Home The Best Mixed Media Sketchbooks in 2023

The Best Mixed Media Sketchbooks in 2023

by Sarah Jones
10 minutes read
Best Mixed Media Sketchbooks

A sketchbook is an ultimate accessory for an artist to either carry with them consistently or house somewhere special for when inspiration strikes.

We’ve shored up 10 of the most popular mixed-media sketchbooks and art books to give you the type of inspiration that only those fresh, inviting pages of a new art journal can!

Best Mixed Media Sketchbooks:

1. Canson XL Series Mix Media Paper Pad

Canson XL Series Mix Media Paper Pad, Heavyweight, Fine Texture, Heavy Sizing for Wet and Dry Media, Side Wire Bound, 98 Pound, 7 x 10 Inch, 60 Sheets - 100510926

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Consumers that participated in a Canson Mixed Media Sketchbook review focused on their appreciation for the integrity of the paper, with zero to very minimal bleed, depending on the type of media being used.

Artists also appreciate the spiral binding that allows the Canson XL Series pad to take up minimal space, while still offering a large enough page space for most projects.

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2. Strathmore 566-8 500 Series Hardbound Mixed Media Art Journal

Strathmore 566-8 500 Series Hardbound Mixed Media Art Journal, 8.5"x11" 32 Sheets

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While it is perfect for nearly any type of media project, many consumers who have purchased the Strathmore 500 series art journal praise it for its ability to endure wet media, especially watercolor, thanks to the thickness of the paper. It is also available in several other sizes.

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3. Arteza Mixed Media Sketchbooks, Pack of 2, 9 x 12 Inches, 60-Sheet Drawing Pads, 110lb/180gsm Acid-Free Paper, Micro-Perforated, Spiral-Bound, Art Supplies for Wet and Dry Media

Arteza Mixed Media Sketchbooks, Pack of 2, 9 x 12 Inches, 60-Sheet Drawing Pads, 110lb/180gsm Acid-Free Paper, Micro-Perforated, Spiral-Bound, Art Supplies for Wet and Dry Media

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Get your two-pack of ARTEZA Sketch Books today and enjoy the high-quality paper and the thick, heavy-duty backing that provides you with extremely firm backing when you are drawing out in the field.

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4. Travelogue Drawing Book, Ivory Black Artist Journal

Travelogue Drawing Book, Square 5-1/2 x 5-1/2, Ivory Black Artist Journal

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This Travelogue drawing book is available in six different sizes ranging from the Pocket Portrait size at 5.5” x 3.5” and Pocket Landscape size at 3.5” x 5.5” up to the Grand Portrait size at 10” x 8.25”. However, the square artist journal is extremely popular, as square artist sketch pads are often more difficult to find.

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5. Canson Artist Series Mix Media Paper Pad for Wet or Dry Media

Canson Artist Series Mix Media Paper Pad for Wet or Dry Media, Dual Surface- Fine or Medium, Side Wire Bound, 138 Pound, 5.5 x 8.5 Inch, 30 Sheets

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The paper holds up very well to even very thick mediums, and many artists choose this Canson pad specifically for the paper’s weight and quality. You can do full paintings with acrylics or watercolors on both the front and back of the page in this specific notebook.

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6. Strathmore 400 Series Mixed Media Pad

Strathmore 400 Series Mixed Media Pad, 9"x12

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Many consumers and artists like this mixed media pad specifically because of the quality of the paper. They appreciate how well the paper holds up to heavier mediums such as watercolor, oil, acrylic, airbrush, and even alcohol-based markers (when not used in a multitude of layers).

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7. Stillman & Birn Beta Series Softcover Mixed Media Sketch Pad

Stillman & Birn Beta Series Softcover Sketchbook, 5.5" x 8.5", 270 gsm (Extra Heavyweight), White Paper, Cold Press Surface

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This mixed media sketch pad is built for serious use and is built to hold up to the most serious artist’s multi-layered art. It is one of the closest papers you will find to canvas inside of a modern sketchbook.

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8. Speedball Travelogue Watercolor Book Artist Journal, Large Portrait

Speedball Hand Trav-e-Logue Watercolor Book Artist Journal, Large Portrait, Natural

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This art journal is hand-bound using its signature binding process that includes sewing that allows the book to lie quite flat to take advantage of the front and both of each of the 60 pages (30 total sheets, front, and back). The paper is texturized on both sides to make it ideal for watercolor artists.

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9. Bellofy 100-Sheet Sketchpad Artist Pro, Watercolor, Acrylic Art Pad for Sketching

Bellofy 100-Sheet Sketchpad Artist Pro, Watercolor, Acrylic Art Pad for Sketching, Ink Sketch Book, Coloring Notebook - 98 Ib/160 g/m2-9 x 12 in Multi-Media Spiral Notebook, Drawing Paper, Drawing Pad

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There are 100 total sheets available for mixed media projects of your preference. The Bellofy Sketchpad Artist Pro comes complete with a thick cover and backing, giving you a sturdy surface to use when you are drawing away from a desk or flat surface.

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10. Hahnemuhle Bamboo Mixed Media Sketchbook

Hahnemuhle Bamboo Mixed Media Pad 3.2"x4.2"

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This mixed media sketchbook is perfect for the true mixed media artist because the highly sturdy paper will truly handle most art materials with durability and success. Alcohol marker is one medium that does tend to bleed through a bit, so be cautious if this is your medium of choice.

However, there is typically not any bleed-through or show-through with a regular marker, watercolor, or acrylic mediums. The texturized bamboo-based paper provides you with a nice flow as you work, while still preventing the bleed that frustrates artists so frequently.

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Conclusion

These are 10 of the best and most popular sketchbooks that will empower you to create your art, no matter what media you choose to work in. From varying sizes to varying bindings and covers, to varying types of paper weights, styles, and shades of color, there is truly a mixed media art pad for everyone.

Whether you are buying your first sketchbook, are already an established artist, simply looking to do some work on the go, or are simply looking for inspiration, there is the perfect mixed media sketchbook out there for you. No matter what media you like to work with, from colored pencils to watercolors, there is the perfect art book for you!

Don’t forget, sketchbooks and mixed media books make very creative gifts. Enjoy the process of creating in one of these fabulous art journals or giving someone the gift of a sketchbook as a medium to bring art to life!

 

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