Moleskine - Art Collection Sketchbook - Sketchbook, Hardcover with Elastic Closure - Paper Suitable for Pens, Pencils, Pastels - Black Color - Large 13 x 21 cm, 104 Pages.

Throughout my student art days I've owned many sketchbooks of various sizes and quality (Usually bought based on the amount of pages and the price). This is my first Moleskine.I bought this Moleskine to try and get me back into the habit of sketching and drawing, and away from the computer screen.It's a lovely sketchbook, it's a perfect size to slip in a bag or big pocket. The cover is sturdy and has so far stopped any damage to the pages within.Inside the pages are a slightly creamy colour which took me a couple of minutes to get used to. But I don't notice anymore. The paper stock is pleasingly heavy and I have yet to experience any bleed through - even after using marker pens. I'm sure the pages will hold up to paint as well.The pages are bound so they lie flat while you work. I love this feature (I used to prefer spiral bindings). The binding saves you from breaking the spine by folding the pages the wrong way or by placing a heavy object on the corner of the page to keep the pages flat. It also enables your work to flow right to the spine.The sketchbook has a useful pouch on the back cover which I sometimes use to hold collected ephemera. There's also a useful band to hold the covers shut and a bookmark ribbon to mark your page - which I must admit I don't really use.I guess the only negative I can think of is the price, but it's a classy, high quality sketchbook. I'm no longer as prolific when it comes to churning out pages and pages of sketchbook work so I feel it will last me a while and the fact that it's got me sketching again is priceless.

The rose I’m in the middle of drawing is on the top most page, so you can imagine the quality of the paper for the rest of the book!This is my first Moleskine. I usually use mixed media books as well as lower quality paper, so this is my first investment into a sketchbook that was recommended by a friend.The paper is very thick and creamy in colour. There’s also a little pocket in the back for any extra papers. The book size is not too small or compact- big enough for comfortable drawing and sketching on a small scale, I’d say around A5.Highly highly recommend. The increased price tag is well worth the investment- as quality drawing tools are every artists fancy!

As an artist it's one of those things I've never done that I know I should, keep a sketchbook.So knowing several artists that always refer to their 'Moleskin' I thought I would go for one and see why everyone seems to drift towards them for art.I was suitably impressed, the price was actually less than I thought it might be. The sketchbook is great quality, sturdy bound, elastic to keep it closed and a ribbon to keep your place along with a nice little pouch in the back cover.Most importantly the paper of the pages is great. Much thicker than I thought it would be, I use it almost entirely for ink and my rotring art pen (a fountain pen) works flawlessly on it. There is no bleed through from normal ink pens although if you use heavy spirit marker types it may bleed through. Due to the thickness of the paper I would imagine you could use light washes ok without too much buckling although I have not tried.I've started taking it out with me when walking or cycling and stopping to create sketches of things I find when I'm out and about.

I really like moleskin as they provide durable and efficient sketchbooks although I do not suggest purchasing this for watercolour, ink or paint of any sort. It is definitely not suitable for alcohol markers or normal pens as they bleed fully through the paper. The pad doesn't lay flat which is annoying but expected for an item of such cheap price. Overall, I am pleased with the sketchbook as I have a plastic sheet to prevent my pens from bleeding through. Great quality and price.

Having filled over three dozen of these over the years this is by some distance my favourite sketchbook. It is small enough to fit into a large jacket pocket, or a small bag, has hard durable covers, an elastic band to keep it closed and a bookmark ribbon. The lightly buff coloured pages are perfect for pencil sketching, my preferred medium, or any dry medium and can take a brush pen line but are too thin for watercolour. Page binding his also very durable but if I have one criticism, it is that the pages do not lie completely flat when scanning and must be weighed down with a heavy book or other object. For any medium, including watercolour and for bound pages that do lie completely flat, I would recommend the Pith brand but the equivalent size sketchbook appears in short supply and is impossible to find. So, Pith for A4, Moleskine for A5 and smaller.

Love this brand. Super good for a sketch journal.

This large sketchbook is the perfect size for me, each page is just a little bigger than my hand when relaxed. The paper is a nice weight and the surface is silky smooth.Inside the back cover is a pocket to keep various bits and pieces of paper in and because it opens inwards and seems to have strong joints to the book it seems like a great addition.The best bit of the book is that because of the spine design you can open the book right out and litterally have any two page spread flat accross each other. This means you don't have to have a regular sketchbook and not be able to sketch accross pages without seriously destroying the spine, and you don't have to delve into the ring-bound sketchbooks.The hard cover seems pretty hard wearing and a good choice of material to protect all of those sketches buried deep inside.Plus, the value for money from Amazon when i bought it is superb!!