Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Sketchbooks and Drawing Pads for Creatives
16
items An artist needs a place to play freely and express their ideas without judgement, that's where the sketchbook comes in! Whether you are using it as an artistic journal or to produce your finished pieces these are my suggestions for sketching and draw...
For a portable sketchbook I go with these 5"x8" versions of my favorite hardcover sketchbook
Sketchbook by Artist's Loft™ Fundamentals
My go to for a basic sketchbook in a standard 8.5" x 11" size. I love the hardcover for support and protection. Best for materials that don't bleed through the page or place a barrier behind like a piece of cardboard if it leaks through
Black Page Premium Hardcover Sketchbook, 8.5" x 11" by ...
Cork is one of the most sustainable materials in the world and this sketchbook is covered in it. If you don't like the feeling of other sketchbook covers in your hands this book is a different option for those who have sensory preferences in art maki...
Cork Sketchbook by Artist's Loft
If you are looking to practice or do some quick gestural sketches and you don't want that huge panel of chonk from art school try out one of the smaller sizes of these Strathmore newsprint pads
Strathmore® 300 Series Newsprint Paper Pad
If you are looking to work larger I recommend the 18"x24" size of this spiral Strathmore drawing pad. It's easy to flip the pages and the weight of the paper is not flimsy
Strathmore® 400 Series Drawing Paper Pad
If you are working in mixed media I suggest this Strathmore pad. It is very smooth and thicker than regular sketchbook paper. It can handle wet and dry materials. I mostly use it with ink, colored pencil, jelly roll pens, pencil, ballpoint pen, gouac...
Strathmore® 400 Series Mixed Media Paper Pad
I love the variety in this melange of a sketchbook. If you are looking for a pad that stirs up your creativity try this! No two books are alike and there is an option to purchase with some nice pens. Check out this Etsy shop, YellowPaperHouse for so ...
9" x 7" JUNQUE JOURNAL - For Art Journaling, Scrapbooking, Junk Planner, Creative Life Planning
Working on black paper can really create a beautiful base for contrast in your work. I like this simple Artist's Loft mixed media pad (especially for colored pencil) which comes in 3 sizes. It is spiral bound and has a perforated edge so you will wan...
Black Mixed Media Pad by Artist's Loft
There's something about this blue that gives depth to your work from the get go. If you are looking to create contrasts with pre tinted paper this is a classic to work with, I like it better than the warm tones
Strathmore® 400 Series Blue Toned Sketch Paper Pad, 8" ...
If there is only one glued edge I prefer it on the general top or shorter side of the pad 🤷♀️ but besides that this is a great option for quality watercolor paper with good texture without breaking the bank
Strathmore® 300 Series Watercolor Paper Pad
Arches is a top quality choice for watercolor paper. It is a luxury to work with but worth it for high quality, archival artwork. This pad comes in a block which can be painted on directly or you may want to separate the page before hand as the block...
Arches® Cold-Pressed Watercolor Block
If you are looking for bleed proof paper especially when working with alcohol markers try this Ohuhu pad. It is so bleed proof each page can be used on both sides. I am a fan of the square shape and 8"x8" size for portability & convenient movemen...
Ohuhu Double Sided Marker Pads Art Sketchbook ...
We love lists here on Benable, right? So if you like to make lists or notes when you are sketching this is a great standard pad made with recycled paper with a designated area for notes to keep you organized and maybe reduce some post it note chaos
Bienfang Notesketch
If you like to design on graph paper I recommend this Bienfang sketchbook with non reproducible blue lines. It comes in 2 sizes and has a smooth texture with decent page thickness
Bienfang® Designer Gridded Paper Pad
Sometimes I like to work on these individual Astrobrights cardstock pages. They have a nice thickness, are appropriately absorbent of pen and ink and have a bit of a rough texture. They are acid and lignin free for archival concerns
Astrobrights Cardstock, 8.5" x 11", 65 lb./176 Gsm, Natural Assortment, 50 Sheets (99316-01)
If you prefer to work on individual paper and don't like the awkward size of regular drawing boards or a clip board is too small try this medium size support at 13"x17"
KINGART® Sketchboard 13" x 17"