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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- CLAIREFONTAINE Fontaine (6)
- DALER Ebony (1)
- FABRIANO Accademia (1)
- FABRIANO Studio (1)
- FABRIANO Venezia (2)
- HAHNE Akademie (5)
- HAHNE Nostalgie (6)
- HAHNE Sketch & Note (2)
- HAHNE Watercolour Book (8)
- HAHNE ZigZag (4)
- HAND-BOOK Travelogue (14)
- LEUCHTTURM1917 Sketchbook (12)
- MIDORI MD Sketchbook (2)
- MOLESKINE Art (3)
- RHODIA Touch (3)
- SEAWHITE All-Media (4)
- SEAWHITE Concertina (4)
- SEAWHITE Eco (2)
- SEAWHITE Super Brit (1)
- SEAWHITE Travel Sketchbook (1)
- SEAWHITE Watercolour (4)
- SEAWHITE WC Travel (4)
- STILLMAN Alpha (12)
- STILLMAN Beta (12)
- STILLMAN Delta (2)
- STILLMAN Epsilon (8)
- STILLMAN Gamma (2)
- STILLMAN Nova (5)
- STILLMAN Zeta (9)
- STRATHMORE Series 500 (1)
- TRAVELERS Regular (1)
- TRAVELERS Spiral Ring Notebook (11)
HAND-BOOK JOURNAL CO - Travelogue Series - Watercolour Journal (300gsm) - 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 detailsHAHNEMUEHLE 100% Cotton Watercolour Sketchbook - 250gsm - 60 pages - A5 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 detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Epsilon Hard Cover Sketchbook - A4 (8.25 x 11.75") - 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 detailsCLAIREFONTAINE Travel Watercolour Sketchbook - Rough 300gsm - 100% Cotton - A4 (21 x 29.7cm) - 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 Delta Sketchbook - Softcover - Portrait XL (8 x 10" / 20.3 x 25.4cm) - 270gsm
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 detailsLEUCHTTURM1917 Sketchbook - Master A4 - Port Red
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 Nova Sketchbook - Softcover - Portrait XL (8 x 10" / 20.3 x 25.4cm) - 150gsm - Black Paper
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 t...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Beta Sketchbook - Softcover - Square (7.5 x 7.5" / 19 x 19 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 detailsHAHNEMUEHLE ZigZag Watercolour Sketchbook - 300gsm - 18 pages - A5
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 detailsHAND-BOOK JOURNAL CO - Travelogue Series - Watercolour Journal (300gsm) - 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 detailsHAHNEMUEHLE 100% Cotton Watercolour Sketchbook - 250gsm - 60 pages - 14 x 14cm 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 detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Delta Hard Cover Sketchbook - A5 (5.5 x 8.5") - 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 detailsMOLESKINE Hard Cover Folio Watercolour Notebook 200gsm - A4 - Black
Writing, organizing, and communicating, for a creative office environment. Thought for Professional and Creative people who travel and, at th...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Alpha 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 detailsHAHNEMUEHLE ZigZag Watercolour Sketchbook - 300gsm - 18 pages - Square (14 x 14cm)
A concertina sketchbook with heavy watercolour paper. Accordion style to allow you to create a study or storyboard.Heavy 300gsm weight cold press p...
View full detailsHAHNEMUEHLE Akademie Watercolour Sketchbook - 200gsm - 60 pages - A5 Landscape
A premium watercolour sketchbook from HAHNEMUHLE.High quality 200gsm weight paper, with surface sizing to handle all wet techniques.Fine grain text...
View full detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Zeta Sketchbook - Spiral - Square (7 x 7") - 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 detailsSTRATHMORE Mixed Media Series 500 Sketchbook - Softcover - A5 Portrait (14 x 21.6 cm) - 190gsm (100% Cotton) - 32 Sheets **Cover often marked**
This is one of the few 100% cotton watercolour sketchbooks. Suitable for watercolour, goauche, acrylic, pencil, ink, marker and pastels.Stitched bi...
View full detailsHAHNEMUEHLE Toned Watercolour Sketchbook - 200gsm - 60 pages - Square - Tan
A premium watercolour sketchbook from HAHNEMUHLE.High quality 200gsm weight paper, with surface sizing to handle all wet techniques.Fine grain text...
View full detailsFABRIANO Thread Sewn Watercolour Notebook - Cold Press - 200gsm - 25% Cotton - AA - Landscape - 30 Sheets
This thread sewn landscape, hardcover watercolour book contain 30 sheets of 200gsm, acid-free, 25% cotton, cold press (CP) paper. The paper is FSC ...
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 detailsSTILLMAN & BIRN Nova Sketchbook - Softcover - Portrait A5 (5.5 x 8.5" / 14.0 x 21.6cm) - 150gsm - Grey
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 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 detailsHAND-BOOK JOURNAL CO - Travelogue Series - Watercolour Journal (300gsm) - 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 detailsFABRIANO Classic Artists's Journal - Ingres Paper - 90gsm - A6+ (12 x 16cm) - 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 'The Cappuccino Book' Sketchbook (120gsm) - A5 - Light Brown Paper
Quality threadbound hard cover sketchbook from HAHNEMUEHLE.Smooth 120gsm paper in light brown.Acid free. 80 pages.Ribbon bookmark.A5.Non-absorbing ...
View full detailsFIELD NOTES Streetscapes Sketchbook - Los Angeles + Chicago - Set of 2 - Pocket Plus (10.8 x 16.5cm) - Plain pages
Our first idea for the Spring 2023 Limited Edition revolved around urban architecture, and the juxtaposition of new and old styles in large America...
View full detailsFIELD NOTES Streetscapes Sketchbook - New York + Miami - Set of 2 - Pocket Plus (10.8 x 16.5cm) - Plain pages
Our first idea for the Spring 2023 Limited Edition revolved around urban architecture, and the juxtaposition of new and old styles in large America...
View full detailsSEAWHITE OF BRIGHTON All-Media Hardcover (Black) Sketchbook - 140gsm (Sized) - 140 Pages - XL (25 x 19cm)
Hardbound sketchbook with 140gsm All-media cartridge paper sized for extra wet strength. Smooth surface to suit pencil, pen & ink, urban sketch...
View full detailsDALER-ROWNEY Ebony Black Drawing Paper 180gsm - Spiral Sketchbook - 6 x 6"
These sketchbooks contain 40 sheets of 180gsm, acid-free, black cartridge paper suitable for pencil, pen and ink, chalk and pastel work. They are a...
View full detailsTraveler's Company - Spiral Ring Notebook - B6 Landscape - Watercolour Paper
This card bound notebook is made with water-resistant, vibrant watercolor paper. It's perfect for watercolors, pencil and pen sketches, and even ph...
View full detailsCLAIREFONTAINE Crok' Book - Black Paper 120gsm - 40 pages - A5+ (16.7 x 21.9cm)
From French paper company Clairefontaine, cahier style sketchbook with black paper. Staple bound, heavy, black card cover, with rounded corners. Co...
View full detailsHAHNEMUEHLE ZigZag Watercolour Sketchbook - 300gsm - 18 pages - Square (5 x 5cm)
This is a mini version of the concertina sketchbook with heavy watercolour paper. Accordion style to allow you to create a study or storyboard. Hea...
View full detailsHAHNEMUEHLE Travel Booklets (140gsm) - Small A6 (9x14cm) - 2 Pack
A cahier style notebook that is great for capturing notes or quick sketches on the run. Lovely 140gsm paper, inside a heavy kraft cover. 40 pages p...
View full detailsROYAL TALENS Art Creation Sketchbook - Hardcover - 140gsm - 80 Sheets - 12 x 12cm - Lake Blue
80 sheets/ 160 pages Premium fine grain, 140gsm paper Suitable for pencil, charcoal, chalk, crayon, ink & watercolour Elastic strap & bookm...
View full detailsCLAIREFONTAINE Flying Spirit Sketchbook - 90gsm - 100 pages - Square (10.5 x 10.5cm) - Single
From French paper company Clairefontaine, cute little drawing sketchbook, in square format. Heavy, black card cover, with square corners (not round...
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