I purchased two 5 1/2 x 8 watercolor sketchbooks in May it is now October and I’ve completed both of them. This paper is great for pencil, Ink, alcohol markers, paint pens, gel pens and watercolor.The fish page was filled in with alcohol markers, I had a few spots that I went pretty heavy and the bleed through to the other side is minimal so I can lightly gesso the other side and add another sketch to that page. I used multiple mediums on the abstract page and the only bleed through again was very light alcohol marker bleed, The acrylic paint pens work great no streaking or bleeding. The birds were done with watercolor and then I went over with the micron fine liners which write really smooth on this paper.I highly recommend these sketchbooks. They are great value. The binding is very strong. The front cover is thick and sturdy. The back is a thicker cardboard press board.Since I’ve completed the two books I ordered in May I did order two more today.