Strathmore 566-5 500 Series Hardbound Mixed Media Art Journal, 5.5 x 8.5, White, 32 Count

Strathmore 400 Series Hard Bound Sketch Book/Notebook 8.5x6.5 and 8.5x11.5 are perfect fro the only sketchbook/notebook/journals a college student needs

I am using this journal for a class I am taking and it is working out great. By the time my class is done, my journal will be filled with fun artwork.

I bought this sketchbook for my college art class because it seems like a lot of people rave about it. Its not horrible, but not something Id go to purchase again or recommend to someone experimenting with lots of mediums. To start, I am pretty gentle with my sketchbook, but the binding is slightly falling apart from basic use of bringing back and forth. Washi tape tends to rip the page a bit, so sticking it to your clothes first to remove some of the stickiness REALLY helps. It doesnt lay flat. I have used watercolor, ink, copic markers, acrylic paint, gouache, graphite pencil, and colored pencils in it so far. Watercolor definitely warps the page. While this doesnt personally bother me I figured Id mention it. However, what does bother me is that while using multiple washes of watercolor, I noticed some bleed through spots into the back of the page. I dont avidly scrub the page or use too many wet on wet techniques so this was disappointing. Ink/dip pen went on nicely. The pages arent too textured so I was able to get the straight lines I was looking for. Since copic markers are alcohol based, the majority of sketchbooks on the market will have some bleed through. Knowing that I wasnt surprised when the marker leaked through the back of the page onto the next sheet. It feels as if the paper was sucking so much product out of my markers into the page. Copics are expensive markers and it feels almost wasteful to use them on this paper knowing that. I felt the same way about acrylic paint. This is my main medium- and Im pretty good at making paint last, yet it felt like I was using so much more to cover the pages in this. I did however like how flat it appeared on the paper. Gouache worked the same as acrylic, however I do dilute my gouache with a tiny bit of water and it began to peel the paper a bit. On a more positive note, I LOVE the way graphite pencils work on this paper. They dont smudge easily. Colored pencils was ok as well. Bottom line, this sketchbook seems great for beginner artists. The reason I wouldnt recommend it is because you could buy a Stillman & Birn sketchbook for about a dollar difference and have it work 10x better. I will use it till its finished, but wouldnt necessarily buy again knowing what else is out there for the same price.

Love the Strathmore products. This skecthbook is good quality, Im really enjoying painting on it!

Lovely to use, a beautiful soft grey, perfect for charcoal and conte.

I’ve always struggled with finding a sketchbook that i liked. I always just used whatever artist I liked a lot at the time used. But finally I gave in and tried one of my favorite artists’ (lilstarnerd on yt & ig) favorite sketchbook that she swears by and, no regrets! I’ve never wanted to draw more. I love the paper and I love everything about it. Only complaint is Copics bleeding but it never said that wouldn’t happen so I just used a piece of paper in between. It handles acrylic paint really well and i use those like gouache. If you’re debating this product I highly suggest watching Lilstarnerd’s video on this because it was what made me give in in the first place!! I haven’t experienced art block all year and it’s amazing and I hope maybe this sketchbook can do that for you too:)

Hojas gruesas perfectas para acuarela, excelente compra

I got this earlier today. I love this paper, I got all my art supplies swatched on it and everything looks fantastic.

Strathmore or amazon didnt use bubble wrap around my mixed media journal, so one corner was bent. Not life or death-not enough to return-just irritating. Love the card stock pages.

The color is perfect! Size is perfect for alcohol-based markers and illustrations!