Review on 📚 Arteza Sketch Book 9x12 - 2-Pack, Black Drawing Pads - 200 Sheets Total - 68 lb 100 GSM - Hardcover Sketchbook - Spiral-Bound - Use with Pencils, Charcoal, Pens, Crayons & More by Amy Mcleod

Decided to try these sketchbooks when I saw they were recommended to me by Revain. I usually buy more expensive sketchbooks from more reputable brands that have supplied reputable artists for generations, but they certainly cost more. Just looking at the price, page count and other features, they were very similar to what I had already bought, cost about half as much as a book. The total purchase price was about the same, but I received 2 9" x 12" black hardcover wire bound sketchbooks of 100 sheets each instead of one book of only 80 sheets. Are you good at drawing? Short answer: Yes, yes they are good sketchbooks and I would recommend them to anyone who wants to get more pages for the dollar. Don't be put off by the need to buy a 2 pack, they are worth it and will last you a long time. Now for the detailed answer. They're good, but how good are they? I have to say it's about 85% of what I'm used to in terms of quality (but also more than half the price). The paper is really thin. Not flimsy carbon paper, but thinner than I'm used to. Don't let "68 pounds" fool you, the paper says more. A few notes about the paper: yes, you may see a faint image on the other side of the paper, especially when working in very low light. Yes, if you press hard you'll likely dig out the creases in the sides from the other side. The paper works well with most dry media and ink, things like ballpoint pens, calligraphy pens and brush pens will not bleed through. (But alcohol markers will definitely help!) - The paper isn't as smooth as I'm used to, which degrades the quality of the lines a bit. If you're one of those people who desperately need the highest quality lines, these books just won't provide them. Even with the inkblot eraser there is a faint trace of pencil work on the page no matter how much I erase (and I have a very light hand). - They are also not jagged enough to get a nice texture like other heavier, coarser papers. people like to use for charcoal, pastel or mixed media. Negatives may be unacceptable for some people because they want their pages to look as nice as possible, but I don't use my sketchbooks for a perfectly finished work. I use a sketchbook as a convenient place to sketch. In short, the quality of the paper is perfectly acceptable unless you're super picky about page cleanliness, and it's intended for dry materials only, no alcohol markers, no paint. Are they comfortable to draw? Yes! The hardcover is nice and strong, making it perfect as a hard surface for 100 sheets in each book. It's a bit thinner than I'm used to, but again usable. I would only be concerned if I took this sketchbook with me and I would have to worry about wear and tear. - The spiral binding is a little thin. The books I received had covers that were slightly warped and until I folded them back into shape it was difficult to turn the pages. Mine weren't too bad, but I'm concerned that someone might get books that were handled so poorly in shipping or in transit that the covers wouldn't bend back into shape. - The pages are perforated, but not easy to tear at the perforation, and it is easy to accidentally tear the paper, while trying this. But that's hardly a problem with Arteza books, the more expensive books I'm used to are just as bad. Clear. All in all solid sketchbooks that are pleasant to draw on and well worth the price with no major flaws just a few minor ones. a little disingenuous because they are so similar to other sketchbooks on the market, this design was effectively in the public domain, and the same goes for Arteza products in general. It's worth a footnote again, for anyone who might be interested.) is a bit disingenuous because they're so similar to other sketchbooks on the market that the design was effectively in the public domain, and the same could be said for Arteza products in say general. Worth mentioning again as a footnote, for those who who may be interested.) and the same goes for Arteza products in general. Worth a footnote again, for anyone who might be interested.) and the same goes for Arteza products in general. Worth mentioning again as a footnote for anyone who might be interested.)