despite being their biggest fan strathmore HASNT SPONOSRED ME so if you want this sketchbook use my affiliate link!! amzn.to/3wKVriH also THANK YOU ALL for 50k subs!! (more than 50k by now hehe) I LOVE YOU ALL SM!!!
I hope these brands wake up and run you your money because your content is the only reason I was willing to drop $30 on the strathmore sketchbook last year. Still loving it and having something I enjoy using so much has been a game changer, I'm fully prepared to buy it again!
I was literally about to comment "how have they not sponsored you yet i don't understand" lmao also I think it's rly nice of you to be doing a full on review of that sketchbook without even being sponsored by them, it'll probs help a whole lot of ppl 💛
The 3 month per sketchbook is also a good timeline for myself! When I'm at my peak sketching phase I usually fill a similarily sized book every three months too. Ngl this inspired me to strive for that again! Edit: I forgot to also say that I've used this sketchbook before and I also love the paper and the soft cover - I think it got a bit beat up taking it to and from art school every day but that just gives it more character, haha
I never tried to draw animals,my mom brought home some animal stickers,so now I put one animal sticker on a page and then I go to pinterest und use references of the animal on the sticker and practice different poses and using colored pencils☺ Edit:Today i made a whole page about bunnys🐇☺
You deserved much more subs than you have, I am so happy to be part of your wonderful journey and I am glad I could somehow contribute to your success and self fulfillment. I am glad you also chose such a long format for your videos, I like to put your videos in the background while i work on my own things. You have grew both as a youtube creator and as an artist a lot since I first started watching you. I hope you will also give yourself enough rest and wont burn yourself out. I wish you all the best!
idk if you realize this but whenever you say "drink water" "take a walk" "take your vitamins" and stuff in your outros, it genuinely makes me so fucking happy like it always makes me smile and makes me feel safe and loved and it DOES make me want to take a walk and drink water and do some art. ur so amazing and ily and thank u for putting those reminders at the end of ur videos, they always make my day
I started using the same sketchbook because of you and I'm OBSESSED like, honestly there isn't anything it can not take I EVEN TRIED OIL PAINT ONCE AND IT LOOKED GOOD, really send from heaven that thing. The only thing that sucks is that they are a little expensive where I live and I didn't have a job for a good chunk of last year so my friend from America send me 5 of them and now I need a plane ticket to get to her and give her a big kiss :,)
I really loved the strathmore in A5 so I bought the bigger A4 one and found it couldn’t layer lots of watercolour well. However, I’ve now moved onto other sketchbooks and realised I might have been a bit harsh 😳 this video is definitely making me want to go back and get another one!
i prime my sketchbook paper with a couple layers of gesso and let it dry, it works great with acyrlic paints, you can put as many layers of paint on top and its awesome!!
Putting gesso on your page firsf will work to cover up bleed through so you have a blank page to work with. It also helps so your Poscas or other paint pens don't tear up the page. (Sometimes I'll very lightly sand the Gesso first too.) I generally like Strathmore mixed media. Their watercolor paper sucks though. I'll use canson xl before I resort to the Strathmore watercolor paper. Love the pieces in here!! Well done as always!!
My only criticism of this video is I wish you'd say "debilitating" instead of "cr*ppling" (sorry to be that guy and I was gonna be my mouth shut but then you said it again and it actually does really bother me)
100% valid, i honestly didn’t know i said that word until i watched this video back. It made me uncomfy too but i wasn’t sure how to edit around it. I definitely will not be saying that word moving forward, and i’m so sorry i made you uncomfortable!!
(it's a genuinely offensive term against physically disabled people, like myself, and I have actually had that word thrown at me in a mean way. And I don't like the using of it to draw a comparison of mental anguish to physical incapacity.)
Sorry to ask this if you've already answered (you kind of did in the video but not quite). So, I had found a pretty good sketchbook in my local art store and liked using it but then i fulled like 10 of those and got burnt out because it felt as if I'm always drawing in the same sketchbook, or simply the sameness of the pages and size burned out me. Have you had a similar problem? Do you feel the need to change your sketchbook once you've filled quite a few of those? I basically just started buying different ones, for now I'm looking for the perfect square now because I've only had one square sketchbook in my life and I really want to experiment with the page size being square.
What a great way to celebrate 50k! I've always wondered how you finish those sketchbooks so fast. I struggle. I don't think I've ever even completed one, but I'm hoping to finish the one I'm currently using (it's the same make as yours by the way) by the end of March. I think I've been working on it for years now. XD I always stop and start. But, like you said, I'm a different person with a different life than yours. So of course, for me, completing a sketchbook at this point in three months is just not as attainable. I probably could, but I don't think I'd enjoy the process. Instead, I'm trying to at least spend an hour or two a week with my sketchbook. We'll see how it goes. But love your sketchbooks and the tours. I'm just curious...what sketchbook do you use? 🤣
thanks for the reminder to water my plants, i'm a new plant parent. also, i am so torn bc i love thick sketchbooks but i also get annoyed with thick sketchbooks. it's like my head is at war with itself.
YES!!!! Someone else is in love with this sketchbook besides me! I like to use pens that have more gel like ink, minimal smudging cause it absorbs it so well. My only problem is the bleed thru which is why I want to try the render sketchbooks, but so far i'm in love. It's in my backpack now and i'm gonna put it to the test with goauche and watercolor later. I did get their watercolor sketchbook to try it out as well. First time i'm on your channel. Excuse me why are you so good? Don't mind me i'll be exploring.
Biggest thing with Poscas /paint pens put down a layer of gesso or acrylic medium or modge podge and you won’t have any trouble with the paper being destroyed
Hey there - cool vid. Marker bleed through - if you paint the back of the page with gesso or white acrylic the marker will not bleed through and you can then use the back of the paper for another drawing!!
If you don’t use many wet mediums and worry about the texture of this paper with colored pencils cause it is really grainy, I’d recommend the stillman and birn zeta series is really similar but a little smoother
Does the hard cover lay flat? I remember seeing it in an art store and the spine was very tough. I’ve also seen reviews online that it has some difficulty laying flat compared to the softcover. I would prefer the hardcover but don’t want to spend that $$ if it’s not going to lay flat
Have you tried a Crescent RENDR sketchbook? The paper is incredible-there’s zero marker bleed through. I’ve used markers, graphite, ink, colored pencils, acrylic, gouache and watercolors in the RENDR. It handled all of them, though the watercolor looks muted until it’s dry. The handling of the markers is the most astonishing, though.
This is actually a watercolor paper, haha. Any time a paper is mixed media marked as suitable for "wet" media, it's a paper made for watercolor and gouache (especially if it's 200-300 gsm or 100% cotton) that can also handle other mediums. There are some mixed media papers which are supposed to be "wet media friendly," which aren't particularly great for primarily watercolor or advanced WC techniques but a good 100% paper can often be fixed with applying more sizing or a watercolor ground if it's that difficult to work with!
Great video, it convinced me to buy this sketchbook. The paper is amazing but I bought a hardcover and a softcover and neither lay flat, both have perfect binding. It's so disappointing cos otherwise it would be perfect! The perfect binding makes it really difficult to use. I'm so confused how you've managed to open it flat 😂 maybe it's cos I've bought the A5(ish) sized ones?
I ended up seeing if I could fill a sb in 3 months as well, for my 8th one and it was more of a loose goal. I finished it technically in three months, four days into the next month. Definitely think 3 months might be a good spot because I was getting so done with the sketchbook (was using the stillman and birn beta hardcover sb) and was getting that antsy feeling of just wanting to move on. It would take me a year to finish my old ones, currently on my 9th sb and I’m having the same goal (using the plumchester ).
I love these sketchbooks. I gesso the pages and oil paint in them for the most part, but I want to start utilizing them for all medias like watercolor and gouache.
as someone who brings their sketchbook everywhere and abuses the fuck outta my sketchbook (with materials and actually destroying it on purpose for art reasons) the sketchbook holds up reallll well for a soft cover lol
Uhhh ok, I have to try it now. I feel so tempted that I'm missing out. And I always enjoy trying new sketchbooks out. I also enjoy the large sb's. It feels easier to draw big for me. I'm so happy you finally did a video on this sb.
I got one of these because of your videos and I absolutely love it. I haven’t worked in a sketchbook this much and this consistently in years. It absolutely does get beat up SO easy, but I like that. I’ve been using sharpie pens and col-erase in it and wowww so satisfying. I’m trying to go through it in your timeline just to challenge myself and 😳 I think I might succeed 😳 I’ve only ever finished one sketchbook before, this one is just EXACTLY what I needed. Thanks so much for putting info out there so it could find me!!!
I just purchased one of these sketchbooks for myself! I’m not finished with my current sketchbook but this video really makes me anticipate being able to use the strathmore❤❤ especially since pencils and markers are my main medium
i personally prefer like smaller/smallish sketchbooks (with a lot of pages) only cuz i get overwhelmed to fill a page or spread if its biggish. so having a smaller sketchbook is more of a comfort than getting better at art. i use mine to plan bigger separate pieces or for digital art! but my last small sketchbook i had for about 9months! and it was amazing to see my progress anyway! i dont use mine everyday unless thats only what im feeling up to doing. i love seeing your personal likes for your sketchbooks and it does make me excited to maybe branch out and try a medium or big sketchbook! maybe i culd have a big one and my personal small one haha. could be worth a shot
Yeah same I love like A6-A5 sketchbooks. Pages are less intimidating and I can spend like 1 hour or less on a page and then it’s done and I can move on and not stare at it anymore.
I love the soft cover version.. there really is just something special about it even compared to the hard cover. I can't explain it. It just feels special.
On the pages w bleed through, what is the best glue to use to add something on the back? Not just in terms of it sticking, but in terms of it not getting weird through the years/ bleedthrough etc? And in my sketchbook (moleskine) it feels like watercolor just lays on top and it uses a lot of paint. It looks more like marker? Can someone explain? Is it an absorbency thing?
I just ordered this sketchbook over the weekend because I was looking to create a central place to store all my swatching samples for all my different mediums. This sketchbook looked like it would be great for that. RU-vid ordered me your video today (Big Brother?) talking about said sketchbook…..I might need to get another one for regular sketchbook use after your glowing review. Love the idea of diving the pages into 3 sections to complete over three months and I appreciate that you too believe all artist makes bad art and its no big deal.🧡 Happy to find you. Your art is so gorgeous! Congrats on the 50K.
Hi Al!! I loved this video, this approach really helps me to keep going in my sketchbook so far :) I was wondering if you have a LIVE schedule? I saw you had some saved LIVE sketching here on RU-vid. Thank you in advance 💛🍊🌼🥰
The Strathmore sketchbook is by far my favourite, as well. It does all the things that I want a sketchbook to do. Unfortunately, for quite some time I haven’t been able to find one at a reasonable price (I’m not paying $70, thank you very much Amazon). This time around, I got the softcover Stillman and Birn Alpha Series Mixed Media Sketchbook. It’s a pretty close dupe, for a reasonable price. It’s not my favourite… but it seems to be doing the trick.
If you’re really worried about messing up your sketchbook (that is, drawing something ’bad’ in it) i would recommend either: getting a cheaper sketchbook and/or messing up the first page on purpose, make scribbles, wonky doodles, anything. Also, if you dont wanna do that you can always have a cheap wirebound (so you can rip out pages) side sketchbook and paste drawings from that one into your main sketchbook.
Just a thought on post it notes… if you buy expensive acid free archival sketchbooks (most are including the ones in this video) then maybe post it notes are not the best addition to a sketchbook you plan to keep. Acid on post it paper will eventually yellow your sketchbook pages and left long enough compromise the actual paper structure. Does this happen in 6months or a year? No. But why buy great paper to do your art on if you will just be compromising it with acidic paper? If you are young yet, you might not see how much you will enjoy your old sketchbooks (and maybe even reuse some of the pages for stuff) when you get older and older. Best to you all! :) Here is some info from the Smithsonian: …the dyes in some sticky notes will run if wet. Additionally, removing a sticky note from a fragile book can easily lift ink and tear pages, and the notes are often made of poor quality, Acidic paper which will cause damage over time. Although the original Post-it note developed for the 3M Company uses an acrylic adhesive which will not stain paper, other sticky notes are often made with a butyrate adhesive that will discolor paper over time, so users beware! Consequently, most libraries and archives enforce a strict “NO POST-IT NOTES” rule.
I can confirm, as someone who takes this exact sketchbook everywhere, throws it in every bag and on any shelf, it is very durable. I've had many sketchbooks fall apart on me, whether spiral bound or not, and this one has never posed that problem.
This was a really helpful video!! I’m a mostly digital artist but I’ve been trying to work more traditionally, and your videos have been super inspiring! 🙌❤
I, too, love the Strathmore Mixed Media sketchbook. I don't know...there's something cozy and inviting about it. I've used it mostly with watercolor pencils.
I finished my first sketchbook in 3 months unintentionally. So I made a goal to finish all my sketchbooks in 3 months. I use A4 sketchbooks with 100 pages (49 spreads and first page, last page)
👆remember to scan all the work you like if it contains alcohol markers, inks are fugitive especially in light and some fade even if kept dark in a sketchbook. :)
I would buy one of those sketchbooks but just bought another A3 size one 3 months is a good time to fill a sketchbook if a person is going to put a time cut off for finishing one. and yes, my sketchbook is mine, if it ends up full of bad pen sketches than its still a finished sketchbook
My sketchbook has pretty much always been a thing I keep to myself. It’s like the only place I’m free to just be me so I don’t worry about what’s good or not. Most of it is literally just random scribbles that don’t mean anything or me drawing straight lines across the page. If there’s something I want to show people I just tear it out. Plus with cheaper paper it’s good to test out and plan out drawings so I don’t waste the expensive paper. I’ll do a drawing as much as 5 times sometimes just refining it with each time in my sketchbook(usually with a light table) before transferring it over to a nicer paper to put in my actual portfolio. For me at least the sketchbook has always been a place for practice that I never show anyone so that I’m not afraid and I have a separate portfolio that is actually meant to be shown.
sounds good and all i just wish the price wasnt so high. Markers are already insanely expensive. you should do more reviews like this. your long videos are so fun to watch. :D
Hearing you say those things about not having to create everyday all the time really put it into place for me. As an artist I feel like I always have to be creating, and I try, but sometimes it's hard. I appreciate that you said that, I never really realized haha.
This is the first video I have watched from you and I have to say it is very comforting to hear you talk. I don't make much art and have always beaten myself up over it and doing more, being like other artists etc. I get caught up with a lot of processes and wanting things to be done in a certain way and being upset if it doesn't go like that. I tend to overthink things to the point of exhaustion and when I can feel oppressed by a blank piece of paper. I like how you emphasise that it's cool to do whatever you please essentially and there is an underlying mindset of not restricting yourself to whatever standards whether a recommendation by someone else is or your own ideals etc. It's a really cool perspective where you bring me back to the reality which is the artist makes art and there's no need to feel bad for any of it. Your artwork is also gorgeous btw.
