Square-Shaped Sketchbook, 10 x 10 inches, Lays Flat Flexible Sketch Book for Artists, Ideal for Ink, Watercolor, Pen, Pencils, 160 Tear Resistant Pages, Size: Square Large, Leda Art Supply

Sketchbook for artists, large softbound cover (7x10), Leda Odyssey's 160 pages of beige-colored, high quality paper is designed for pencil, ink, pen, pastel, charcoal and light water color wash. Ideal sketch pad,...

*Review based on Leda A5 sketchbook, size medium To preface, I am *very* particular when it comes to sketchbooks and the type of paper I use for my art. I've tried various types of sketchbooks over the years (Canson, Strathmore, Illo, printer paper (lol)), but I think this sketchbook has to be one of the best I've ever invested in. I've been branching out to multimedia art lately, experimenting with watercolor, gouache, along with other dry mediums - and my latest trial was finding a sketchbook with the type of paper that can hold up to all of these as best as it can (a huge ask, I know), but I think I've found it! The paper in the A5 size medium sketchbook is a very light cream color, with a smooth texture. It isn't 'printer paper' smooth, but you can feel a small difference if you're comparing this sketchbook paper to regular paper (the sketchbook feels higher quality, as it should). If you're familiar with the Illo sketchbook made for inks (alcohol markers), Leda's paper is not that smooth, there is still a *little* bit of texture, but like I said, it's not noticeable. In my experience, the paper holds up well for alcohol markers (Ohuhu) and doesn't cause any pilling. However, I have noticed the paper pilling when using an inexpensive brand of water-based markers, and it doesn't blend as easily (although that could also be the markers). I would definitely put a sheet of paper underneath so the ink doesn't bleed through to the other side. Surprisingly, the paper handles gouache much better than normal watercolors from the few times I've done spreads in this sketchbook. I've done full page washes and paintings using gouache (with considerable amounts of water and paint) and the pages have barely buckled, even under numerous layers of paint (this is using the Himi brand of gouache). Normal watercolor on the other hand, has buckled my pages (Winsor & Newton) whenever I've used just a small amount. I haven't done a full page spread with normal watercolors, but the small portions/pages I have painted with watercolor have buckled to some degree. Personally, I like the buckled look when I close my sketchbook or flip through the pages, I think it gives my art personality, but if you solely work with watercolors and don't like buckling, I would recommend watercolor paper instead. Dry mediums like colored pencil, graphite, pens, ink liners, etc. work well on this paper, I would just lay an extra sheet of paper underneath the pages if you're worried about it bleeding through to the other side. Personally, this sketchbook hits all my needs for a multi-media sketchbook without the pages being extremely textured and thick (I prefer a smoother experience). I would 100% buy this again once I've filled out my current sketchbook. It may be on the higher end of what I would normally spend on a sketchbook, but it's exactly what I've been looking for so I think it's worth it.

Perfect for my needs. I use this as an illlustrated/written daybook. Colored pencils, watercolor colored pencils, fine point markers, pencil, all work well and do not bleed through. I am extremely pleased with this sketch book. Great value for the money, lots of pages, sheets are properly secured, and the book is just the right thickness. Even the cover is just right and looks classy.

Nice cover and paper quality. I read a lot of people had issues with ink bleeding through, but none of my pens did though I cannot speak for markers. Holds up okay to light watercolor washes, though warping will happen as you can see in my photos. Decent sized pocket in the back with ribbon sides. All in all, probably the best sketchbook I've owned, but I normally buy cheaper stuff from Hobby Lobby or Walmart. EDIT: After owning this sketchbook for several months and finally doing some art it in, I can say that its held up pretty well. I wasn't purposely trying to be rough with it, but I admittedly have been and aside from a bit of.....squishing(I have no idea what word to use) where the band comes around the edges its fine. I've had someone bite it, a cat use it as a bed and a scratchpad when I wasn't looking, and it still generally looks almost new. As I said, I added and art image and the back of that same page to show that yes, sometimes thing will bleed through. I was using pens, washi tape, and someo other things on it. The pens I use are water-soluble so I wanted to see what it would do. I definitely used too much water. Other than that, some color did bleed through at the edges where I accidentally cut through the paper with the xacto knife. There are no marks from the xacto knife on the page behind it nor did anything that bled through get to the other page. So yeah, this sketchbook is and has been a great little travel buddy :)

For over ten years, I've happily used Leda sketchbooks and given them as gifts. As a Certified Zentangle Teacher, I wanted a small sketchbook for use as a personal Zentangle journal. After trying and being disappointed by other brands, I discovered that Leda did offer a sketchbook similar in size to authentic Zentangle Tiles. The Leda paper is smooth (which I prefer) yet has a subtle tooth making the paper excellent for all mediums, including coloring pencils, Fountain pens, Sakura Micron Pigment pens , Gel pens, and light water color. Leda sketchbooks also have an excellent stitched binding that allows the book to lay flat without compromising strength. I'll be buying this smaller size sketchbook often because it's also perfect for travel or my tiny purse-size art kit.

The paper seems to hold up well with a variety of ink pens without bleeding through to the other side, but I haven't gotten to try it with alcohol markers yet. The paper thickness is definitely a highlight, but it does make it too thick to fit into a Lochby pocket notebook holder if anyone is looking to use one of those. Works well with a pen loop for drawing on the go.

Great sketchbook. It is blank and the pages are in color beige or dark ivory. That is the only thing that bothers me: i wish the pages were a bright white. But still a good purchase and now I can practice doodling. The pages are thick too.

Ordering another!