Strathmore 566-5 500 Series Hardbound Mixed Media Art Journal, 5.5" x 8.5", White, 32 Count

I couldn't wait to get started painting in it; I'd been looking for a cheap sketchbook that could handle oil and acrylic paints. I've only worked with gouache so far. However, because gouache is a cross between acrylic and watercolor, I believe it would be able to handle both. The gouache painted on nicely and the paper barely buckled. WILL PURCHASE AGAINbr>I'm not sure how it'll work with markers because I don't use them, but it's great for waterbased mediums.

Leonard Moon

| Dec 22, 2020

Because I can not quite touch and feel the paper myself and have consequently ended up with garbage in the past, I am always hesitant about buying watercolor paper or its equivalent online br>br>When you first open it, there is an odor that I can't describe that takes a second to get used to, but it fades away after a few minutes. This is unmistakably HOT PRESS paper. br>br> This is not the sketchbook for you if you want a cold press sketchbook. However, if you need a hot press, it's great for fine details that don't bleed and sharp defined lines. br>br>Unless the paper is properly prepared and taped down, it will buckle. But it hasn't disintegrated or torn on me despite being submerged in a lot of water. I primarily use it for watercolors, and I enjoy layering my colors. I've never noticed it start to fall apart as a result of too much water. Others have done it to me before, so if you're looking for a watercolor notebook, this is a good option. The colors don't bleed through at all, at least not with gouache and watercolor. I'm not sure what you're talking about when it comes to copic markers. br>br>In conclusion, this is a good sketchbook. I had hoped for cold press paper, but aside from that disappointment, it's perfect for what I wanted it to be: a watercolor sketchbook.

Sam Warner

| Aug 09, 2021

Love it. I am unable to paint because I am confined to my motorized chair. Page by page, I paint in this book. I'm trying to keep all of my paintings in the same place. It's not as good as the canvases and glass windows I used to work with, but it's still good paper, and my acrylic paper holds my paint perfectly.

Jillian Grimes

| Dec 07, 2021

It's not terrible, but it's not something I'd buy again or recommend to someone who likes to experiment with a variety of mediums. br>For starters, I'm pretty gentle with my sketchbook, but the binding is starting to fall apart from regular use. Washi tape has a tendency to rip the page, so sticking it to your clothes first to get rid of some of the stickiness is a great idea. It's not even close to being flat. br>So far, I've worked with watercolor, ink, copic markers, acrylic paint, gouache, graphite pencils, and colored pencils. Watercolor has a tendency to warp the page. While I'm not bothered by this, I thought I'd bring it up. What bothers me, however, is that I noticed some bleed through spots into the back of the page while using multiple washes of watercolor. This was disappointing because I don't scrub the page very often or use a lot of wet-on-wet techniques. br>I used an ink/dip pen and it worked well. Because the pages aren't too textured, I was able to achieve the straight lines I desired. Because copic markers are alcohol-based, they will bleed through the majority of sketchbooks on the market. I wasn't surprised when the marker bled through the back of the page and onto the next sheet because I knew that. It's as if the paper was sucking all of the ink out of my markers and depositing it on the page. Knowing that Copics are costly markers, using them on this paper feels almost wasteful. br>Acrylic paint had the same effect on me. This is the primary medium in which I express myself. and despite the fact that I'm pretty good at making paint last, I felt like I used a lot more paint to cover the pages in this. I liked how flat it looked on the paper, though. Gouache worked similarly to acrylic, but I did dilute my gouache with a small amount of water, which caused it to peel the paper a little. br>On the plus side, I really like how graphite pencils work on this paper. They are difficult to smudge. It was also fine to use colored pencils. br> To summarize, this sketchbook appears to be ideal for beginning artists. I wouldn't recommend it because you could get a Stillman for less money. For a few dollars more, you can get a Birn sketchbook that works 10 times better. I'll keep using it until it's worn out, but given what else is available for the same price, I wouldn't buy it again.

Gracelyn O'Brien

| Jun 08, 2021

I've worked with watercolor and acrylic paints, as well as pens and markers. I've never had a notebook that was as tough as this one and could handle any medium. br>br>I've got another piece of paper that claims to be all-inclusive. medium/combination- medium, but this is the first one that does exactly what it claims. I'll be buying this journal for a long time, and I'd recommend it to any artist in need of a new sketchbook. It's a little on the expensive side, but it's well worth it. I'm eager to get my hands on another.

Remy Shields

| Nov 09, 2021

Strathmore paper is one of my favorite brands. Watercolor, gouache, collage, maker, and ink work beautifully on the mixed media paper. Even the hardbound strathmore books open up flat without the pages falling out, which I adore! Superb craftsmanship!.

Emory NORTH

| Jul 25, 2021

This sketchbook has made me very happy. The paper is of excellent quality and can easily handle watercolors. even on the back and front of the same sheet I haven't tried it with alcohol markers yet, but I'm sure there will be some bleeding. Overall, this is a very nice sketchbook for everyday use. br>When you open the book, it doesn't lay completely flat, but that's to be expected with this type of binding. Also, the cover is dark brown rather than black, as I had assumed.

Kaydence Kane

| Jan 28, 2021