{"id":115959,"date":"2025-02-28T21:41:49","date_gmt":"2025-02-28T21:41:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/entertainment\/art\/hands-on-review-of-the-illo-square-8x8%e2%80%b3-sketchbook-mega-pencil\/"},"modified":"2025-02-28T21:41:49","modified_gmt":"2025-02-28T21:41:49","slug":"hands-on-review-of-the-illo-square-8x8%e2%80%b3-sketchbook-mega-pencil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=115959","title":{"rendered":"Hands-on Review of the Illo Square 8\u00d78\u2033 Sketchbook \u00bb Mega Pencil"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

It really is fair and square<\/p>\n

With its smart design, versatile paper, and cool square shape, the Illo sketchbook is a hit. It isn’t just a pretty face for Instagram; it’s a sketchbook that truly delivers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

Pros<\/p>\n

Unique square design<\/p>\n

Thick, luxurious paper<\/p>\n

Sturdy build quality<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Cons<\/p>\n

Not acid-free paper<\/p>\n

Faux leather shows fingerprints<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Considering the vast<\/em> amount of sketchbooks available, you wouldn\u2019t think it would be possible to reinvent the wheel, right?<\/p>\n

Perhaps \u2018wheel\u2019 is a poor reference, because this sketchbook is a real square. I mean it. It\u2019s literally a perfect square.<\/strong><\/p>\n

But these days, it\u2019s hip to be square. Illo\u2019s unique format was designed for a very specific purpose: social media. Apps like Instagram use a square crop for every image uploaded. This has led artists to either cut-off parts of their work, or try to leave margins on the page beforehand. <\/p>\n

By making the entire sketchbook a square, it means every page is perfectly sized for social media.<\/p>\n

But is it actually a good sketchbook in its own right? After 12 months of use, I\u2019ll share my honest review of the Illo sketchbook<\/a> below.<\/p>\n

\"example<\/figure>\n
\"illo<\/figure>\n

Design and build quality<\/h2>\n

The Illo sketchbook (officially called \u201cfair and square\u201d) makes a strong first impression with its sleek design. The hardcover is cloaked in a grippy kind of faux leather finish and keeps the book from bending. Its charcoal gray is easy on the eyes and the attached bookmark is a handy feature. <\/p>\n

The addition of an elastic band closure is a nice touch and keeps the pages from flapping during transit. There\u2019s also an expanding pocket on the back cover just like you\u2019d find in a Moleskine sketchbook. This is a convenient place to stash loose paper or even a few pencils. <\/p>\n

\"illo<\/figure>\n

The robust build does add a bit of weight, which might be a downside for those who prefer lighter sketchbooks. You\u2019ll easily be able to squash spiders however. <\/p>\n

Does the Illo sketchbook have good paper? <\/h2>\n

I found the paper quality in the Illo Sketchbook to be excellent. It\u2019s very<\/em> comparable to more expensive Moleskine journals.<\/p>\n

The 112 pages of 122 lb paper are thick and resilient, supporting a wide range of mediums without significant bleed-through. There\u2019s just enough tooth to give pencil sketches texture, while still being smooth enough for ink art.<\/p>\n

In fact, it\u2019s become my go-to sketchbook for inking. Markers also work well with this paper, as it\u2019s thick enough to keep from buckling.<\/p>\n

\"illo<\/figure>\n

One downside? The paper is not acid-free, which can be a deal-breaker for professionals looking for longevity in their work. <\/p>\n

Does the Illo sketchbook lay flat?<\/h2>\n

I typically avoid spine-sewn sketchbooks because I don\u2019t like to fight to keep the pages flat. The Illo sketchbook specifically has a lay-flat design, which I can attest to actually working. Even the first few pages spread easily without wrestling the binding. <\/p>\n

You should know that the pages are not<\/em> perforated, so if you want to remove a page, scissors will be required.<\/p>\n

Performance with different media <\/h2>\n

Over 12 months, the Illo sketchbook demonstrated impressive versatility. It handled pencils, markers and ink with ease, showing minimal warping or bleed-through.<\/p>\n

Unlike the Strathmore 400 series sketchbook<\/a>, I did not encounter shine or reflection from heavy graphite areas.<\/p>\n

\"bug<\/figure>\n

The paper\u2019s slightly textured surface provided a good grip for dry media while still allowing smooth strokes for inks and paints. Watercolor is not recommended, but Illo does sell a dedicated square watercolor sketchbook<\/a> just for that.<\/p>\n

Are Illo sketchbooks worth the money?<\/h2>\n

Short answer: I think so, especially if you want to save a few bucks over a Moleskine. <\/p>\n

Illo offers 3 sizes for their \u201cFair and Square\u201d line of sketchbooks:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Pocket 4.5\u2033 x 4.5\u2033<\/li>\n
  • Original 8\u2033 x 8\u2033<\/li>\n
  • Xl 10\u2033 x 10\u2033<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Prices range from $12.75 to $24.99 for 112 pages. It\u2019s not the cheapest on the market, but for the features it offers, the Illo sketchbook presents itself as a strong contender for a wide range of artists.<\/p>\n

    \"illo<\/figure>\n
    <\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    It really is fair and square With its smart design, versatile paper, and cool square shape, the Illo sketchbook is a hit. It isn’t just a pretty face for Instagram; it’s a sketchbook that truly delivers. Pros Unique square design Thick, luxurious paper Sturdy build quality Cons Not acid-free paper Faux leather shows fingerprints Considering […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":115962,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[100],"tags":[18774,51449,3575,2648,3749,35396,647],"dealstore":[],"offerexpiration":[],"class_list":["post-115959","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-art","tag-handson","tag-illo","tag-mega","tag-pencil","tag-review","tag-sketchbook","tag-square"],"yoast_head":"\nHands-on Review of the Illo Square 8\u00d78\u2033 Sketchbook \u00bb Mega Pencil - Som2ny Network<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=115959\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Hands-on Review of the Illo Square 8\u00d78\u2033 Sketchbook \u00bb Mega Pencil - Som2ny Network\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"It really is fair and square With its smart design, versatile paper, and cool square shape, the Illo sketchbook is a hit. 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