10 Best Sketchbooks for Watercolors in 2022 (Artist-Reviewed)

Pros:

• Perfect size for both on-the-go and working at home  
• Comes with elastic band for protection 
• Durable linen hardcover 
• Bookmark ribbon and interior pocket
  
• Slightly toothy, cold-pressed, acid-free paper 
• Rounded corners won't get beat up when thrown in your bag
  

Cons:

• Paper is too lightweight for heavier washes
  

This Travelogue Artists Watercolor Journal is just over eight inches, making it the perfect size to throw into your bag. It's uniquely square-shaped and contains 30 sheets of acid-free watercolor paper with a cold-pressed finish. The cover is made of woven linen with an elastic closure, pocket on the back cover, and bookmark.

Some reviewers complained that the paper buckled under heavy washes and that some of the pages were stuck together. Still, the majority of reviewers loved that it can lay completely flat and reported that it's great for a mix of watercolor and ink.

Pros:

• 100 percent cotton, hot-pressed paper for a smoother texture
• Paper treated with gelatin for effective water absorption 
• Can be used for watercolor, gouache, acrylic, and airbrush
  
• Standard paper size for good versatility 
• Glue binding and foldover design allow for easy release of pages

Cons: 

• A couple of reviewers reported the paper pilled easily
  

If you're looking for a sketchbook with artist-grade hot-pressed paper, this one from Arches has you covered. It contains 12 sheets of paper made from 100 percent natural cotton fibers treated with gelatin for even absorption. It can be used with watercolors, gouache, acrylic, and even airbrush.

Some reviewers noted that this paper pilled because it's on the soft side. However, most reviewers said the smooth surface was ideal for details and clean lines. They found the paper held water very well.

Pros:

• Heavyweight, acid-free, cold-pressed paper 
• Can be used for media other than watercolor like acrylic, ink, markers, and collages 
• Removable flysheet reveals hard, textured brown cover on front and back
  
• Great for journaling as well as drawing and painting

Cons:

• Reviewers say it pills easily with too much water or reworking
  

Get started on your art journal or practice doodling with this sketchbook. It's made with heavyweight, cold-pressed paper and compatible with watercolors, acrylic, ink, markers, and collage techniques. To expose the classy matching brown covers on the front and back, remove the protective flysheet.  

Some reviewers reported that the paper began to pill if they used too much water or too many layers. However, most reviewers said this sketchbook was perfect for practicing and playing around with watercolors. They especially appreciated the stability provided by the sturdy cover.

Pros:

• Leather-like hardcover for protection and sleek design 
• Elastic band and interior pocket
  
• Acid-free paper with 25 percent cotton fibers
  
• Both sides of paper are textured 

Cons:

• Sewn binding doesn't allow for easy tear-out if you want to extract your pieces 

This watercolor sketchbook features Moleskine's signature leather-like cover with an elastic closure and inner accordion pocket. It contains cold-pressed paper that's textured on both sides, so you can fill every single page. The sewn binding means you can flip through this journal without any pages falling out. 

Some reviewers said this sketchbook is best for light watercolor use, as the paper tends to buckle with layering. However, other reviewers said that the paper flattens out as it dries thanks to the stiff covers, and found that their work dried quickly as well. They were also pleased with this sketchbook's durable and minimalist construction.

Pros:

• Larger size of 12 by 18 inches
  
• Glue binding allows for easy release 
• Versatile texture that can be used for multiple media 
• Lightweight and sleek design 

Cons: 

• Less tailored for carrying around, as the pages can loosen easily

For those who want a whole lot of space, this XL Series pad from Canson is a great option. It's sustainably manufactured and contains 140-pound cold-pressed paper that's designed to withstand repeated washes of watercolor. It can also be used with acrylic paint, pens, markers, charcoal, and pastels.

A few reviewers said that the paper fell out of this pad and tended to pill sometimes. Still, many reviewers loved this pad for practicing, especially beginners. They said the paper was nice and thick and that their paint dried quickly.

Pros:

• Four by six size to make your own customized postcards 
• Back has lines for address and stamp
  
• Cold-pressed, acid-free paper
  
• Glue binding for easy release 

Cons: 

• Some reviewers noted that the texture didn't allow for fast water absorption

This sketchpad contains 15 sheets of paper cut to postcard size. The paper is formed on a traditional cylinder mold to ensure paper strength and stability. The paper is designed to withstand rough techniques and retain color brilliance. The back of each sheet has printed lines to make sending it through the mail quick and simple.

Some reviewers complained that their watercolors sat on top of this paper and didn't absorb. On the other hand, many reviewers found the paper beautifully textured. They said that they could easily lift and blend paint without ruining the paper.

Pros:

• Cold-pressed, acid-free paper
• Great for scrapbooking and journaling
• Hard front and back covers for extra protection 
• Perforated pages for easy release

Cons:

• A few reviewers noted the sheets warped or bled through when using heavier washes

Each book in this set of two contains 32 sheets of 140-pound watercolor paper. The hardcover and spiral binding help create a flat, sturdy surface to work on and the pages are perforated for clean tearing. The cover has a removable sticker, leaving it clean with no branding.

Some reviewers said this paper had an unforgiving surface and sucked up water too quickly. On the other hand, many reviewers liked that the paper worked for both watercolors and mixed media. They appreciated the tough hardcover and perforated pages, too.

Pros:

• Rougher grain texture made with 100 percent cotton fibers
  
• Made in classical cylinder mold for even texture
• Internally-sized with gelatin for best watercolor compatibility
  
• Texture works well for very wet techniques and landscape
  

Cons:

• None
  

This sketchpad's paper has a rougher grain and is made from 100 percent cotton fiber. Arches paper is formed in a cylinder mold, ensuring that the fibers are evenly distributed. This creates a thick, stable paper that resists warping. It's treated throughout with gelatin to create a less-absorbent surface for watercolors.

Most reviewers found it sturdy enough to handle all techniques, including blending, layering, and lifting. And they liked the rough texture, saying it was great for painting subjects that require more white spots, like rocks and leaves.

Pros:

• Compact size is great for travel
  
• Includes a removable half-sheet with technique tips
• Can be used with various wet media 
• The paper surface withstands scraping, erasing, and repeated washes 
• Perforated pages 

Cons:

• Reviewers say it can buckle under too much water
  

Measuring 5.5 by 8.5 inches, this sketchbook is small enough to take with you anywhere. The heavyweight cold-pressed paper is designed for all types of wet media and is made to withstand scraping, erasing, and multiple washes of watercolor. It includes a removable half-sheet with tips and techniques.

A few reviewers had issues with absorbency, while others complained that the paper buckled. Still, the majority of reviewers said the paper has a nice texture and solid weight. They appreciated that they could paint on both sides, and noted that the size of the sketchbook was perfectly portable.

Pros:

• Acid-free, 100 percent cotton, hot-pressed paper
• Elastic band and interior pocket 
• Perforated pages for easy release 
• Portable and compact
• Textured on both sides of the page so you can make double-sided work 

Cons:

• Some reviewers noted that the binding was a bit weak

For those who prefer hot-pressed paper, this mini journal is great for painting plein air. It's filled with acid-free 100 percent cotton paper that has texture on both sides, so you can use both. The journal has a pocket on the inside back cover and a bookmark. 

Several reviewers complained that their binding broke and that the paper texture is rougher than expected, too. However, most reviewers said this paper holds water well without pilling or buckling and was great for traveling. They also found that the paper had a good thickness for multiple media.