Stillman & BirnBeta Series Wirebound Sketchbook, 7" x 7", 270 GSM (Extra Heavyweight), White Paper, Cold Press Surface

I like the weight of the paper. It works well for plein aire watercolor painting. The spiral binding allows it to fold back completely out of the way as well as to protect your dry paintings. Don't scrub though! It won't take harsh treatment well.

I got this book after reading reviewing on a social media site (mistake) that indicated it was great for watercolor. It's not... paper is very smooth and water dries too quickly to move paints around and colors look flat.. I will continue using it to sketch with but if you are looking for a travel watercolor book, keep looking and let me know what you find! I am used to Arches paper and maybe am just spoiled by Arches - if only they carried a travel book!

Sturdy for field use. Great for pen, colored pencil, water color. I like the size, but could understand if someone would rather have larger or even smaller (pocket).

Awesome quality paper and I love the square shape for a change of pace sometimes. Maybe not perfect for all watercolor techniques but in this book you wouldn't be doing your best work anyway most likely. The 180lb paper holds a ton & I mean a ton of water before even buckling just the slightest. I often use this for inking, colored pencil, water color pencils, inktense pencils etc. Note - Alcohol markers do bleed thru. Have not yet tried but I would also think this would work well with soft and oil pastels. I also love how you can use both sides of the paper, there is a slight texture difference but it doesn't look like the back of a watercolor paper if you know what I mean, just a subtle difference. I especially love the gradation and texture in the paint it although that may have something to do with the actual paints themselves. You can especially see what I mean on the leaves of the pink flower in the photos I've attached. For all 3 examples I used Mission Gold watercolors if anyone is curious. I'm about halfway thru the book and find myself wanting to hoard the rest. :) I am very curious what the Zeta series is like and how it differs?Disclaimer - all three paintings attached where rendered off of youtube tutorials, which I always love doing to learn new techniques.

This is advertised as mix media but the paper balls up after a single light watercolor wash. Reworking is impossible. It doesn't erase either. Maybe save it for collage work. I invested in some Etchr sketchbooks instead...similar price and great reviews. I wouldn't recommend this. Strathmore 400 does a better job.

This is my favorite sketchbook so far and I've gone through many. Unlike a lot of sketchbooks that make using the "wrong side" impossible, you can paint on either side without a problem or noticeable difference. The spiral also makes it really easy for right handed folks that find the left side harder to use. I used this book for watercolor and gouache paint and had no issues. The paper doesn't allow for true lifting like with 100% cotton paper but you can do a bit of wet into wet. You will notice some hard edges and granulating paint doesn't sing in this book but I'm not creating "masterpieces" in here and neither should you.

Good quality paper, however, it is very smooth texture for cold pressed paper. Doesn’t deliver result I was expecting. Buckles when water is applied. Probably better for watercolor pencils and ink. Ink applies well over dried paint.

I have several of these books I use for art Journaling. The pages are sturdy with a nice texture. They accept various media such as ink, watercolor, collage, etc. The double coil binding allows for page removal to work flat. I love both this beta series and the zeta series.

I have been sketching for decades and after various trials have used Stillman & Birn Zeta spiral bound 6x8 sketchbooks for years, maybe 20 of them. I sketch with pen-and-waterproof ink, Elegant Writer Calligraphy pens (water soluble ink that splits beautifully with water to grey, turquoise and pink!) and watercolours. The paper is excellent. The only downside is that they are not cheap - but in my view, worth it.

Great for watercolour and mixed media.

Meine Tochter (10) ist Anfängerin im Tuschezeichnen. Ihr habe ich das Buch gekauft, damit sie Ihre Kunstwerke in einem Buch hat. Sie zeichnet zum ersten MAl mit Tuschestiften und es klappt super - nichts drückt durch oder weicht durch oder wellt sich... Perfekt. Wir sind beide begeistert.