A Guide to the Best Sketchbook for Artists
A Guide to the Best Sketchbook for Artists
Choosing a suitable sketchbook for an artist is a matter that should not be taken lightly either if you are a beginner discovering your creative side or a seasoned professional trying to track ideas that find their way into your head. The best part is that this sketchbook will support the medium in which you prefer to work and, more importantly, inspire you to create. This guide focuses on the overview of the various types of sketchbooks, their characteristics, and how to pick what will be suitable for your artistic needs.
1. Types of Sketchbooks
Indeed, there is a wide range of sketchbooks that can suit different kinds of styles and mediums. Here are some of them that many people use:
Wire-bound Sketchbooks: These types of sketchbooks lie flat very well. This allows you to draw or write across the whole page. These are well-suited for fast sketches and mixed media, as it allows flexibility through its wire binding.
Hardcover Sketchbooks: Sturdy and travel-friendly, the hardcover sketchbook keeps your work safe. They are great for those artists who constantly travel and require a product that can be beaten around. Many of these hardcover sketchbooks also have elastic closures to keep the pages safe.
Spiral-bound Sketchbooks: Basically similar to wire-bound sketchbooks, spiral-bound sketchbooks are great for easy page turning and lay flat well. They can take heavier paper so they are great for watercolors and other wet media.
Watercolor Sketchbooks: Specifically designed for watercolor painting, the name says it all. The paper in this sketchbook is thick and textured, accepting wet media without warping. Ideal for artists on-the-go.
2. Quality Paper
In a sketchbook, paper quality will significantly have an impact on the quality of your work. Seek out sketchbooks with acid-free, archival-quality paper so that those sketches continue on for centuries. The paper's weight, weighed in grams per square meter (gsm), is another factor too; you'll be able to use heavier papers at 200 gsm or higher for wet media, while lighter papers work well for dry mediums - usually graphite and charcoal.
3. Size Matters
Sketchbooks come in various sizes-from pocket size that is convenient for little sketching on the go-to bigger formats, suited for more detailed work. Consider what kind of drawing style you prefer, where you will use this sketchbook most, and how much mobility you need. A smaller sketchbook is great for portability, but a big one offers more space for fine details.
4. Known Brands for Quality Recommendation
There are some brands for which, a good sketchbook, made from quality paper is known. Some of these include favorites for artists:
Moleskine: Classic design and quality paper make Moleskine sketchbooks so popular among artists. They are available in different sizes and formats so are available for any kind of sketches.
Strathmore: Strathmore offers sketchbooks that are designed for specific mediums-from pencils to watercolor. This heavyweight paper is ideal for artists who love to experiment.
Canson: Most of the likeliness in the popularity of the Canson sketchbooks are attributed to their cheapness and quality. The options range both in wet media as well as dry media, thus it can be used to suit the needs of both.
Leuchtturm1917: Quality has been said to preferred by artists, where the Leuchtturm 1917 sketchbooks do fulfill the requirements. Different mediums can be used on the pages, and most of the book includes page numbers as well as the content.
5. Personal Preference
However, that perfect sketchbook for you is one you will like most and, according to your style of art. The idea of what will best fit your hands is only achievable by trying a few. Whether you want that luxury of the hardcover or the ease and portability of the wire-bound book, the right sketchbook will only make your creative process come alive and give it the perfect canvas for your imagination.
Conclusion
Investing in a good quality sketchbook is considered an essential step for any artist. Be it paper qualities, the various different types and sizes, or brands available, you'd get the best sketchbook that will work and help you realize your artistic ambitions. The best sketchbook is one which inspires you to draw, paint, and create-so choose wisely and let your creativity flow!
A Guide to the Best Sketchbook for Artists
