Pentalic Art Set Travelers Sketch Book Value Pack, 6-inch x 8-inch Black Journal with 5 Piece Illustration Pen

So, I chose this notebook because of the paper quality. I like thick paper in my notebooks and this paper is as wonderful as advertised. I can use gel pens, markers, etc, with no bleed through. The problem with this notebook is the binding. It doesn't lay flat when opened. The description didn't say it did, but I was hoping it would. Also, the binding is pretty poor quality. It is sewn and glued, but it's like the glue is way too far into the pages. Also, the bookmarking ribbon is attached to the back page instead of the spine. Not that big a deal, but just weird. Overall, really the only good thing about this notebook is the paper. But, that is very good.

I absolutely adore this sketchbook! I have bought many in this line of varying sizes and am never disappointed.i have gone through many different brands of sketchbooks in search of the perfect one. And although there are many great brands out there that cater to specific media, most of those just don't fit my needs. My purposes for a general everyday sketchbook are: it has to be versatile, it has to be durable, and it has to be portable. And this sketchbook goes above and beyond my requirements.Versatile...my media of choice is pen work, specifically ballpoint pen. But this book can also take ink pens like Micron and Faber-Castell, as well as pencil and blending stumps. But my need ends there. This is definitely a DRY MEDIA sketchbook. LIGHT washes or highlights are ok but this is NOT a book that can support paint very well (watercolor or acrylic). Even heavy ink use is not something I would recommend.Durable...because the cover is flexible and has a more paperback book feel to it I'm not afraid of banging it around in my purse. The cover feels and looks like foam, and I've never had any problems with the pages falling out (and I've owned MANY of these). The bungie closure is tight enough to keep all the pages closed as it travels. This is a must, especially with a purse as chaotic as mine.Portable...the book is light and very easy to carry around in my purse or a backpack. You can draw with it in your hands without the need of a table or desk. It's discreet and even this larger 6x8 size is slim enough to pull out anywhere (there are smaller sizes, which are great as well).Some other notes about the sketchbook are the paper color is a nice bright white. I tend not to like the yellow/brown look of "natural" white paper so the bright (almost blue) white of the pages definitely appeals to me. There is a good amount of pages in it, ample space to express myself. And the pages do not bleed through to the other side, even with some watercolor washes. Ink pens and ballpoints do not bleed, feather, or show through, which means I can fill the pages cover to cover, front and back, with all of my life's sketches.It's also important to note that this book does NOT lay flat. It is more like a paperback book in that regard.In conclusion, This is an amazing sketchbook for actual sketching or journaling. It can take pens and pencils well, though not paint or heavy amounts of ink. It is durable, versatile, and highly portable, and is the closest to perfect that I have ever found. Great general-purpose sketchbook!!

The size is perfect especially since I was looking for one that could be easily carried around for travel, the paper is thick, smooth and pretty white unlike the offwhite/yellowish color of some of the cheaper sketchbooks I've used. I'm very impressed mainly because the pages are definitely thicker than printer paper, though not as thick as card stock, but considering a lot of the sketchbooks I come across has really really thin paper, this was perfect. Definitely would order again

I found my first Traveler sketchbook (all the different colors are the same inside) in an art supply store. I fell in love with it with the first use! The paper is nice and white, smooth, but still has enough tooth to hold graphite, colored pencil and carbon pencils. It is smooth enough for fine ink drawings as well though there is some shadowy bleed-through with heavy applications of ink (so best not to apply ink to the other side). It will withstand light washes of ink or watercolor, but the pages will buckle somewhat. I found the paper to be strong, easily erasable, and the 8x6" size is just right for small sketches. I trace a 5x7" template to constrain my drawings toward the outer edge; this allows me to flatten the open sketchbook enough to get a good scan to keep digital copies of my work. I didn't realize at first that there was a pocket on the back cover until I had nearly filled my first sketchbook! The pocket is just the right size to hold my 5x7" template or small sketches or reference photos. The binding is sewn and lies fairly flat once you work the binding by pulling outward on the pages while bending back (gently). My original sketchbook had slightly lighter weight paper and could be worked at to lie flat easier than the newer ones, but heavier paper is a plus, so I'm not complaining ;)

Pentalic Art Drawing Book 12 x9 BlackI don't know why it says "Black" in the title, yes the Covers are black but the inside pages are a delicious cream color!Before buying this sketchbook I bought a Pentalic Traveler Pocket journal Sketch, 8x6 recycled 74lb / 120 gsm white paper. I was very pleased with it, it is perfect for tossing in my bag or backpack, has an elastic band for closure and the paper is very smooth and takes different pens, markers, brush pen without bleeding like crazy, colored pencils without many layers, light watercolor . So I noticed here this Traveler Draw, cream 92lb / 150 gsm, 12x9 " and took a chance. It is awesome! It reminds me of my Moleskine Art sketchbook , which has paper of 111lb and it takes light washes very well. The color is exactly the same, and the difference in the paper weight really is not a big deal, considering that this Pentalic does take the same media maybe a tiny bit more buckle with water. But not significant. It has more pages too. The covers of this series of Pentalic Draw are more matte than the Traveler Sketch, they feel like calf leather, so smooth but not cheap. It is well made. It comes with an open gusseted pocket, as tall as the sketchbook, covering 2/3 of the back cover. I am preferring these types of books lately for on the go taking notes and sketching. The hardcover sketchbooks are more expensive and so heavy to lug around, I'm keeping them at home. Bought 2 of these, they are holding up well. Super awesome.