Softcover Sketchbook Heavyweight White Sheets Review

Great Watercolor Sketchbook! I love the size and texture. There were no problems with pages falling out. I'm really good at overlaying different colors on this paper and I love it. This is the smallest curvature in the paper when saturated, but it more closely resembles the creases of the entire page. So putting a staple on it will get rid of it.

I have not used this particular notebook but have drawn in many of the Stillman and Byrne Beth sketchbooks so I know and trust the paper and quality of the binding. I take S&B Beta 7.5 sqm. inches, and I thought long and hard about which 3.5 x 5.5 inch magazine to get - this Beta or Tan Toned Nova. As I've already figured out Nova and it's different from the rest, it will continue, but this little beta is definitely a winner and will have plenty of painting time later.

I want to say I hated this book straight away. The problem is that the description says it washes well with watercolors. It's not like this. The paper warps and untangles like crazy, which isn't always a good thing. Here's the thing, it's more like hot-pressed watercolor paper than cold-pressed. If they said it in the description I would understand why I was having such a hard time with it. Okay, I won't use this for watercolor, I have better albums for that. BUT I have to say this is an…

A few weeks ago I bought Beta and Zeta paperbacks because I like the Beta series but I also wanted to try the smooth finish. I have no complaints about the Zeta Sketchbook, but the Beta Sketchbook is dead wrong. The paper is not the usual one I worked on in my old beta wire binder. The paper is not watercolor (or mixed media) at all. It looks like cardboard paper. Pigments don't mix, paper is overstressed when water is applied, water and pigments color the back of the paper and the next sheet…

I like the small size! The pages were quite stiff at first, so I carefully opened and straightened each page to avoid problems later. The mount held up well without cracking. I love the soft cover too! I use small clips to hold the sides open. I wanted this for small gouache studies without the printing of large pages, so it was perfect for that purpose. I didn't take it outside due to Covid so couldn't test it for normal wear and tear. I just wish there was some sort of strap to close the…

I bought this sketchbook because I heard good things about it from different artists. I was very disappointed in the quality of this paper. I use watercolors and paint a lot of illustrations and portraits, so I expect my sketchbooks to allow for at least a few layers of paint. Not this paper. The photos I have provided are after 1 coat. As you can see, the dots in this paper are the wrong size. After discovering this, I started testing different types of paint just to see if the paper responded

Apparently I really like watercolor. I couldn't find a SketchBook that doesn't buckle for my particular use. I'm also new to watercolor painting, so having a little imperfection in the paper I use is fine for me. So far I'm very happy with this book and will definitely buy more in the future. I think I'll go for a hardcover book next time because the rounded corners of this book give me mixed feelings and I think I want the confidence to just toss it in my bag without a second thought whether…