I designed this handmade hardback sketchbook with 300gsm Fabriano Artistico watercolour paper especially for artists, after I couldn't find one for myself.
The 100% cotton, mould-made, heavy weight paper is far superior to the cheap machine-made, wood pulp-based paper found in most sketchbooks. It is highly stable and durable, with a refined surface, resists warping with wet media, and can be worked on both sides.
As standard I use Hot Press Extra White because it is the most versatile surface; smooth enough for ink drawing yet textured enough for charcoal; suitable for highly-detailed painting in watercolour, gouache and acrylic, and oils too if primed first. I also offer Cold Press Extra White for artists who prefer thicker, softer, more absorbent paper with a rougher texture.
The book opens completely flat, so you can work across both pages as a single piece.
The hardback cover is made from 2.5mm board, and premium quality, tough, thick, wipeable black archival buckram.
The binding is kettle stitched, glued three times and reinforced with linen tape and mull, so it is extremely strong. Meanwhile the pH neutral glue is reversible, so the book can be deconstructed if necessary.
40 pages / 80 sides, plus two end papers made from 300gsm Bockingford watercolour paper. Paper size: 28x19cm portrait, deckled/torn on all sides with a watermark on some pages. Vegan-friendly.
All books are entirely hand-made by me in my London studio. If you need a specific size, cover or paper please get in touch.
I currently have some Traditional White in stock, in case you prefer a more yellow-white colour.
