I like the realistic take on the quality. Whenever i see sketchbook reviews, I notice that the reviewer talks about all the good parts about it, and shys away from the downsides. Its nice to know that this isn't a sketchbook that I'm interested in.
@@tatilacayo1176 ik this was a year ago but i have a sketch book that does have a rectangle shape but is not bad with water color and pen! Its a Royal Langnickel if your currently looking for sketchbooks- has 110 sheets :] found mine at a local Walmart
I like using Illo sketchbooks because they lay flat, I like the size, and they're just comfortable to use. All of the other sketchbooks I've used were way too big and there was the wire stuff in the middle with is super uncomfortable for me to use since I'm left handed :') I also like the little things like how it's square and the pocket and how the cover is very nice and customizable instead of having an ugly picture on front 😅
Maymaygii no it’s just backwards. So you’re working in it from the back to the front. Also if the pages are blank that’s not really an issue. But yeah I get not liking them anyway
@@sallydagger19 if it's just backwards the spiral would still be in the way? Even if I was right handed I still wouldn't like them because no matter how you turn or flip it the spiral is still gonna be there
about why i like the illo sketchbook: altho i prefer rectangle paper to square paper im really picky about texture? like i hate rough textures it drives me crazy so i like the sketchbook bc the cover and paper are smooth and dont irritate my senses idk why other people use it tho
Im the exact opposite of you. 😂👏 My sense are highly sensitive but they have to be constantly stimulated. If the paper is slip'slidey smooth without texture I go insane lol
The same with me, I don't like tt when I'm moving my fingers across an empty page and I just feel these ridges. I still prefer paper with some tooth because it makes me feel like my drawings won't end up slipping off from the page but not something quite as textured like watercolor cold pressed.
I just like smooth because it doesn't suck out every pen and I don't like when pencil scratches over paper. Most of the time when paper has a lot of textured it's soft. So when you erase you erase the paper of the page too. And smooth Paper is most of the time kind of hard. So I doesn't erase the paper of the page. 😅
I think all of the hype came from the quality of their sketchbooks before everyone started buying them. Now they have to make so many that the quality is probably rushed
They're basically cardstock paper imo. They don't take any wet mediums, and alcohol markers ghost so badly.. to me they're super overhyped.. Forgot to mention that this ISN'T acid free, meaning over time the pages will turn yellow, may be white for now.. you'd think for the price you'd be getting more out of it.. I guess it's good for alcohol marker artists?
Hi, Thats not true. The quality has been exactly the same throughout. 112 pages of 122lb 180gsm smooth paper. Just takes longer to make more. If I had to guess where the “hype” came from, it would be that artists were refreshed by seeing a sketchbook company who cared about artists and who they felt understood what they needed. :)
okay but can we talk about how he didn't sketch anything before applying the acrylic paints? and it still came out amazing? (I have to say, I'm a sucker for paint texture and colourful drawings) This guy is an art god.
Wow, I actually didn't know that but one of my marker sketches is slightly a different color that when I did it like a year ago. I thought it was just the markers tho
That’s my main reason for not buying it. I want artwork that I know will last even if it is just a sketchbook. I don’t want my pages to be discolored or for my art to deteriorate. And for the price you’d think it would last 🤷♀️
@@kees_hoe true, I'm trying to actually finish a sketchbook once in my life and it would be nice to actually see my journey and memories in a few years.
oliver: im going to keep my hood on the entire video bc my hair is bad! also oliver: interrupts sketching camera with said bad hair (nonetheless) me: *ah yes this is the life*
For some art supplies to check out, I would totally say the Ohuhu markers. I use Ohuhu a lot and they work good. I personally like the non brush-tip ones better. The brush tip Ohuhu markers don't have the best brush tip, but they get the job done. For more markers, I totally say the Bianyo brush-tip markers and (brush-tip) promarkers. They before have a more flexible top than a Copic marker, or a new Copic marker. That's all! I hope you a great day, whoever sees this!
@Darlene Sowell I personally just use random sketchbooks, but I really like using Canson Mixed Media. I like the illo sketchbook, it's just not good with some things. The Crescent Rendr sketch is also nice with markers.
My current sketchbook is an illo sketchbook, and I love it! I personally love how markers and colored pencils go down in it. I don't do as much blending or layering as you do though.
The thing about color pencils (I read a book recently to finally learn how to actually use them right) is that the mine, that substance needs something to grab on, because even though they may have wax or oil, they are basically just solid picment. The smooth paper doesn’t let it grab so it slips and creates a lot of waste. I’m not an expert and this probably sounds like a lot of beginner stuff to most, but hey, just something for other people starting out.
as someone who has previously bought an illio sketchbook ( I purchased 2 in the 8x8 size fall of 2019) it was an okay experience in my opinion. my first impression was wow the paper is so nice and smooth and I loved the ribbon and pocket feature too and as well as how sturdy the cover was but when it came time to actually draw in it i had varied opinions the copics would bleed through the paper even though my coloring style is not as layered as Oliver's but more simple since I am still learning about shading and layering the liners I used at the time would smear after erasing the pencil from underneath now I don't know if it was because at the time I used very cheap liners instead of the copic fine liners I use now. color pencil use was okay wasn't my favorite as I don't typically use colored pencils very often my main medium being copic markers. sketching was nice for a bit but I did not like how the pencil would smear more than usual especially after letting the drawing sit with no ink for a while. I did not use any paints in mine because at the time I didn't own the watercolors I now have. I did do Inktober in both but when time came to use the second one I had purchased I was just unhappy with the sketch book so its still sitting in my bin with my other old sketch books not finished. I do agree with Oliver about how it is a good sketch book and its not necessarily a bad one its just a matter of personal preference. I personally wouldn't buy it again since its so pricy and my experience with it wasn't my favorite. anyways this was just my experience with the illio sketchbook
Darlene Sowell I personally use the canson xl mix media. I use the 7x10 in size.(I just prefer a bigger but not too big paper to work with personally) It’s very cheap and the paper is thick and great for copics and various paints. Hope this helps!
No one: Absolutely no one: Not a single person in the entire universe: Ollie: my hair is a mess because I didn’t comb it because the world is on lockdown.
I just had a look because this sketchbook looked perfect for me but. $50+ international shipping? The thing is only $17! In my opinion, that's disgusting to charge so much. It makea it almost exclusive to US unless you pay the extra. Ridiculous.
breatheinjuniper yeah, same?! Like, what. This sketchbook is perfect for me. I love that kind of paper, and the size is perfect for nice character design spreads. I use moleskine and the A5 one costs more than the 8x8 Illo, so the Illo would be PERFECT size and price. But $50 shipping for Europe? I also tried to email them about this but they said they could not add any other shipping option. I think they are at a loss for A LOT of customers this way too..
I agree with you ( I’m from France) but it’s quite complicated to ship overseas, they don’t plan it the same way - we have to be patient and one day they’ll ship it cheaper overseas ❤️
There isn't even a listing for them on Amazon for me, I'm from the UK. But tbh after this video i don't really have a taste for this sketchbook anymore. Since I use mostly gouache and watercolors..
I know what the problem is! As a fellow Illo enthusiast, I have used their sketchbooks for a long time. I don't remember which year it was exactly, but they re-made their sketchbooks. I purchased the new model because new is better right? Right?? NO! It was a struggle to draw. I use a lot of watercolour, and yes, that may have ruined the paper because most sketchbooks are not quite meant for watercolour, but my old ones could handle it very well. That's the reason why I started buying these illo sketchbooks over any other. But these boys were awful! Everytime, even if it's just a little blob of watercolour, there are little speckles which sometimes ruin the drawing. Also, the colours seem more dull which is not too bad sometimes because I like to draw creepy and unnerving sceneries, but when I don't, the coloura are just not as bright as I wish they were. For this reason, I switched to a digital medium. These sketchbooks are quite expensive, and if I am paying that amount for this qualitt, I won't really have a good experience. If anyone knows where I could purchase the old ones, I would fricking hug you.
I absolutely love this sketchbook to sketch in, however yes I did not enjoy using paints in it or heavy layering. I prefer to do that stuff on my finished illustrations, but with my ohuhu markers this sketchbook is fun
So, here's something I've noticed about paper, as far as "sucking a lot of color" out of your markers...it's usually a trade-off, if you're looking for something that DOESN'T bleed or smudge a lot, with line art. If the paper is going to soak and lock up that ink fast enough to prevent smearing, it's likely to absorb a lot of alcohol-based medium.
Whenever I got my two illo sketchbooks it really helped me to use my alcohol markers because the paper was so smooth and it worked well with it, with my other sketchbooks I don’t use my markers cause they feather when I do I highly recommend illo sketchbooks if you have the money for them
Interestingly enough, when it came to markers I’ve not had any of the issues you’ve had (maybe it’s cuz the paper sometimes changes from the original paper in the occasional batch) The only issue I do have is with the Copics having white speckling but I have that with any paper using Copics tbh, I thought something was wrong with how I was using them but I watched a marker review video and the person said that Copics usually have white speckles HOWEVER, markers, sketching, and inking are the only things I like doing in this sketchbook. I don’t like using paint on smooth paper so it’s not worth it for me and water based markers are always too patchy. And even prismacolor pencils just don’t go down flatly and nicely, too smooth again lol But I also use Moleskine art plus sketchbooks and illo is way better because more paper and larger size and white paper for $4 less lol, so I do have a point of reference for why I do like this sketchbook
Me: oh yeah I need a new sketchbook soon- let's see about this one! *Watches the video* Oliver: It doesn't really work well with watercolor or colored pencils. Me: Lovely *:')*
I hear some art RU-vidrs mentioning they changed the paper. Like people love their 1st one of 2017, and then reorder a later one and have the specle issues. It used to be a consistently good for all marker based sketchbook but it's marketed as multimedia???
That problem should have been solved by now tough. And she didnt mention tearing paper until several layers which at the time only one layer of watercolor made the paper fizz.
Personally, I just like Illo sketchbooks for the size. They're portable, with a really decent paper weight, and handles inks and technical pens really well- which is most of what I do in my sketchbooks. (I don't do completed works straight on the sketchbook paper, I transfer the sketch to other paper, and then tape it in with washi tape.) Plus, I appreciate the elastic strap. Since I do tape a lot of stuff in my sketchbook, having something to actually keep it held down whenever I start adding too much to it is really nice.
Can we all take a minute to appreciate the time Oliver puts into, sketches, incking, and all that jazz?? It amazes me bc if you watch the not sped up parts of him drawing you see how much time he puts in I just- This is my new goal for 2020
I don’t know if you still check thus comment section. But something I use to remember the difference between hot and cold press watercolour paper is cold press is textured. Think when you get a sudden CHILL you get goosebumps. Goosebumps - cold - textured. Hot press is smooth, melted stuff is often smooth , hot melt smooth. Might be a stretch but that’s how i remember.
I use copics on my illo all the time and it hardly ever bleeds on to the other page unless i do around 4/5 layers all at the same time and i have never found white spots where i colored illo is VERY good for copics and wow you must layer a LOT!!!!
I personally prefer the XL Mix Media pad. As the name says you can use it for several media's. The paper is pretty thick and textured. Markers do kinda bleed, so I would recommend using something to cover the next page. The paper does make markers look amazing, but you probably shouldn't use them as much, because it drains them pretty fast. Whenever I use watercolors the pages don't buckle as much and because the paper has more of a canvas texture I personally thing acrylics work pretty good. I love sketching because it gives sketches more texture. The only coloured pencils that I have used were Prisma colours. They also work amazingly, *but* because it is textured paper, the tip gets dull pretty fast. Personally the sketchbook isn't very expensive, it's usually around 5-7 USD. I really haven't had many problems with the sketchbook other than it draining my markers and coloured pencils. To fix that I usually just use cheaper markers like Caliarts and the colors are still extremely vibrant. I don't use other coloured pencils, but when I do use my prisma's I use them pretty lightly and layer them so they don't dull too fast. Okay, I'm done!
That was incredible!! I live your art, you are truly amazing There were people tagging me in live chat, to all those people thank you To the people saying they are sad or anything else I really hope you feel better And everyone be yourself, love yourself and you are incredible SOMEBODY ONCE TOLD ME THE WORLD WAS GONNA ROLL ME I AIN'T THE SHARPEST TOOL IN THE SHED LOVE YOU GUYYYSSS!!!
Thank you for your honest review :) ... Great artwork in there. We are super overwhelmed and grateful for the “hype” although it may cause the underwhelmed emotion haha. We hope you enjoy finishing it :)
weird, I didn't have much problem with ghosting unless i used super vibrant alcohol markers. Maybe the paper changed. I mean I haven't used this sketchbook in a few months, so it could have I guess. edit: The sketchbook wasn't mine it was a friends and she wanted me to teacher her to draw so if I might buy one to try out a whole sketchbook, rather than a few pages.
If anyone uses Posca pens often I recommend using the Etchr sketchbook it’s on the bit expensive side but! As someone who’s main thing is Posca it’s a wonder. Doesn’t rip bubble or even have any other problems. Just recommending it if anyone wanted to know
I recommend the master’s touch square marker sketchbook from hobby lobby if you have one near you! It’s made for markers but I’ve used gouache, watercolor, marker, colored pencil, I basically treat it like a mixed media sketchbook. It’s really good!
I like how many materials you covered, most people I've seen only do marker tests so it was interesting to see how the paper held up. This is my current sketchbook and while markers bleed through, I got into the habit of taping in other paper from your videos and I like the different textures I can get. My sketchbook is so thick now lol. I think Strathmore mixed media sketchbooks hold up better with wet media
I’ve always really wanted this sketchbook but could never find it online. But form this review I think I’ll stick to my classic Windsor and newton hardback sketchbook
I’m pretty sure that they changed the paper of the Illo Sketchbook because of the higher demand, Drawingwiffwaffles I believe was the one who started the hype for the sketchbook, she noted in another review I watched that the paper seemed different.
That problem should have been solved by now tough. And she didnt mention tearing paper until several layers which at the time only one layer of watercolor made the paper fizz. The brand did respond in the comment section of Drawingwiffwaffles video by saying that they didnt change anything and will look furhter into it.
During their September anniversary they usually do 20 or 25% off and if you get like the 5 pack it makes it out to be like $10 or $12 each. Personally it's my favorite sketchbook.
Dude, this is the first video of yours I’ve ever watched and I’m in utter awe. The number of different medias you can work in is super impressive, and (as a sucker for color schemes) I LOVE the colors you use in these drawings. Definitely going to sub!
tip on getting the difference between hot vs cold pressed watercolor paper straight: imagine when you iron out a shirt with a hot iron, it smooths out all the wrinkles in your shirt, so hot pressed is smooth, while cold pressed is if you just put a wrinkly sheet of paper in between some books without any heat, it comes out textured. That's how I remember lol.
With acrylics on paper that's not made for wet media, I had luck making a layer of acrylic paint before starting with drawing and actual painting. I don't have gesso, so a not too watery, not too thick layer of paint (I let it dry completely before continuing. That is really important) protects the surface of the paper. I could blend to my heart's content, and even make really thick layers of paint. Just a tip for people who like to use all sorts of media and experiment on cheaper paper.
I'm glad that I saw this review. I was thinking about buying one and I'm still a bit tempted to (just for how the inks lay down) but I sketch exclusively in pencil and I mainly use colored pencil and markers. Maybe it'd be a good inktober sketchbook.
I stumbled across your channel and I’ve never been so glad to find an art channel before. Your art is so pretty and your honesty and humor is very much appreciated😂 keep up the incredible work dude
When you paint in any medium but watercolour (which demands a rag paper pre stretched with water and tape) I would bang down a few coats of acrylic binder on the paper and let it dry before you start. If the paper is decent you can even knock up sketches in oil once you seal the paper. For marker crescent render is the only sketch book I have found that eliminates bleed entirely, but they are pricey and really tightly bound. There you have it, some tips from an old fart. You got some chops on yah for a young whipper snapper, hope you keep going. G'luck!
First of all, good gods you got a lot of art supplies! It's literal eye candy to watch you use it all! I love your style and how you blend everything! Secondly, this was great because I've been looking for a new sketchbook to try out. Specifically I wanted a square sketchbook, but illo isn't available as of now. You covered every area I didn't get to see. As someone who enjoys working with markers, its important that my pages can hold up layering. I usually do a ton of research for my art related stuff so this was really useful and informative! Thank you!
I feel like delany would walk around in public, with high heels, sunglasses, long as crab nails, a bloody prom dress, and be saying "Yes girl" To everything. *Lo is the annoyed boyfriend who has to put up with this shit.*
i got one and i use colored pencils and that is it. i don't use markers so when i drew a really nice raven then went to color it i cried. it smudged a lot and i haven't used it since. btw love your video! i wish i watched reviews like this to get a better idea of what i was getting into. thank you for making this and encouraging me to get into using markers!
This is the first video of yours that I've come across, and I will definitely be watching more. I'm really liking what I see of your art style, and I appreciate how thorough you were in your review. I love how many art supplies you tried out in it, and how you pretty much did a full piece with each supply to really get the feel for how they interacted with the paper. I've been curious about this sketchbook because of the hype, and now I think I'm going to stick with the sketchbooks I'm used to or that are less expensive. I would love if you did some more review videos.
A way to keep the paper press types straight: Rough - kind of straight forward Cold - texture is there like goosebumps when cold Hot - hot iron to smooth clothes, little texture I haven't seen anyone that I can think of that is very happy since illo changed their paper.
I know I might be wrong but col erase pencils are different from normal professionals also it obviously may be the case of the page thickness(gsm) that the markers bled and if your buying a sketchbook you should always pay attention to the thickness because not all art styles require much blending and layering.By the way the thickness is 180gsm so for this art style i recogmend higher thickness sketchbooks. I hva more simplistic style so yeah.
I prefer using the hound marker pad since it works well with blending, it does have a little bit of the white speckling, but otherwise its a good thick paper, but it doesn’t work well with watercolor, and other than that its really good, i like it ^^
My Illo Sketchbook that I worked in pretty much reacted the same to all the supplies you and I used, but it was my favorite sketchbook I’ve ever worked in, not quality wise just that one specifically because of how much I experiment in it. It’s not my favorite either, but it’s pretty mediocre, and I didn’t really get the hype either. I’d still recommend it tho because of the positive associations I have with it
I really appreciate you making this video! I've been looking into maybe getting one of these, but I hadn't actually seen any reviews, so it was nice to see someone test it out.
I use pencils and inks and I’m excited to get my hands on this sketchbook! Personally I enjoy when the paper smudges cause I usually enjoy working with it but everyone has their own preference.
I got the Illo when they first came out and since then I've heard other RU-vidrs say that the paper has changed, so our experiences might be *slightly* different. But thus far, it seems that what the Illo is good and bad at has stayed the same! For my Illo Sketchbook, I tend to use inks and markers in it to do quick sketches of concept art and such. I've found that the paper worked fantastically with both alcohol and water-based markers. I could layer each color beautifully and blend it out without fearing that it would bleed to the paper underneath and ruin it. I've used gouache for a few pages as well and it turned out fine. I would advise from staying away from too wet of mediums, however. If you're looking for any recommendations, I'd suggest the Arteza Watercolor Sketchbook! They come in a pack of two and are a pretty good price. A lot of people are iffy on the sketchbook due to the quality but I love it for the fact that I can practice watercolor or gouache on the paper stress-free. I always worry that I'm wasting paper when I'm painting because I'm so inexperienced, but when I get to use the Arteza Watercolor Sketchbook, I don't have to worry about a thing! Basically, I believe the Arteza Watercolor Sketchbook is great for fucking around in without the fear of ruining an expensive sketchbook or wasting any material.
