The 6 Best Watercolor Sketchbooks for Artists in 2024 – Artchive (2024)

The world of watercolor painting is vast and diverse and holds an infinite amount of possibilities to turn a blank page into a masterpiece, that is, with the proper supplies. There is a certain level of knowledge that you must have before starting to paint with watercolors, from the different techniques and painting styles to the different brushes, palettes, and paint brands that exist.

The one element that is crucial in your journey is the paper since as the experts say, “Quality paper brings out the best in any paint, but even the finest paints can’t overcome the drawbacks of poor paper.”

Choosing a sketchbook for watercolor painting, however, is not only about the paper, it’s about the comfort, use, and convenience that it offers you. That’s why in this guide we’re going to learn about watercolor paper and all the other qualities that make a great sketchbook.

We’ll also present you with a curated list of what we know for sure are the best sketchbooks for watercolor out there, for every style, need, and budget.

Let’s get started!

Watercolor vs Mixed Media Sketchbooks

One of the most common questions that arise, especially among beginners is about the difference between mixed media paper and watercolor paper because mixed media paper can also handle watercolors, but that doesn’t make it “watercolor paper”

Just because a paper is thick and can withstand a few washes or wet media, doesn’t mean it is made for watercolors, especially for more specialized techniques that use several washes or lots of water.

Mixed media paper doesn’t have that much of a texture variety, isn’t sized internally, and can’t withstand as much water as true watercolor paper, making it suitable for different mediums, but not for specific watercolor techniques.

A proper watercolor sketchbook will be made of watercolor paper that can be used for mixed media, but not mixed media paper that can be used for watercolors.

How To Find The Best Watercolor Sketchbooks

Paper Quality

One of the easiest ways to determine the quality of a sketchbook’s paper without buying and testing it is to read the information. Look for Acid-Free paper, of archival quality if possible, made of 100% cotton (or more than 20% if 100% cotton it’s not in your budget), and heavier than 240 gsm.

Papers with all these qualities will withstand lots of water and several washes, wet-on-wet techniques, and even color lifting and heavy blending. It will also ensure that the paint spreads properly and the colors remain bright and vivid, without losing intensity or yellowing over time, and if the paper is archival, then your work will last for decades and more.

Paper Weight and Texture

Watercolor paper also comes in different textures, which are made through different processes, for example:

• Cold-pressed paper has medium absorbency, which means average drying times. This is great for techniques that need several washers or for blending, glazing, and layering.
• Hot-pressed paper on the other side, dries slower which works great for techniques that need more time like intricate layering and detailed painting.
• Rough paper is air-dried without being pressed having a much more notable texture, this is great for granulating watercolor paints and creates a cool, loose, and expressive effect.

The weight of the paper also influences how you can use your sketchbook, heavier paper (300 gsm) will cost more, and have fewer pages but will be able to withstand proper watercolor techniques without warping or buckling.

Binding

When we think of a watercolor sketchbook, our mind tends to go to two different places, spiral-bound sketchbooks, and hardbound sketchbooks, however, there is more to binding, and choosing the wrong binding can seriously affect your painting experience and comfort. Some of the most common bindings you’ll find are:

• Spiral Binding: This is the most common binding you’ll find, great for beginners and students who need to work on individual pages and don’t have the space for a hardbound sketchbook in class. It allows the sketchbook to lay completely flat when open, which is ideal for watercolor painting. The pages can be turned 360 degrees, and are easy to remove if needed, without damaging the remaining pages.
• Hardbound (Sewn or Glued): The second most common sketchbook binding, where the pages are either sewn or glued together and then attached to a hardcover. They offer a neat traditional, professional look and are generally more durable, the nature of the cover protects the pages well, making it suitable for travel and outdoor painting. However, some hardbound sketchbooks may not open completely flat, making it difficult to use the entire page evenly.
• Softcover (Stitched or Glued): These sketchbooks are similar to the hardbound ones but with a flexible cover. The pages are either stitched (like in a pamphlet) or glued. They are lighter and some of them can lie fully flat, depending on the quality of the binding, however, the cover offers less protection compared to hardbound sketchbooks.
• Book/Case Binding: These sketchbooks are made using a traditional bookbinding technique where pages are grouped into sections, sewn together, and then attached to the cover. They can lie open relatively flat, and have a very elegant appearance, however, due to the binding technique used they tend to be more expensive as well.

Size

Sketchbooks come in different sizes, each of them with its use:

• Small or Pocket (e.g. 3.5 x 5 inches) sketchbooks are very portable, perfect for quick sketches, plein air painting, or travel journaling. Easy to carry in a pocket or small bag.
• Medium Sketchbooks (e.g. 5 x 8 inches)balance portability with enough space for more detailed work. Good for daily practice and social media content creation.
• Large Sketchbooks (e.g. 11 x 14 inches and above) provide ample space for detailed and expansive artworks. Ideal for artists who work on larger compositions, paint on easels, and do studio work. However, they are less portable, much heavier, and harder to handle in tight spaces or on the go.

The size of a sketchbook will depend on your personal preference, however, here’s a small piece of advice as someone who has hoarded large-format sketchbooks thinking I can always cut down the pages: No you won’t.

Get a size you feel comfortable working on (and filling), or you’ll suffer the blank-page-fear but multiplied and your sketchbooks will end up gathering dust on a shelf.

Price

Prices in the world of watercolor sketchbooks tend to fluctuate immensely, going from very affordable to quite expensive, and while getting a high-quality sketchbook from a famous brand is nice and all, the fear of using the pages of an expensive sketchbook can lead to you keeping it for when you’re “good enough” forever.

If you’re starting, I recommend you get two sketchbooks, a very affordable one to practice, use, and abuse and a nicer, second one to fill every page when you learn a new skill or technique. This way you won’t be afraid of using your sketchbook, will get used to filling them quickly, and will also have a good way to remember your journey.

Premium sketchbooks shouldn’t be reserved for when you’re a professional or when you’re a master of watercolor, however, we do recommend saving them for when you have more experience with watercolors, because if you fill sketchbooks quickly with sketches and practices, getting one premium sketchbook after another might end up costing you quite a bit.

Best Watercolor Sketchbooks for Artists

1. Best Watercolor Sketchbooks Overall — Hahnemuhle Watercolour Book
2. Best Watercolor Sketchbooks for Mixed Media —- Stillman & Birn Zeta Series
3. Best Premium Watercolor Sketchbook — ETCHR Mixed Media Sketchbook
4. Best Watercolor Sketchbook for Beginners — Strathmore 400 Series Watercolor Journal
5. Best Value Watercolor Sketchbook — Paul Rubens Watercolor Journal
6. Best Budget Watercolor Sketchbook — Canson Montval Watercolor Sketchbook

#1. Best Watercolor Sketchbooks Overall — Hahnemuhle Watercolour Book

Selection Criteria

• Paper Quality: Normal Quality, 60 Pages.
  • Our Score – 9/10
• Paper Weight and Texture: 200 gsm, Cold Press.
  • Our Score – 9/10
• Binding: Hardbound.
  • Our Score – 8/10
• Size and Format: 8.3 x 5.8 inches, Portrait.
  • Our Score – 8/10
• Price: $28.86.
  • Our Score – 9/10

About the Hahnemuhle Watercolour Book

Hahnemuhle is one of the most well-known and trusted brands in the world of watercolors, offering always the best quality in paper, binding, and durability. Often reserved for professionals, the Hannemule watercolor book is no different and up to Hannemule’s high standards. Although, on the thinner side at 200 gsm, this sketchbook is 100% cotton, archival quality, portable, and affordable making it a great choice for artists that do urban sketching, plein air painting, and travel journaling.

The hardbound format helps protect your art from getting ruined on your bag and the elastic helps the pages lie flat when painting outside or working on two-page spreads.

Pros

• High-quality paper
• Durable binding
• Versatile

Cons

• Pricey
• Limited sizes

2. Best Watercolor Sketchbooks for Mixed Media — Stillman & Birn Zeta Series

Selection Criteria

• Paper Quality: High Quality, 52 Pages.
  • Our Score – 9/10
• Paper Weight and Texture: 270 gsm, Smooth Surface.
  • Our Score – 9/10
• Binding: Softcover.
  • Our Score – 8/10
• Size and Format: 8 x 10 Inches, Portrait.
  • Our Score – 8/10
• Price: $26.36.
  • Our Score – 9/10

About the Stillman & Birn Zeta Series

Stillman & Birn have some of the best mixed-media sketchbooks, and while most mixed-media sketchbooks can’t handle watercolor paint very well, the Zeta series is made specially for watercolor and media that uses lots of water. This sketchbook has thick archival quality, acid-free pages, and is also able to withstand other mediums like paint markers, ink, and gouache. The surface is on the smooth side, ideal for combining watercolors with other mediums like ink or pencil.

Pros

• Mixed media suitable
• Robust pages
• Excellent texture

Cons

• Not 100% Cotton

3. Best Premium Watercolor Sketchbook — ETCHR Mixed Media Sketchbook

Selection Criteria

• Paper Quality: High Quality, 44 Pages.
  • Our Score – 9/10
• Paper Weight and Texture: 300 gsm, Cold Press Textured Paper.
  • Our Score – 9/10
• Binding: Hardbound.
  • Our Score – 8/10
• Size and Format: 5.8 x 8.3 Inches, Landscape.
  • Our Score – 8/10
• Price: $37.99
  • Our Score – 9/10

About the ETCHR Mixed Media Sketchbook

The ETCHR Mixed Media Sketchbook is a premium choice for artists, featuring 44 A5 pages made from 100% cotton, cold-pressed, 300gsm paper, this sketchbook is ideal for watercolor and mixed media.

Born from a wonderful initiative of creating the perfect sketchbook, it offers ample space for painting, has a ribbon and an elastic band to keep your work secure and it’s specially designed to lay flat for ease of use. This sketchbook is well-suited for artists looking for high-quality paper and is the perfect gift for watercolor and mixed media artists.

Pros

• Premium quality
• Thick paper
• Lay-flat design

Cons

• Very costly
• Heavier book

4. Best Watercolor Sketchbook for Beginners — Strathmore 400 Series Watercolor Art Journal

Selection Criteria

• Paper Quality: High Quality, 48 Pages.
  • Our Score – 9/10
• Paper Weight and Texture: 300 gsm, Cold Press.
  • Our Score – 9/10
• Binding: Softcover.
  • Our Score – 8/10
• Size and Format: 8 x 5.5 Inches, Landscape.
  • Our Score – 8/10
• Price: $18.58.
  • Our Score – 9/10

About the Strathmore 400 Series Watercolor Art Journal

The Strathmore Watercolor Art journal is the perfect option for beginners looking for a trustable, resistant, and high-quality option. The 300gsm cold-pressed paper handles heavy washes and multiple layers without warping or buckling. It has enough pages to last you for a while but nothing impossible to fill.

This journal is very affordable, and while it’s not a hardcover, the softcover makes it extremely easy to work on it, carry it around everywhere, and work on two-page spreads since it lies flat without an issue.

Pros

• Flexible cover
• Affordable
• Good texture

Cons

• Less durable

5. Best Value Watercolor Sketchbooks — Paul Rubens Art Supplies Watercolor Journal

Selection Criteria

• Paper Quality: High Quality, 40 Pages.
  • Our Score – 9/10
• Paper Weight and Texture: 300 gsm, Hot Press.
  • Our Score – 9/10
• Binding: Softcover.
  • Our Score – 8/10
• Size and Format: 7.6 x 5.3 Inches, Portrait.
  • Our Score – 8/10
• Price: $14.99.
  • Our Score – 9/10

About the Paul Rubens Art Supplies Watercolor Journal

When looking for high-quality 100% cotton watercolor paper, we often come across expensive prices and questionable quality, however, Paul Rubens is one of the brands that has a strong compromise with artists. The Paul Rubens Watercolor Journal is one of the few 100% Cotton, high-quality, affordable options that artists have.

This sketchbook is not only affordable but also comes in a hardcover, bookcase-bound presentation. Withstands several layers of water and takes pigment incredibly well. The texture is smooth, perfect for detailed art, portrait painting, botanic art, design, lettering, and calligraphy.

Pros

• Great value
• Quality paper
• Portable size

Cons

• Less known brand
• Limited size options

6. Best Budget Watercolor Sketchbook — Canson Montval Watercolor Sketchbook

Selection Criteria

• Paper Quality: High Quality, 40 Pages.
  • Our Score – 9/10
• Paper Weight and Texture: 300 gsm, Cold Press, Grain Fin.
  • Our Score – 9/10
• Binding: Spiral Bound.
  • Our Score – 8/10
• Size and Format: 5.5 x 8.5 Inches, Portrait.
  • Our Score – 8/10
• Price: $10.79.
  • Our Score – 9/10

About the Canson Montval Watercolor Sketchbook

The Canson Montval Sketchbook is part of the semi-professional Canson collection. Although it’s not made of 100% cotton, the paper performs quite well, handling multiple washes and several layers of paint. The smooth texture works wonderfully for detailed paintings but also is textured enough to let the granulation of the paint shine through.

This sketchbook is one of the most affordable options that you’ll find in the market and one of the best choices for beginners on a budget looking for a sketchbook to fill, practice and learn on.

Pros

• Budget-friendly
• Good for beginners
• Easy to find

Cons

• Lower quality paper
• Not for professionals