PRO 14x20cm/5.5x7.8in Fabriano Artistico 300g CP nat.w Original 100% cotton Fabriano Artistico paper placed in a beautiful hardback. Here is a real premium sketchbook. Autodesk PSG Sketchbook Pro 7 Autodesk SketchBook Pro 7 is made for everyone who loves to draw. From the natural drawing experience of the pencil tool, to the new Perspective Guides, Flipbook, enhanced layer editor with new blending modes, gradient flood fills, the all-new SketchBook Pro (available for both Windows and Mac) is an essential tool for digital artists of all skill levels.
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The Autodesk SketchBook Pro software is a fantastic alternative to Photoshop and other painting programs. It’s a cheap yet usable program that runs on all platforms including tablets.
Learning the SketchBook interface comes with time and practice but tutorials can really speed up that process.
So I’ve curated the absolute best tuts online both free and paid options. If you’re looking to dive right into SketchBook then this guide is sure to have everything you need.
Free Tutorials
It makes sense to start with free video lessons because not everyone wants to invest time into learning a program. But free lessons can also feel limited so they should be just the beginning.
These are some of my top recommendations if you’re unsure of where to start and don’t have a budget for learning.
Basics to SketchBook Pro 6
I’m a big fan of all the Toonboxstudio videos and this one offers a complete basics intro guide to SketchBook Pro 6.
As of this writing the current version is SketchBook 7 but all the lessons still apply.
It’s a one hour video and it covers a lot of material. You’ll learn how to edit preferences, rotate the canvas, and work with all the various tools along with some handy keyboard shortcuts. Definitely keep this one saved if you’re looking for a strong start.
SketchBook Pro For Beginners
Concept artist Trent Kaniuga teaches this detailed guide to the SketchBook software. It’s also a fairly lengthy video totaling just over 30 minutes with plenty of visual guides for beginners.
The goal of Trent’s video is to teach SketchBook from a practical perspective. You’ll learn how to use the software for real-world situations and it’s a fantastic exercise for getting into the details.
You can find lots of similar videos on Trent’s YouTube page and they’re all pretty detailed too.
Coloring A Character
For a much more specific tutorial check out this tut explaining how to color a character design using SketchBook.
Note this starts with a digital sketch and the whole hour-long tutorial explains how to color that sketch. It’s not a complete guide from scratch so it helps if you already know how to sketch and have some ideas down in B&W.
The techniques are fantastic and should apply to pretty much all coloring projects from cartoons to concept art.
SketchBook Pro 7 Coloring
Wacom’s YouTube channel actually has a few guided tutorials and lessons on popular painting software. This one covers tips & tricks for artists just starting to learn the SketchBook Pro 7 software.
It’s a quick video only 11 minutes long but it’s a great resource once you know the basics.
The video instructor Kevin Mellon is a storyboard artist on the animated show Archer. He covers a lot of the best tricks for coloring accurately and getting the most out of this software.
SketchBook Blend Modes
Here’s one other Toonboxstudio video and this one goes a lot further into detail on coloring. It talks about blend modes for artists and how to use these blend modes to your advantage.
Artist Paris Christou shares real-world ideas and even uses sample artwork to show how blend modes fit naturally into an artist’s workflow.
Honestly not a super long tutorial but it’s just one of many in the series of SketchBook Pro videos on their channel.
Sketchbook Pro 7 FlipBook Tutorial
This one is probably a lot better for animators than concept artists but it’s still a fantastic guide.
The flipbook tutorial video teaches how to work with this new feature in SketchBook Pro 7. It’s a great skill to pick up if you can learn to master and put it to good use. But of course this will take time.
Premium Tutorials
To get real detailed with Sketchbook then you’ll want to premium lessons. There aren’t too many paid courses out there but I usually recommend the ones from Pluralsight because they’re detailed and very easy to understand.
Feel free to check Google and see what’s out there but these are my top picks and they’re all fantastic.
Professional Tips for Creating Thumbnails in SketchBook Pro
The process of thumbnailing is crucial to concept art, animation, and really all forms of visual art.
In this video course you’ll learn how to create thumbnails rapidly for all types of projects. SketchBook Pro has some great features for this and since you’re working digitally it’s a lot easier to fix mistakes.
It lasts about 2 hours long and contains a bunch of tips for sketching creatures, characters, and lots of unique ideas visually.
Drawing Character Model Sheets in SketchBook Pro
All entertainment artists use model sheets from 2D animation to 3D character modeling. But artists usually start with drawings because they’re easier to craft and they work as a base idea for designers.
Digital artist Eddie Russell explains these concepts in his premium course on designing model sheets with SketchBook Pro.
It has a ton of video content totaling over 3 hours of lessons and guided exercises. You’ll learn how to create different views for models and how to best showcase your character model designs visually.
Creating Rapid Character Concepts in SketchBook Pro
Looking for a great course on designing character concepts from scratch? Then this one is a great place to start.
It comes with the Pluralsight package so if you sign up for a free trial you get access to this course along with all the others.
It’s an intermediate-level course so it helps if you already know how to draw/paint and maybe know your way around the SketchBook software too. But you’ll learn a lot about rapid prototyping and working fast, two things you’ll need if you want to go pro in the concept art industry.
Creating Copic Marker Illustrations in SketchBook Pro
SketchBook Pro has features that let you transfer your digital designs into traditional mediums and in this course you’ll learn to master that process.
It’s not a classic course but it’s perfect for anyone who likes to draw manga or create their own cartoony character styles.
Anyone who loves traditional art will enjoy this course. And it’s a great resource because you’re learning about shadows, lighting, and color selection along with SketchBook Pro’s many tools.
Creating Automotive Concepts in SketchBook Pro
Vehicle designers are in high demand for quality concept art. If you love vehicles or props in general then it helps to specialize and build your skills.
This video course spans 3.5 hours long and teaches you step-by-step how to design auto concepts in SketchBook Pro. It’s not meant just for concept artists but it works incredibly well for anyone in that field(or anyone hoping to break in).
It claims to be an intermediate course but the early videos teach a lot about the basics of the software, so really I think anyone could follow this and learn a lot.
SketchBook Pro 7 Essential Training
I wanna make one honorary mention to this Lynda.com course because it really is fantastic for beginners.
All of their “essential training” videos cover a lot of ground and this one’s no different. It’s over two hours long and focuses on the most recent version of SketchBook Pro.
The only trouble is that Lynda’s library does not have many other SketchBook tutorials. Since you’d be paying for monthly access to the whole library it makes way more sense to go with Pluralsight because they offer so much more.
Still if you’re already in Lynda or if you might want to study other Lynda courses then totally give this one a chance.
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Every artist needs a sketchbook to draw on the go and to quickly capture ideas. But picking the right sketchbook can be dizzying with so many options, not to mention different sketchbooks excel at different things(charcoal, toned paper, markers).
If you just need a solid reliable sketchbook for drawing then your best choice is the Pentalic Sketch Book with a spiral bound spine. All pages measure close to A4 size and they’re all perforated so you can tear out any sketches that you wanna keep.
Also the hardbound covers can offer working surfaces to draw anywhere! You can take this sketchbook to the park, on the train, or anywhere you want to draw.
Pentalic Wirebound Sketchbook
This Pentalic sketchbook is sturdy and super easy to carry around. The strong front & back covers are easy to lean against when sketching and the wire binding stays out of the way whether you’re drawing, painting, or just doodling.
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But you should know that not all sketchbooks are made equal.
Pentalic is a solid choice for someone just looking to sketch—but what about doing finished drawings? Or rendering with chalk or ink?
In this guide I’ll explain the different types of sketchbooks and how to select the best one for your needs.
What To Look For
The first thing you need to consider is why you’re getting a sketchbook and how it’ll be used.
Do you want to draw illustrations and color with marker? Or do you want to use watercolors? Or maybe you want toned paper to work on a fixed background.
There are so many different styles to choose with different sizes, brands, and paper types. Most beginner artists just need a simple sketchbook with white paper that works.
In this case the Pentalic mentioned above is excellent.
But let’s take a look at the different options you might consider:
If you just want a simple sketchbook then the A4 size should be enough. But if you plan to use it for full drawings then you might want something a larger to show off your skills.
I always prefer spiral-bound over hardbound because it feels better for sketching on the go. However when drawing at a desk or on a board the spirals can elevate the book, tilting unevenly to one side.
Sketchbook orientations can always be changed by flipping to page. But you also have to consider where the binding is and if that’ll get in the way of sketching.
All these features can drive you batty if you’re brand new to sketching.
However as you progress and improve you’ll learn a lot about paper types and artistic mediums. You’ll learn which sketchbooks work best for you and which don’t.
My goal with this post is to save you time by helping you pick the right sketchbook for any situation. I’ve organized my top 10 picks here, but if you have other suggestions feel free to share and maybe we can add them to the list.
Pentalic Sketch Spiral BoundSketchbook Pro Buy
First up is my top pick for beginners and advanced artists alike. The Pentalic spiral-bound sketchbook has a sturdy construction, 160 pages, and thick paper quality so you can draw heavy & dark without bleeding through.
If you plan to use markers then you’ll want another book. However these pages can hold up with ink, colored pencils, or even very light markers(probably not markers like Prisma).
It measures the standard A4 size of 8.5″ by 11″ so this should feel like drawing on copy paper. Each page is actually pretty smooth too, so it does replicate the feel of copy paper if you’re used to that texture.
The hard covers are strong and will not bend or risk damage your drawings. It also makes the perfect surface to lean against if you don’t have a desk or board handy.
For the price it’s a great buy and you get plenty of pages to work through.
I recommend this Pentalic sketchbook if you need a durable choice to dive in and start sketching. It’s not great for finished work, although you can bring some drawings to a complete render if you wish.
Moleskine Art Plus
The classic Moleskine Art Plus is a favorite among artists, designers, and writers alike. It’s a universally-loved sketchbook because the brand is trustworthy and the quality is noticeable.
The Art Plus sketchbook is small yet versatile. It measures 5″ x 8.25″ so you can take this pretty much anywhere. It’s a fantastic portable sketchbook that really feels like a quality design.
All of the 104 pages are thread bound meaning they use thread to keep them together. This is a staple of Moleskine notebooks and it’s one reason why people love them so much.
This model is a hardback sketchbook which I find ideal for artists. But they do have paperback sketchbooks if you prefer that style.
I think the hardback is better for resting your palm and for keeping the inner pages free of crinkles. It’s not super hard but it’s definitely strong enough to stand on its own.
You’ll get plain white paper that can hold well through ink and pencil. Plus the book comes with a wrapper elastic to mark your place wherever you leave off. This is a neat little feature so you don’t have to flip around to find the next blank page.
Overall a brilliant sketchbook or notebook for any purpose. Moleskine is top quality and if you’re OK with a classic spine then you can’t go wrong with the Art Plus.
Leda Art Supply Sketchbook
Leda is another big brand that makes their own sketchbooks for artists of all types. This particular model comes in three sizes: small(3.5″ x 5.5″), medium(5.5″ x 8.2″), and large(7″ x 10″).
The smallest size is really damn small but perfect for on the go. It’s really just a doodling book because the size limits how much you can draw.
Both the medium and large sketchbooks are made for fairly adept artists who want a sizable surface for drawing. They all have the same cover design, paper quality, and number of pages(160 total).
These pages are dense and they can easily support graphite, ink, or charcoal. This is a softcover sketchbook so it is flexible and easy to bend. Great for storage, not so great for keeping your pages straight.
And the Leda sketchbooks use a sewn binding which is much stronger than any glue or adhesive. It’s truly an au naturale sketchbook for artists, writers, draftsmen, animators… pretty much anyone!
Leda’s quality is just as great as Moleskine. The biggest benefit here is the softcover binding and the higher number of pages.
Canson Artist Series
If we’re talking quality brands then Canson has to come up. They make some of the best art supplies and paper products around.
They have an entire line of Artist Series Sketchbooks all with perforated pages, a spiral binding, and a softcover design.
With this series of sketchbooks you have four different sizes to pick from:
The largest size is really huge and measures two feet wide!
The 18″ sketchbook is the only one with a landscape orientation so if you’re looking for a super long sketchbook it’s gonna be your best bet.
All other sizes use portrait orientation and they all share the same spiral binding.
One thing you might not like is the cover design. It uses ugly Canson branding with splash artwork as a marketing ploy. Most artists(myself included) prefer the solid black color.
But this is only a beauty mark and it does not affect the quality of the pages.
Each sketchbook comes with 100 full pages and supports dry mediums like graphite along with charcoal.
Canson is a reputable brand so their Artist Series is a great choice, especially if you’re looking for a long landscape-oriented sketch pad.
Strathmore Field Sketch
I’ve been using the Strathmore Field Sketcbook for years and it’s one of my favorites. Not super thick but also not super small.
It only comes with 70 pages which is on the lighter side. But every sheet is made from recycled paper which is eco friendly and often a selling point for artists.
There is some grit to the pages and they have their own “tooth” and texture. These pages are definitely not flat so they can be nice for rendering(although it is sketchbook paper).
The front & back are completely hardcover which is great for artists who like to draw everywhere. And the spiral binding doesn’t interfere when laying flat on the table. This is one of the few spiral-bound sketchbooks that actually lays flat(or close to flat).
Strathmore’s field sketchbook has my seal of approval for beginners and experienced artists alike.
It does not have many pages but every sheet comes from recycled paper and they some nice texture to avoid that flat feeling.
Pro Art Spiral Bound
The Pro Art spiral-bound sketchbook is yet another A4 8.5″ by 11″ option for artists. This is much cheaper than others because the brand isn’t as well known.
But the paper quality is similar and it works just like every other bound sketchbook.
However one big downside is the quantity. You only get 80 sheets of paper which is still pretty low considering others come with 160.
But every sheet is perforated and comes with a bit of texture too. This is high-quality thick paper made for ink or pencil and charcoal. Probably won’t support watercolors though.
All-in-all a decent buy for the price. It’s nothing special but it does provide a sturdy sketching experience from start to finish.
Strathmore Spiral Toned Sketch
There are dozens of toned sketchbooks to try with different shades of tan or grey. And the Strathmore Toned Tan sketchbook is an excellent choice for breaking into the world of toned sketchbooks.
This one is dirt cheap since it only comes with 50 pages and it’s fairly small measuring 5.5″ x 8.5″.
But the page quality is superb and it’s my favorite shade amongst all the tanned sketchbooks.
You can hit this paper with anything from graphite to charcoal, chalk to China markers or colored pencils. It’ll hold up with so many different mediums that it’s basically a universal sketchbook.
Seriously this paper quality is incredible. You can absolutely use this to create finished drawings with any medium you like.
And Strathmore has many other toned sketchbooks if you’re looking for a different size or color.
Either way I highly recommend Strathmore for toned work(specifically for beginners). As you get better working on toned paper you can certainly branch out and try others too.
Rendr Hardbound Sketchbook
If you’re looking for a thick sketchbook that’ll handle any materials then take a peek at the Rendr Hardbound Sketchbook.
It’s surprisingly cheap for such durable paper, although you only get 48 total pages. But you can use everything from ink to copic markers. Nothing will bleed through to the other side.
When you draw with marker it does tend to bleed into the surrounding creases on that side of the paper, but nothing that’s noticeable. It certainly won’t ruin your drawing and you’ll learn to control it with time.
With this hardback book you’ll have no trouble finding a surface to draw on. However it does slant a bit when laying flat on the table so you’ll need to consider that before buying.
Finding a quality sketchbook that also supports markers is a huge task. But Render’s hardbound sketchbook is a brilliant choice for this exact task.
I won’t go so far as to say Render makes the best sketchbook for markers. But I will say it’s in the top five and it’s a brilliant beginner’s book for getting into copic/prisma coloring.
GAM Landscape Sketchbook
One thing I like about the Global Art Materials sketchbooks is the diversity of styles. Take for example their large landscape sketchbook measuring 5.5″ x 8.25″ with a total of 128 acid-free pages.
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From this basic setup you can choose between four different colors for the cover(red, blue, black, and green). And you can pick from five different sizes that also support these differently colored covers.
Even the “large” sketchbooks are still pretty small. Surprisingly these are resilient sketchbooks that can take pretty much anything.
You can go to town with markers, graphite, charcoal, any type of ink… pretty much any mediums can work well in this sketchbook. However watch out for watercolors because they may not bleed through, but they can crinkle the pages.
The sheer variety and style of this sketchbook makes it perfect as a travel companion. If you’re looking for a sturdy binding with smaller dimensions then this is your book.
Stillman & Birn Hardbound Landscape
The Stillman & Birn Alpha Series has a number of great sketchbooks. I’m specifically focusing on their hardbound landscape sketchbook measuring a lofty 9″ x 6″.
It’s surprising how few artists know about this brand. They certainly aren’t popular worldwide but their quality is superb. It’s also tough to find such great paper mixed into a hardcover landscape-oriented sketchbook.
The paper is thick and textured. It comes with a Bristol vellum surface which is tailor made for grabbing any type of pencil, charcoal, crayon, or any similar dry medium.
You only get 62 pages which can be a letdown since the price is higher than most sketchbooks. But if you’re willing to give this a shot then you might be pleasantly surprised with the paper quality—surprised enough to stick with it even with a 62-page sketchbook.
If you’re a complete beginner I’d recommend the Stillman & Birn Gamma sketchbook which uses the portrait orientation while keeping the vellum paper.
Strathmore 400 Field Watercolor
If you were waiting for a watercolor-focused sketchbook then you’ve finally found it! The Strathmore 400 series comes in landscape orientation with a spiral binding which is perfect for resting on an easel or a drawing board, indoors or outdoors.
I’m not usually a huge fan of the fixed binding but you could also look into the Strathmore STR-483-5. However that one only comes with 24 pages while the Strathmore 400 has a total of 30 pages(mixing cold press watercolor and sketch).
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Strathmore’s field books are some of the best and the spiral binding makes them super easy to leave open anywhere while you work.
I cannot recommend this enough for watercolorists. The paper quality is superb and yes it can be a bit pricey. But it’s also one of the strongest bindings you’ll find.
If you’re looking for a portrait orientation then check out the Pentalic Watercolor Dream Catcher. It has a similar design with stronger pages, yet no spiral binding(unfortunately).
Hardcover Art Alternatives Sketchbook
Looking for the strongest sketchbook known to man? Want something so huge and bulky that it’ll take you months, if not years, to complete?
Then you’ll adore the Very Big Sketchbook made by Art Alternatives.
This thing is absolutely massive totaling 300 pages(front and back) for a total of 600 sides of paper to sketch your heart away.
I’m not a huge fan of the binding style but it is very high quality. This paper can support gel pens, fountain pens, all forms of graphite/carbon and even some watercolors. But I don’t recommend this as a watercolor sketchbook.
Instead this works better for artists who want to watch their progression over time. In the span of 300 pages you can make a lot of progress, do a lot of studies, and learn so many techniques.
I’d recommend this more for beginner-to-intermediate artists who want to keep it as a journal of their artwork. This thing is massive but it also offers a great drawing experience with thick pages and a hard cover design.
Best Toned Sketchbook
So what is the best toned sketchbook? Depending on what color, size, and orientation you want, this is a tough question to answer well.
But overall I do recommend the Strathmore spiral toned pads for the paper quality and binding.
Spiral bound sketchbooks are just easier to work with(in my opinion) and they offer more flexibility whether you’re drawing on a drawing board or drawing outside in the grass. The only thing I don’t like is the size. The tanned tone sketch pad measures 5.5″ x 8.5″ which feels a bit small to me.
Some artists like to use the gray toned sketchpad which is just as great. It’s a lot bigger(9″ x 12″) and somewhat easier for beginners to pick up.
If you’re new to shading and lighting then a toned sketchbook won’t help you master shadows, lights, or rendering. But a toned sketchbook can help you understand how rendering works and how you can choose to leave out(or add) certain details.
But overall my #1 recommendation here is the Strathmore toned sketchbook.
Best Sketchbook For Markers
There are so many different types of markers that you can use for coloring. How do you even begin looking for sketchbooks?
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As a general recommendation I like the Global Art Materials large landscape sketchbook which holds up well with all markers. It comes in many colors and has an elastic wrap to keep your pages bookmarked.
But this isn’t always the best choice since even their largest sketchbook is still kinda small(5″ x 8″).
If you want a large sketch pad for markers then the Canson XL Series is perfect. The smallest Canson size is equal to GAM’s largest sketchbook. And the Canson XL can be purchased as large as 18″ x 24″ which is a huge area for drawing/coloring.
Again this all boils down to your needs. Both are great, yet both work best for different scenarios.
Go with the GAM sketchbook if you’ll be coloring for fun or if you want a portable sketchbook. The Canson XL series is better for larger studies.
Finding Your Sketchbook
Ultimately the best sketchbook is the one that works for you. They all come in different sizes, shapes, bindings, and with a large variety of paper styles.
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Picking the best sketchbook is a tough call, especially as a beginner. But it gets easier if you know exactly what you want. I recommend the Pentalic Sketch Book specifically for newer artists who just need a sketchbook to practice more often.
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But there is no “wrong” answer so take a look around and see what you can find.
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