Strathmore 481-107 Softcover Art Sketch Journal, 7.75" X 9.75", Toned Gray, 112 Pages

When buying a new sketchbook one is filled with both childish delight and terror of a blank slate, which one is about to project themselves onto. Unfortunately, when buying this sketchbook I was given a different feeling just disappointment and surprise when I opened my package to find my new book with a sticker partially across the cover, leaving a glue mark on the front side.I know some may not find this a big deal, but when I ordered a new sketchbook I was hoping for a blank slate, especially on the front cover. Therefore am disappointed that I received a book, in which the cover is scarred with a tacky glue mark.

I've always wanted to use mid-tone paper so I was excited to find this on Amazon.I use black fine liners, Faber castell pitt pens (brush tip and coloured India ink), coloursoft pencils and copic markers (be careful and use a light hand with alcohol markers, the paper takes it well but the ink can bleed through to the next page). They all look fantastic on this. For obvious reasons, translucent inks will not be as neon bright as they are on white paper, but the muted hues you can create are interesting and very beautiful.Opaque white ink looks incredible on this as a highlight or outline, it's possibly my favourite feature as it really brings your work to life.It was very quick and easy to acquire this product so I'll certainly be ordering from here again once I've filled my first sketchbook.

I have been wanting to try toned paper for my coloured pencil drawings for quite a while and had come across this sketchbook and I decided to try it out. I was not disappointed at all. The paper works very well with my faber castell polychromos and allows you to add multiple layers without the paper wearing away or being torn. I highly recommend this!

The sketch book is expensive, so I expected it to be as NEW, but came with outside cover marked, the leather front and back with deep wheel marks and scuff at top too. Nothing wrong with packaging or logo paper wrap, it looks like something has happened on the press in production. Poor quality.

Lovely paper, good quality and really nice cover. Looks very expensive.