Review on Strathmore 566-5 500 Series Hardbound Mixed Media Art Journal, 5.5 x 8.5 Inches, White, 32 Pages by Nicole Mcleod

I'm always hesitant to buy watercolor paper or equivalent online because I can't touch or feel the paper itself and this has ended up in the bin in the past. However, it's not bad at all, especially considering the price and size and the fact that it's 100% cotton paper. Upon opening comes a smell that I can't describe, that takes a second to get used to, but you won't notice it after a few minutes. This is definitely HOT PRESS paper. If you're looking for a cold-press sketchbook, this isn't for you. But if hot stamping is what you're after, it's good for fine details that don't bleed and well-defined lines. The paper will fold unless you actually prepare and tape it. But it hasn't disintegrated under much water and hasn't cracked on me. I mainly use it for watercolors and love to layer colors. I never noticed that it started breaking into pieces due to too much water. Others have done the same to me, so if your goal is a watercolor notebook, then this one will definitely work. Colors don't bleed at all, at least in watercolor and gouache. I can't tell you anything about Copic markers. All in all, this is a pretty solid sketchbook. I was hoping for cold pressed paper, but other than that disappointment, it works great for what I wanted to make out of it, a watercolor sketchbook.