hey,

I've recently been using alot of marker pens and paint in my journals, and they always show through the pages.. I'm trying to find a nice looking hardback journal with paper anywhere from 200gsm upwards...

the paper im using is 220gsm and its perfect.. Its Daler Rowney heavy weight cartridge paper.

I guess if there is no such thing I'll just have to practise my book binding skills, but I really would like a nice hardback journal that is suitable for markers and/or paint.

any ideas?

if it helps I'm in the UK.

☠ MzMonster ☠

I've been digging around since you posted this (like I have anything better to do at my morning job...) and for the life of me, every ~220gsm sketchbook I come across in someone's blog or review, it always seems to be something they've bound themselves.

Disappointing, I know...

However, as far as holding water/wet media goes, I hear mixed (but usually good) things about the Moleskine Watercolor books.

Sorry I couldn't find anything, I was keeping my fingers crossed for myself as well, as such a sketchbook would - have - to be shipped to my door if such a book existed, hehe.

If you do happen to foray into self-binding one, any photos or pointers/tips you could toss this way would be awesome, I've got loads of paper I'd like to cut down and bind into something small.



NOTE: I buy pads of this stuff locally, and for high contrast ink/light paint work, it's wonderful. It does buckle under watercolors, but my god, technical pencil drawings and ink lines look wonderful on this stuff, heavy sharpie marker work doesn't bleed through either. It's served me well for - very - small detailed and light acrylic work too.

it's heavy, but a little more flexible than a card-stock or tag board.

I really like it's ultra bright white look.

http://www.dickblick.com/products/borden-and-riley-paris-bleedproof-paper-for-pens/

They call it an "economical" alternative to bristol...well, I've not seen Bristol prices higher than these pads, no idea why they describe it that way...

I agree, it is really tough to find a nice hard bound sketchbook with heavyweight paper! I always think I should stop being lazy about binding. But it's not my favourite thing to do.

The Moleskine Watercolour Sketchbook has 200 gsm paper, and it works well with paint and markers. However, if you use alcohol based markers, they will still come through on the back of the page. They are available at Amazon. com:
http://www.amazon.com/Watercolour-A4-Moleskine-Srl/dp/8862931948/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255111497&sr=8-8

I think probably the Copic Marker Sketchbook might be the best option for alcohol based markers without much bleed through. I'm not sure how readily available they are in the UK:
http://copicmarker.com/products/paper/sketchbooks/


I noticed on this site there is a Canson Watercolour Sketchbook that is 230gsm. Their paper is usually quite all purpose. I have a spiral bound book of theirs but with a thinner paper, but it works well:
http://www.greatart.co.uk/water-colour-sketch-books.html


There is this Daler Rowney one I saw as well with 200 gsm paper. I wish they would sell these here. Sounds similar to the paper you are using:
http://www.artifolk.co.uk/catalog/products/drawing_and_sketching_paper/derwent_safari_journal_sketch_books.htm


The Venezia Fabriano Journal, the paper is supposed to be really nice as well!:
http://www.artifolk.co.uk/catalog/products/drawing_and_sketching_paper/fabriano_venezia_drawing_book.htm


I recently got a Maruman Sketchbook with 204 gsm paper, but I'm not sure how easy it is to find in the UK. It's spiral bound, but has really wonderful paper:
http://www.aswexpress.com/discount-art-supplies/online/4844/art-supplies/5

They had other sketchbooks on some of those sites that are for Watercolour, with spiral binding, and 300 gsm paper. But, most have a cold pressed surface.

I'm not sure if any of these links are helpful, but I hope you can find something that works for you. :D