Sketchbook advice

[NuWayve]

I was doing some research into Sketchbook etiquette, and I noticed a
comment that collectors should get a "good" quality sketchbook, and
not a "bad" one (I assume, referring to the quality of the paper).

Since store personnel don't like it if you try drawing in a sketchbook
before you buy it, how do you know when you have a "good" one?

I recently picked one up at my local bookstore (Borders Books,
specifically). I don't recall it having a brand name...just a big,
stylized "S" sticker on the cover ("S" for sketchbook, as opposed to
"J" for journal). Did I make a good choice -- and if not, how do I go
about getting an artist-friendly sketchbook? Buy a particular brand?
Buy from a particular store?

Thanks in advance

NuWayve

[A'A'Alis]

"NuWayve" <nuw...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:5f3d61ce.03071...@posting.google.com...

> I was doing some research into Sketchbook etiquette, and I noticed a
> comment that collectors should get a "good" quality sketchbook, and
> not a "bad" one (I assume, referring to the quality of the paper).

That sounds like a correct assumption, yes.

> Since store personnel don't like it if you try drawing in a sketchbook
> before you buy it, how do you know when you have a "good" one?

Severeal ways. Feel the paper with your fingersd - is it smooth, rough?
Thick, thin? Depends on what you're looking for. Acid free, archival quality
paper is good, IMHO, and you usually want it a bit heavier then the 20lb
stuff you get for your printer.

I have several sketch books (anyone who was at last years FC knows I
have 'just' a few), and most of them have good quality paper, without being
great. I tend to avoid newsprint and recycled paper, as they don't always
have the greatest characteristics.

> I recently picked one up at my local bookstore (Borders Books,
> specifically). I don't recall it having a brand name...just a big,
> stylized "S" sticker on the cover ("S" for sketchbook, as opposed to
> "J" for journal). Did I make a good choice -- and if not, how do I go
> about getting an artist-friendly sketchbook? Buy a particular brand?
> Buy from a particular store?

It's all good. I have two of those among my stock of books. In fact, the
one I sent to AC this year in my stead (long story, but I'm not attending
AC) is -also- from Borders, and is the same brand/atyle you describe. I
haven't gotten any complaints, and from the one I have here that I draw in
for myself, I don't have any complaints about it.
If you are looking for a higher quality one, might I recommend Blue Line
Pro Sketchbooks? The quality is pretty high (higher then normal sketch books
you get at art supply places, believe it or not) and the proce isn't too
shabby, if you can find them. You can also order them online from
www.bluelinepro.com. I should probably order another one myself - the one I
have currently carries a character for Shadowrun in it, and isn't being used
for drawing in.

Akal Ashata Alis (who does not need another sketch book)

[iBuck]

> Did I make a good choice -- and if not, how do I go
>about getting an artist-friendly sketchbook? Buy a particular brand?
>Buy from a particular store?

I think there's a faq somewhere on art materials.. take a look through it,
and mebbe talk to an artist or two about it..

but what it basically comes down to is to give the paper a good feel..
"You can have it Quickly,Correct, Complex - Pick 2"

[Fallen Weeble]

lncra...@aol.com.star (iBuck) wrote in message news:<20030710183721...@mb-m21.aol.com>...

> > Did I make a good choice -- and if not, how do I go
> >about getting an artist-friendly sketchbook? Buy a particular brand?
> >Buy from a particular store?
>
> I think there's a faq somewhere on art materials.. take a look through it,
> and mebbe talk to an artist or two about it..

iBuck's right, NuWayve. You might want to post to a newsgroup where a
lot of furry artists can be found. Have you thought of trying a.f.f.?

(...looks around...)

Oh...nevermind.

> but what it basically comes down to is to give the paper a good feel..

Unfortunately NuWayve, this won't necessarily tell you if your book
will feel good to OTHER artists.

I don't do sketchbooks, so I can't help you here. Sorry.

Any ARTISTS out there have any opinions? After all, you guys and gals
are going to be asked to draw in it...

[BR]

On Sat, 12 Jul 2003 11:46:45 -0700, Fallen Weeble wrote:

> Unfortunately NuWayve, this won't necessarily tell you if your book will
> feel good to OTHER artists.
>
> I don't do sketchbooks, so I can't help you here. Sorry.
>
> Any ARTISTS out there have any opinions? After all, you guys and gals
> are going to be asked to draw in it...

A decent, not overly textured paper[1] that takes pencil, and ink with a
minimumn of bleed, and show-through (reasonably stiff, some people like to
work fast).

Doesn't need to be expensive, and I think most papers are acid-free (save
those memories, you know).

--
-Barry Hughes
I think animal testing is a terrible idea; they get all nervous and give the wrong answers

[iBuck]

> You might want to post to a newsgroup where a
>lot of furry artists can be found.

I did kinda mean face to face... I once uon a time got a lil sketch book, that
was pretty good for doing the kind of pencil and ocasional ball point, doodling
that I do..

Then I passed one like it to a artist at a con, to do a sketch in, and he had
an aqsull time with it because of the coating on the paper. that hadn't caused
me any problems..

chit chatting here I thin siply cannot give you the kinds of hands on feel that
chatting with an aritst freind at a con, and seeing and feeling what they're
using.. though it can gie you a few "buzwords" to look out for when shoping,
like "acid free"..

[Skyfire]

Being a furry artist, I'll chime in with my two cents.

> I was doing some research into Sketchbook etiquette, and I noticed a
> comment that collectors should get a "good" quality sketchbook, and
> not a "bad" one (I assume, referring to the quality of the paper).
>
> Since store personnel don't like it if you try drawing in a sketchbook
> before you buy it, how do you know when you have a "good" one?

Depends on your definition of good. Exactly for what purpose do you
want the sketchbook for, just to draw in or to carry around with you
so you can do drawings on the move? Size plays an important factor,
so it wouldn't be practical to lug around one of those giant size
drawing pads if you want a sketchbook to take with you.

And what sort of material do you use? Pencil, pen, pastel, crayon,
charcoal, marker? Make sure that the paper is good enough to support
your chosen art materials.

>
> I recently picked one up at my local bookstore (Borders Books,
> specifically). I don't recall it having a brand name...just a big,
> stylized "S" sticker on the cover ("S" for sketchbook, as opposed to
> "J" for journal). Did I make a good choice -- and if not, how do I go
> about getting an artist-friendly sketchbook? Buy a particular brand?
> Buy from a particular store?
>

Yeah, you can find affordable sketchbooks at some chain bookstores,
but I prefer art supply stores since they have a bigger selection and
bette prices. Best advice I can give is to shop around.