Crescent Creative Products 12-00010 5.5 8.5-Inch RENDR Hardbound Sketchbook, 5.5" x 8.5"

I drew in this sketchbook every day for two months. It was wonderful to work in. I have some pros and cons after working in it for a while I'd like to share with others:Pros-Tough. I dropped this book multiple times and used it daily. No pages fell or ripped out. It looks like new.-Truly Bleed Proof. I used Copics, Eno Mechanical Pencils, Posca Pens, Sharpies, Copic Multiliners, Micron Pens, Uni-ball gel pens, Gelly Roll Pens, Sakura Metallic Pens, etc. and nothing bled through.-Great Deal. You can draw 96 drawings in this if you utilize both sides of the paper. I think it's a great deal for the price.Cons- Paper is a very lightly tinted gray color.- Watercolor is terrible on this paper. I didn't even use much water. I used a water brush pen. The water was eating up the paper. It didn't go through but definitely made a top layer too textured for me to continue with the painting. I tried it twice and both times this happened.-Sketchbook does not lay flat. Ever. It wasn't a big deal for me but it may be for some individuals.Overall, I loved this little sketchbook. I just bought another for my birthday. I can't wait to use it!

I am not sure why so many people are complaining about this book not laying flat. I have never seen a flatter sketchbook. But so I wonder what they are comparing it to? It is not as flat as a piece of paper on a desk, or a spiral sketchbook where you're only having to contended with one side of the book at a time, but compared to other bound sketchbooks I have, this one is flat!I can easily open it up on my desk and don't have to fight with half the book closing on me, or having to clamp it open. The "bump in the middle" from the binding is very minimal compared to what I've dealt with in other journals where your arms are in some sort of pretzel position just to keep the book open and you're practically drawing sideways for those last few inches of page before your pen does a nose dive into the "binder abyss."This sketchbook has none of those issues.I've just started using it with POSCA markers and felt tip pens and there is zero bleed through. I am very impressed! The pages are smooth and quite inviting to work in. I love how my pens just glide over the pages. I'm only on page two and already thinking of buying another one. It just feels that. good.The cover is a soft suede(ish) feeling, although it is not suede.I have the 8.5" x 11", soft cover, sewn binding sketchbook.

The best sketchbook for marker illustrations I’ve ever used. No bleed through with alcohol markers very strong Binding. I would not recommend for watercolor but good for most other media. This book does not lay flat so that a little tricky going towards the middle of the book.

This sketchbook is super great if you want to use inks or makers that usually bleed through the pages! I've covered a couple pages in copic ink and none of it had bled through or was even visible on the other side! I think it'd be great for professional art, but I have no experience with how it reacts to anything other than ink and copics. That being said, I found my copics to dry alarmingly quickly while drawing in this! It might be that the copics are at fault, or my expectations for them, but reguardless i was having to refill them every 3-10 pages..! Mind you, this was while i was using only 6 grayscale markers, but be aware if you can't afford refills.Additionally, despite me bringing it about everywhere and carelessly having it jostled around in my bag, it's remained very durable and the spine and covers are still in perfect condition. This is, for sure, a well made sketchbook!Overall, a great sketchbook, and one I found pleasing to draw in. Even though they dry quickly, the copics were easy to use in it and looked great on the paper. I would deffo recommend this sketchbook to anyone wanting to make a gorgeous book of art!