190gsm - 80 pages - A4 Landscape
A premium sketchbook from HAHNEMUHLE. High quality190gsm weight paper, with an almost smooth surface suitable for pen and ink. Natural white colo...
View full detailsHAND-BOOK JOURNAL CO - Travelogue Series - Drawing Sketchbook (~130gsm) - Large Landscape (5.5 x 8.25" / 14 x 21cm) - Black Cloth
This is a great sketchbook for dry media including pencil, pen, markers, pen & ink. Will also accept light watercolour without buckling the pap...
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 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 detailsHAHNEMUEHLE Nostalgie Sketchbook - 190gsm - 80 pages - A5 Portrait
A premium sketchbook from HAHNEMUHLE. High quality190gsm weight paper, with an almost smooth surface suitable for pen and ink. Natural white colo...
View full detailsHAHNEMUEHLE Nostalgie Sketchbook - 190gsm - 80 pages - A5 Landscape
A premium sketchbook from HAHNEMUHLE. High quality190gsm weight paper, with an almost smooth surface suitable for pen and ink. Natural white colo...
View full detailsWINSOR & NEWTON Watercolour Spiral Sketchbook - 200gsm - 100% Cotton - Cold Press - 40 pages - A5 Portrait
Cotton gives your watercolour more time to shine Winsor & Newton Visual Diaries Watercolour Journal uses 100% cotton cold press paper, giving w...
View full detailsRHODIA Touch Collection - Bristol (205gsm) Sketchbook - Soft Cover - 64 Pages - A5 Landscape
Sketchbook with ultra smooth surface for drawing with dry media or pen and ink. Ultra white paper in 205gsm. Acid free and pH neutral. Withstands m...
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 detailsFABRIANO Venezia Journal - Natural Grain - 200gsm - 10 x 15cm (4 x 6") - 48 sheets
These elegant journals contain 48 sheets (96 pages) of 200gsm Academia paper. Ideal for drawing, sketching and light washes. The texture on the cov...
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 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 detailsMIDORI - MD Sketchbook Thick (141gsm) - 96 Pages - Plain Pages - A5 (21 × 14.8cm)
The Midori MD Sketchbook thick A5 is made with heavy weight 141gsm MD paper. This makes it great for using with markers and mixed media. The pages ...
View full detailsSEAWHITE OF BRIGHTON Spiral Watercolour Sketchbook (Black Cover) - 350gsm - 20 Sheets - A4
Spiral bound sketchbook with good quality watercolour paper.Durable poplin hardcover with rounded corners.Cold pressed, 350gsm, acid free paper wit...
View full detailsHAND-BOOK JOURNAL CO - Travelogue Series - Drawing Sketchbook (~130gsm) - Pocket Landscape (3.5 x 5.5" / 9 x 14cm) - Black Cloth
This is a great sketchbook for dry media including pencil, pen, markers, pen & ink. Will also accept light watercolour without buckling the pap...
View full detailsHAND-BOOK JOURNAL CO - Travelogue Series - Drawing Sketchbook (~130gsm) - Pocket Portrait (5.5 x 3.5" / 14 x 9.5cm) - Ivory Black Cloth
This is a great sketchbook for dry media including pencil, pen, markers, pen & ink. Will also accept light watercolour without buckling the pap...
View full details