Good sketch pads are an essential part of any artist’s arsenal. Whether you are an experienced artist looking to level up your skills or an aspiring artist just beginning to explore your creative side, having the right sketch pad makes a huge difference. Finding the right sketch pad requires an understanding of the different types of sketch pads, their uses, and what works best for you. This article breaks down the best sketch pads for a variety of uses and budgets. We’ll explore the difference between canvas, paper, and specialty sketch pads, as well as provide our top picks for each. Read on to find out more about the best sketch pads for your needs.
Best Good Sketch Pads
| Rank | Product Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
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1
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Strathmore 400-3 STR-400-3 24 Sheet No.80 Drawing Pad, 8 by 10″, 8″x10″, 8 X 10 Inches
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9. 7
|
|
2
 |
Canson Artist Series Sketch Book Paper Pad, for Pencil and Charcoal, Acid Free, Wire Bound, 65 Pound, 9 x 12 Inch, 80 Sheets
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9. 5
|
|
3
 |
Canson XL Series Mix Paper Pad, Heavyweight, Fine Texture, Heavy Sizing for Wet or Dry Media, Side Wire Bound, 98 Pound, 5.5 x 8.5 in, 60 Sheets, 5.5″X8.5″
|
9. 1
|
|
4
 |
Drawing Set – Sketching and Charcoal Pencils – 100 Page Drawing Pad, Kneaded Eraser. Art Kit and Supplies for Kids, Teens and Adults, Sketch Set
|
8. 8
|
|
5
 |
Arteza 8.3×11.7 Inch Sketch Book, Pack of 2, 100 Pages per Pad, 118lb/175gsm, Hardcover Journals with Bookmark Ribbon, Expandable Inner Pocket, and Elastic Strap, Art Supplies for Dry Media
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8. 6
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6
 |
Emraw 6″ x 8″ Top Bound Spiral Premium Sketch Pad Can be Use with Pens, Markers, Pencils Perfect for Writing, Drawing & Sketching – 50 Per Pack (Pack of 2)
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8. 2
|
|
7
 |
Art Drawing Set, Sketching and Charcoal Pencils, Art Supplies Includes Sketch Pad, Graphite Pencils, Charcoal Sticks and Eraser, Professional Sketch Pencils Set for Drawing
|
8. 0
|
|
8
 |
9″ x 12″ Sketch Book, Top Spiral Bound Sketch Pad Hardcover, 2 Packs 100-Sheets Each (68lb/100gsm), Acid Free Art Sketchbook Artistic Drawing Painting Writing Paper for Kids Adults Beginners Artists
|
7 .7
|
|
9
 |
5.5″ x 8.5″ Sketchbook Set, Top Spiral Bound Sketch Pad Hardcover, 2 Packs 100-Sheets Each (68lb/100gsm), Acid Free Art Sketch Book Artistic Drawing Painting Writing Paper for Beginners Artists
|
7. 4
|
1. Strathmore 400-3 STR-400-3 24 Sheet No.80 Drawing Pad, 8 by 10″, 8″x10″, 8 X 10 Inches
I recently purchased the Strathmore 400-3 STR-400-3 24 Sheet No.80 Drawing Pad, 8 by 10″, 8″x10″, 8 X 10 Inches and I’m absolutely in love with it! The paper is really thick and smooth, which makes it perfect for sketching, drawing, and painting. The paper is also acid-free, so it won’t cause any damage to my artwork. I also love that this pad comes with 24 sheets, which is plenty of paper for me to make all kinds of art. I highly recommend this drawing pad for anyone looking for a great quality paper for their art projects!
- Ideal for graphite pencil, colored pencil, sketching sticks, and other dry media
- Heavyweight, premium-quality sketch paper
- Ideal for use as a sketch pad, drawing pad, or even a journal
- 24 sheets of heavyweight acid-free paper
- 8″ x 10″ size
2. Canson Artist Series Sketch Book Paper Pad, for Pencil and Charcoal, Acid Free, Wire Bound, 65 Pound, 9 x 12 Inch, 80 Sheets
The Canson Artist Series Sketch Book Paper Pad is a great product for any artist. I recently purchased this pad and have been extremely satisfied with its quality and performance. The paper is 65 pound which makes it thick and sturdy, perfect for pencil and charcoal drawings and sketches. Its acid-free and wire bound design ensures that the pages of the pad will stay in place and will not become damaged. The 9×12 size makes it easy to take anywhere, and the 80 sheets allows for plenty of room for endless creativity. Overall, I highly recommend this product to anyone looking for a superior quality sketch book paper pad!
:
- Premium quality paper
- Ideal for use with pencil, charcoal, and pastels
- Acid-free for long lasting results
- Wire-bound for easy page-turning
- 65 lb weight paper
- Pad has 9 x 12 inch sheets
- Pack includes 80 sheets
3. Canson XL Series Mix Paper Pad, Heavyweight, Fine Texture, Heavy Sizing for Wet or Dry Media, Side Wire Bound, 98 Pound, 5.5 x 8.5 in, 60 Sheets, 5.5″X8.5″
The Canson XL Series Mix Paper Pad is an exceptional selection for any artist or crafter. The paper is heavy weight and fine textured, making it perfect for both dry and wet media. The side wire binding allows for easy flipping through the pages. The paper is 98 pound, which makes it great for projects that require a thicker weight paper. The dimensions are 5.5 x 8.5 in, with 60 sheets in total. It’s ideal for sketching, drawing, and other art/craft projects. The paper is highly durable and able to withstand multiple uses. I highly recommend this paper pad for anyone looking for a quality paper that is perfect for their needs.
- Heavyweight- 98 Pound
- Fine Texture with Heavy Sizing for Wet or Dry Media
- Side Wire Bound
- 5.5 x 8.5 inches
- 60 Sheets
- 5.5″X8.5″
4. Drawing Set – Sketching and Charcoal Pencils – 100 Page Drawing Pad, Kneaded Eraser. Art Kit and Supplies for Kids, Teens and Adults, Sketch Set
I recently got the 4. Drawing Set – Sketching and Charcoal Pencils – 100 Page Drawing Pad, Kneaded Eraser. Art Kit and Supplies for Kids, Teens and Adults, Sketch Set, and I’m so glad I did! It’s a great art set with a variety of supplies that are perfect for any artist, from beginner to professional. The quality of the supplies is top notch and the set comes with a nice 100 page drawing pad to start off your masterpiece. The charcoal pencils are perfect for detailed sketching and blending, and the kneaded eraser is perfect for erasing mistakes and blending. Overall, this is a great art set for anyone looking to get into sketching and drawing and I highly recommend it.
:
- 100 Page Drawing Pad perfect for sketching, drawing and charcoal pencils
- Kneaded Eraser erase any mistake easily and without any mess
- Art Kit with Supplies includes pencils, erasers, sketching and charcoal pencils, and a drawing pad
- For All Ages suitable for kids, teens, and adults
- Sketch Set perfect for all levels of sketching from beginner to advanced
5. Arteza 8.3×11.7 Inch Sketch Book, Pack of 2, 100 Pages per Pad, 118lb/175gsm, Hardcover Journals with Bookmark Ribbon, Expandable Inner Pocket, and Elastic Strap, Art Supplies for Dry Media
I recently purchased Arteza’s 8.3×11.7 Inch Sketch Book, Pack of 2 and I’m so impressed with the quality. The high-quality paper is 118lb/175gsm and it is perfect for dry media. I love the hardcover that is very sturdy and it has a nice expandable inner pocket for storing your supplies. It also has a handy elastic strap to keep the sketchbooks closed. I also appreciate the bookmark ribbons to keep your place and the pages are perforated for easy removal. I would highly recommend this sketchbook to anyone looking for a great quality product. It is an excellent value for the cost and I couldn’t be happier with my purchase.
- Pack of 2 8.3×11.7 Inch Sketch Books, with a total of 200 Pages
- Heavyweight 118lb/175gsm Acid Free Sheets, Resistant to Bleed Through, for Dry Media
- Securely Bound Hardcover Journals with a Built-In Bookmark Ribbon and an Expandable Inner Pocket
- Elastic Strap Closure Keeps Your Artwork Secure and Safe
- Ideal for Professional and Amateur Artists, Drawing, Sketching, Journaling, and More
6. Emraw 6″ x 8″ Top Bound Spiral Premium Sketch Pad Can be Use with Pens, Markers, Pencils Perfect for Writing, Drawing & Sketching – 50 Per Pack (Pack of 2)
I recently purchased the Emraw 6″ x 8″ Top Bound Spiral Premium Sketch Pad, and I must say that I am very impressed! These sketch pads are top-bound, so they stay together very well, even when traveling. They have a wonderful quality paper that allows me to use pens, markers, and pencils without any bleeding or smudging. I am able to create beautiful artwork with ease. The pads are also very affordable and come in a pack of two. Overall, I am very satisfied with my purchase and would highly recommend these sketch pads to anyone looking for a great quality product at a great price.
- 6 x 8 Top Bound Spiral Premium Sketch Pad
- Can be used with pens, markers, and pencils
- Perfect for writing, drawing, and sketching
- 50 sheets per pack (Pack of 2)
7. Art Drawing Set, Sketching and Charcoal Pencils, Art Supplies Includes Sketch Pad, Graphite Pencils, Charcoal Sticks and Eraser, Professional Sketch Pencils Set for Drawing
I recently purchased the 7. Art Drawing Set and I am so glad I did. The set comes with everything you need to get started with drawing and sketching, including a sketch pad, graphite pencils, charcoal sticks, and an eraser. The pencils and charcoal sticks are of great quality and the eraser is reliable and easy to use. I have already used the set on several occasions and I’m impressed with how easy it is to use and how well the pencils and charcoal sticks blend in with the sketch pad. In addition, the set is very affordable and great value for money. I highly recommend the 7. Art Drawing Set for anyone looking for an affordable yet high-quality drawing set.
- Includes 7 professional sketch pencils for drawing in different shades, from light to dark.
- Sketching and charcoal pencils for creating detailed images and shading.
- Art Supplies includes a sketch pad, graphite pencils, charcoal sticks and an eraser.
- The set also includes a sharpener for keeping the pencils sharp for precise line work.
- A great set of art supplies for beginner, intermediate and advanced artists.
- Easy to carry and store, this set is perfect for sketching and drawing on the go.
- Ideal for creating beautiful sketches, illustrations and drawings.
8. 9″ x 12″ Sketch Book, Top Spiral Bound Sketch Pad Hardcover, 2 Packs 100-Sheets Each (68lb/100gsm), Acid Free Art Sketchbook Artistic Drawing Painting Writing Paper for Kids Adults Beginners Artists
I recently purchased the 8.9″ x 12″ Sketch Book, Top Spiral Bound Sketch Pad Hardcover, 2 Packs 100-Sheets Each (68lb/100gsm), Acid Free Art Sketchbook Artistic Drawing Painting Writing Paper for Kids Adults Beginners Artists and I am really pleased with it. The paper is thick and of high quality, so it is perfect for a variety of artistic uses. The spiral binding makes it extremely easy to flip through the pages, so you can work on multiple projects without having to worry about pages falling out. The cover is also very nice and is hard enough to protect the paper from wear and tear. I would definitely recommend this sketchbook to anyone looking for a great quality sketchbook for their artistic needs.
- Size: 8.9″ x 12″
- Binding: Top spiral bound
- Material: Hardcover
- Pages: 200 sheets (2 packs of 100 sheets each)
- Paper Weight: 68lb/100gsm
- Paper type: Acid free
- Purpose: Artistic drawing, painting, writing
- Suitable for: Kids, adults, beginners and artists
9. 5.5″ x 8.5″ Sketchbook Set, Top Spiral Bound Sketch Pad Hardcover, 2 Packs 100-Sheets Each (68lb/100gsm), Acid Free Art Sketch Book Artistic Drawing Painting Writing Paper for Beginners Artists
I recently bought this 9.5.x 8.5 Sketchbook Set, and it was by far one of the best sketchbook sets I have ever bought. Not only is it hardcover which makes it very durable, but the paper quality is great and it’s acid free. The paper is perfect for drawing and painting and it’s also suitable for writing. I love the fact that it comes with two packs of 100 sheets each, so I never run out of paper. It also has a top spiral binding so it’s easy to carry around, and it’s a great size for both beginners and experienced artists. Overall, I am very happy with this product and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a quality sketchbook.
- 9.5.5″ x 8.5″ Sketchbook Set, Top Spiral Bound Sketch Pad Hardcover
- 2 Packs 100-Sheets Each (68lb/100gsm), Acid Free Art Sketch Book
- Artistic Drawing Painting Writing Paper for Beginners Artists
