Basic Breakdown
Canson Art Books: Which one is right for you?
Choosing a sketchbook isn't just about finding somewhere to put your drawings. The paper inside can make a real difference to how your materials behave, the techniques you can explore and the results you achieve.
The Canson Art Book range includes options for artists who enjoy experimenting with different media and those who want a dedicated sketchbook for watercolour painting. While both feature quality paper in practical hardback formats, their paper characteristics make them suited to different ways of working.
In this blog, we'll compare the Canson Art Book Mixed Media Sketchbook and the Canson Art Book Saunders Waterford Watercolour Sketchbook to help you decide which is right for you.
What to look for when choosing a Canson Art Book
Before choosing your sketchbook, it's worth considering three things:
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Your preferred materials: Do you mainly work with pencil and ink, or do you regularly use watercolour and other wet media?
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Your techniques: Are you looking for a versatile surface for experimentation or paper designed specifically for watercolour?
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Your working style: Do you want a sketchbook for quick studies and developing ideas, or a high-quality surface for more detailed, finished paintings?
Understanding these differences will help you find a Canson sketchbook that suits the way you create.
1. Canson Art Book Mixed Media Sketchbook
Best for: Artists who enjoy experimenting with different materials.
The Canson Art Book Mixed Media Sketchbook combines the characteristics of watercolour paper and drawing paper in one hardback, wire-bound book. Its 300gsm paper has a textured grain and a high cotton content, making it a versatile option for artists who like to work across different media.
Rather than committing to one technique, you can use this sketchbook to explore a range of materials and develop your ideas in one place.
Paper characteristics:
- 300gsm heavyweight paper
- Textured grain
- High cotton content
- Designed for both wet and dry techniques
- Hardback, wire-bound format
What can you use it for?
The Mixed Media Sketchbook is suitable for watercolour, inks, pencil and charcoal, making it a useful choice for artists who want flexibility. The heavyweight paper can accommodate light washes while providing a suitable surface for drawing and sketching.
It's particularly well suited to:
- Mixed media artwork combining different materials
- Watercolour studies and light washes
- Pencil and ink illustrations
- Charcoal drawings and dry media
- Urban sketching and travel journals
- Experimenting with new techniques
- Developing ideas before starting a finished piece
Why choose the Mixed Media Sketchbook?
If your artwork regularly moves between drawing, painting and experimentation, this sketchbook gives you the freedom to explore different approaches without needing a separate book for every medium.
It's a practical option for artists who value versatility and want a single sketchbook for a variety of creative projects.
Buy now2. Canson Art Book Saunders Waterford Watercolour Sketchbook
Best for: Watercolour artists who want premium cotton paper.
If watercolour is your main medium, the Canson Art Book Saunders Waterford Watercolour Sketchbook offers a more specialised surface.
Inside, you'll find genuine Saunders Waterford watercolour paper. Made from 100% cotton, this 300gsm paper is acid-free and cold pressed, giving you a quality surface designed for watercolour painting. The paper is also endorsed by the Royal Watercolour Society.
While it's designed with watercolour in mind, it can also be used with inks and selected mixed-media techniques.
Paper characteristics:
- 300gsm paper
- 100% cotton
- Acid-free
- Cold-pressed surface
- Genuine Saunders Waterford watercolour paper
- Endorsed by the Royal Watercolour Society
- Hardback, wire-bound format
What can you use it for?
The Saunders Waterford Sketchbook is a strong choice for artists who want to practise, experiment with or develop their watercolour techniques on dedicated watercolour paper.
It's particularly well suited to:
- Watercolour studies and finished paintings
- Wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry techniques
- Building up colour through layers of washes
- Detailed watercolour work
- Combining watercolour with ink
- Travel sketching and plein air painting
- Practising techniques and exploring colour
- Creating artwork on premium cotton paper
Why choose the Saunders Waterford Sketchbook?
If you primarily paint with watercolour, choosing a sketchbook made with 100% cotton watercolour paper gives you a dedicated surface for your practice.
The Saunders Waterford paper makes this option particularly appealing to artists who want to work with premium watercolour materials, whether they're developing their skills or creating more considered pieces.
Buy nowCanson Art Book Mixed Media vs Saunders Waterford: What's the Difference?
Both sketchbooks offer heavyweight paper in a portable, hardback format. The main difference is the type of paper and the creative work each is designed to support.
| Feature | Mixed Media Sketchbook | Saunders Waterford Sketchbook |
|---|---|---|
| Paper weight | 300gsm | 300gsm |
| Cotton content | High cotton content | 100% cotton |
| Surface | Textured grain | Cold-pressed watercolour paper |
| Main purpose | Mixed media and experimentation | Watercolour painting |
| Wet media | Watercolour and light washes | Watercolour techniques |
| Dry media | Pencil, ink and charcoal | Watercolour-focused work, with scope for inks |
| Best suited to | Artists using a variety of materials | Artists who primarily work with watercolour |
| Format | Hardback, wire-bound | Hardback, wire-bound |
Both are useful options, but the best choice depends on how you plan to use your sketchbook. If flexibility is your priority, the Mixed Media Sketchbook is worth considering. If watercolour is at the heart of your practice, the Saunders Waterford Sketchbook is the more specialised option.
Find your next Canson Sketchbook at Perfect Paper
Whether you're looking for a versatile sketchbook for creative experimentation or premium watercolour paper for your next painting, the Canson Art Book range offers options to suit different artistic needs.
Explore the two sketchbooks to compare their paper characteristics and find the one that fits your materials, techniques and working style.