Art Discussion

[Curry]

What are some good sketch book brands? I have been thinking about getting a new one soon

hoo hoo hoo I'm glad you asked
I have had a long and illustrious career of sketchbooking, and a high price doesn't always mean you'll love the sketchbook :0

The first thing you need to decide is if you like spiral-bound notebooks or book-bound notebooks better. Don't get lined paper you'll regret it and hate yourself later

For spiral-bound notebooks, then you'll need to decide whether you like the spiral at the top (like a reporter's notebook kind of) or at the side (like most of the spiral bounds you'd use in school). The brand Canson has a lot of good notebooks for not that much if you like spirals. I'd advise you to stick with spirals with less pages for this because if you get one of the ones with, like, 100 sheets (like I have done many a time) the pages don't turn very easily and a lot ends up ripping/falling out. (spirals in general are not my fave.)

For book-bound notebooks, there's the choice between hardcover and softcover, mainly based on how heavy you're ok with your sketchbook being. Also with softbound ones there's always a chance of the cover bending. Moleskines come in a bunch of different sizes and are good for both but the covers can be a little plain and the paper is ivory, not white, so coloring in a Moleskine will be different than on normal paper. There are a lot of good book-bound sketchbooks with pretty designs on the cover that aren't a "name brand" per se and they can be just as good as ones from an art brand! Barnes and Nobles (a bookstore) has pretty nice ones with cool colors that I used for years. Much thicker paper than Moleskines and also heavier because they only come in hardcover.

Cansons tend to have thicker paper, while Moleskine has thinner sheets.

It's up to you to find out your paper preferences, but sometimes the paper can get a bit too smooth/waxy and the pencil won't hold and it will get everywhere. I've found that Barnes and Nobles sketchbooks have been doing that recently, but who knows, that might be just here ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Basically, trial and error until you get a feel for your own likes and dislikes here

[daiseerose]

Thanks!

[Alethryia]

What are some good sketch book brands? I have been thinking about getting a new one soon

I know this was specifically about sketching but I have my two cents to contribute after Curry! You also need to determine if you'll be using it strictly for pencil sketching, or if you want to also introduce things like inks, markers, watercolors, etc. If you want an all-purpose sketchbook you'll want to go with a mix media book as it will handle pretty much anything you throw at it (just not excessive use of liquids) because it's a heavier- but not too heavy- weight paper!

You'll also need to consider size when you're making a purchase, is this one you want to carry in a pocket, purse, satchel, backpack? Size will also constrict the space you have for making pieces, so if you want to do a large intricate piece or sweeping landscape you'll need a larger book (like a 9x12in), but if you tend to work on the small side then a smaller book will suffice (6x9in).

Oh, and on the note of spiral-bound vs book-bound bear in mind if you may want to remove a page (WAY easier in a perforated spiral bound) or if you need the pages to lay flat (you can get a very flat surface with a spiral, because you have to account for the spine in a book-bound sketchbook and that will lead to a curved surface unless you get a specially bound book with lay-flat pages.

The huge number of brands and options is staggering, but it comes down to your budget and preference, so for instance all the work I've done for SSSS is in this Canson Mix Media (98lb) 9x12 inch spiral bound book of 60 pages.



So you can get an idea of the mediums (you'll notice very slight warping around the watercolor pieces) and scale I've worked with:

Spoiler: show

And some other images from various sketchbooks I had lying around!

In the following Bee Paper Company heavyweight recycled paper (70lb) 9x12 inch spiral bound book of 50 pages:

It works well with the collages I did in this honors art history class I took in 2010/2011, the glue and layering actually makes the pages stronger. It also handles inks (no bleeding) and colored pencils really well.

Spoiler: show

<-This ones actually just from a couple weeks ago! ;P

In the following Strathmore recycled paper (60lb) 9x12 inch spiral bound book of 70 pages:

You can see how with this thinner paper, you can't use ink on one side and draw anything on the other because it bleeds through! Also, TONS of wrinkles around the watercolors, but okay with acrylics (color wheel example), crayons, and printers inks (owl rub and print). It does work well for pencil and colored pencil work though, as you can see with the super heroine and neolithic campaign characters (fun fact, Abena was Trinka's shaman character) I did in the back of this sketchbook I bought for an Art for Educators class I took in 2012/2013.

Spoiler: show

Sorry this turned out WAY longer and more elaborate than I initially thought it would be!!! 

[SugaAndSpice]

Not sure what you mean when you say felt pens, but if you mean felt-tip, then no - these are bigger and rubbery (meaning they bend, like a brush).

Felt pens are used on felt, and sometimes fabric, I think?

[daiseerose]

I know this was specifically about sketching but I have my two cents to contribute after Curry! You also need to determine if you'll be using it strictly for pencil sketching, or if you want to also introduce things like inks, markers, watercolors, etc. If you want an all-purpose sketchbook you'll want to go with a mix media book as it will handle pretty much anything you throw at it (just not excessive use of liquids) because it's a heavier- but not too heavy- weight paper!

You'll also need to consider size when you're making a purchase, is this one you want to carry in a pocket, purse, satchel, backpack? Size will also constrict the space you have for making pieces, so if you want to do a large intricate piece or sweeping landscape you'll need a larger book (like a 9x12in), but if you tend to work on the small side then a smaller book will suffice (6x9in).

Oh, and on the note of spiral-bound vs book-bound bear in mind if you may want to remove a page (WAY easier in a perforated spiral bound) or if you need the pages to lay flat (you can get a very flat surface with a spiral, because you have to account for the spine in a book-bound sketchbook and that will lead to a curved surface unless you get a specially bound book with lay-flat pages.

The huge number of brands and options is staggering, but it comes down to your budget and preference, so for instance all the work I've done for SSSS is in this Canson Mix Media (98lb) 9x12 inch spiral bound book of 60 pages.



So you can get an idea of the mediums (you'll notice very slight warping around the watercolor pieces) and scale I've worked with:

Spoiler: show

And some other images from various sketchbooks I had lying around!

In the following Bee Paper Company heavyweight recycled paper (70lb) 9x12 inch spiral bound book of 50 pages:

It works well with the collages I did in this honors art history class I took in 2010/2011, the glue and layering actually makes the pages stronger. It also handles inks (no bleeding) and colored pencils really well.

Spoiler: show

<-This ones actually just from a couple weeks ago! ;P

In the following Strathmore recycled paper (60lb) 9x12 inch spiral bound book of 70 pages:

You can see how with this thinner paper, you can't use ink on one side and draw anything on the other because it bleeds through! Also, TONS of wrinkles around the watercolors, but okay with acrylics (color wheel example), crayons, and printers inks (owl rub and print). It does work well for pencil and colored pencil work though, as you can see with the super heroine and neolithic campaign characters (fun fact, Abena was Trinka's shaman character) I did in the back of this sketchbook I bought for an Art for Educators class I took in 2012/2013.

Spoiler: show

Sorry this turned out WAY longer and more elaborate than I initially thought it would be!!! 

Thanks! I will definitely keep this in mind!

[SugaAndSpice]

Also, I think it is really cool to have this thread, I didn't see it earlier. I use the iPad for a lot of my art, but when sketching, I use a 005 mechanical pencil, and I don't quite know what pen I use for inking. I use a variety of markers, and colored pencils for coloring.

[daiseerose]

Also, I think it is really cool to have this thread, I didn't see it earlier. I use the iPad for a lot of my art, but when sketching, I use a 005 mechanical pencil, and I don't quite know what pen I use for inking. I use a variety of markers, and colored pencils for coloring.

I don't color my drawings very often. I pretty much mess them up when I do

[viola]

So much pretty art supplies!!!
I also very much need to get some of those magical water holding paint brushes.

[Alethryia]

Felt pens are used on felt, and sometimes fabric, I think?

Actually it's based on what the nib is made of, in this case traditionally felt. 

"felt-tip pen (n) 1. a pen having a writing point made from pressed fibres."

No problemo daiseerose! Coloring things can be scary, but my solution has been take a picture before coloring! That way, if it gets messed up you can always print the picture and tape or glue it back into your sketchbook so you have a reference for with and without color.

They are the most best Feartheviolas, I highly recommend them!

[daiseerose]

Actually it's based on what the nib is made of, in this case traditionally felt. 

"felt-tip pen (n) 1. a pen having a writing point made from pressed fibres."

No problemo daiseerose! Coloring things can be scary, but my solution has been take a picture before coloring! That way, if it gets messed up you can always print the picture and tape or glue it back into your sketchbook so you have a reference for with and without color.

they are the most best Feartheviolas, I highly recommend them!

I never thought of doing that! I will definitely try that!

[Curry]

Actually it's based on what the nib is made of, in this case traditionally felt. 

"felt-tip pen (n) 1. a pen having a writing point made from pressed fibres."

I love felt-tip pens so much I prefer them for writing instead of inking/coloring but they feel so smooth and soft and lovely

[mithrysc]

What are some good sketch book brands? I have been thinking about getting a new one soon

Sketchbooks? Ahem. I somewhat obsessively researched sketchbooks a while back, and the result is that I now have far too many. But anyway.

My current favorites are:

Hand Book artists journals - hardbound, beautiful colors/covers, and nice thick paper that can handle watercolors, inks, or pencils pretty well.

Strathmore's line of art journals - I like my hardbound (or at least not spiral bound) sketchbooks, and if you've ever used any paper in art before chances are you've come across Strathmore (in case you haven't, they are a Quality Brand). Lots of different options depending on what media you're using, and quality paper. The downside to the (very nice chocolate-color-covered) binding is that the books don't open completely flat, but that's not too much of a problem depending on what you're doing. I just finished a toned grey hardcover sketchbook, and now have a softcover drawing one, which is holding up nicely despite being thrown around in my backpack.

I've also heard good things about Leuchtturm1917's plain notebooks and sketchbooks, but I haven't yet started the one I got as a test-substitute for a super expensive Moleskine book.

To find the best sketchbook? Go to an actual art store and take a look at the sketchbooks. Feel the papers. Open them and check the bindings (or see if the spiral-ring binding gets in the way of your hand). Take note of the paper and binding type. Then, if you're going shopping online later, you have some comparisons to make, even if there are some small details like paper smoothness that you can't quite check.

[RandomTexanReader]

To find the best sketchbook? Go to an actual art store and take a look at the sketchbooks. Feel the papers. Open them and check the bindings (or see if the spiral-ring binding gets in the way of your hand). Take note of the paper and binding type. Then, if you're going shopping online later, you have some comparisons to make, even if there are some small details like paper smoothness that you can't quite check.

The best sketchbook is one that you will use, and use often.
My favorite is the Pentalic Utility Sketchbook... the paper isn't super fancy, which is actually a good thing if you're like me, because you don't freeze up over ruining the perfect sheet of art paper, but it gets the job done and it doesn't smear pencil  e v e r y w h e r e  like the paper in some sketchbooks I've had the misfortune to meet, nor does it shred up when you try to erase. It's primarily for dry mediums, but you can also use watercolor with minimal wrinkling, as long as you don't go overboard with the liquid. It's 8.5 in by 5.5 (21.59 cm by 14.97) so it's about the size of a medium-size paperback, and slips easily into a medium-sized purse. And it's a full 283 pages, so as far as volume goes, this little guy's got you covered.

[Alethryia]

Oooo, glad I found the perfect place for these links! 

Just found these tutorials on YouTube and I found them really useful with a great message!

General drawing & habits tutorial: https://youtu.be/oKFfSl-EBfI?list=PL0373FA2B3CD4C899
Some good tips for drawing: https://youtu.be/8tX7y9mu-lM
Preparing traditional art for digital painting: https://youtu.be/zZN10y4KdMw
One method & advice for digital inking: https://youtu.be/knmL57Lm5Fg

Also, I try to use reference images whenever possible, I find it helps me keep proportions and forms accurate when drawing.

Spoiler: show

Here are a few of the stock image collections I've been using recently:
1- FaeStock
2- Pyjama Cake
3- SenshiStock

Also, the last one has a random pose generator!

[Unwary]

Heres something.( I have fallen behind on this, but here anyway.)