@canadakaren1131
I’m with you on the ‘precious’ Katie. I have so many sketch books and tend to only grab the cheapest ones while the nicer more expensive ones sit on the shelf. If I’m not going to work on a planned ‘masterpiece’ then why ruin the book? lol! Such a silly way of thinking but it actually frees me up to throw anything on the paper and see what happens when I’m working in the less ‘precious’ books. 😊
@waterlovindog2256
What a great way to remember cold and hot press! I‘m a new (but old) artist (love watercolor, but am beginning to love mixed media. I like the Bee Creative 100% cotton 130/300 sketchbooks. They are hard to find now, though so I started using Viviva, however, I prefer spiral bound now at this point in my art journey. I learn so much from you, Katie— thanks.
@jonahh0629
my fav stillman and birn is the beta! worked really well with every medium and isn’t too smooth from what i remember, its been the best scratch book i’ve used mixed media wise including the strathmore mixed media which is my second favorite
@ObsidianusRequiemViator
This is what I needed!
@KathleenMcKinstry
This will take the mystery out of which notebook is the right one for many viewers. There are so many to choose from and your video will make it easier for people to make a smart decision for themselves. Thanks Katie!!😘
@thejournalingbroom
I was a watercolorist first and now I'm getting into mixed media. But Etchr regular white cover sketchbook was I think my 3rd sketchbook to try . I don't know if it uses different paper than their Perfect sketchbook , but my experience only using watercolors on the Etchr paper is that it takes the watercolor paint and really dulls the color down compared to other watercolor paper. I've used 2 sketchbooks from them - the ones with the white cover just different sizes and both sketchbooks had this effect with the watercolors. I'm actually not sure why it's rated so high amongst watercolor users - because it really messes with the vibrancy of watercolors. Take note that I'm used to expensive high GSM 100% cotton paper, so that's what I'm comparing it to - particularly since etchr is also 100% cotton and quite pricy
@firdyk
Im so glad you feel the same way about white paper art creations sketchbook. I really struugled and couldnt really understand why.
@crystalipock9725
Katie, A Ranger Dylusions sketchbook would be life changing for you! I was sad not to see that as one of your favorites! Ultra thick pages and 64 pages in the large sketchbook, 48 in the small and 48 in the square version. I definitely suggest this as a sketchbook that is great for any media (inks, watercolor, gouache, acrylic, pencil, neocolor, etc.-even in several layers...) comes in 3 sizes and also in an all black (black pages) in a square version. They are fabulous! Thanks so much for sharing your recommendations; I really enjoyed it!
@CeruleanCzarina
I also love the Strathmore Mixed Media journals in both the hardcover and softcovers! The 500 Series Mixed Media paper is FANTASTIC! It's truly perfect for mixed media as it's the only paper I've found that watercolor, gouache and colored pencil ALL perform equally well on. My only gripes are that 1. the journal covers age terribly, and 2. I wish they offered it in an A6 or pocket size that I could keep as my EDC sketchbook. Right now I'm carrying a pocket-sized Stillman & Birn Alpha which is a paper that I tolerate rather than love.
@LudwinV
I agree with you, I prefer affordable sketchbooks because I’m not afraid to experiment with them. My favorites are the strathmore 400 and 500 line of sketchbooks. The toned ones are good for inks and gouache and the white ones for watercolors and color pencils. I also make my own with cotton paper for more finished artworks.
@fabd8067
Awe that was very sweet of you Katie to make mention of me in your video!😃🤭 Thx for another great video ~ I love these comparisons/pros & cons types of videos as it really helps us viewers to narrow down the multitude of choices out there to try out! I’ve now added your new fave Strathmore 500 Series to my ever growing wish list, along with several gouaches & Tombow dual markers (both of which I’ve not yet tried;) since I’ve started watching your videos!! 🤭💸🤪📚🎨💚
@liz-anna2365
Great review! You always inspire me to use my sketchbooks.
@LaurenFairwx
I love this! Funnily enough, I’ve been considering getting some bigger Royal Talens sketchbooks since I have the little square one and love it. Maybe this is a sign that I should!! I also have heard such good things about your number one and am considering it if I start painting more often!
@debbiew60one
Thanks Katie. This was a really helpful video. I love the Goldilocks mention :-) I was going to try the pet sketchbook because so many people are using it so I’m glad I checked in here first. I have to agree with you. The stress were mixed media is really very nice. When I started your Patreon, that is the first sketchbook I used. I’m not sure why I didn’t stick with that But I’ve definitely going back to it now that I’ve listened to to this review. Thanks again Katie for sharing this helpful information and happy new year!
@sibelxo7228
Try the stillman and birn Alpha series sketchbook, you will love it 😊
@Jos-P
A great overview, Katie! One of the issues for me is finding sketchbooks without animal products, which is my preference. Who would have thought that would be hard? Pith are good, and Etcher, and quite a few others, but I do find it limits my range. But luckily I have WAY TOO MANY on the go already, hahaha. So it will be some time before a need another. Thanks for this great video, I enjoyed a few peaks of the spreads you do on Patreon in them. 😉
@PaulaScardamalia
I agree about the Stilman & Birn Zeta, and prefer their Beta sketchbooks. I have a Royal Talens, small square sketchbook but hardly use it. And like you, my number one favorite is the Strathmore Watercolor 500 series softcover in all sizes. I also recently discovered the Canson Graduate Multimedia series and Watercolor series. The Multimedia is 200gsm and the paper has just the slightest tooth. The Watercolor is 250 gsm and is one of those that has the cold press on one side and the smoother surface on the other. Not the best but affordable. I like the Multimedia better.
@kathyhackney7950
That strathmore is one of my favorites, too. They're drawing sketchbook in that format is also awesome. I wish I liked the royal talens. I like the etchr every day hot press for my fancy sketchbook . I did lime the epsilon by stilllman and birn, which is like the zeta but thinner. I prefer the alpha, though. I'm currently using the beechmore, which is slightly better than the talens. It doesn't do great with watercolor markers if you go over them with water a lot .it'll bleed through, but it doesn't feel super precious bc there are 156 pages, I think?
@lisaannef
Love my Strathmore 500 series and Hahnemuhle books the best.I did not love Stillman & Birn Zeta or Beta at all. I still have to work up the courage to try my Etchr books.
@Julie-vy3oz