As loose sketching artists, we are always on the hunt for the “perfect” sketchbook. The holy grail that can handle our ink, take watery colours, and inspire us to fill its pages. Recently, I had the opportunity to test out the LUCHETTI true flat watercolour sketchbook (8×8 inches, Cold-Pressed).
Colin (below) also received one and we had the chance to test them together! This blog post are my thoughts, and lots of art from the inside of our sketchbooks.
Disclaimer: The team at LUCHETTI kindly sent me this sketchbook. They didn’t ask for a review, but I decided the sketchbook was worth it. This post also contains affiliate links, meaning if you make a purchase through my link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own!
Spoiler alert: It is absolutely lovely, but it comes with a few quirks (and a hefty price tag). Let’s dive into the details.
First Impressions & Paper Quality
Right off the bat, this is a beautifully made book. The 8×8 inch square format is arguably one of the best sizes for a sketchbook. It’s substantial enough for serious pieces, especially working across a whole spread of two pages. But still manageable for daily use. More importantly, it opens incredibly well, making the sketching experience comfortable from the very first page.
The cold-pressed paper is where this book truly shines. It takes color beautifully. Whether I am throwing down a heavy wash or working on intricate details, the paper handles it all. I was particularly impressed by how it accommodates both ultra-fine pen lines and bold, expressive brush strokes without breaking a sweat. Plus, it dries fast enough to keep my workflow moving without long, frustrating waits.
Below is a video of the sketchbook in use that will demonstrate exactly that.
The “Gutter” and the Quirky Construction
Let’s talk about the binding. Luchetti heavily markets the seamless experience and ‘true flat’, and while I have to be honest and say it isn’t truly 100% gutter-free, it is undoubtedly the best I have ever seen. You can sketch easily over both pages to create a massive 8×16 inch spread, and your pen or brush won’t aggressively skip or fall into a black hole in the middle.
Then, there’s the construction of the paper itself, which is a bit odd. Rather than a standard single sheet, it’s actually 300gsm paper that has been folded over on itself. This is known as butterfly binding, and originates (I believe) from China. So… does that make it 600gsm? Sort of?
I’m not entirely sure if this unique folded construction has any real-world impact or structural benefit, but I can’t argue with the results. For my process, the paper works phenomenally well.
The Elephant in the Room: The Price
Let’s not sugarcoat this: this sketchbook is EXPENSIVE!!!! In the UK it costs £57 + postage of around £22. So that’s a best-case scenario of a couple of pounds per page. Now, this sounds outrageous, but it is similar to using high-end watercolour blocks… which I wouldn’t think twice about.
That means the pages below represent about £10 worth of art. Best not to think about it!
Still, for a sketchbook, it is definitely a luxury art supply. If you are someone who suffers from “blank page anxiety” or you hate using expensive materials for rough sketches, the price tag might make you hesitant to freely make marks in this book. And rightly so.
The Final Verdict
So, is it worth it?
Despite the eye-watering price, the benefits are numerous. It’s a gorgeous book, the 8×8 size is a sweet spot, it opens beautifully flat, and the paper performance is top-tier. If you are looking to treat yourself, want a premium book for a special project, or simply love painting across wide, (nearly) gutter-free spreads, the LUCHETTI is an absolute joy to use.
If you’d like to try it out for yourself, you can grab yours here: [Link is here]
What do you guys think? Have you tried the Luchetti, or do you have another favorite square sketchbook? Let me know in the comments!