Sketchbook Tour #1

Art Supplies

Aug 12

Nota: Si hablas español puedes disfrutar de la nota aquí.

Hi there guys. How are you?

I just posted my first video about my old sketchbooks (well, the ones I have here in Bogota). So I wrote this post about the good and bad things related to the last sketchbook I used, just in case you want one. I also added a list of the art supplies I tried in this sketchbook. :)

*In this video I speak spanish*

Sketchbook: Canson Sketch Esquisse I Croques

Good:

It's cheap (8$ on amazon)
The size is really good and portable. (5.5 in x8.5 in)
The spine is comfortable and lets you work in small spaces.
The paper works nicely with markers but it bleeds through the other side anyway.
The paper works really good with dry art supplies.
It has 100 sheets

Bad:

It has no pockets (but you can make one by yourself)
The front cover is not made of strong cardboard like the back cover.
It doesn't support wet materials (inks, watercolors, etc.)
The paper soaks a lot of ink from the markers.

Conclusions:

The sketchbook is nice, the size and price are really good for someone that uses dry supplies and with a low budget. Also, If you are not traveling I think there is no need to spent in a hard cover sketchbook. I think of sketchbooks like a space to go a little crazy and experiment a lot, so for me it is important that they be tough but cheap.

But let's say you travel a lot and need to keep the sketches in good condition, then I suggest you get a Moleskine or Lechturm. They are very tough and good quality notebooks. The price ranges from $10 to $30.

If you need a sketchbook with a strong paper and low price I suggest you the Canson with Mix Media paper. There are several types of Canson sketchbooks but that is the one I am using now and it allows me to play with a lot of supplies. Now, if you want something tougher but not so expensive I recommend a Lechturm or the Midori.

Art supplies I used in my Canson Sketch Esquisse I Croques

Kuretake Pen
Pentel Brush Pen
Pigma Micron 01, 02, 03.
Ecoline Liquid Watercolors
Copic markers
Promarkers Winsor & Newton
Kurecolors markers
Watercolors Winsor & Newton
Faber-Castell manga basic set
Inks Winsor & Newton
Mongol Pencil #2 (really)

That's all for now. I know it was a short post, but I'm trying of making small posts to publish more frequently.

Also remember to share it and follow me on social networks, I’m @esvaleriadiaz everywhere.

Englishartsketchbookillustration

Valeria Diaz

I’m a design lead and art director with 10+ years of experience with a passion for crafting clear, creative solutions. With a background in visual design, illustration, and UI/UX, I help shape the personality of brands through thoughtful, human-centered visuals. I’ve worked across both product and marketing design, bringing consistency and creativity to every touchpoint. I step into teams with trust, humor, and a strong sense of purpose. I believe great design balances accessibility and amazing graphics, and I thrive in collaborative environments where curiosity and creativity drive impact.

And I believe a bubble tea a day helps create great design (and maybe having a dog nearby).