Sketch books

[Rayner]

I'm not much an artist although recently used up all of the pages in my sketchbook. Now the hunt for a new sketchbook begins. I'm not sure witch one I should get... I like to use watercolor, ink, pencil and sometimes acrylic paints. The notebook I carry with me everyday is a 3x5 inch spiraled rite in the rain notepad witch works great along with my fisher space pen. I'm open to any suggestions y'all have.

 

[Mia]

You lucky man, I'm really jealous of that pen! Think it has a lifetime supply of ink in it?
If you use ink and watercolour and pencil and acrylic, all of them are officially used on different kinds of paper.
Watercolour for example needs a thicker more absorbent type paper that can take water and hold it, it's usually a little rougher to use with pen ink because the pen nib catches on the surface or skates across on the high areas. But if you are using ink and brush it would work with watercolour paper.
Acrylic and pencil can be used on something with a little tooth or a fine textured finish that absorbs a little. Look for rag paper content, and maybe find a sketchbook with a mixture of papers that you can experiment with, finding the right one for what you need or like.

But when you come down to it all, I've seen some pretty good drawings of every kind on brown (kraft) butcher paper

 

[Astroganga]

Where you at? In the uk Danish home and craft store Tiger has really superb quality sketch books for various media at rock bottom prices. Not sure how they do it. Their range is not huge though so if I need something more specialised albeit more costly, I purchase from the educational wing of a site called rapid online. I have ordered from them since 2008 and they deliver very quickly (within 16 hours of me placing the order was the record) and everything always arrives in perfect condition.

 

[Rayner]

I'm in Dallas Texas, USA. I've carried the same pen everyday for 4 years now, I received my first fisher space pen as a birthday present on my 13th birthday I've purchased 2 more since then because I love them so much. I carrry one that is the regular size. I also I have a fine pen and a regular pen like the one I carry. I could just have one pen and swap out the cartridges for the differant sizes but that's not convenient. That said I've never have replaced any of the cartridges. My oldest pen is 4 1/2 years old used pretty much everyday and as never failed. The work great with rite in the rain notepads.

 

[On the Inside]

I haven't been picky about sketch books for some time, but when I was, I was partial to a brand of hardcover books the name of which escapes me. I liked the hardcover because I dragged them along everywhere I went, which included backpacking, bike touring, ski trips. They took the beating. I filled probably a dozen of them, and they are all up in the attic now. I just get Strathmore 400 wire bound 5.5 X 8.5 now.

I was on a cross country train trip and needed a new sketchbook. There was a short stop in Chicago, so I figured there would have to be somewhere within a short walk from the train station. This was pre smartphone, but I'm a map nut, so I knew my way around, but not where something as specific as a sketchbook would be. I started walking in one direction, gave myself 6 blocks, and if I didn't find it by then, I'd have to (gasp!) ASK someone for help. Luckily I found a book and art supply store around block 5, right near a Whole foods store, so I got the sketchbook I needed, some pencils and food supplies.

 

[Rayner]

I'm somewhat pick about my sketchbook and especially my pocket notebook since it travels with me everywhere in my back left pocket next to my pen-light. I heard good things about field-notes and moleskin sketchbooks. I'm leaning more torwards moleskin winces what my local store carries.

 

[On the Inside]

Might have to try the Rite in the Rain books next time. I use pencil, dip pen and india ink, crayons, colored pencil.

 

[Rayner]

Might have to try the Rite in the Rain books next time. I use pencil, dip pen and india ink, crayons, colored pencil.

The first time I got a Rite in the Rain Book the paper felt kinda weird but the hold up super well to everyday dirt iand grime better than anything else I've ever used. Rite in the rain books also for what ever reason they stay relatively flat ever after being Squashed in my back pocket Everyday.

 

[Rayner]

Well I got a new sketch book the other day I went with a moleskin brand sketchbook. It's small thin and the paper has a nice texture for me at least.