Handbook Journal Co. Artist Watercolor Sketchbook 3.5 x 8.25 Inches (2-Pack) 95lb / 200 GSM, Pocket Panorama, Hardcover w/Pocket...

I like to use this to play around and test out the watercolor paints while my bigger project is drying. The pages are just the right size to create a small project or try a new technique without it taking a long time. The pages themselves are of good quality and both sized are created to be painted on. I have done a few projects on both sides of the page and the watercolor doesn't bleed through. It will bend a little if you're wetting the whole page to paint on. With detailed work and less water they stay the typical flatness that other watercolor paper does. Very happy with these little watercolor sketch books!

This is my second time purchasing this set and I absolutely love these books! I also get tons of compliments on it.

This little book is a good size to travel with and is of a decent quality.

For the price, you will receive two linen bound panoramic watercolor sketchbooks. There doesnt seem to be any description of the paper constituents anywhere that I can find. If I were to guess, Id opine that the paper, although very nice, is probably NOT cotton. Be that as it may, it still provides a satisfying watercolor surface for traveling artists, IMO. Ive only had time to make a quick watercolor sketch, and that experience provided me with enough feedback to tell you that you can work wet on wet, wet on dry, and wet on damp, no problem. The paper is 200 gsm, 140 lb. I also had the opportunity to check out another pair of watercolor sketchbooks by this same company, books that are exactly the same as these, except that they contain sheets that are 300 gsm/ 140 lb. Im chagrined to say that I didnt get them, thinking that these two, with the red flowers on the cover, and ten bucks cheaper, would be enough for me. Now I wish I had also opted to get the 300 gsm version, with the blue flowered covered cigar band, in order to better compare the two. Oh, well. Just keep in mind that the wc sketchbooks with the red flowers on the cover cigar band or obi or whatever you want to call it, is the 200 gsm, and the blue flowered obi is the 300 gsm, and as of this review its ten dollars more for the set of 2. You will have to decide for yourself if you would like to spend this kind of money on books that dont seem to contain cotton sheets. I can tell you that whatever these papers are made of, they didnt get in my way or frustrate me with my watercolor endeavors. I think they would work very well with watercolor pencils, too. The paper may be too thin for things like alcohol markers. The paper did curl slightly at the edges while painting wet on wet, but smoothed out after it was dry and closed in the book for a short amount of time.

This little duo of panoramic sketchbooks are offered at a great price and are fun when youre out in nature and you have limited space in your kit. I only gave this a 4 out of 5 star rating because I prefer the 140 lb/300gsm version in the same size. Lately Im drawn more to intuitive, atmospheric landscapes, and I find that a thicker paper is better for suited for my current process. However, these have loads of pages and are fun with watercolor pencils, soluble graphite, and quick ink studies.