Canson Universal Heavyweight Sketch Pads, 9 in. x 12 in., 100 Sheets

Canson paper is the best!

This is my favorite sketchbook and paper - I must have purchased at least 5 of these in the past year. To me, a sketchbook must have a spiral bind so that you can draw without having to bother with other pages and a sturdy backing so that you can draw even if you are not at a desk. This sketchbook meets both those requirements. Another bonus of this sketchbook is that the pages are perforated. The amount of paper you get for the price is a great deal and it is perfect for sketching out ideas. I mostly use pencil for my sketches, however, I have used the paper for light washes of watercolor, and the paper works well enough with minimal buckling or the water bleeding through to other pages like it does in some of my other sketchbooks. I have also used gouache, ink, and even used it as a practice pad for calligraphy with pilot parallel ink. Although ink is visible on the back of the page, I was really happy that there was almost no feathering of the ink. Of course, I wouldn't recommend it for your next masterpiece - it is a sketchbook after all, but it is perfect for those preliminary or test drawings. I have this sketchbook in multiple sizes, the 5.5 x 8.5, 9 x 12, and 11 x 14 pad. For me, the 9 x 12 gets the most use when I am at home because it provides ample space but fits comfortably on my lap. The 5.5 x 8.5 is perfect for traveling. I feel confident that I will continue to purchase this sketchbook and would recommend it.

The Universal Sketch Pad is a fantastic choice for artists looking for versatility and quality in their sketching materials. The paper has a smooth texture that works well with pencils, pens, and markers, making it suitable for various mediums. Its durable binding allows the pad to lie flat for easy drawing, and the lightweight design makes it portable for on-the-go sketching. However, some users may find the paper not thick enough for heavy wet media like watercolors. Overall, the Universal Sketch Pad offers great value for anyone seeking an affordable and reliable sketching surface. Highly recommended for both beginners and experienced artists!

Have used these sketch pads for many years. Heavyweight 65 pound paper with nice smooth fine tooth surface for drawing with dry media such as graphite pencil, colored pencil, pastels, Conté crayon, charcoal, Sanguine, and possibly some ink pens, although I have never used ink on this particular paper. NOT FOR WATERCOLOR or other liquid media. Acid free paper minimizes yellowing over time. Media erases well from this paper (I use Pink Pearl). Sturdy, heavy double wire spiral binding makes turning pages easy and keeps them flat. Micro-perforated pages facilitates page removal in case you want to remove and frame your masterpiece (I'd recommend pre-creasing the perforation before tearing to ensure it separates as designed). Ultra-fine Sharpie with very light pressure can be used but may partially bleed through to the back of the sheet. Thicker Sharpies or application of normal writing pressure will bleed onto next page. Pencil, charcoal and pastels will smudge when pages contact one another or from normal handling, so I'd recommend a workable spray fixative like Krylon Workable Fixatif 1306 to protect your artwork. I used cheap hair spray (Aqua Net) until they changed the formula and included more water which now wrinkles the pages. Comparable to Strathmore 400 Series sketch pads except the Canson sketch pad has slightly heavier weight paper (65 pound vs. 60 pound) and is a little less expensive. Happy drawing!

Decent sketching paper. I've used this during my middle and high school years and for a semester in grad school before I moved onto binding my own sketchbooks. Smooth, takes graphite, colored pencil, and ink very, very well. Might yellow slightly after a decade or so? I can't tell if my old Canson papers are more yellow now or if they were that slightly cream color when I first got them back in middle/high school. Other cons: -5x8 a little too small for me (personal thing, though. I prefer A4 size or larger for sketch paper, but this size is certainly extremely convenient to lug around) -can't take -too- many layers of colored pencil before the edges start to curl (but this is when I was doing way too many layers to cover up mistakes underneath) Overall, still a very good sketchbook with decent paper!

Been purchasing these about 11 years. Worth every penny. Pages don’t feel thick but they can literally take anything I work with and don’t bleed through. Excellent for practicing your skills. I purchase the 9”x12” ones and can use both sides so that’s 200 pages of drawing. I have used graphite, charcoal, ink pens, markers, felt tip markers, tombow ABT, water colored pencils but dry brush, pastels, gel pens, inktense, graphitints, even posca pen (photo), Caran d’ ache Neocolor 2(photo, added too much water but when dry can still use other side, and Pentel markers. I have use every brand of ink brush pens and tech pens and all work great! I’m always drawing, even when watching movie or videos. Quick sketches are fun and it’s peace of mind knowing they all work on the paper as I’m always switching out. Ha! Cartoons are new to me so easy on the whip;)

For me this sketchbook meets all my needs as an everyday sketchbook in which I can freely practice drawing and even watercolor painting. Sometimes I feel intimidated by sketchbooks that contain thick expensive watercolor paper; I tend to make a production out of everything I do in those (and they become more an "Art Journal" rather than an "Artist's Journal"--there is a definite distinction between the two). But not with this sketchbook, I feel so free to use it however my muse leads me, or to write down and record anything about my current artistic process. I feel free to fail (and learn from my failures!) because this sketchbook is so inexpensive. Yet the paper in this sketchbook is up to pretty much any task I've given it! The paper is smooth enough to where my fountain pen glides over it like a dream (compared to regular watercolor paper, anyway!), yet I am continually amazed at how well it handles watercolor paint. Yes, some minor buckling, but really not bad at all. No bleed-through, so I can paint on both sides. Colors are vibrant on the bright white paper. I expect I will be buying more of these!

I'm now at a point in my life where I have more time than before. I can finally pursue my love of the visual arts. I've always loved pen and ink with watercolor washes. It always amazes me how a court reporter artist can capture the essence of a situation within just a few minutes. While I don't expect to reach that level of skill, I enjoy taking this sketchbook with me and capturing thoughts, ideas, motifs. Combine this with a Sakura Pigma Micron Black pen set and a Sakura Pigma Color Brush pen set and I'm ready to take on those sketches. Some things that set this product apart from other sketchbooks: * First, it costs less than a lot of other sketchbooks. Always a good thing. * Second, it has more pages than many other sketchbooks. * Third, using my Sakura pens, I don't have any bleed through to the next page. * Fourth, the paper is micro-perforated. This allows you to quickly and neatly remove pages. * Fifth, the paper is acid-free. While it might not be archival quality it should last longer. * Finally, it's not just a "cute" size, it's VERY portable. As I said, I take it everywhere. So, I recommend this sketchbook. Your bank account will thank you as well.

Good

Good sketch book. Tried graphites and charcoal. Happy with the sketches

This is a great (and super huge) sketch pad that I use to plan out my paintings. Works great with graphite. The top image is this sketch paper.

The quality of this paper is excellent and can withstand a lot of use. Beautiful texture.

アシッドフリーで、鉛筆・色鉛筆・チャコールに適した肌理＝日本の安い画用紙的な凸凹ではない均一にザラリとした肌理の紙を求めて試しに購入。 期待よりザラザラした肌理が無く、やや滑らかな紙で肩透かし。 白くて比較的滑らかな紙質と厚みはマルマンのソーホーシリーズに似ており、マルマンのほうがより滑らかに見えるが、実際はマルマンのほうが抵抗感があって描きやすい。 こちらのほうが滑りやすく感じる。かと言ってケント紙的なツルツルまではいかない、鉛筆向きの肌理はある。 キャンソン（フランスのメーカー）だがインチ規格でUSA向けだと解っていたが、紙自体もアメリカ製。これが敗因かと思う。 アメリカ製の鉛筆向けのこの手のスケッチパッドはいくつか試したが、同じように表面を平滑にする傾向があってヨーロッパ製よりも肌理が無く、表面の手触りから期待するより滑りやすく目が潰れがちなものが多い。 インクも弾きがちで線が細くなる。 薬剤で表面をどうにかしているのかケミカル臭が強いのも気になる。 ミシン目で切ったサイズでA４と縦はほぼ同じ、横に２cm広い。 自分の手にはあまり合わないものの、うるさくない人には十分な紙質のスケッチブックだとは思う。 鉛筆に適したザラザラとした細かい肌理のある紙＋アシッドフリーのスケッチパッド（できればA２、少なくともB３）を日本の会社が出してくれれば一番良いんだが、無いからこうした輸入品をバクチでトライするしかない。 なんとかならないかな （肌理があって鉛筆に最適なファブリアーノ・ラフスケッチパッド＝かつてヘビーユーズも、アシッドフリーを謳っているキャンソンXLクロッキー＝フランス製も、実はアシッドフリーではなく、長期的には黄ばんでくるため現在使用は中止）