Collection: Sketchbooks

Buy a sketchbook

A sketchbook is more than a book with blank pages. The paper largely determines how your pencil, ink, paint, or other materials behave.

That is why at Drawables we look not only at how a sketchbook looks, but especially at the paper and what you can use it for.

In our collection you will find sketchbooks from Pith, Hahnemühle, Talens, Etchr and Karst. From simple sketchbooks for plenty of practice to high-quality books for watercolor and other creative techniques.

Which sketchbook is right for you?

The best sketchbook is above all the sketchbook that suits what you want to make with it.

Do you mainly draw with pencil or fineliner? Then you can easily make do with good drawing or sketching paper. If you work with watercolor or other wet media, the choice of paper becomes more important.

And maybe you don't want to choose at all.

A sketchbook can, of course, also simply be your place for everything all together: a pencil sketch next to a bit of watercolor, an idea for later and a drawing that you actually wanted to throw away after three minutes.

We will, of course, simply keep that last one.

Watercolor sketchbook

If you want to paint watercolors, it is important to choose a sketchbook with paper that is suitable for wet media.

Watercolor paper is made to absorb water and pigment without immediately becoming a limp, bumpy sheet. In our collection you will find various watercolor sketchbooks, including books from Hahnemühle and Etchr.

Even within watercolor paper, there are differences. For example, you have cold pressed and hot pressed paper.

Cold pressed or hot pressed?

The difference lies mainly in the texture of the paper.

Cold pressed paper has a noticeable, slightly rough texture. This gives watercolor work a bit more texture and character. The paper absorbs water and pigment differently than smooth paper and is therefore popular for painterly watercolor work.

Hot pressed paper is on the other hand much smoother. This allows you to work very precisely with fine lines and details. It is interesting, for example, when you want to combine watercolor with illustration, fineliner, or other detailed work.

In short: if you want texture and a somewhat more organic surface, look at cold pressed. If you want a smooth surface for fine and precise work, hot pressed is interesting.

Sketchbooks for mixed media

Do you like working with different materials all together? Then a mixed media sketchbook is an interesting choice.

You can combine various techniques in it without having to grab a different book for every creative inspiration. Think of pencil, fineliner, ink, markers, or paint.

Mixed media is especially nice if your sketchbook does not necessarily have to contain a finished product, but is mainly a place to try, combine, and experiment.

And that is perhaps the nicest thing about a sketchbook.

You don't just have to make beautiful things in it.

Sketchbook with 100% cotton paper

For watercolor and other wet techniques, you will also come across the term 100% cotton paper.

Cotton paper is known for its good absorption of water and is loved by artists who work with watercolor. In our collection you will find, among others, the Watercolour Books from Hahnemühle with 100% cotton paper.

These are sketchbooks for those who expect a bit more from the paper and like to work with watercolor.

Small sketchbook for on the go

A large A4 sketchbook is wonderful when you are sitting at a table with all the space around you.

But try taking that same book with you in your bag.

That is exactly why small sketchbooks are so handy. An A6 or other compact sketchbook fits more easily with you outdoors, on a trip, to a café, or simply in your bag in case you suddenly want to draw something.

At Drawables you will find various small sketchbooks, including compact models from Pith and Hahnemühle.

Because inspiration, unfortunately, has no agenda.

A4, A5 or A6 sketchbook?

The size of your sketchbook mainly has to do with how and where you like to draw.

An A4 sketchbook gives you plenty of space for larger drawings, extensive sketches, and watercolor work.

An A5 sketchbook is a nice middle ground. Enough space to work comfortably, but still easy to take with you.

An A6 sketchbook is especially handy when you want to work compactly or like to draw on the go.

In addition, you will also find square and other unusual formats in our collection. Sometimes another format is simply more fun.

Sketchbooks from Hahnemühle, Pith, Talens and more

At Drawables you will find sketchbooks from various brands, each with its own focus.

Hahnemühle has a wide collection of drawing and watercolor paper, including the well-known Watercolour Books and Nostalgie Sketchbooks.

Pith makes sketchbooks that are not only practical, but also look exceptionally good. The various Kabosu, Cara Cara, and Lumia models are beautiful examples of this.

Talens Art Creation has a wide collection of accessible sketchbooks in various sizes.

In addition, you will find Etchr and Karst at Drawables, among others. This way you can choose not only by size and paper, but also by the look and characteristics of the brand.

A sketchbook does not have to be perfect

Perhaps the most important advice: just make your first page.

A sketchbook is not a collection of perfect drawings. It is a place to practice, store ideas, try things out, and sometimes make something that does not turn out at all as you thought.

That is part of it.

A good sketchbook page can be a quick pencil sketch. A color study. A few lines. A failed drawing that you still get something out of later.

Or a page where you just tried out a new pencil for a moment.

So you don't have to wait until you have come up with something brilliant. Grab your sketchbook and start.

Buy a sketchbook at Drawables

A small sketchbook for on the go, an A4 sketchbook for larger drawings, or a watercolor sketchbook with high-quality cotton paper: at Drawables you will find various types of sketchbooks for different techniques and ways of working. View the collection and choose the paper, size, and sketchbook that suits you.

And after that, you really only have to do one more thing.

Use the first page.

Frequently asked questions about sketchbooks

Which sketchbook is suitable for pencil?
For pencil you can use many different sketchbooks. Smoother paper is pleasant for fine lines and details, while paper with a bit more texture can be interesting for, for example, soft pencil techniques.

Which sketchbook is suitable for watercolor?
For watercolor choose a sketchbook with paper that is suitable for wet media. In the Drawables collection you will find various watercolor sketchbooks, including variants with 100% cotton paper.

What is the difference between cold pressed and hot pressed paper?
Cold pressed paper has a slightly textured surface. Hot pressed paper is smooth. Cold pressed is popular for watercolor work with more texture, while hot pressed is interesting for fine and detailed work.

Is A5 or A4 better for a sketchbook?
That depends on how you use it. A4 gives you more space for larger drawings, while A5 is more compact and easier to take with you. For on the go, a smaller format such as A6 is often practical.

What is a mixed media sketchbook?
A mixed media sketchbook is made to combine different drawing and painting techniques. Handy if you, for example, use pencil, fineliner, ink, and paint all together.