Note Block

Artist Note Blocks

A note block is glued or bound along one edge so the sheets stay flat and square while you work, then tear away cleanly when the piece is finished. The practical difference from a sketchbook is that you are not fighting a gutter or a curling page, and the difference from loose sheets is that you do not need to tape or stretch anything before you start.

Weight is what decides the use

At 300gsm a sheet takes wet washes without cockling, which is why watercolour blocks sit at that weight and cartridge pads sit far below it. Anything lighter than about 200gsm will buckle once you flood it, no matter how good the surface is. If you work wet-in-wet or lay repeated washes, 300gsm is the floor, not a luxury.

The current range is Canson XL Aquarelle and Sketch & Aquarelle note blocks at 300gsm, 30 sheets, spiral bound, in A4 and A3. For heavier or cotton papers see Arches and Saunders Waterford, or browse all papers and pads and sketchbooks.

Stationerie has supplied artists in Kolkata for 25 years. Shipped across India — see our city pages.