Comments about Daler-Rowney Hardbound Sketchbooks:

I got the 11" x 14" size. The paper is a tad low on the quality-scale for a professional artist (only 65 lb press), but grand for working sketches and concept-art- which is what I tend to use the big pads for. :-)

The paper has a creamy colour to it (the "soft white" tone on the sticker info)- not as white as some might prefer, but I actually kind of like it. Good ground and texture, but a bit thin. I haven't done a lot of erasure-testing on the paper, yet, but so far, it's been pretty good at putting up with my mistakes! :P

The hard cover is a matte, textured paper, and it would be fun to sketch on it's surface with light-toned coloured-pencil.

Decent stuff, for the price- I got two of these pads for the price of one, smaller, higher-end pad, and I think it's a sweet deal for the artist on a budget (like me)!

Comments about Daler-Rowney Hardbound Sketchbooks:

This has to be the best sketchbook I've used. True enough, the spine-back comes away from the pages, and the binding is easily visible (in places where the signatures are sewn), but--it's a great sketchbook for a very slim price.

Perhaps what I like most about it, however, is the texture of the paper. It feels--old, I suppose, but in a nice way. True, Bic pen (my primary drawing medium) shows through vaguely on the opposite sides of pages, so if that bothers you--well, this probably isn't the best book. But if you don't mind having something that's versatile, cheap, and ends up becoming a constant companion--this is an excellent sketchbook.

(One final note that might displease some is that the book's cover fabric isn't like the so-called "imitation leather" used on most other hardbound sketchbooks--it's a simple black cloth whose weave is easily visible. I add this only because it's not the most obvious in the photos, but if you prefer that sort of material, here's a heads up. :))

Comments about Daler-Rowney Hardbound Sketchbooks:

I really like the cream color of the paper. While the paper has more texture than other sketchbooks I think it adds to scans I make.

At 65 lbs I don't expect to be able to work it like a watercolor block. It takes light washes reasonably well.

The binding on my sketchbook was fine though I wish Blick had packed it in such a way that the edges of the cover didn't get smushed in the box. I'll get another one, probably at a Blick retail store.

Comments about Daler-Rowney Hardbound Sketchbooks:

Although very inexpensive, thats exactly what this sketchbook is. Just a cheap deal. Do not fall for the price. It is not a good sketchbook at all. I had to rebind mine because it started falling apart. You see the fabric where the edges of the binding is? Well it doesn't run all the way through, they only glued it on the ends of the binding to make it look like it was decently made.
This sketchbook can't take anything but pencil and maybe a bic ballpoint pen, but even then the paper tears too easily. You can't go over your pencil lines too much or you risk tearing the paper. I'm so dissatisfied with this sketchbook. I've only drawn about half-way through it, and I don't even want to work in it anymore.
If you are looking for a deal, and I highlight, "A Deal", then by all means get it. However, if you are a serious artist, or even casual artist, I do not reccomend buying this product.