Checklist for Purchasing Drawing Books

There is nothing more delightful than drawing because drawing things makes them seem more real and makes them feel more alive. Some artists create very beautiful works of art in their drawing books. Painting in drawing books is great because they allow you to grow. You can always go back to your previous drawing book to see how much your style has been improved or changed. There is a sense of satisfaction when the book is filled up with your imagination and you get to view your progress. Drawing is a skill that must be constantly practiced to stay focused. The more you paint, the more skilled you become. Each artist has a different taste in choosing drawing books and adheres to certain brands. We have made the work of an amateur easy by preparing a checklist for purchasing drawing books. 

Size  

For beginners, the A5 sketchbook is as good as a regular sketchbook. This will open a work area created on A4 paper – large enough for intricate art and small enough for minimalism. They are small enough to fit into a pocket, easiest to carry, portable and lightweight. The size is ideal, but if you are used to large art, you may want to try increasing the size of your drawing book in the future. Painting large art takes larger surface areas to cover. The downside is that the pages can be too small for complex images. If you are used to painting large, switching to a smaller sketchbook can be frustrating because you will need to change your usual painting style. Size is a great way to mix styles, change your mind and get closer to your imagination. It’s like painting on a different medium and trying something different. 

Binding

Common types of binding in the drawing are wire binding and sewn binding. Wire or spiral drawing books have wire loops that hold the pages together. This makes it possible to turn the page several times. This simplifies the usability and ease of holding. The downside is that you can’t draw through the trenches. You can still do this, but it gets jammed with wires and the images are hard to see. Another thing to consider is whether your scanner can scan paper from a glass scanner. Fully bound or sewn drawing books use stitches to position the pages. Several sheets of paper are grouped into sections, folded and sewn into folds. There is a third type of binding called glue bind. The pages are not strongly bound and are not intended for long-term storage. If you view such books regularly, there is a possibility that the pages will tear off at some point. Get your drawing book in the correct binding for its longevity. 

Cover

We recommend using hardcover, not paperback. Hard covers support in the painting is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Compared to the pocket drawing book or sketchbook, the hardcover is easier to stand up and take out from the bag. When drawing or painting on paper covers, especially if the drawing book is not placed on a hard surface such as a table, the stroke applied moves the page back and controls the stroke. It can get challenging to control your strokes when the drawing surface is always moving away.

Orientation

The sketchbook is available in portrait and landscape orientation. There is also a square drawing to choose from for personal use. The landscape sketchbook allows you to paint horizontal landscapes without crossing the trenches. 

Weight of the Paper 

The weight of the paper is basically the thickness of the paper. Weight can be measured in pounds or grams. 70 g/m2 paper is thinner than 300 g/m2 paper. Light-colored paper, for example, less than 100 g/m2 or about 100 g/m2, is suitable for dry media. Heavyweight paper works well with wet media such as watercolor and acrylic. If you want to work with watercolors, you can get at least 200g/m2. Thick paper means it is less likely to warp when water hits the surface. Water jets move across the surface, forming pools of water and drying out, which can cause reflux. If you like markers, use thicker papers because markers tend to smudge across the page. For markers, use paper heavier than 200 g/m2.

Paper Type 

A drawing book can be plain, cartridge, watercolor, plain (light) or black paper. Cartridge paper is for illustrations and drawings. They vary in weight and have a fine to medium (sometimes called fine or medium grain) texture. They are ideal for drawing with a pen, ink or pencil. Due to their weight and surface finish, different types of paper are suitable for different purposes. Watercolor paper is processed with a layer of gelatin or coating. This measure brightens the watercolor and holds it on the surface. Size affects how dry the paper is. For watercolor paper, it is important to consider the cotton content. The higher the cotton content, the stronger the paper will be. Made from 100% cotton, durable, it can be washed many times. In the case of bad wood paper, you will see the fibers of the paper loosen when you fold multiple layers of washes. 100% cotton paper is expensive but well worth it. Some papers contain a blend of cotton and wood to keep costs down. Some artists use watercolor paper to work with colored pencils, but 100% cotton sketches are rare because they like the quality of the paper. Another type of paper is mixed media which has a different surface texture. Some are smooth, some are rough. They are famously known to take dry and wet media. The mixed media papers with a soft and smooth texture are ideal for pencils and pens. 

Color of the Paper 

Not all drawing book papers are white. Some books offer white, cream or yellow paper for drawing. The cream-colored paper gives the design a warm look. Using white paper improves color rendering, but depending on the type of white paper, watercolor may fade. Toned papers are great for toning and stock photography. Black paper tends to separate subjects so that the audience can focus on them. If you are using colored paper, we recommend using a white pencil or pen to highlight and enlarge the image.