I’ve never been a huge user of blank notebooks, always opting for at least a dot grid, which to me offers a good balance of flexibility with some minimal structure for notes. As I mainly use my stationery for taking notes or journaling, I’ve never really needed a “sketchbook,” per se, but I do keep one or two blank notebooks lying around to test pens and inks, especially with crazy nibs. When Nina Cosford, a well-known illustrator based in the U.K., reached out and asked if I’d like to review her sketchbook, I was in the middle of a “make-an-inky-mess” project and thought this looked like an intriguing thing to review, even if it’s a bit outside-the-box in terms of what I normally write about. I’m glad I took this particular project on, as this sketchbook features excellent 100gsm paper that I plan to use frequently going forward.
The Nina Cosford Sketchbook as a Project
As I mentioned above, Nina Cosford is an illustrator and lifelong sketchbook enthusiast, who, unable to find that “perfect product” - something we can all relate to - set out to create her own! The result is this roughly 7” x 9” sketchbook that contains 80 sheets of plain, slightly off-white 100gsm paper bound in a softcover vegan cover with a red elastic band. (I would compare the size to the “F2” Midori MD Cotton notebook, maybe slightly smaller.) It’s a simple, understated working sketchbook that feels durable and contains excellent paper. You can read more about Nina, her work, and the process she went through in developing this sketchbook on her website.
This slightly off-white paper shows off shading nicely!
As you all know, I usually work in fountain pen ink, so when I tested the sketchbook my biggest concern was how well it would perform without bleedthrough or feathering on very wet nibs. I shouldn’t have worried - Nina Cosford is a Caran d’Ache ambassador who works in marker and other media that requires quality paper, and this sketchbook held up very well to whatever I could throw at it. The paper shows off ink properties quite nicely, including shading and shimmer.
This sketchbook uses a 100gsm paper that feels coated, so it resists feathering and bleedthrough. You would really have to layer the ink on in order to get this paper to bleed, especially since it was designed to work with marker.
Takeaways and Where to Buy
I really enjoyed trying out this sketchbook and can definitely see myself using it in the future for ink testing and drawing/doodling with pens, inks, and other media. Honestly, I’m trying to expand my repertoire to include more creative journaling, since I feel that all I do is work lately and I really want to get back to playing around with my stationery “just for fun.” You can purchase the Nina Cosford Sketchbook directly from her website, priced at $16, which is quite reasonable given the quality. If you enjoy sketching or journaling in mixed media, and especially if you enjoy using fountain pens or markers, this sketchbook makes for an excellent option whether you use it for art or writing or both.
I was provided this sketchbook free of charge, as a review sample. I was not otherwise compensated for this review. The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and the T.G.S. Patreon Program.