Review on 🎨 Arteza 8.3x11.7 Inch Watercolor Book, Set of 2, 64 Pages per Pad, 110lb/230 GSM, Linen Bound with Bookmark Ribbon and Elastic Strap, Ideal Art Supplies for Watercolor Techniques and Mixed Media by Carrie Spencer

Short list of advantages: aesthetically pleasing, with a nice linen cover, elastic closure and red marker tape. Outwardly, it resembles the more expensive Handbook watercolors. The sides lie flat and there is a small pocket on the back. Paper takes fountain pen ink perfectly. Main Cons: This paper is terrible for aquatic environments. I've used everything from Arches paper to kraft brown watercolor sketch bags, and these Arteza sketchbooks are as good as grocery bags. The front and back of the pages have a completely different texture - on the one hand super smooth, on the other hand - a bright tooth. I hate calling them heat press because that might mean it's actually watercolor paper. The slight sizing on the sides is applied unevenly, meaning light washes will drip, slide and smear. Structured pages of the pages DRINK THE FUCKING WATER; Even a loaded #10 sable brush barely covers a few inches. Don't try to soak and paint wet-on-wet though - the pages will swell and flex with speed. Layering or glazing quickly becomes a murky mess. I bought a multi pack in a big sale and they aren't even worth the small amount I paid. I'm determined to finish what I've started and give the rest to the first year.