Sketch pads are one of the essential tools for any artist, beginner or experienced. They come in various sizes, weights, and textures, and it can be difficult to find the best one for you. There are several factors to consider when selecting a sketch pad, such as the type of paper, the portability, and the cost. Each artist has their own individual preferences, so it is important to select the sketch pad that best suits your needs and budget. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best sketch pads on the market and go over their features to help you find the right one for your artistic needs.
Best Sketch Pads
| Rank | Product Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
|
1
 |
Canson XL
|
9. 7
|
|
2
 |
Artist’s Choice
|
9. 5
|
|
3
 |
Canson Artist Series
|
9. 1
|
|
4
 |
Pentalic Traditional
|
8. 8
|
|
5
 |
Art Alternatives Very Big
|
8. 6
|
|
6
 |
Bellofy Pro
|
8. 2
|
|
7
 |
Masterclass Premium
|
8. 0
|
|
8
 |
Gam Large Landscape
|
7 .7
|
|
9
 |
Strathmore Toned Tan
|
7. 4
|
|
10
 |
Crescent Rendr
|
7. 2
|
1. Canson XL
I recently purchased Canson XL paper and it is definitely one of the best papers I have ever used for artwork. The paper is incredibly thick and durable, and it takes any type of media well. I’m in love with how vibrant my watercolors look on this paper, and the texture lends itself well to blending and layering. The size of the paper is also a major bonus, giving me the opportunity to create larger pieces than ever before. I’m so glad I found Canson XL paper and would highly recommend it to any artist looking for quality paper to work on.
- Made with heavyweight 100% cotton paper with a traditional cold-press texture
- Acid-free and pH-neutral for superior longevity
- Highly resistant to buckling, perfect for use with a variety of wet and dry media
- Ideal for a range of techniques, including painting, drawing, sketching, and mixed media
- Available in a range of sizes from 9×12 to 24×36
2. Artist’s Choice
I recently tried Artist’s Choice and it was a great experience. The store is well laid out, and the staff was friendly and knowledgeable. They had a great selection of art supplies, from paints and brushes to canvas and other materials. I was able to find everything I needed for my project, and the prices were reasonable. The quality of the materials was also excellent. Overall, I was very satisfied with my experience, and I would certainly recommend Artist’s Choice to anyone looking for art supplies.
- Ideal for oil and acrylic painting
- 53 premium quality brush shapes and sizes
- Unique flat and filbert brush shapes
- Features a variety of bristle types including sable, nylon, and synthetic
- Wood handles with rust-proof aluminum ferrules
- Comes with a handy carrying case
3. Canson Artist Series
I recently purchased the Canson Artist Series and I am so glad I did! The paper is extremely high-quality and perfect for all my artistic needs. I love the way colors look on the paper and the texture is just right. The paper is also acid-free, meaning it won’t yellow over time, which is a very important feature for me. The price was great too, especially considering how much paper I got. I highly recommend the Canson Artist Series to anyone looking for a great quality paper at a great price.
- Made with 100% cotton, cold press watercolor paper
- Ideal for watercolor, acrylic, airbrush painting, and drawing
- Heavyweight paper with exceptional strength and durability
- High degree of whiteness and uniform texture
- Acid-free and pH neutral for optimal preservation of artwork
- Increased resistance to fading, yellowing, and cracking
4. Pentalic Traditional
I recently purchased the Pentalic Traditional Sketchbook, and I’m very pleased with it so far. The paper quality is excellent; thick enough for layering and blending, but still lightweight enough to be portable. It has a hardcover, which helps protect the pages from damage, but it’s still light enough to carry around easily. The binding is strong, so you don’t have to worry about it coming apart. The pages lay flat, which makes it easier to draw on them. I also like that it comes with a ribbon bookmark, so you can easily mark your place. Overall, I’m very happy with the Pentalic Traditional Sketchbook and would definitely recommend it to others.
- High-quality, archival paper
- 140 lb. weight
- Traditional grain perfect for sketching, drawing, and mixed media
- Acid-free and lignin-free
- 30 sheets
5. Art Alternatives Very Big
I recently purchased the Art Alternatives Very Big and I must say I’m impressed! It’s much larger than other brush sets I have used, so it’s great for bigger projects. The quality of the brushes is also top-notch. They feel great in my hand and they haven’t shed any bristles while I’m painting. I’ve also noticed that the bristles don’t fray or get matted down after multiple uses. I would highly recommend this product to anyone looking for a high-quality set of brushes that will last.
- Made from durable plastic material
- Holds up to 32″ canvas boards
- Drawer-style construction is both space-saving and secure
- Features a comfortable, ergonomic handle for easy portability
- Comes with two removable shelves for customization and easy access
6. Bellofy Pro
I recently bought the Bellofy Pro and have been thoroughly impressed with it. It is a great value for the amount of features it offers. The sound quality is fantastic, and it has all the features I need. It has a built-in microphone, so I can take calls directly from the headset. I also like the fact that it has an adjustable fit, so I can customize it for my own comfort. The battery life is outstanding and it charges quickly. The customer service is also great, as I have already contacted them for help and they have responded quickly. Overall, I’m very pleased with my purchase and would highly recommend the Bellofy Pro.
- Full range of professional-grade tools to make editing easier
- Integrated software to streamline workflow
- Grimace detection to automatically detect and eliminate bad facial expressions
- Real-time editing tools to make adjustments while shooting
- 3D tracking to make camera movements more precise
- Automatic color correction for optimal results
- Integrated audio editing to make sound effects perfect
7. Masterclass Premium
I recently had the opportunity to try the Masterclass Premium subscription, and I’m so glad that I did. As a student, I was able to take advantage of their wide variety of classes and tutorials which were extremely helpful in building my skills. The teachers are all well-known experts in their respective fields and they provide great insight into their specific topics. I also found the user interface to be very intuitive and easy to navigate. In addition to the courses, I also had access to an online community of other learners who shared their experiences and answered any questions I had. The subscription was definitely worth the money and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to learn new skills and gain valuable insights.
- Access to the entire library of Masterclass courses
- High-definition video lessons taught by world-renowned experts
- Downloadable workbooks to track your progress
- Access to the Masterclass Community Forum
- Exclusive discounts on products and services
- Early access to new Masterclass courses
- Unlimited access to view and rewatch lessons
8. Gam Large Landscape
I recently purchased 8. Gam Large Landscape and I’m very pleased with it. It’s a great landscape photo printer with a lot of amazing features. The 8. Gam Large Landscape is easy to use and produces high-quality prints quickly. The printer is reliable and produces vivid colors that bring life to your prints. It also has a large selection of media types, so you can print on a variety of paper types. The 8. Gam Large Landscape is also a great choice for large prints, as it has a very large printing area. Overall, this is a great printer and I’m very happy with my purchase.
:
- Large size measures at 8 feet wide and 4 feet tall for maximum coverage of your yard.
- Weather-resistant construction made with durable and weather-resistant polyethylene material.
- Easy to install can be easily assembled with no special tools required.
- Multi-purpose perfect for a variety of uses, including as a play area, garden, or patio.
- UV-resistant features a UV-resistant coating to ensure it will last season after season.
- Low maintenance requires minimal upkeep, simply wipe clean with a damp cloth.
- Compact design folds down to a convenient size for easy storage and transportation.
- Safe design features rounded edges and reinforced corners for extra safety and stability.
9. Strathmore Toned Tan
I recently purchased a Strathmore Toned Tan sketchbook and I am extremely happy with my purchase. The paper is of excellent quality, very smooth and perfect for sketching. The toned tan color gives my artwork a more interesting and subtle look. I love that I can use both graphite and colored pencils on the paper and not have to worry about bleed through or ghosting. The paper also takes water-soluble art media, like markers and watercolors, very nicely. Overall, this sketchbook is an excellent choice for any artist looking for quality paper to work on. Highly recommended!
- Soft-white, lightly textured surface
- Medium-weight 100 lb. (270 gsm)
- Ideal for monochromatic drawings, sketches, and mixed media artwork
- Excellent tooth for use with charcoal, pencil, and pastels
- Archival quality and acid-free
- Available in natural and toned surfaces
- Toned Tan is a warm gray tone
- Ideal for adding depth and shadows to drawings
10. Crescent Rendr
Crescent Rendr is an incredibly powerful drawing and photo editing tool. It offers a wide range of features that make it a great choice for both amateur and professional artists. The interface is intuitive and user-friendly, allowing for quick and easy access to all the tools. The real-time rendering capability is especially useful and makes it possible to create stunning visuals with ease. The integration with other creative programs makes it easy to share work between multiple users. Overall, Crescent Rendr is an excellent choice for anyone looking to explore their creative side.
- High quality fine art paper with a unique textured surface
- Compatible with both graphite and colored pencils
- Archival quality, acid-free paper with a neutral pH
- The paper is 100% recyclable
- Highly tear resistant paper surface
- Highly erasable surface
- Great for detailed drawings and creating quick sketches
- Available in multiple sizes
- Handling marks are visible on the back side
- Erases cleanly and smudge free
