The Artist’s Sketchbook: Watercolor & Pen | Part 1

[Mark Watson]

Did anyone have success with buying a certain scrapbook for use with gouache and watercolor? I was hoping to buy one that can handle the wet medium.

I wish NMA had the staff to clarify materials questions like this.

[Daniel Daigle]

Hi Mark, we hear you. I think you basically want a watercolor sketchbook. These have thicker pages and can be a little more expensive. I know Chris Legaspi has used the regular gray Strathmore sketchbook for gauche, but the pages tend to buckle. He also used Moleskine Watercolor sketchbook that has thicker pages. Again this is a little more expensive, but your pages will stay flat and wont bleed. I believe Steve had his sketchbooks custom made by Strathmore years ago.
So two things I would recommend:
Do a google search for water color sketchbook, or watercolor toned sketchbook and look for whatever is in your budget
You can also hop on our discord server and chat with us there. We are about to hit 2k members, so come join the party! We have a few students that work in watercolor on there too.

I hope this helps answer your question. 😀

[Mark Watson]

Yes, thank you so much, Daniel! I’m going to check out those options. Steve mentioned scrapbook paper, but when I went to look at it there are so many different choices and I didn’t want to buy something that wouldn’t work with the water media.

Just signed up for Discord–looks like a good bit of activity there!

[Pierce Webb]

Hey what is the discord link. Thanks

 

[Daniel Daigle]

Hi Pierce,

https://discord.gg/S8mgtWsDCU

[Andy Gardner]

I’ve had a go at this with card I bought in “The Range”(UK shop). It cost about 5 pounds for 50 sheets at 280gsm, works great.
It’s darker and warmer than the oatmeal card in the course. I’ve punched it with 2 holes for an A4 ring binder.
I might try a smaller size. There’s punches for personal organisers, like the old filofaxes.
If I get hooked I might go for a binding punch. They do a row of holes like a sketchbook and are held with a plastic comb.

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