BETTER WITH ART supplies
Journals
If you’re interested in purchasing an ideal art journal for the wet, dry, and layered applications we use on BETTER WITH ART, the paper is important. It needs to be heavy-weight and smooth. Hot-press if it’s watercolor or some heavier mixed-media paper, because although I love the texture of cold-press it’s really hard on markers and pens. I aim for 140lb/300gsm.
Unfortunately the art journal I use in all my videos and for the art journaling groups at the library where I work are no longer readily available in the size I use. Here’s the link, though, because last I checked the larger size is still available and I just found out the three-pack of my size is sometimes, too. I LOVE the paper. The pages hold up well to all of the wet, dry, and layered applications I throw at them. And there were more pages than more expensive and comparably priced options.
I’m still looking for a new best possible value and have started trying the following options:
The Arrtx Watercolor Sketchbook 2-Pack has GREAT paper, and at just 4”x6”, a nice travel option.
Still need to further test with Sharpie or Sharpie-like markers.
I’ve started using the following from Lightwish:
green refillable watercolor sketchbook
double the paper to refill or bind with something as simple as yarn or small metal rings
Still need to test with Sharpie or Sharpie-like markers, but it is likely to have the same performance as the following.
Another type of lay-flat LIGHTWISH journal. Or at least is said it was LIGHTWISH on Amazon. It had a different brand name on the packaging when it arrived. I used it for the 3/16/25 BWA video with Sharpie, and the bleed-through was pretty significant.
Another HOT PRESS heavyweight watercolor journal, that I have so far only tested with Sharpies and other similar permanent markers (and it did GREAT) is this MAIMOUFIN Watercolor Journal.
What I can say about this paper I haven’t yet had time to test, is SMOOTH:
Speedball Fluid 100
I’ve been experimenting with these Dylusions creative journals to modify for Muse packs to spark your creativity. So far, so good, at least with collage-type pages. The kraft paper pages are more ivory or like a pale manila folder than white, and like a heavy cardstock. Update: not so great with Sharpies.
I know no-cold-press has been my rule, but this Art-n-Fly Watercolor Book Mini has less tooth than most cold-press watercolor paper. Although that may be a sign of lower quality for someone looking for a nicely textured watercolor paper, for us it means the backs of the pages are rather smooth. I tested it with Sharpies and other similar permanent markers for the March 23, 2025 BETTER WITH ART video, and, well, as far as the markers soaking through it performed okay. Not great, but it’s a better bargain than many other options.