Best Sketchbooks For Colored Pencils

Best sketchbooks for colored pencils UK


Which sketchbook to choose? Take a look at my top 5 reviews.  

Picking out sketchbooks for colored pencils is an integral part of the coloring and painting experience. It can be the make-or-break aspect whether you enjoy partaking in your crafts or not.

You may work with thick paper or thin paper depending on what you prefer and picking out the right sketchbook will ensure you cherish every single second you lay your pencil on your paper.

For your convenience, in this review guide, I will be listing some of the best sketchbooks for colored pencils so you don’t have to scour the internet. This will allow you to save a bunch of money and time while you are at it.


01) Bachmore Sketchpad 100 Sheet

Watercolor, Acrylic Art Pad for Sketching. 98 Ib/160 g/m2 in Multi-Media Spiral Notebook (9” X 12”)

Bachmore Sketchpad 100 Sheet main image

Features:

  • 9×12 inches
  • Sheet count of 100
  • Handmade hard cover
  • Just the right amount of thickness
  • Spiral binding

Description:

The Bachmore sketchpad of 100 sheets is a fairly popular sketchpad that is great for both left-handed artists and right-handed artists due to the fact that it has spiral binding at the top which would not constrict your orientation. The sheet quality is great as well.

Coming in at a thickness of roughly 150 GSM, this is optimal for most artists that like to press down hard on their paper with colored pencils, their oily color pencils or even gel pens without having any of it bleed through to the next paper.

Pros
  • Affordable
  • Great size
  • Great for sketching sticks
Cons
  • May be too thin for watercolor or wet media

Review:

The Bachmore sketchbook for colored pencils is a great pad for anyone who is looking for a college-sized pad to take on the go for light sketching and have an abundance of sheets.

Overall, a great purchase for any college art student who is looking for quality materials for their sketches, yet on a budget.


02) Bellofy 100-Sheet Sketchpad Artist Pro

Watercolor, Acrylic Art Pad for Sketching, Ink Sketch Book, Coloring Notebook – 98 Ib/160 g/m2-9 x 12 in Multi-Media Spiral Notebook, Drawing Paper, Drawing Pad

Bellofy 100-Sheet Sketchpad Artist Pro main image

Features:

  • A4 size
  • Acid-free
  • Heavy paper-weight
  • Made with recycled paper

Description:

The Bellofy 100-sheet sketchbook is a nice affordable option for any artist. The sheets pack a heft to them which is great for dry media and wet media alike. The texture has a little bit of toothing which is akin to rough paper.

The rough textures make way for great laydown of graphite-colored pencils as they help the layers slide off easily. The rough texture is not too prominent though that the artist would lose any of the fine detail they would normally go for.

Pros
  • Great for watercolor pencils
  • Acid-free
  • Eco-friendly
Cons
  • It may be too heavy for some artists

Review:

The Bellofy has a slight toothing on it which is called a vellum surface. This type of surface texture of paper catches an incredible finish while working with different types of mixed media.

Overall, a great purchase for anyone who is looking for a vellum surface with an abundance of sheets.


03) ETCHR Mixed Media Sketchbook for Drawing and Painting

A5 8.3×5.8 Inch Hot Press Smooth 100% Cotton Vegan-Friendly Sketch Watercolor Paper – 52 Page Premium Multimedia Sketchbook – Customizable Cover

ETCHR Mixed Media Sketchbook for Drawing and Painting main image

Features:

  • Hot-press paper
  • Slightly toned paper
  • Great for watercolor pencils
  • High-quality paper

Description:

The ETCHR sketchbook is a great example of colored pencil paper. They work with a lot of media of colored pencils. This paper supports use with dry media as well as wet media making it extremely versatile.

Along with the super nice feeling paper, the sketchbook styles a beautiful white hard cover that you are free to draw on if you so please and personalize it to be your own. It’s not particularly there with that intention but some doodling can’t hurt.

Pros
  • Compact
  • Superior paper quality
  • Stylish cover
Cons
  • Might be too small for some artists

Review:

The ETCHR book of 100 is a great one to carry on the go and have as a doodle pad on you at all times. It just feels great to have and allows you to be your quirkiest self with all the doodling encouragement.

Overall, a great compact sketchbook with great quality paper and optimal usage with colored pencil and water-colored pencils.


04) Stillman & Birn Zeta Series Softcover Sketchbook

7.5″ x 7.5″, 270 GSM (Extra Heavyweight), White Paper, Smooth Surface

Stillman & Birn Zeta Series Softcover Sketchbook main image

Features:

  • Extra heavy-weight paper
  • The thickness allows for multiple layers of colored pencil
  • Superior feeling paper
  • Even dimensions

Description:

Stillman and Birn Zeta Series Softcover sketchbook is a super heavyweight paper sketchpad. Each sheet has a whopping 270 GSM thickness making it optimal for water-colored pencil and other media of pencils.

Not limited to supporting colored pencils, it can also support other mediums of paint and colored pencil alike.

Pros
  • Extremely durable
  • Thick paper
  • Great for colored pencil
  • Versatile support
Cons
  • It may be too thick and hefty

Review:

The Stillman and Birn Zeta sketchbook for colored pencils has some of the best feeling paper in this list. Along with the premium paper quality you are offered a decently thick sheet of paper.

Overall, a great purchase for any artist looking for nice, hefty GSM papers.


05) Strathmore Sketch Journal

8.5-inch x 11-inch, 96 Sheets

Strathmore Sketch Journal main image

Features:

  • Sheet count of 96
  • Hard front and back cover
  • 8.5×11 Inch
  • Premium quality paper

Description:

Strathmore is a brilliant brand for any supply of art products. If you can’t get your hands on the Strathmore 400 series the next best product is this. For premium-feeling paper, you can easily afford and use this sketchpad without breaking the bank.

While most people would generally lean towards the Strathmore 400 series, this is not far from the quality of that particular lineup. This will allow your colored pencil to lay down just as well as any other Strathmore 400 series paper.

Pros
  • A large count of sheets
  • The optimal size for many artists
  • Textured surface
Cons
  • May have some availability issues

Review:

The Strathmore sketchbook is all the rage amongst artists all across the globe and it’s completely justified. With premium-feeling paper and a stellar reputation, this is easily one of the best on the list for colored pencils and other media of paints.

Overall, a great purchase for anyone who wants quality akin to the Strathmore 400 series as it is well within the family and does not stray that far off in terms of quality but for a fraction of the budget.


General Information About The Best Sketchbooks For Colored Pencils

Working with colored pencils is a delight especially when it comes to ease and accessibility. If you have a good colored pencil set then you’re halfway there and the search for a quality experience isn’t that tough or cumbersome to complete. Having a good sketchbook is the next step and can complete this experience enabling you to reach heights of joy you would not think is possible while practicing art.

As a rule of thumb, it is good to keep in mind that opinions may vary and some colored pencils might work better with specific types of paper, however, you are free to try all of them as there will be minute differences that you may pick up along the road of your experience.

Some people may like toned paper, cold press paper and some people may like toothy vellum surfaces or everything in between.

There is no real way of telling which is the best and the right one is for your colored pencils and so, this is why it’s always good to keep an open mind when it comes to trying out new things.


Conclusion / Roundup

There are a lot of types of paper for colored pencils, be it toned paper or cold press paper, these minute factors can make or break your coloring experience. As fellow artists we implore you to try as many types of paper or colored pencils you can get your hands on for that is the true joy of being an artist.

“Diving into the unknown and experiencing pure euphoria when your taste and standards are met is a thrill to die for”.


FAQs

What sketchbook is good for Prismacolor pencils?

Prismacolor pencils are known to be some of the best pencils on the market and they are at the top of the list amongst most artists. They are incredibly reliable and offer a quality that is the closest to being the best.

So, what sort of paper should you get to pair with your Prismacolor pencils? The answer is simple, the best for the best. Strathmore is known to provide incredible quality of paper for an amazing budget and is sure to give you your money’s worth with your Prismacolor pencils.

Can you use colored pencils on a sketchbook?

Sketchbooks always keep your creativity active and enable you to practice putting down your ‘daydreams’ onto paper and the beauty of using sketchbooks, especially with colored pencils is that you don’t have to worry about if the laydown is good or not.

Graphite on paper is like salt and pepper…they’re made for each other so you never have to worry whether or not you can use colored pencils on sketchbooks.

Spiral bound or hardbound sketchbook? Which is better for colored pencil sketches?

There isn’t really a definitive answer to this question – it depends on personal preference and what works best for you and your colored pencil sketches. Some people prefer spiral bound sketchbooks because they’re easier to flip through and keep open while working, while others find hardbound sketchbooks sturdier and more conducive to creating neater, crisper sketches. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which type of sketchbook will work better for your needs. Experiment with both and see which one you prefer!

Acid free paper vs. regular paper for colored pencil sketches?

Again, there isn’t really a definitive answer to this question – it depends on personal preference and what works best for you and your sketches. Some people find that acid free paper helps keep their colors from fading over time, while others find that regular paper works just fine. Chooisng the best colored pencil paper is a decision that is ultimately up to the artist.

What to look for in watercolor paper.

The weight and thickness of the paper is important to consider when selecting watercolor paper. Heavier papers are less likely to buckle when wet, while thin papers can be more difficult to work with. The surface of the paper is also important to consider. Some surfaces are more absorbent than others, which can affect how the paint is absorbed and how long it takes to dry. The texture of the paper can also affect how the paint behaves. Rough surfaces can cause the paint to spread differently, while smooth surfaces may be more difficult to work with. Finally, the color of the paper can affect the overall look of your painting. Choose a white paper if you want your colors to remain true, or a colored paper if you want to add a bit of tint to your painting.


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Written By Adam Rushton

Adam has made a name for himself in the illustration industry and is a passionate blogger and writer on the subject of art, illustration and graphic design.

His artwork has been featured in countless publications and used for very well-known media projects. As a professional illustrator for over 20 years, Adams media outlets, a wealth of knowledge, and experience enable him to consult and advise artists and illustrators in this country (from York and Manchester to Southampton and London) and all over the world.


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