The Best Watercolor Sketchbook Ever! The Perfect Sketchbook by Etchr, Review

A review of what I consider to be the best watercolor sketchbook travel journal ever, The perfect sketchbook and everyday sketchbook by Etchr
Join me on Patreon for only £3.50 per month, you will be able to access over 1000 instructional art tutorial videos, covering all levels from complete beginners to the more advanced, I work in graphite, watercolour, ink, and various other media, covering subjects like landscapes, nature, birds, butterflies, buildings etc, We have a wonderful supportive community of people that share their artwork on the community page and comment and encourage each other, and of course I will be there to offer help, advice and answer any questions should you need, / smoothie77
Etchr Sketchbooks etchrlab.com/collections/sket...
More painting & drawing tips and techniques, • 5 TIPS to Help You Avo...
Watercolour painting demonstrations, • HOW TO PAINT Watercolo...
Art material reviews. • Top 5 Mechanical Penci...
All links bellow are affiliate links, I get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you if you buy any items via these links.
Jackson's Art Supplies www.jacksonsart.com?acc=eda80a3d5b344bc40f3bc04f65b7a357&___store=jacksonsart_en
My Amazon Store www.amazon.com/shop/influence...

[@susanavenir]

Thank you for the thoughtful, expert review! I don't fault Etchr's packaging. I think it's meant to give artists good shelving options - a gesture of respect for the art work and the possibility that an artist will want to archive work. Since Jackson's does a nice job with minimalized packaging, their shipments usually arrive here totally wrecked: dented, bent, even ripped open. Thanks to Etchr's precautions, though, the sketchbooks don't get damaged on the way.

[@smoothie77drawingpainting]

Thanks Susana, you made some good points, thanks for the feedback, much appreciated.

[@lawrenceholden5716]

Agreed and if it's being bought as a present it makes a good impression when received, looks a bit special rather than in a bit of bubble wrap in a Jiffy bag. A quality product deserves quality packaging imo and artists appreciate aesthetics and stylish design probably more than anyone, particularly when purchasing a premium product.

[@tabbi888]

​@@lawrenceholden5716totally agree also ,it's perfect for storage to prevent damage and staining from dust which is a problem where I live and also ensures a perfect product arriving which for the price customers would expect. If they reduced packaging more products would be damaged and due especially to the price the customer would either want a refund or exchange which would cost more for the company in the long run.

[@bluedogbluey6742]

I work for Australia Post and have seen how parcels are moved around (thrown around) so I like that there is more packaging protecting expensive paper. Also depending on the amount of parcels moving through the network at any one time, they can sometimes get left outside and if the weather turns while they're out there....You could also use the white paper packaging to just do rough sketches on them, thumb nails for composition, etc. I like the B4 size as well and also agree with you in regard to the white cover as it can get dirty quickly. It is a cool idea to paint a design on the cover though if you're into that. The paper is really nice on the everyday and the perfect sketchbooks.

[@tabbi888]

I also reuse mine to store them in as it really helps protect from the dusty conditions in my area of Australia. But I agree with the extra protection for postage also it would help lessen possible refunds an extra cost for the company, which if they were damaged due to lesser protection would probably drive the consumer cost up even more in the long run. After all it's a premium product with a premium price so customers expect it to arrive perfectly with absolutely no damage.

[@lynnbarclay4241]

Nice review & beautiful painting, thank you!

[@smoothie77drawingpainting]

Thank you very much!

[@tabbi888]

I like the fact they package so well as where they're made ,that part of Asia suffers from really bad humidity conditions that ruin and can cause mould very easily. Also I really appreciate the extra dust sleeve as where I live it's very dry and I've had trouble in the past with dust that over time can discolour the edges and covers, it can be quite staining. To prevent this I've had to put them in clip seal bags which looks awful on the shelf, so the covers they come in provide a vastly more attractive cover for storage after ,and look far better on the bookshelf. I never throw them out but reuse to prevent dust damage after or even during. Sometimes if I don't work in it for maybe like a month it can get stained so I always keep mine in the jacket. I personally love them and would be very sad if they stopped doing it. If you wondering I live in Australia where it's extremely dry and dusty, and the owners of the company are from here so maybe they've experienced it for themselves and were thinking of this when deciding to include it perhaps?

[@markussnyman8695]

Yooo you're underrated, Just subscribed.

[@sarahbrownell25]

Great info!! Trying find a good sketchbook!

[@smoothie77drawingpainting]

Thanks Sarah!

[@sailorfan86]

Hi First time watcher. Great review. I’ve been eyeing both. Thinking of buying the perfect sketchbook but now I’m rethinking because I am a Portrait sketchbook lover. It’s the format I go for, A5/A4. Totally agree that Etchr should release the Perfect in Portrait format. And Yes, I’m going to be petty 😏 Have you considered trying Fabriano Vergatone or Koval sketchbooks???😝😝😝😝 Then again,if you found your happiness then stick with it.👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽 Again, great review. Have nice day.

[@carloscatam4519]

Grande abraço, sucesso sempre.

[@smoothie77drawingpainting]

Thank you Carlos!

[@midnightdreams8136]

Thanks for the review! ❤Does the a5 landscape everyday sketchbook lay flat?

[@JohnSmith-xb4ux]

The packaging is there to protect the product during delivery as mail comes in different bags which are tossed around etc. It's also a very convenient way to store and protect the product when you don't need it, I totally like what they've done. If you're gonna do very clean work then it's best have everything you need for a few extra money spent, instead of wishing for a good wrap and not having it. And I think every good quality sketchbook should come with a case for storage !!!

[@smoothie77drawingpainting]

Good points John, thanks very much for commenting.

[@hissyfitz7890]

Can’t wait to see another demo! ❤❤❤ As far as packaging goes… I think the delivery choices (Fed-X, UPS, USPS) here in the states dictate a “more careful” option because they simply toss the packages around the trucks any which way. I rarely buy sketchbooks 🤷🏻‍♀️ but order my watercolor paper in sheets of 22” x 30” (Double Crown or 508 x 762 mm) in bulk for a better price, then cut them myself. Primarily use Dick Blick for art supplies because of quality & free shipping if over $35.00 US. They ship in regular strong brownish tan cardboard which then can be used in the garden to create a base for raised beds. Otherwise it’s easily recycled.

[@smoothie77drawingpainting]

I think you hit the nail on the head, if the delivery company's were more careful with the parcels, company's like Etchr wouldn't have to go to such extremes to get their products to us in one piece, Great to hear you're getting good use from the packing from Blick's :)

[@hissyfitz7890]

@@smoothie77drawingpainting - Thanks! It was disappointing the one time that my large watercolor paper had bent edges but Blick reimbursed me. 😊I use the cardboard to kill grass/weeds too; no chemicals - just suffocation. 🫣 BTW: can’t find Etcher in states.

[@smoothie77drawingpainting]

@@hissyfitz7890 I know its sold in the States because I've seen American artists us it, did you search with the word Etcher? because its actually spelt Etchr, without the "e", try another google search with that spelling, you should find somewhere that's selling it...

[@hissyfitz7890]

@@smoothie77drawingpainting - Misspelled! 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ Will try if I ever fill my current sketchbooks.

[@FaithAnnNB]

Etchr ‘everyday’ has been my favourite sketchbook since trying them almost a year ago. I recently purchased the Perfect sketchbook but have not opened it yet as I’m not ready to start a new book. I agree and would like to see the Perfect in portrait version (the Perfect Signature is just too expensive). As for packaging, I cannot purchase Etchr locally and have to order it. I appreciate the layer of plastic wrap because I have had parcels get wet before. Depending on where I’m ordering from, I also don’t mind one layer of boxing around the book to protect it more since they’re so expensive. I don’t save the box, just toss it in the recycle bin. So for me, one layer of plastic and a protective box is fine. I’m another person who would love to see a non-white cover on the everyday sketchbook as I don’t really want a painted cover and would just like something that looks clean. Thanks for your review/comparison!

[@smoothie77drawingpainting]

Thanks for the comment Faith, I agree about having the plastic wrap on them, Maybe Etchr will make a darker cover for the everyday sketchbook, I've heard a few people mention they would prefer that, hopefully Etchr will pick up on that and make some changes, But still, its the best watercolor sketchbook out there in my opinion.

[@phillipstroll7385]

Relax. No one likes less packaging or cares about vegan bullshit. KZbinrs have to say that crap because that's the "current thing" people say to pretend they care. Vegan doesn't exist. We wouldn't have air to breath or water to drink without dead animals. Not a single art supply would exist without dead animals. Hell, We use more dead animals to create the electric used to make KZbin videos than the plastics on packaging. Also recycled products do more damage than virgin materials. No one really cares. They just pretend to care. If people really cared they wouldn't buy sketchbooks at all. After all, when you buy a pack of cotton watching paper it comes in sketchbook form. They all have a top cover, a back cover and are all oddly shaped exactly like books. Imagine that. If people really cared about the bullshit they spew they'd just stick with the damn pack or comes in. Unless they bought rolls. Then they'd just make their own sketchbooks. But then what would they make videos about. Since they all same the same bullshit, if you've seen one review paid for with free product, you've seen them all. As if they come with the script. Complete with the, "I'm not paid for this. We'll, expect for the product. That was given to me and if I say anything bad about it no company will send me free shit anymore. So I'll never say anything bad about any free product I ever get, but all opinions are my own", line.

[@leneecasteel2005]

Hi Jon!! First off, thank you so much for taking the time and effort to make these videos for us, very much appreciated!! Here's my suggestions: They offer the Etchr sketchbooks in both portrait and landscape, so why not their Perfect series sketchbooks? It would be nice if they gave you the option to choose which cover you wanted. As you said early on, someone might want to gesso and paint (or decorate however they want) on the cover of their sketchbook. QUESTION = Would using something like ScotchGuard spray help keep the cover clean? Last, I would recommend that they ask the consumer if they wanted the gift box, or storage box or whatever they chose to call the dark grey boxing that the sketchbooks come in. Example: for me - no, for my Mom - yes, I would be giving as a gift. Lots of love and God bless everyone! Take care of yourselves!

[@smoothie77drawingpainting]

Hi Lenee, I totally agree with you about having more options, and having a choice of gift box or no gift box, that would be great if Etchr done that, Regarding Scotchguard, that's a really good idea, its certainly worth trying, I was thinking along similar lines, thought about using clear acrylic spray to protect the cover from water etc, Thanks for taking the time to share your thought Lenee, You take care, and God bless you too!

[@gillinacook1477]

I have those white sketch books. When I’m not painting in mine I keep it inside the fancy box to keep the white clean. I would rather just have a dark cover and have no packaging, to save waist. I agree with you.

[@smoothie77drawingpainting]

Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment Gillina.

[@tproud]

I think they are white for a reason - to give the artist a chance to paint on the cover :)

[@grahamnash9794]

I agree with the over the top packaging. I might have a clearer conscience when buying something if it came with as little packaging as they could get away with. Not just paper, but everything we purchase. With the limited amount of space in our home, there's no putting things back in the boxes, I'd have to kick my wife out to make room... LOL No danger of that, it'd me that has to earn my place in our home... Hehehe

[@smoothie77drawingpainting]

I hope your wife doesn't read this comment, if she does you might have some groveling to do LOL :)

[@grahamnash9794]

@@smoothie77drawingpainting Hahaha... I tease her a fair bit. After 36 years of marriage she's imine to my humour. (Thank God).

[@UJB123]

That’s what recycle bins are for ….

[@greekveteran2715]

I'm eyeing some Hahnemuhle sketchbooks. Hahnemuhle seems like an underated maker. They make some of the best quality paper, way better quality than most known brands ole Fabriano, however I never see them being used from artists. I don't know if it's their weird name or their poor marketing, but it's a fact. Has anybody tried their hot press watercolour paper, with Polychromos or any other coloured pencil?

[@smoothie77drawingpainting]

I've seen the Hahnemuhle sketchbooks, never tried them, so can't really give an opinion,

[@sergemassa2937]

Hi Mr, Greek veteran, yes i Always use this paper, very good paper. You've reason Mr Umberto Rossini, a good french painter in watercolor who use Also this paper. Thanks for this comment.

[@annettefournier9655]

I received my etchr sketchbook in an envelope and a corner was bent. They are not inexpensive. I was not happy about it. Only 4 pages where corner was crumpled.

[@smoothie77drawingpainting]

That's strange, normally they always get sent in boxes?

[@annettefournier9655]

@@smoothie77drawingpainting Just lucky I guess.

[@vincent2327]

Just checked U.K. prices. Ouch, nice books BUT, probably way out of the price range of most amateurs

[@smoothie77drawingpainting]

They are pricey, but you do get what you pay for, these are super high quality sketchbooks.

[@UJB123]

Most of the paper boxes are recycled … stop worrying. No need to destroy trees. I’m sure you have a recycle bin in your Country. Put it in there. Plus international shipping demands good packaging to keep items from being destroyed in their travels. (Btw, it’s plastic that takes a century + to deteriorate & harms critters.) We recycle both here.

[@annepercival7814]

If they had less packaging the sketchbooks might be more affordable!

[@smoothie77drawingpainting]

My thoughts entirely.

[@inherjyze1ify]

Look at all the beautiful packaging The sketckbook comes in just to display some watercolor paper that will be eventually discarded as rubish.

[@tabbi888]

Where I'm from I'm grateful for the extra cover as it gets very dusty very quickly and can stain the product, I'm personally very grateful for the sleeve and never throw them away but treasure them for storage. It looks better on the bookshelf than the clip seal bags I'd been using previously.

[@UJB123]

Recycle and it gets used again ….