A Guide to Different Types of Moleskine Products

At Art to Art, we stock a large variety of Moleskine Products. Moleskine is a legendary style of notebook made exclusively by Moleskine. They are created to be reminiscent of journals used by artists and thinkers over the past two centuries: among them Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway and Bruce Chatwin. You can see our entire range here.

Overview:

• Why shop Moleskine?
• What materials are suitable for each Moleskine product?
• Product Compassion Table.
• Frequently Asked Questions.

Why shop Moleskine?

Moleskine are a brand with a history of high-quality products. Additionally, they offer sleek-designed notebooks, journals, and sketchbooks. Which when used correctly can create amazing artwork, within a professional looking sketchbook.

Personally, Whenever I use a Moleskine, I feel like a professional artist. I love their high-quality papers and well-considered designs. It is the little things like the bookmark, a flap at the back that allows to store loose papers and a few perforated pages at the back for when I need to remove some paper – that make this a dream.

What materials are suitable for each Moleskine product?

Moleskine products can be broken down into two categories: Classics Collection and Art Collection.

Moleskine Classics Collection.

Moleskine Plain Notebook, Plain Reporters Notebook & Plain Journal.

65 gsm.

These products have a slim page with a paperweight of 65GSM. These papers are incredible for dry materials with a lighter touch. These include pencil, charcoal, and ballpoint pens. They are also able handle, light delicate washes.

Heavy or wet mediums like ink washes, markers, paints, gel, and felt-tip pens are not suitable. They will likely create bleed through or transference to other pages. If you’re a perfectionist or a neat freak like me, Moleskine Notebooks are suitable only for drawing. Personally, I love carrying around their small ones in my pockets for sketching quick ideas, making notes and to-do lists. Additionally, the paper in these products, is the same paper is shared with Moleskine Dotted Notebook.

Suitable:

• Dry mediums (Charcoal/Pencil)
• Ballpoint Pen

Moleskine Art Collection.

Moleskine Sketch Pad & Sketch Album.

120 gsm.

With detachable pages, the sketchpad and sketch album are perfect for small on-the-go drawing. With a 120gsm weight, they can handle more product than the Notebook range. The Moleskine Art Collection is marked with blue packaging. Just remember, if you’re an artist using anything more than pencil, blue is best! The same paper for the Sketch Pad & Sketch Album is also used in the Moleskine Bullet Notebook and the Japanese Album.

Suitable:

• Dry Mediums (Charcoal/Pencil)
• Coloured pencil.
• Ballpoint, Felt-tip, and Gel Pens.

Moleskine Sketch Book.

165 gsm.

I have been using these for years, specifically with pencil, watercolour markers like Eco Liners and felt-tip liners like Copic Multi-Liners. And I will occasionally play with paint in the sketchbook. Additionally, the Moleskine Japanese Album range, uses the same 165gsm paper. I personally find the Moleskine Sketch Book, suitable for everything but oil paint and alcohol markers. On a personal note, the Moleskine Sketch Book in A4 size is my personal preference. It’s a bit more expensive, but its hardcover means my work is always protected and the design features are convenient and thoughtful.

Suitable:

• Dry Mediums (Charcoal/Pencil)
• Non-Alcohol & Paint Markers.
• All gel pens.
• Felt tip liners.
• Light ink washes.

Moleskine Watercolour Notebook & Watercolour Album.

200 gsm.

With 200gsm and cold-pressed paper, the Moleskine Watercolour Notebook is the second heaviest paper they create. This paper has a typical cold-pressed delicate watercolour texture. This makes it optimal for dry mediums and wet mediums like paint and markers. Keep in mind if you want a super-slick resolve this paper’s texture may not be suitable.

Suitable:

• Dry Mediums (Charcoal/Pencil)
• All Markers, Pens, and Liners.
• Wet Mediums (Watercolour/Acrylic Paint).

Moleskine Watercolour Block.

300 gsm.

These are the thickest and heaviest paper offered by Moleskine. The paper is cold pressed with a delicate texture. As a watercolour block, all the pages are attached as one block. When a page is finished, a razorblade can be used to separate the page from the block. Being attached as a block, together with the heaviest paper weight, this helps to reduce buckling allowing for wettest and most experimental ideas on the page.

Suitable:

• Dry Mediums (Charcoal/Pencil)
• All Markers, Pens, and Liners.
• Wet Mediums (Watercolour/Acrylic Paint).

We sell the Moleskine Watercolour Block in store only.

Product Compassion Table

* - Poor Result
** - Good Result
*** - Excellent Result.

You can see our entire range here.

FAQ

Do Moleskine notebooks bleed through?

Even though Moleskine drawing notebooks are very high-quality, their lightweight and quick-drying paper can result in bleed-through from time to time. For large amounts of ink or painting, Moleskine watercolour notebooks will be the best option, as they are made with a heavy weight watercolour paper that will not bleed through or buckle.

Why are they called Moleskines?

Moleskine fabric is made from cotton, which is sheared to create a smooth textured surface that feels similar to moles. No animals are harmed to create this product.

What is the best Moleskine?

If you are an artist, I would recommend the Moleskine Art Sketch Book.