Review on Articka Note 8x8 Inch Square Sketchbook - Spiral Bound Hardcover Hardbound Sketch Journal - 120 Pages - Elastic Closure - 180GSM Acid-Free Paper - Ideal for Pencils, Graphite, Charcoal, Pen by Doris Tran

Most of my review is in the review title. From the description it is clear that it is a semi-bound drawing book. It is square and comes with an elastic cord to keep it closed when not in use or when travelling. Its size - 8" x 8" - can be more convenient when you need to carry it in a backpack or draw in a limited space. It's slightly larger than my usual 5" x 7" coloring book and I'm not used to square paper. The sizes and shapes of the pages allow for more space for specific items or a little more room for drawing. Now let's look at what the description doesn't say - although it claims it can be used by professionals, nowhere in this book does it claim that the paper is acid-free, so it can yellow over time. Also, some inks or colors may fade over time if there is acid in the paper. The description also doesn't mention that the paper is very smooth. This worked well for my 2mm soft pencil but may not work for media that requires texture or tooth like charcoal sketches or colored pencils. Unless you plan on doing art on it that you plan on framing or keeping in lighted rooms for years, this is a good book with a good presentation and I think it would make a good gift for a young aspiring artist...the one need a good exercise mat. I usually use Strathmore paper for drawing, sketching and watercolouring, but it was nice to have other paper to experiment with. The paper is quite thick - a little thinner than a decent 140 watercolor paper - so it's a pleasure to draw on. The cover protects the paper from damage, and if you want smoother pages and aren't looking for archival paper, this is a good notepad.