Strathmore Sketchbooks

I've said elsewhere that I'm a big fan of sketchbooks. I've been buying better quality books so that I can complete more finished work in them. I have a couple of cheap sketchbooks where I produce quick scribbled ideas...it would be pointless to use these new Strathmore books for that. Having just filled two sketchbooks it was time to buy some more. I opted for the Strathmore Colored Pencil and Watercolor books. I've used Strathmore before, and I like them, but not these 'specialist' books. Strathmore Colored Pencil book, 11 x 14 inches, 163 gsm, spiral bound, white. Early days yet, only done one drawing. I use Faber-Castel and Inktense water-soluble colored pencils. The problem for me is the color white...I try to leave the paper clear for the white bits, but always find I go wrong and need to put white over sections that I've colored. I was hoping that the white pencils would do the job on this paper...but that didn't happen, so I had to use gouache. Here's my first attempt in this sketchbook... I started intending to use only colored pencils, but soon began using watercolor and gouache. This is an imaginary picture...I got this far and gave up...that's why the clothing is loosely drawn. So... slightly disappointed, but maybe that's down to me. The sketchbook is very good and I hope to do better. I haven't posted this in the gallery because I had so many reservations about it. Maybe it will grow on me. Strathmore 'Visual Journal' 140lb watercolour sketchbook, 9 x 12 inches, Cold Press, Acid Free, 300gsm, spiral bound white paper. Clearly intended as 'art journals'. I've seen these on the net, often used as a visual diary, sometimes with photos and theatre tickets (for example) pasted on them, all overlaid with the artists sketches and notes. So they need to be robust...they are certainly that. They come with a 'Visual Journal' cover, but this can be removed if desired, revealing a sturdy plain brown cover. I bought it for watercolour sketching. In some on my other sketchbooks where I've been a bit over-ambitious with watercolor, sometimes small particles of paper have rubbed off. I can't see that happening with this book. Here's my first atttempt in this book... I don't plan these too much, I just draw them, they kind of 'evolve'. I like working this way, it's part of the attraction of sketchbooks. This is 90% watercolor. Once again I used a little white gouache (actually mixed with a little of whatever color was underneath). I'm impressed with this book, and hope to do better. The only slight downside for me is that, these days, I tend to prefer working in a slightly larger scale. A3 is good for me. These books are smaller than that, Strathmore do a huge range of books, but I couldn't find any in A3 size. I also prefer the books without a spiral binding. This looks better when I decide to do two-page pictures...it looks less good with a spiral binding separating the two halves. (Obviously I use large sheets of paper when necessary...here I'm just talking about sketchbooking.) But these are minor things. I like these books. If anybody has ideas about the 'white problem', I like to hear them. Again, no big deal...gouache works fine. I don't need to stick to ONLY colored-pencil or watercolor...mixed media seems to be the way to go for me. And these books will provide a decent working surface. Lew.

Thanks Alan. I'll try the pastel or chalk. I'll probably stay with gouache, but it's worth having a go with pastel. Sounds a bit transitory, I don't use fixers at the moment, but who knows...it might be just what I'm looking for.

Think I'll give tippex a miss. I still use cheaper sketchbooks, Jim. But not for more finished works...I reckon these new books will do just about anything I want. Here's a page from one of these cheaper books...I think I bought it at 'Works'. Look closely and you'll see the drawing on the reverse of the page showing through. Just fine for quick sketches and noting down ideas...less good for more finished work. I don't use Conte, Robert. Your suggestion of the harder grade white sounds like a goer to me. I'll get some. Likewise with the Pelikan Plaka, Alan. I'll look it up and order some. Thanks for all the helpful suggestions. Lew.

Thanks for that Linda.  I have some white ink, I'll give it a try next time.  Things have moved on in the year this was first posted.  I've learned that I need to build up more layers with my coloured pencils.  When I do, the pencil white registers a little better, and the conte that Robert suggested certainly does.  My fall-back position when these fail, is to use gouache.  I'll see how I fare with the ink.

Further to above.  This is a coloured pencil drawing done recently.  I lost some of the lighter areas on the face and armour and used a conte pencil to restore them.  This was done over a few layers of coloured pencil.  Also I like the fact that I could easily blend the conte with my finger.