Seawhite Classic Artists Travel Journal A5

highest quality. the best so glad amazon makes them available

A nice enough book, good paper quality (although nowhere near as smooth as a Moleskine). However, book is not completely flat when open

I bought this just as a general sketchbook for quick daily graphite sketches. I dont really like the paper. It just doesnt fit my style of sketching. Despite just sketching, I sometimes like to use grid lines and/or draw lines to help me place all the features knowing I will eventually erase them. Despite drawing VERY light lines, when I erase them I find that the paper has been embossed; when I shade these areas, the original line does not take up the graphite. After it happened the first time, I was extra careful to draw with a light touch when drawing lines I knew I would erase. Still happened, although better. I spend so much time worrying about embossing areas I plan to shade that sketching is less enjoyable. So, I will use this sketch book for thumbnails or such when planning projects, but will not use it for more formal sketches that I want to look nice. Other features are nice. The paper is just not for me.

This is a great sketchbook-I think the one I received has something wrong with the paper on the inside edge. If you look at the two sketches there appears to be a “waffle weave” when I shaded in that area. Top of my trees and in the blending of the sky. Just wondering if there was a manufacturing problem - hoping fixed by the time I need to reorder. I would have given five stars except for this issue.

Overall, this really is a quality, no-frills sketch book or journal. It has great finish and paper quality, and all the little elements are well thought out. Ive tried many, many types of sketch book / journal and have settled with the Seawhite Travel Journal. I use it for sketching and taking notes, with a fine liner (felt tip pen) or with a ballpoint. Its great with pencils or gel pens too, by the way. Not sure how it would perform with a fountain pen, but marks from sketching markers like Copic / Letraset will be visible on the other side of the page. So I dont use those in these journals. I love the paper - its thick and find it a perfect balance of not too rough, but not too smooth either. In contrast, Moleskine paper is a bit too oily and thin for my taste. The faux leather binding and nice finish really give these books a quality feel. The little pocket on the inside of the back cover is also very well made: it folds out nicely and its sturdy. Same for the elastic strap that keeps the book closed. For the 12 bucks, Id consider it a steal, as similar journals can easily go for double that. Its actually even cheaper in England. But I get it, these have to be be imported to the US, hence the price increase. So if youre looking for a quality, compact notebook / sketch book or journal that doesnt come with a hyped brand and matching high price, give these a try.