Stillman & Birn Beta Series Hardbound Sketchbook, A4 (8.25" x 11.75"), 270 GSM (Extra Heavyweight), White Paper, Cold Press Surface

This is my second purchase of this sketchbook. I like it for sketching, art notes, and water color experimenting. Although I usually use hot press paper for w. c. painting, this cold press paper works well for me for my sketching, note-taking, and w.c. experiments. Its description states that it is for mixed media, and it seems like quality paper in a sketchbook that's easy to pick up and continue on with my various uses in it.

Stillman sketchbooks are by far the best I have found in their price range. I use Beta (cold pressed) and Zeta (HP) series that are extra heavyweight paper for watercolor. Excellent and sturdy binding plus beatiful white paper.These are the best unless if you are willing to spend high $ on 100% cotton sketchbooks.

I wish they had packed this better, the corners & edges were dinged and bent up. This is a nice product, but they did NOT pack it accordingly!

This sketchbook is sturdy and the pages are very thick (from what I am used to). I've drawn on a few pages using ink and some paint and I really like this product!

Though I had some warping, it's a very good sturdy paper, easy to press back out to flat. Wonderfully smooth texture and takes well to oils and watercolors. Absolutely loves this sketchbook!

This is NOT the perfect sketchbook,The pros: Thick paper that can take wet and dry mediums. A fine grit that is ok with pencil, but nowhere as smooth as bristol. Does not bleed through and feels good to the touch. I haven't tried but you should be able to dry or wet medium on both sides of the paper as long as you allow ample drying time.The bad: It is very thick paper so any wet medium, ink, or marker is soaked up quickly. Forget wetting and blending edges this is dry to the touch almost immediately. The binding is strong, too strong. I've tried to break the spine to get it to lay flat with no success. it just does not allow you to easily (if at all) draw or paint across a two-page spread. The grit of the paper makes smooth blending difficult.Not sure if I would buy this again. I would like to try some more graphite tonal work and some acrylics to see how it holds up. For me, a sketchbook is a place to experiment and fail while trying to learn what works, and for that, the book seems very durable. However, since it will not lay flat I see it being more frustrating when you get near the middle and possibly abandon it for something else.

This is one of the sketchbooks Cesar Santos recommended on his art channel. It is well made, and the paper is heavy enough to use wet or dry media. You could even gesso the pages for oil painting.

The books were very heavy and goof quality. I haven't used them yet but I can't wait to try!