Best Sketchbooks: A Review & My Favorite

UPDATE: Since I made this video, I've found a new sketchbook I love for taking on the go: Midori MD Blank Notebooks! Stillman & Birn is still my favorite for a really high-quality sketchbook that can take paint and water. I use it more for when I want to make finished pieces and generally keep them at home. The Midori sketchbook feels much more casual and free, and is good with dry mediums such as pens, pencil, and water-based inks brush pens.
www.mimochai.com/pages/studio
I've experimented with many different sketchbooks and journals over the years. Here's my review of some popular options, and a few that I found were unexpectedly awesome!
If you found this video helpful, we have more art tips in Mimochai Studio, our guided drawing community where we offer imaginative tutorials, workshops, and on-demand creative classes, each presented with a unique mindfulness perspective. Our new Drawing Foundations Class is out now! ✨ Learn more at mimochai.com/pages/studio
Happy sketching! [LINKS BELOW]
Sketchbooks mentioned:
1:12 Moleskine 5.5x8.5” Art Sketchbook: www.amazon.com/Moleskine-Cove...
1:38 Leuchtturm Dotted Notebook in 6x8.25”: www.leuchtturm1917.us/noteboo...
1:58 Rhodia Dotted Softcover Notebook in 6x8.25”: www.amazon.com/Rhodia-Rhodiar...
2:19 Fringe Studio Workbook in 7.5x9.5": fringestudio.com/collections/...
3:17 RNDR 5.5x8.5” Sketchbook with No Show Thru Paper: www.amazon.com/Crescent-Creat...
3:40 Stillman & Birn Softcover Mixed Media in 8x10": stillmanandbirn.com/products_...
4:40 Bind your own sketchbook tutorial: PearFleur on KZbin: • MAKING A SKETCHBOOK | ...

[@BlooTanooki]

Dot grid sketchbooks are good for technical drafting, architectural sketches, and graphic design.

[@veggiechip]

very helpful video thanks! small criticism would be to fix the audio so it’s less echoey

[@Mimochai]

Thank you, and glad it was helpful! we felt the same so we invested in a new audio setup after this series, stay tuned :)

[@Thenorth_cookie]

Are there any cheeper options my mum only buys me hig sketchbooks not thinking if i want to take them on the go i only have £9 and these are all to expensive

[@silvermyth2119]

Thank you. Very good review. Makes me want to try some of these out. Just wandering, what are the blue dots in the pages for? I had not seen that before until I watched the video. Another question: Did you experience the paper getting scratched by pens or pencils digging into the page and clogging up the nibs in any specific sketchbooks on this review?

[@Mimochai]

Blue dots are nice for bullet journaling, architects and designers also like to use them as guides. Many uses, like lines and grids that are less intrusive. And to your second question, no I didn't!

[@silvermyth2119]

@@Mimochai Great! Thank you.👍👍 I'll be ordering some soon.

[@viruslady6901]

Please review markers as well

[@SkywalkFPV]

Interesting.. Why not use ring binding sketchbooks?

[@minodibawanya3510]

I most like your art. so I want to be like you but I can't draw. anyway, I try to draw. Can you bring drawing videos?

[@nitzangly13]

She uploads great courses on Skillshare 😊

[@minodibawanya3510]

@@nitzangly13 ok

[@Mimochai]

Thank you! I believe anyone can learn to draw and I believe in you :) That's awesome that you are trying, and with practice your skills will definitely improve. I share my tutorials on Skillshare and Cloud House, and this year we also host monthly drawing workshops if you would like to join. They are available in Cloud House and for individual purchase (next one is this Thurs 1/27! www.mimochai.com/products/january-2022-a-year-of-magical-drawing?_pos=2&_sid=349b0ed5c&_ss=r)

[@KrlsOtc]

She didn’t knew either, you can learn too and surpass her

[@bostonblackie9503]

Why do so many people do reviews on the floor?

[@Peeplii]

That's a desk

[@johnk3137]

It's easier than doing them on the ceiling.