SMLT FB-32(300) Layflat Art Pro Album

This book has what I think is called coptic binding or something like that? Anyway it has an open binding that I find very attractive and the pages lay completely flat. I found the paper very good quality for watercolour. Also the outer layer of the book (I'm not English speaking so I have to be creative with words sometimes...) is made of I think stone. Very original and interesting!

I bought the SM.LT journal 'FB-32(300) recently after despairing over a water colour journal that was a nightmare to use. I was so relieved to find that this was exactly what I needed. It would be nice if there were a bigger version too but the paper quality is excellent and I've ordered another two, so that speaks volumes! The weight is 300gms or 140lb. It is stated that it is 100% cotton and I believe it! My usual water colour paper (sheets or pads, not a journal) is the top-rated brand made in France and the paper in this FB-32 journal seems so similar to work with. I'm unsure whether it is supposed to be HP or CP, it seems to be somewhere in between but it works for me. My paint didn't skate around the surface of the paper and when dry it allowed glazing without the first layer of paint lifting off completely. I was pleasantly surprised that the paper in FB-32 could take a lot of water, I mean a lot. It did bulge a little bit under the deluge but then dried flat. I used a good quality, low tack, yellow masking tape around the edge of my painting as I like a white border and the tape came off without the paper surface coming off with it. In my problematic journal a layer of paper came off with the tape! I admit to having a little difficulty removing the blue masking fluid that I used (I usually just rub it with my finger) but an eraser shifted it and, again, there was no damage to the surface of the paper. The 'stone' hardcover is a novelty and the whole journal is very smart and well made. On the inside of the hard covers, there is paper stuck to it which seems the same quality as the rest of the paper within the journal. There is not, however, any information as to brand, nothing at all, so I couldn't tell if I was at the front of the journal or at the back. I've done a painting and there were no problems at all; I get the feeling that both sides of the pages will seem very much the same when in use. I think that's it.

This is a great sketchbook! My Moleskine Watercolor album got messed up and I came across this after seeing the very few reviews of this on YouTube. I found the book on here and bought it to review on the Monster Girl Art Lab YouTube channel. First thing, the stone covers are cool and feels really nice to the touch. The book lays flat and has 300gsm paper that is smoother than most. The paper quality is top notch and the best I’ve used so far and it handles wet on wet techniques and lifting (the main things I did) easily. Keep in mind this is not a sketchbook you need, it’s one you’ll want. There are cheaper cotton watercolor sketchbooks on the market, but at the same time if you have the money it’s a nice one to have and to show your work in and it’s also a great conversation piece to leave out for guests to check out.-Nathyn Brendan Masters

Je suis très contente de ce carnet format carré papier 100% coton, ce qui est le top pour l’aquarelle.

Great for watercolor including wet on wet.I wish these came in different sizes. It is almost like Arches paper. Very impressed.Also very well bound, and lays flat as described. I will buy this one again.

The corners of this very expensive sketchbook were banged up and crushed because they packed it in a paper envelope. This is super annoying considering the money spent. It’s insane since it was so expensive.

You know how all artist struggle a little when starting a new book? Well the quality of this one will have you more than a little anxious but excited to use. The cover is so beautiful and the paper is really great quality. I know it's expensive but it truly is the best watercolor sketchbook I have ever bought and I have a ton of them.