


The texture of the paper will also make it good for soft dry mediums, but consider taking spray fixative on your trip in that case. The paper inside is 300 gsm and will survive watercolor washes and wet mediums. If you need a watercolor sketchbook with heavyweight paper for your travels, this one is for you. 9 Best Travel Sketchbooks in 2020 Moleskine Art Sketchbook And when it comes to the price – don’t think that the cheaper ones are worse! We’ve made you a list of nice high-quality travel sketchbooks of all kinds that are very affordable and would make great travel companions for any artist. The color of the paper and the sketchbook orientation are purely the choices of your preference – whatever suits best for your drawing style. If you’re using your sketchbook simply for doodles, pencil sketches, or writing, then the regular thin printer paper would work well. If the sketchbook is going to become a mixed media journal with glued-in tickets and photographs, the thicker paper would endure it much better. Usually thicker paper is meant to absorb more water, so choose thicker one (from 120 gsm and more) for liquid mediums (except markers: they’ll dry too quickly on heavy paper). So if your trip is going to be a long one, consider either taking more than one sketchbook or looking for the thinner paper (that would still be usable for your preferred media though). The thicker the paper, the fewer sheets would fit into a single sketchbook without making it too thick and heavy to carry. The thickness of the sketchbook depends on the number of pages and on the weight of the paper. A spiral-bound sketchbook can have a softcover because it can be folded over for extra hardness. This will protect the sheets inside and help you draw on the go without needing a desk. If you still want something bigger and your luggage allows it, the hardcover or at least the underlay made of thick cardboard is a must. This means that you’ll have A4-sized spreads. If you need something bigger, you can choose among the A5 sketchbooks with the binding that allows you to lay them flat. An A5 size sketchbook is the most versatile and popular option, but if you like even smaller formats, choose an A6. It influences the weight of the sketchbook, space you’ll have for your creative ideas, and also space it’ll consume in the bag you carry it in. Size is probably the most important matter. But there are some general tips that you might like to follow if you’re new in choosing sketchbooks and don’t know what you like yet. It’s up to you, what would you use it for, how big do you want it, and which binding you like. The choice of the perfect sketchbook will depend on your own preferences. The quality and convenience of your sketchbook will influence the overall flow of your working process. It doesn’t matter what you use it for – sketching and doodling, full-on drawing away from home, or just taking notes (journaling or travel diaries). It’s hard to underestimate the importance of a good travel sketchbook.
