I've been using Hand•Book Journals for my sketchbooks for five years — that's 26 sketchbooks people! There's quite a few things I like about them.
- Portable Size ... I get the 5.5x8.5 portrait size and it easily fits in my purse, so I'm more likely to take it with with me.
- Hardbound Book ... I like the stability a hardbound book provides. Plus I can open it flat and work across the whole spread, which you can't really do with a wire-bound book.
- The Paper ... It's a creamy white color with a bit of texture and it's heavier than most sketchbooks (130 gsm vs. 80 gsm found in other sketchbooks).
- Handles Mixed-Media ... I've used graphite pencils, colored pencils, markers, ink, watercolor and gouache with great results. I'm usually fairly heavy-handed with the wet media and I've never had any bleed-through and very little buckling.
So why the neurotic moment?
After using these books for five years, I know the paper and I think they've changed it. It doesn't feel as thick, the texture is almost non-existent and it's more absorbent than before. The watercolor isn't blending well and looks dull.
Oh, just a minute ... I'm starting to hyperventilate again. EEEK! Have I mentioned I don't deal well with change?
I finally found the manufacturer earlier today ... Global Art Materials ... and sent them an email. I'm curious to see if and how they respond.
In the meantime, I'll keep going in this current book, but just in case what's your favorite sketchbook brand?
Eek! You had the same problem with the rolls of paper from Grandpa. Oh my gosh!! The paper is pink!! Had to put that one away and go with regular paper until Grandpa could bring more white!!
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not?!?!?!
Mom
Actually, I vaguely remember that trauma, so stop laughing. It's not funny. Really. Cut it out, I can still hear you. Pbbbbbbbt!
ReplyDeleteWeird! I saw this post in my blog list but when I clicked on it it said that it had been removed. With your comment on the following blog, I decided to check and here is the blog! Dang Blogger! Now I am wondering about my getting that "removed" notice on a few other blogs. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteAnyways, I have seen other complaints online about the paper change in the HandBook sketch journals! Why do they do that!? Why would they change a good thing like that? I'd be curious to see if you get a response from them.
Paper makes a huge difference--for many types of mediums. I've been looking about for months to find papers that work well with fountain pens. I'm like you when I find something I love I stick with it. You aren't the only one who would be having a panic attack! ;)
Your snowman looks really cute, BTW. :):)
[Snort!] I thought I was particular about *my* supplies, but I see you might have me beat. Hohohoho... No, ahem, I'm just in good company.
ReplyDeleteRita ... I had it posted and then thought of better ways to say a few things, so you may have gotten the "removed" notice while I was editing the post. And I do feel better to know that other artists are reacting similarly. We get pretty particular about our materials and it's frustrating to have a manufacturer -- who claims to have been serving artists for over 100 years -- not realize that.
ReplyDeleteWendee ... yeah, I tend to have extreme reactions to any kind of change. I would not have survived the ice age ... although my kids sometimes think I was around to see the dinosaurs.
See, here I am laughing again. Not at your predicament because I feel for you. It's your humor and energy. They come through in your words and that makes me laugh. To get back on topic, I haven't yet found a sketchbook that I love. I hope you get an answer to your email.
ReplyDeleteTara ... Sometimes it's either laugh or cry and I figure crying is messy. As for the sketchbook, the company hasn't gotten back to me. Surprise, surprise. I think I'll try the 1-800 number next week.
ReplyDelete