Testing three sketchbooks - Cheap vs Expensive 📒🎨
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- Опубликовано: 25 авг 2024
- Hi all! A bit of a different video today as I swatch in some sketchbook sand show the difference between brands! I'm testing three today, spanning from a low price to more expensive. I found it sooo interesting seeing the difference in texture and also colour, so I've learnt a lot from this too! I hope you find it useful especially if you're looking for a new sketchbook, and I'd love to hear your thoughts down below. Have a great week! Katie
🧡 S K E T C H B O O K
Royal Talens Art Creations Sketchbook * : amzn.to/3PJggG1
Strathmore 500 Series Mixed Media Sketchbook * : amzn.to/3O14iq6
Etchr Perfect Sketchbook * : www.jacksonsar...
🧡 M A T E R I A L S
Winsor and Newton Designers Gouache * - Primary Blue
www.jacksonsar...
Rohrer and Klingner Ink * - Old Golden Green, Ochre
www.jacksonsar...
Tombow ABT Dual Brush Pens * :
www.jacksonsar...
Liquitex Acrylic Marker 15mm * - Bright Aqua Green
www.jacksonsar...
Neocolor II pastels * :
www.jacksonsar...
Caran D’Ache Luminance pencil * :
www.jacksonsar...
The starred links above * are affiliate links so I get 5% commission from your order if you buy using the above links, but at no extra cost to you. If you’re a new Jackson’s customer, you’ll also be able to get 10% off if you use the links above! 😊
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The more expensive books have their place in the world, but the fact that the Royal Talens isn't precious is everything to me. I don't have an Etcher sketchbook, but I have several of the higher end ones. I love having all the options, but I tend to go to the Royal Talens for daily practice while the others tend to gather dust. Oh well, ha. Thanks for the helpful comparison.
I totally agree! I think they all work well in their own right, so I guess comparing them was a little unfair but I think it's really helpful to see what works best! I find my Etchr sketchbook in particular gathers dust unless I need it for a specific gradient or wet media experiment! Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts 😊
I loved my Strathmore hardcover one but I used it so tentatively because it was pricier. I loved how it handled gouache and wet media though. Something I sometimes struggle with in the Talens.
Good tip for paint pens to stop pilling, gesso the paper! It’s annoying to add an extra step to something that should just be casual, but it really works! A tip I picked up from “imawonder”. They just glide on and it’s a dream.
If you use paint pens a lot, the Art Gecko Freestyle sketchbooks are tailor made for them. They have almost a shiny paper but again, the pens just glide. Very satisfying!
Thanks for watching and sharing your tips, Kate! The Strathmore is so good with the wet media - at first I wasn't sure with the tooth of the paper after using the smooth Royal Talens for so long but it's really grown on me with use. Super helpful to know about the paint pens! I'm testing out the Montana paint markers soon so I'll definitely bear this in mind!
This was lovely to watch! Thank you for not only swatching different materials, but also how the textures changed throughout each sketchbook. Super helpful!
Oh thank you so much Jaclyn! So glad you enjoyed it 🥰
Stillman and Birn Delta is my favorite for watercolor and strathmore mixed media for watercolor and mix media. I’ve just started using Royal talens after following you and I must say that I really like it for practice with gouache, color pencils and neocolors. There are many other Stillman and birn sketchbooks that I’m still trying. I’ve been looking at etchr but like you I can’t justify the cost to myself 😊 thanks for the in-depth video and trying a wide range of materials on each of the sketchbooks!
Thanks so much for watching and sharing your recommendations! I've not tried the Stillman and Birn but it looks great - I think I find it hard to know which one to go for as there's so many types!
Great comparison video! The price point and the availability of the Talens are a really big plus. The new covers (Cork, Classical painted flowers, the Milkmaiden and the Art Deco covers) have white paper, which I prefer over the ivory. However I have a feeling the ivory paper is slightly more durable as it seems I had more bleed through on the white paper. I love the Strathmore soft cover one, it also has 100% cotton paper and I often like to work with wet media which it handles lovely. If it were a bit more readily available and affordable that would be my pick :) Thanks for taking the time to test them next to each other!
Thanks so much! Oh that's super helpful to know, I know a lot of artists would prefer the white paper! Interesting to hear the stock is different though 🤔 It took me such a long time to get used to the ivory paper but I really don't think much of it now! Thanks for sharing that the Strathmore is 100% cotton too, I really do love that paper. I'd definitely love to pick another one up when this one is finished but the soft cover seems really rare here in the UK!
8:03 you actually made on dip of the ocher in the art creation sketchbook, I think the color in similar if it was one dip in all of them. Thank you for the comparison.
Oooh yes good spot, I did just the one layer of Ochre in the Talens!
Just watching this back and found it super helpful! Not even so much because of the specific sketchbooks but how the sketchbook can affect the result in ways we wouldn’t necessarily think. The ivory paper of the Royal Talens is my only gripe with it, I find it just makes things look somewhat muddy/not quite as crisp. I have used a Seawhite ‘all media’ A5 sketchbook before & dabbled between that and the Talens, however you have inspired me to have a bit of a test between them as I have been using the Talens lately. Thanks for a great video Katie!
Thanks so much Han! It really surprises me whenever I work in a different sketchbook from the Royal Talens because of the non-ivory paper! I'm so used to it that it really does surprise me just how different colours and shades look on white paper. So glad this was useful for you! Definitely worth having a test with different supplies and how they work between the sketchbooks 😊
I really enjoyed your sketchbook comparison. You can really see the differences between them. I own all those types and would use and purchase them again. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much, so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching and commenting 🥰
I agree with your assessment, Art creation is great everyday sketchbook, for studies and learning. the thick cotton paper is awesome but puts more pressure and higher expectations.
Thank you for watching and commenting! The thicker paper definitely puts more pressure on us, like we have to make the best use of it! The Royal Talens just feels so much less pressure for me 😊
Thanks for this Katie - very interesting! I hadn’t given much thought to the quality of paper affecting the colours, but the difference was so obvious! I do like the Royal Talens too for everyday sketching, but have been annoyed sometimes with bleed-through. I have recently started using a Hahnemühle watercolour sketchbook, which I really like for more wet mediums. And thinking about it, the colours do look far richer.
It shocked me so much with the colour difference! I'm so used to the Royal Talens, and also not ever using these different sketchbooks side by side that, I hadn't even thought about how different the shades could look. I've heard really good things about the Hahnemühle brand so I'll earmark that next time I'd like to try a sketchbook! Thank you 🥰
I think your method of testing the sketchbooks using the same media and colours in each book is incredibly helpful, because you get a much fairer representation of what each sketchbook is "capable of". I have yet to try the Royal Talens or the Etchr, but I've scooped up the Strathmore 500 when it was on a sale at a cheap art store. They were 50% off or 2 for 1, so I bought 4 to stock up. At CAD$15 for the largest size (19.7 x 24.8cm), it's actually quite cheap so I don't feel as precious about them as I did before. It pays to be patient! (:
Thank you so much, I'm so glad it was helpful to see! Oh that is such a good price for the Strathmores! I'm definitely going to look into another one when I finish this. Hopefully I'll find it on sale too 😄
A really great comparison, Katie. I have been using the Royal Talens for a few weeks now, and it's nice but I think I really dislike the intense cream colour of the paper that really affects how colour shows up on it.... will probably go back to my preferred ivory paper Seawhite of Brighton sketchbooks or the white paper Art Gecko ones.
Thanks so much Arty! It took me a good while to get used to the ivory paper on the Talens but I really don't think much of it now - probably because it's been a go-to for three years! I moved into it from a Moleskine with pure white paper so it was a big difference! Seawhite of Brighton are a great brand, I've used a lot of their eco sketchbooks in the past. Haven't tried any Art Gecko - are they good with wet media?
@@KatieMoody The Art Gecko brand is new to me but I've been super impressed with the way it takes both wet and dry media. I did a video recently starting a new sketchbook, and since then have been loving it. It's as affordable as and a bit whiter and smoother than Seawhite paper and also made in the UK. Moleskine is good but aside from being pricy, I'm not a fan of their smooth paper. The more expensive sketchbooks I've got are Pith, Nina Cosford and Odd Orange. All good but pricey.
That is so interesting about the difference in colour saturation between the Talens and the others. I find the Talens alright with wet media - I use it with watercolour and even tried a large quill brush in it the other day which holds loads of water!
Yes I thought so too! I was pretty surprised especially with the pan pastel - it was sooo different! Oh interesting! Did you find any water/pigment affected the other side of the page?
@@KatieMoody No it didn't!
I've only tried the royal talens out of those three. At first I wasn't too keen but I only got the very small size which is a bit hard for me to work in so I've just bought one of the A5-ish ones to try and give it a second chance. I've actually just bought 6 different sketchbooks in a bid to find my perfect one (when am I going to have time to use all those? 😂). I got 3 Stilman & Birn ones (Beta, Delta and Zeta), the royal talens one, a seawhite watercolour journal and a seawhite travel journal - the last one I've use before and really like for dry media. My problem is I like using watercolour pencils and coloured pencils so I need a fairly thick but smooth paper. But I want a good mixed media one as I'm trying to do more art journally stuff at the moment.
I have the little square one which is great for quick sketches but I've not reached for it in ages! It feels too tiny for me to work in at the moment 😅 Hope you enjoy the A5 one! Ooh sounds like you got a good range to try! I've not used Stilman and Birn but I've heard good things - I don't know the difference between the ranges so I'd love to hear what you think! Art journal stuff sounds v fun 😍
I came here to comment on the Strathmore 500 Series Mixed Media paper being the same as the paper in Strathmore’s Mixed Media Visual Journal, and I saw that someone had a question about just that, so I responded to that comment. But I will make a second comment so it is more visible - I confirmed directly with Strathmore that the paper in those two products is the same. The 100% cotton paper is my favorite artist grade all-purpose paper. You can also buy individual larger sheets, a roll, or boards with that surface. It’s not terribly heavy weight, but it just handles a LOT.
Thank you so much for replying to the original comment, really helpful info to know! I didn't realise that they also do it as larger sheets or a roll or other options at all so that's really great too! Thank you for sharing 😊
The strathmore is also 100% cotton. All series 5 are. It’s a steal at £25 tbh.
Oh that's really good to know, thanks for sharing!! I'd definitely look at getting another when I'm finished with this one, I think for the price the quality is fantastic!
the strathmore is also 100 percent cotton!!
Thanks for letting me know! 😊
The royal talens is decent but why did they make it yellow?? 😭😭😭
I think so many of us echo your thoughts! It took me so long to get used to it!
I would buy it if it had white or off white paper, but I think I would tire of the cream.
Thank you for this helpful video!😊(It was good to see the color differences!) I also use the Royal Talens all the time. I use it with a lot of water and its ok.. I like the smooth paper. Haven't found a good Sketchbook with hot pressed paper yet. And I tested a lot of sketchbooks.... As you say, the Royal Talens is good for daily sketches and the most mediums I know.. but I haven't found the "perfect" sketchbook yet..
Thanks so much Xoonani! Totally agree - I wonder if finding the 'perfect' sketchbook is a life-long mission as artists 😆 I definitely prefer hot pressed paper too, it took me a while to get used to the Strathmore texture but I think I've adapted to it now!
Great video Katie 😊❤ thanks for sharing
Thank you, and thank you for watching! 😊
I love the Strathmore multimedia and watercolor sketchbooks with the soft covers. I use mostly watercolor and other water-related media, so it sounds like the Royal Talens aren't a choice for me. Thank you for the comparison.
You're welcome, and thank you for watching! I agree, I don't think the Royal Talens work well for water-intensive media!
Very helpful, thanks for posting
Glad it was helpful, thanks for watching and commenting 🥰
Thanks for this video. I have been making some research on RUclips and Insta about the best sketchbook and now it's clear. I know what I am going to buy. 😊
So glad it was helpful! What sketchbook are you going to go for? 🤗
@@KatieMoody Royal Talens A5 landscape and A4 😊
Hi Katie, I found your chanel and Instagram Account a few days ago. It’s really what I need right now. Thank you for all the Inspiration and information you share. ❤ Hugs from Northern Germany 😊
Oh thank you so much Jana, what a wonderful comment! 🥰 So glad it's what you need 💛
Wonderful informative comparison.
Thank you so much 😊
Got given the Etchr Sketchbook for Christmas but just too scared to use it. Lol just don’t feel like I’m good enough to sketch in it 😢. I have a Royal Talens on order for my next EDC. Using a Moleskine that has been sitting on my shelf for years, so I’ve forgotten the price! Maybe I just need to leave the Etchr for 10 years so I don’t feel precious about it anymore.
I understand your hesitance and I used to be the same until my Canson 100% cotton paper's sizing went bad. Now I have a different relationship with my more dear supplies.
Oh I totally get your hesitance! I think we put pressure on ourselves for things to be good, but maybe a swatch page could be a good starting point to start using it! I used a Moleskine before converting to Royal Talens and it took me so long to get used to the new one as the Moleskine had lovely pure white pages!
Life is short! Use the good stuff 👍🏼❣️
Very helpful Katie ❤ I use Royal Talens too but I am looking for other alternative, I don't use much wet media but even with tombow/ecoline I sometimes damage the paper, I must have an heavy hand 😄 going to test the Stillman & Birn sketchbook and have that Strathmore on the list too! Etchr is out of option 😅 too much money for the art I make.
Thanks so much Teresa 🧡 It can take a light touch sometimes, especially with multiple layers of brush pen! I think that's why I like to just use coloured pencil or neocolor for texture on top, and even pan pastel, so it sits on top of it rather than damaging the paper further. Even when creating everyday I rarely reach for the Etchr!
That was interesting. Can we see a finished piece of yours on the Sketcher sketchbook? I have the Royal Talens and the Strathmore. I like them both but I like the price of the Royal Talens.
Thanks for watching, Claudia! Of course! I've linked a couple of pieces I've done in the Etchr Perfect Sketchbook below 😊 The price of the Royal Talens is such a plus point for me!
instagram.com/p/CZsAEpeK8ik/ and instagram.com/p/CZSO3cTKXCM/
I always, always, always come back to my Royal Talens sketchbooks and I use all kinds of media in them even though I know that not everything looks good on this paper (for example, I feel like even the light washes of watercolour may sometimes look bad, but gouache, coloured pencils and liners are pretty nice to use it with). Sometimes I get sick of the ivory paper, but... yeah, I still go back to it because I don't fear doing whatever I want, I feel absolutely free to doodle and experiment. I also have the pricier sketchbooks like Strathmore 500 (hard cover) and Hahnemühle 100% cotton (very, very lovely sketchbooks btw, and also a bit cheaper here in Germany than the etchr cotton ones), but... yeah, it's funny how there's a mental block in my head that always screams "THESE ARE EXPENSIVE SKETCHBOOKS DON'T DRAW ANYTHING TOO UGLY THERE". And it's such a bummer.
Yesss 100%! When I was recording this and seeing the difference with the others I was like, wait why is this my favourite again when it's coming up worst!? But it's definitely to do with the price and low-pressure feeling which in turn makes me create more and more art! I've not tried the Hahnemühle sketchbooks so that's really good to know - thanks for the recommendation! Not sure I've ever found a definite way to remove that mental block but just going for it despite feeling that helps, as well as swatch pages!
@@KatieMoody yes, these are exactly my feelings as well! I'm like "why do I even bother with this paper, everything else I own is SO MUCH NICER" but I come back to it almost every single day. We all have this love-hate relationship with it it seems :'D
Do try the Hahnemühle cotton ones! The series is out for.... a year and a half? It's relatively new, but it rivals the etchr sketchbooks which I never bought due to the price point and the white covers (it drives me insane and is a huge minus to me). The Hahnemühle cotton paper is a really good quality and there are a lot of pages. Wish you a good day!
Love sketchbook tests! Seems like they all have their merits depending on medium :)
Does anyone know if the Strathmore Mixed Media softcover has the exact same paper as the Mixed Media Visuals Journal (spiral bound)?
Thanks so much Laura - definitely! I think they are all great depending usage! Hopefully someone will know the answer to your question 😊 Other artists in the comments have said it's 100% cotton which matches the Visual Journal as well as the paper weight, but I'm not sure if the paper texture is the exact same!
@@KatieMoody Perhaps it is the same then! The Visual Journal is very versitile I find, but the rough texture can drive me a bit nuts when using pencils. Let's see if any other's can offer some info :D. Have you tried the Pith or Leuchtturm sketchbooks at all?
@lawsdraws It’s 4 months later, but hopefully you’ll see this. The paper in the 500 Series Mixed Media journals is exactly the same as that of the Mixed Media Visual Journal - I confirmed this with Strathmore. I love the Visual Journals because they don’t feel as precious. Recently I have really wanted a sewn binding so I am no longer thrilled with the wire binding of the Visual Journals, but lots of people like that binding. The 500 Series Mixed Media paper is probably my favorite high quality all-purpose paper.