While I can’t say I’ve tested out every single watercolor sketchbook, I have used a few of them enough over the years to have three good watercolor sketchbooks to recommend to you today.

You would think that a watercolor sketchbook is a watercolor sketchbook. That all sketchbooks labeled “for watercolor or wet media” would work for watercolors. But if you’re here reading this post, it’s likely you have come to the realization that not all watercolor sketchbooks are created equal.

In fact, there isn’t even one BEST watercolor sketchbook to rule them all. I can’t with a clear conscious tell you that. I couldn’t even title this blog post “The Best Watercolor Sketchbook” - even though that would be catchy, wouldn’t it?

What I have learned over time is that I’ve found a few watercolor sketchbooks that are appropriate for different purposes, mediums, and techniques. That’s what I’ll be sharing with you here today.

Before I dive into each of the sketchbooks, I want to preface this with saying that the three recommended sketchbooks all fall within a similar price point. I wouldn’t say that they are the most budget-friendly, because you can find less expensive sketchbooks which will accept watercolor medium just fine. However, if you’ve been there and done that, and you’re looking for something better, then the following recommendations should be helpful!

Stillman & Birn Beta

Stillman & Birn sketchbooks are great quality and well known. I personally have used the Beta series the most with watercolor work. The pages take watercolor and other media well, but it’s also not a sketchbook that I use when I want to see the effects of watercolor really shine through - like those beautiful soft wet-on-wet edges and gradients.

This sketchbook has a smooth surface (like hot press paper) and also receives watercolor the way that hotpress paper would, resulting in a more “illustrative look” - as lesat thats the way I would describe it.

Overview Notes:

• Smooth surface - great for illustrative ink & wash, sketch journaling

• Thick pages - can take a lot of water and heavier media

• Not great for getting wet-on-wet watercolor effects like soft edges and gradients

• Does not open flat easily (spine needs to be ‘bent back’)

• Does not have an elastic band closure

• Not 100% cotton paper, forumated for mixed media

• No noticeable difference between the results on the “fronts” and “backs” of the pages

I like it for:

• Ink & Wash

• Sketch journaling

• Pencil & dry media

• Gouache

• See a flipthrough of my Stillman & Birn Beta Sketchbook

Pentalic Aqua Journal 

The Pentalic Aqua Journal is the sketchbook that I’ve repurchased the most number of times in numerous formats and sizes. All around, I think this has the best ability to work with both inking (lines and writing) and watercolor at the same time. The paper also accepts watercolor nicely and you can get most of the nice watercolor effects - at least the “essence” of them.

Overview Notes

• Lightly textured surface - works for both watercolor and ink lines

• Will warp if painting very wet (typical of all watercolor papers)

• Pretty good for getting watercolor effects

• Opens flat enough to do a whole painting across the spread

• Elastic band closure

• Elastic brush holder (I’ve used when traveling)

• Interior pocket for small papers and notes

• Not 100% cotton paper

• Slight difference between the ‘front’ and the ‘back’ of the pages, results will change depending on what side you’re using

I like it for:

• Watercolor studies or less formal paintings - I think of this as my “practice sketchbook”

• Loose ink & wash paintings

• Using it as a “travel” sketchbook

• See a flipthrough of my Pentalic Sketchbook

Etchr Sketchbook

My first Etchr Sketchbook was generously gifted to me from a member of my painting community. And I finally understood why she had raved about it so much. This sketchbook is THE sketchbook if you’re looking to see those wet-on-wet watercolor effects come through in a sketchbook.

The site says this paper is ideal for mixed media, but it’s made of acid-free 100% cotton cold pressed paper, which really makes it perfect for watercolor. Even with that being said, it doesn’t make it the best sketchbook for everyone. For example, if you really love ink & wash or enjoy a more illustrative ‘marker-like’ look to your paintings, or you simply don’t really need or want to benefit from seeing those wet-on-wet effects, then this might not be the sketchbook for you.

Overview Notes

• Coldpress textured surface - great for watercolor painting

• Will warp if painting very wet (typical of all watercolor papers)

• Great for getting wet-on-wet effects - the most ‘true’ to painting watercolor paper

• Lays flat

• Elastic band closure

• Interior pocket for small papers and notes

• 100% cotton acid-free paper

• Slight difference in texture between the ‘front’ and the ‘back’ of the pages - does not affect the “performance”

I like it for:

• Wet watercolor scenes

• Ink & wash paintings

• Pencil & dry media

• See a flipthrough of my Etchr Sketchbook

My Favorite Sketchbook for Watercolors

If you asked me to pick just ONE sketchbook and that was the only sketchbook I could use forever, then I would hands down pick the Etchr Sketchbook. I may not be able claim that it’s the BEST one out there (maybe the best one is actually one that you make yourself out of your preferred watercolor paper?), but I can definitely claim that it’s my favorite.

The paper is the most versatile because it performs beautifully with watercolors, but can be used for mixed media. It’s also acid-free which means the paper will stand the test of time. And finally, from a purely aesthetic viewpoint, it’s prettiest - I love the white cotton cover.

I hope that this post was informative and helps you decide on your next sketchbook! Do you have a sketchbook recommendation for me? Leave it in the comments below!

Susan