Best Sketchbooks For Colored Pencils

Best sketchbooks for colored pencils


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) ETCHR Mixed Media Sketchbooks for Drawing and Painting 3 pk

Size A4 8.3×11.7 Inch – 100% Cotton Cold Press Textured Vegan-Friendly Multimedia Sketchbooks – 44 Pages Per Book

ETCHR Mixed Media Sketchbooks main image

Features:

  • Artist-grade paper quality
  • Cotton-paper
  • Vegan-friendly
  • Heavyweight paper

Description:

ETCHR Mixed media sketchbook for drawing and painting is a collection of 44 pages that are great for both wet media and dry media. The thick paper has a smooth surface and enough thickness to use both sides so you’ll not have to worry about the pages underneath.

The smooth surface of the paper ensures for your pencil’s pigment to lay flat without any hassle and the thickness is optimal for light washes.

Pros
  • Durable cover
  • Optimal drawing space on each sheet
  • Acid-free paper
Cons
  • On the pricier side

Review:

The ETCHR is a great replacement for heavy bristol weight paper. With 44 sheets of high-quality paper, this is just about enough for any artist for an art journal.

Overall, a great purchase and a great sketchbook if you’re happy with the price.


02) Bee Paper Company Super Deluxe Sketch Book

18 by 24-Inch, 100 Per Sheet

Bee Paper Company Super Deluxe Sketch Book main image

Features:

  • 100 sheets per pad
  • 18×24 Inches
  • Acid-free paper
  • Great for wet media
  • Archival-quality

Description:

The Bee Paper Company super deluxe sketchbooks are a collection of 100 sheets per sketch pad. The sheets have a decent textured surface that allows the graphite pencils to slide over the sketch pads making it optimal paper for colored pencils.

This pad will enable you to create great pieces of art every time. Ideal for any project or general sketching practise.

Pros
  • Fine texture
  • Good for color pencils
  • Acid-Free paper
Cons
  • It may be too light for some artists

Review:

This sketch pad is a great buy for anyone who is looking for quality and volume for money. With more drawing space than your average pad, these add extra worth for any artist.

Overall, a great purchase for any artist as paper for colored pencils.


03) Canson The WALL Sketchbook

11.7” x 17.2”, Wirebound, 30 Sheets

Canson The WALL Sketchbook main image

Features:

  • Pack of 30 sheets
  • 12×18 inches
  • Smooth paper
  • Compatible with alcohol-based markers
  • Wire bound sheets with spiral binding

Description:

Canson is a very reputable brand when it comes to art supplies and is often promoted among many colored pencil artists. Rightfully so as they provide the quality to match with the WALL sketchbook.

With 30 sheets of 12×18 inch dimensions, this is the ideal size for many colored pencil artists for their projects and colored pencil sketches.

Pros
  • Microperforated
  • The optimal size for artists
  • Smoother paper for coloured pencils
Cons
  • A little bit on the pricier side

Review:

The Canson sketchpad, much to nobody’s surprise is an exceptional book of great quality paper that is incredible to use with dry media and watercolor pencils.

Overall, a great purchase for anyone looking for quality papers at a decent price.


04) ARTEZA Sketch Book

5.5 x 8.5 Inches, 1 Pack, 100 Sheets Each, Spiral-Bound 100 GSM Drawing Paper, Art Supplies for Graphite Pencil, Colored Pencil, Charcoal, & Soft Pastel

ARTEZA Sketch Book main image

Features:

  • Sheet count of 100
  • 5.5×8.5 inches per sheet
  • Acid-free sheets
  • 100 GSM sheets
  • Spiral-bound

Description:

Arteza is yet another brand that has garnered a great reputation among most artists. This sketchbook has thicker sheets that are the best type of paper for anyone who loves pressing in or using more force with their colored pencils.

Along with great features, they are also of great quality and feel and an overall delight to use. Easily one of the best paper sketchbooks for colored pencils.

Pros
  • Compact
  • An adequate supply of sheets
  • Easily tearable
Cons
  • Might be too small for some artists
  • It may be difficult to use for left-handed artists

Review:

Arteza is one of the most prolific brands for art supplies and sketchbooks. Containing white paper makes way for any drawing tools to be applied smoothly. With great use of other dry media pencils, this sketchbook will also accommodate wet media.

Overall, a great purchase if you are into a paper that will easily allow your pencils to lay completely flat and will give an incredible finished look to your projects while also being a relatively affordable sketchbook.


05) Daler – Rowney A3 Portrait Ebony Sketch Book

Hard Back, Portrait Orientation, Sketch Book

Daler - Rowney A3 Portrait Ebony Sketch Book main image

Features:

  • Sheet count of 48
  • Portrait oriented
  • Acid-free
  • Hardcover sketchbook

Description:

The Daler Rowney A3 is a stylish-looking sketchbook and is more of a book than a pad with the hardcover it sports. This is something that you can easily fit in your backpack to school and carry around without any of the heft to it.

With 48 high-quality sheets, accessible to you at all times. For many, this is the best sketchbook to accompany you on your travels with the stylish black sturdy cover as there are adequate amounts of sheets of the right paper and the perfect thickness to sketch away to your heart’s content.

Pros
  • Stylish cover
  • Compact
  • High-quality sheets of paper
Cons
  • Might be too small for some artists

Review:

The Daler Rowney is a great sketchbook with great paper to carry with you on the go. A beautiful accessory to use as an artist and a compelling contender for the best sketchbook in the whole list.

Overall, a great purchase for a student that is looking to not put a lot of heft in their bag while carrying a sketchbook that is perfectly compact for any situation.


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.