Top 7 Sketchbooks

Bliss. Fabriano's paper-bound artist's journal contains a range of Ingres laid papers in neutral tones including Warm White, Hazel Brown, Ash, Flet Blue, light Green and Ivory. An ideal sketchbook for those who favor charcoal drawing (try carbone pencils, which won't make such a mess when you travel), as well as Trois Crayons technique and pastel. These do have mixed reviews - some criticism of the quality control and the stiff glue binding.

If you like to tear the occasional page out to give to a friend (or file in the trashcan!), then a wirebound book is a good choice. I'm not personally keen on them, as I don't like the wire spirals against other books on my shelf or in my bag, but many artists prefer them. The spiral binding allows them to lay open or with the front pages flipped behind the back, which is useful when working outdoors - hence the name Field Sketchbook. It has 80 pages of acid-free, 65 lb / 96 gsm paper, with a robust board cover and double wire binding.

HandBook Journals are really beautiful and my daughter's current favorite. With gorgeous buff-colored paper and curved corners. They are somewhat similar to a Moleskine, but with much heavier 130gsm paper, which has perhaps a little more tooth, and suitable for pencil or pen-and-ink drawing. Available in a range of colors, formats and sizes, 128 pages, cloth bound. I particularly like the landscape format.