Strathmore 566-8 500 Series Hardbound Mixed Media Art Journal, 8.5x11 32 Sheets

Great basic sketchbook for pages that are more similar to 8.5 by 11 inch. My go to is a moleskin 5.5 by 8-ish, but this hard cover sketchbook is more for intense design process sessions.

Bought this thinking it would be good for my alcohol markers (Copic, Promarkers) but unfortunately it bleeds thru very heavily. The paper itself has a heavier tooth and is not ideal for my application with ballpoint. I will be going back to Crescent RENDR sketchbooks.

I like this art journal. It is very much like a normal blank book/journal with heavier paper that can do fine with paint, which is what I was looking for. What I dislike is that it doesn’t lay flat. It would have been better if it had been constructed with elastic bands to hold the book open. The paper is heavy enough for most media. Ive used acrylic paint and painted the whole page with almost no rippling. I used clips to hold the book open while I painted and let it dry that way. And once it was dry enough to close, I stacked heavier books on top. Its working great. I’d want to tape the edges down with removeable painters tape (like a water color pad) before I used it to water color, and Id let it thoroughly dry before I untaped it. I bought a different journal with 140 lb water color paper that Ill be using when I want to water color.

I love the weight and look and feel of this journal. But I hate how it fails to take watercolor. The pages had a waxy or oily coating in places, that created a resist to the watercolor. This was insanely frustrating. Also, the machine texturing of the paper is very noticeable under washes. I ended up with the global arts journal and the moleskin watercolor journals, and loved them both. It was such a pity this one failed.

Works great with acrylics, water colors, markers, colored pencils, etc.! The pages are thick and sturdy. Im in love with the large journal!

thanks

high quality

I’ve used the journal for notes and sketches and am proud to say it held up and looks nice.

After a few bad experiences with Mixed Media papers and watercolors I was hesitant to try this, but after a couple recommendations I gave it a shot and am very happy that I did. I bought the 5.5x8.5 hardbound journal.

If it came with those stretchy things that hold down your paper, then i would give it 5 stars. I had to use a hair tie to hold it down but other than that its great. I wanted to get back into drawing but i wanted to try a hardbound sketchbook for the first time, i really wanted one and this one is awesome for my first experience. it takes my acrylic paint well but it does dry pretty fast. my multi color pens work as well. i havent tried markers or watercolor yet, but plan to soon! i was also scared because of the paper texture but its like card paper, and the paper doesnt rip when you erase or paint. i would recommend!