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Ask Drawn: Sketchbook Suggestions?

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Meg Hunt is looking for a new sketchbook and she’s asking for help.

I need a new sketchbook… My criteria: pretty smooth surface (takes brush and ink well, as well as pencil), possibly some sumi washes, relatively thick (no see through moleskine, y’know?) paper so I can work on both sides, at least 6″ in either direction (preferably no bigger than 10×14). and decently priced for a decent amount of pages. I’m willing to even go handmade if someone knows someone on etsy making an awesome one.

She also asks if anyone has experience with these handbook artist journals – which look pretty hot, I must say).

If you know of a sketchbook that’s fits this description, please share – I know some of you can get pretty passionate about your paper.

CC Photo by Denn.

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/emily-andrews/sets/72157600299764203/ Anonymous

    As tough as it is to find a great sketchbook, I’ve taken to making my own. Bookbinding is really fun and rewarding, and only takes a little practice to deliver very professional-looking results. The best part is you can create the ultimate-best-ever-perfectest book, entirely to your own specifications. Your favorite drawing paper for the pages, the perfect size and shape, the ideal cover design. Plus the satisfaction of doing it yourself. I really, really recommend this.

    There are a million tutorials online. Here is a very thorough one that employs a bunch of professional tools and techniques: http://www.csparks.com/Bookbinding/index.xhtml

    But fancy tools aren’t neccessary; here is a much easier approach, good for beginners: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-bind-your-own-Hardback-Book/

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/emily-andrews/sets/72157600299764203/ Anonymous

    As tough as it is to find a great sketchbook, I’ve taken to making my own. Bookbinding is really fun and rewarding, and only takes a little practice to deliver very professional-looking results. The best part is you can create the ultimate-best-ever-perfectest book, entirely to your own specifications. Your favorite drawing paper for the pages, the perfect size and shape, the ideal cover design. Plus the satisfaction of doing it yourself. I really, really recommend this.

    There are a million tutorials online. Here is a very thorough one that employs a bunch of professional tools and techniques: http://www.csparks.com/Bookbinding/index.xhtml

    But fancy tools aren’t neccessary; here is a much easier approach, good for beginners: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-bind-your-own-Hardback-Book/

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/emily-andrews/sets/72157600299764203/

    As tough as it is to find a great sketchbook, I’ve taken to making my own. Bookbinding is really fun and rewarding, and only takes a little practice to deliver very professional-looking results. The best part is you can create the ultimate-best-ever-perfectest book, entirely to your own specifications. Your favorite drawing paper for the pages, the perfect size and shape, the ideal cover design. Plus the satisfaction of doing it yourself. I really, really recommend this.

    There are a million tutorials online. Here is a very thorough one that employs a bunch of professional tools and techniques: http://www.csparks.com/Bookbinding/index.xhtml

    But fancy tools aren’t neccessary; here is a much easier approach, good for beginners: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-bind-your-own-Hardback-Book/

  • http://www.geraldguerlais.com/ Geraldraws

    Choosing the most appropriate paper can drive me crazy. I understand you :-) I strongly advice the trademark : “VANG” with a strong paper (watercolour,gouache,oils) and hard cover. You have some samples of the work you can do on it by visiting http://www.sketchtravel.com

  • http://www.geraldguerlais.com/ Geraldraws

    Choosing the most appropriate paper can drive me crazy. I understand you :-) I strongly advice the trademark : “VANG” with a strong paper (watercolour,gouache,oils) and hard cover. You have some samples of the work you can do on it by visiting http://www.sketchtravel.com

  • http://www.geraldguerlais.com Geraldraws

    Choosing the most appropriate paper can drive me crazy. I understand you :-) I strongly advice the trademark : “VANG” with a strong paper (watercolour,gouache,oils) and hard cover. You have some samples of the work you can do on it by visiting http://www.sketchtravel.com

  • nidoog

    I make some sketchbooks with plywood covers. With a drill, you can add any paper you want, but they come with an offwhite, recycled 24 lb paper. Not the best for paint, but good for ink and pencil. Here is the address: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5146800

  • nidoog

    I make some sketchbooks with plywood covers. With a drill, you can add any paper you want, but they come with an offwhite, recycled 24 lb paper. Not the best for paint, but good for ink and pencil. Here is the address: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5146800

  • nidoog

    I make some sketchbooks with plywood covers. With a drill, you can add any paper you want, but they come with an offwhite, recycled 24 lb paper. Not the best for paint, but good for ink and pencil. Here is the address: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5146800

  • http://www.till-lassmann.de/ till lassmann
  • http://www.till-lassmann.de/ till lassmann
  • http://www.till-lassmann.de till lassmann
  • http://www.josemenor.com/ menor

    I recently went the DIY route couldn’t be happier, I chose the size and the paper, I even added the band to keep it closed and a small folder with tabs to keep all my stuff into one place.

    I followed this tuto and picked some other things from others wich URL I don’t remember

    http://www.michaelshannon.us/makeabook/index.html

  • http://www.josemenor.com/ menor

    I recently went the DIY route couldn’t be happier, I chose the size and the paper, I even added the band to keep it closed and a small folder with tabs to keep all my stuff into one place.

    I followed this tuto and picked some other things from others wich URL I don’t remember

    http://www.michaelshannon.us/makeabook/index.html

  • http://www.josemenor.com menor

    I recently went the DIY route couldn’t be happier, I chose the size and the paper, I even added the band to keep it closed and a small folder with tabs to keep all my stuff into one place.

    I followed this tuto and picked some other things from others wich URL I don’t remember

    http://www.michaelshannon.us/makeabook/index.html

  • juju

    Could you buy a three-ring binder (old cloth-bound ones abound at thrift stores), buy whatever paper you like, cut it to size, and finish the margins with a 3-hole punch ? Very cheap and a no-brainer. Hey, I might try it. If there is a downside to this, I can’t think of it right now.

  • juju

    Could you buy a three-ring binder (old cloth-bound ones abound at thrift stores), buy whatever paper you like, cut it to size, and finish the margins with a 3-hole punch ? Very cheap and a no-brainer. Hey, I might try it. If there is a downside to this, I can’t think of it right now.

  • http://www.silent-k.net/ Eric Knisley

    I “make” a lot of my own sketchbooks at Kinko’s. Find some paper you like, get it spiral-bound with covers of your choice: done!

  • http://www.silent-k.net Eric Knisley

    I “make” a lot of my own sketchbooks at Kinko’s. Find some paper you like, get it spiral-bound with covers of your choice: done!