Journaling & sketching gear I use

Facts, opinions, affiliate links, about journaling and sketching gear.

If you’re into journaling, sketching, or just scribbling, here’s what I actually use—and what works best in the Notes of a Teenage Dirtbag journal that I'm so excited about (as well as other moody paper things).

I’ve added affiliate links where I can. No sponsorships—just things I use and like.

Pens that work well (and don’t bleed through)

If you like your pages clean and your angst legible, these are great picks for the Notes of a Teenage Dirtbag journal:

• Ballpoint pens – The Uni-Ball Jetstream RT Pen is loved by many. You see amazing artworks on Tiktok for instance.  
  
• Gel pens – Paper Mate Colorful InkJoy Gel Pens are loved by millions.
• Fineliners – like Sakura Pigma Micron Fineliners (my fave).  
• Felt-tips – only the drier ones like Paper Mate Flair Dual Felt Tip.
• And pencils – seriously underrated!

About the beloved pencil

Graphite pencils come in a whole spectrum, from whisper-light to black-as-your-soul. Here's a quick breakdown:

“Sketching graphite pencils come in a range of grades, from 9B to 9H... H stands for hard and B for black. The higher the number, the harder or blacker they are.” – Curtisward.com

The blog of curtisward.com gives these sample strokes: 

What I Use

Pencils

I usually reach for a 2B pencil—soft, smooth, satisfying. For sketching or quick notes, it just works. When I want something sharper but still easygoing, I go for a 0.7 mm mechanical pencil, also in 2B.

Fineliners (My Go-To)

When I want my text to look better, or be more readable for someone else, also to outline a sketch that I'm happy with, I use Sakura Pigma Micron Fineliners - archival black ink, crisp lines, no bleed through. 

 

 

 

Posca Paint Markers (For When Color Is a Mood)

Posca markers are juicy but precise.

They don’t bleed, but if you layer too much, the page will buckle due to wetness—and honestly? I like that, but if you don't, you need thicker paper. Also scratching the same spot will cause ordinary paper to pile. 

You may want to get thicker paper. 

 

 

 

Posca Markers are great for:

• Opaque, layerable color
• Quick drying = minimal smudge
• Use them on: paper, wood, glass, rocks, plastic, fabric, your feelings...
  

Want more ideas?
👉 20 Ways to Use Posca Paint Markers

 

Paper Quality: A Quick Guide

When I’m not journaling or scrapbooking, I switch to sketchbooks—especially when I want to focus more on art.

Here’s how paper quality works (and what to look for): GSM = grams per square meter → Higher GSM = thicker, more durable paper

Standard copy paper = ~80 gsm, Watercolor & mixed media paper = ~200–300 gsm

(In the U.S., you’ll see “lb” instead of gsm, I’m not getting into that.)

Also many sketchbooks mention acid-free paper, or paper with a neutral pH. This means the paper resists yellowing, brittleness, and deterioration over time, ensuring that artwork remains vibrant and intact for years to come. They didn’t have that in the old days..

My Favorite Sketchbooks

Sketchbook for dry media

A great and affordable sketchbook with easy to tear off sheets, paper 100 gsm (approx. 68 lb), Ankkol Sketchbook

 

 

 

 

For markers (like Posca or Copic)

Fuxi Marker Pad- excellent marker pad with thicker paper 200 gsm (approx. 120 lb)

 

 

 

Ps. Read an excellent blog on Choosing and Using Sketching Pencils here.