Leaubleue | Sketchbook + Painting Tutorial
This Llamated Edition B5 Portrait Sketchbook was created in collaboration with French watercolourist and illustrator Blanche Tristant.
Known for her elegant botanicals and thoughtful tutorials, Blanche moves naturally between expressive washes and precise detail. This sketchbook reflects that balance, combining Hot Press and Cold Press cotton paper in one book — an inviting space to explore both control and fluidity.
If 70 or more units are pre-ordered before this project ends then orders will be sent in early June 2026. If the project ends before the goal is reached then pre-order customers will be refunded in full within 3 working days.
When you order this Limited Edition Sketchbook you'll receive:
-
B5 Portrait Sketchbook
- 52 pages (26 sheets) of 100% cotton, acid-free paper (Half 220gsm Hot Press, paper, Half 230gsm Cold Press)
- Deckled edges
- Suited to wet media, including heavy washes
- Exclusive access to a recorded tutorial by Blanche, where she walks you through how she composes and paints one of her signature floral pieces, and talks about the paper differences.
- Free International Shipping
- Ships in early June 2026
Expand the "Sketchbook Specifications & FAQ" dropdown menu below for details.
SKETCHBOOK SPECIFICATIONS & FAQ
Sketchbook Specifications
Sketchbook
B5 Portrait · 52 pages (26 sheets): 26 pages 220gsm Hot Press + 26 pages 230gsm Cold Press · 100% cotton, acid-free paper · Opens flat · Debossed vegan-friendly PU cover
Slight variations may exist between the mock-up designs and the final product
I live in France. How do I order?
Customers in France can order through our retail partner Aquarelle & Pinceaux.
Is this sketchbook only for watercolourists?
No. While the sketchbook was designed with watercolour in mind, the 100% cotton paper also works beautifully with gouache and other wet media. The Hot Press pages are especially well suited to fine linework and mixed-media details, while the Cold Press surface handles expressive washes with ease.
When will my order ship?
If 70 or more sketchbooks are pre-ordered before the project ends, orders will ship in early June 2026. We’ll keep you updated by email, and you’ll receive a tracking link as soon as your sketchbook is on its way.
What happens if the minimum isn't reached?
If the project doesn’t reach 70 orders, all pre-order customers will be refunded in full within 3 working days.
Is this a limited release?
Yes. This is a Llamated Edition sketchbook and will only be produced if the minimum order is met.
Why include both Hot Press and Cold Press paper?
This sketchbook gives you both surfaces in one place. Hot Press offers a smooth surface for fine detail and clean lines, while Cold Press has a gentle texture that holds washes beautifully. You can explore both approaches within the same book.
Why 100% cotton?
Cotton paper is the best surface for watercolour and is also great for mixed media. 100% cotton paper is capable of taking multiple heavy washes, stands up well to damaging techniques like dry brushing, and helps keep the pigment looking vibrant over the passage of time. The surface provides the perfect level of brush resistance while allowing the pigment to flow beautifully across the page. Those that "upgrade" to 100% cotton paper often credit it as having had a greater impact on their art than the quality of paint that they use.
Why is acid-free paper important?
The best paper is acid-free and has a high amount of cotton. Using acid-free paper helps to prevent the "yellowing" that can happen in paper over the years, meaning your art will stand the test of time.
Can you paint on both sides of the paper?
Yes you can. The sketchbook has 52 pages (or 26 sheets) and each page can be painted on thanks to the quality of the paper.
WHAT'S IN THE TUTORIAL?
The recorded 40 minute tutorial walks you through how Blanche composes and paints one of her signature floral pieces, step by step. She shares her approach to building balanced botanical compositions, layering colour, and refining details — giving you insight into how she moves from first marks to finished piece.
The process is demonstrated on Cold Press paper, with brief comparisons to Hot Press so you can understand how the same technique translates across both surfaces.
About this Collaboration
Blanche Tristant is known for her elegant botanical work and her clear, thoughtful approach to teaching watercolour. Her paintings balance expressive washes with refined detail — softness held together by intention.
For this Llamated Edition, we worked closely with Blanche to create a sketchbook that mirrors that balance. By combining Hot Press and Cold Press cotton paper in one B5 format, the book reflects the way she works: layering fluid colour, then refining structure and detail without changing tools.
Finished in a deep night-sky blue and engraved with Blanche’s Camelia emblem, the sketchbook carries her aesthetic in a subtle, considered way. It is paired with an exclusive recorded tutorial in which Blanche walks you through composing and painting one of her signature floral pieces — offering insight into how she builds harmony, movement, and precision within a single composition.
Etchr is proud to collaborate with Leaubleue on a project that feels both practical and personal — a sketchbook designed to support real process, not just finished results.
About Blanche
Blanche Tristant is a French watercolourist and illustrator behind the brand Leaubleue. Formerly a textile and fashion designer, she founded her studio in 2018 to focus entirely on watercolour — a medium she has practised since childhood.
Deeply inspired by the botanical world and the landscapes of her upbringing, Blanche’s work celebrates flowers and plants with clarity, structure, and quiet confidence. Alongside her studio practice, she shares tutorials and insights into her process, helping artists develop their own visual rhythm with intention and ease.