In Search of a Sketchbook and a Surprising New Tool

This week I realized my current sketchbook is almost full. Sure, like most artists, I have lots of sketchbooks. But over time, I have discovered that my favorites tend to be those with smooth, off-white pages. The pages can’t be too thick or too thin. The size I prefer is roughly 5.5” x 8.5”. Any bigger and I don’t end up using it for one reason or another. Any smaller and it’s hard to draw anything that I can scan later.

I also prefer bound sketchbooks that lay flat and allow me to draw across one page to another. I can use spiral bound books, but I don’t like them as much. The wires tend to get in my way.

Since I’m so particular about the paper I prefer, I’ve tried using loose sheets of paper instead. I found a printer paper that I love to use when printing out my Studio Yearbook. While it’s not off-white, it meets most of my other requirements for page thickness and smoothness. But I find that it’s hard to keep track of my sketches on loose sheets of paper. I love the continuity of a sketchbook so I can easily see my progress as I move along on a project or a particular collection.

My current sketchbook wasn’t even supposed to be a sketchbook in practice. It was a bargain-priced dot journal I got at the bookstore. But the dot pattern is so light that it is actually better for sketching than bullet journaling. Plus, the pages are numbered, off-white, and silky smooth so that my fountain pen and other tools glide across its surface. I got this sketchbook for just $5.00 so I felt free to experiment in it. Even ruin pages without remorse.

Sadly, since it was a bargain-priced dot journal, I haven’t been able to find another one. So, I went online in search of a sketchbook this past week. I typed in my preferences - smooth sketchbook with cream-colored pages. I am usually apprehensive about buying a sketchbook online because I can’t pick it up and “feel” the pages before I buy it. But, the reviews were so inline with what I wanted, I took a chance.

I’m happy to report that I’m in love with my new sketchbook and can’t wait to start using it. At just under $15.00, it was more expensive than the bargain dot journal, but still reasonable enough to use every day. The one I settled on is from Leda Art Supply. You can take a look here if you like the same kind of sketchbooks I do.

But the best surprise came when I found a tool on Amazon that I didn’t even know I was looking for. While browsing sketchbooks, I also did a search for blue lead for my mechanical pencil. I’ve been practicing my drawing skills with the help of The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling and the author starts his sketches in blue pencil. The light blue color makes it easier to hide the first rough sketch without needing to erase the lines later.

After finding some .07 blue lead, Amazon suggested I might like colored leads in the thicker 2mm size. From there I found that there is an entire array of colored pencil leads and even a pencil that holds 8 different colors you can rotate between. Yes, 8 colors in one pencil. Amazing.

The Pentel Multi-8 pencil comes with 8 colored leads, including a light blue that is perfect for sketching. And the pencil is SO light, it’s like using a regular mechanical pencil. While the richness of the color doesn’t compare to my Prismacolor colored pencils, it’s good enough for rough sketches, making notes in my bullet journal, or doing a bit of doodling in my Studio Yearbook. It’s fast becoming my go to pencil that I can see using when I’m out on the patio or even in my car. In fact, the next thing I plan to look for is replacement leads in other colors. I’d really like a purple option. :)

I’m really excited to begin using my latest art supplies as I finish up a season of creating in the Devotion Mentorship Circle. I am feeling the need to slow down and focus less on being productive and more on just playing with art supplies again. These past few weeks, I’ve been so focused on creating with the computer that I haven’t taken the time to do my daily drawing. I miss working with my analog tools.

So as August approaches, I’m looking forward to slowing down a bit and playing with my new sketchbook and colored pencils on my patio. Well, after the weather cools down a bit. The heat index has been above 100 degrees F for the past week or so. In the meantime, I’ll be in my studio with the AC cranked up.

I hope you enjoyed this little journey inside my favorite tools. Here’s hoping your August finds you slowing down, enjoying a good book or a fun project that makes you smile.