I too, am still on the hunt for the perfect sketchbook. I use the Royal Talens' Art Creations ones but I don't like the cream paper. And I do like the Dyan Reavely and Dina Wakley journals, but I think Ranger has discontinued both of them. :(. I do mostly mixed media and I prefer a square format and white, hot press paper for that. I'm liking the Leuchtturm 1917 for now. My watercolor adventures are mostly urban and landscape sketching and I feel like I've used every brand you can think of for that and haven't fallen in love yet. I like a super white, cold press paper for those sketchbooks. Picky, picky, I know!
It's hard to find that perfect match! I think art creations recently came out with white paper sketchbook 😁 Have you tried alpha or beta series from Stillman and birn? Super white and cold pressed
I'm in the US and I made an order with Jackson's over the past couple of days. Initially, all items were in the Maine warehouse and shipping would have been 9 something, almost $10. Then I added an item that was only in the UK warehouse. In that case all items would then ship from the UK. The shipping from the UK would be $5.92. So about twice as far to ship will cost me half as much. Something to keep in mind when ordering from the US.
Love Stillman and Birn--Alpah or Beta series, soft cover. Like the size. For pure watercolor botanical painting I like Bee Creative 100% cotton watercolor journals.
I wish we could get the Fabrianio Vergatone books in the US without paying a ridiculous amount for shipping! The only way to get them seems to be from Fabriano directly.
What's wild is that by playing "cart roulette" I can often get Jackson's shipping from their UK warehouse down to like a couple dollars and it can actually be more to send stuff from the US warehouse!! And there is no customs hassle in the US. I have been really into soft pastels! It's a whole thing!! So you ordered some recently? Edit: Just a warning, Diane Townsend pastels are super super fragile and you will have to be incredibly careful to get them back home intact. You were probably also wondering about Terry Ludwig pastels. They are good, not sure they are truly worth the price, but I did spring for some. Personally I have been loving Blue Earth, but those are the softest of the soft! But packed very well. But, Dakota Pastels in Washington State is the only place that carries them, so unless you're coming here to where I live, you won't be able to buy those in a store.
@@iritlandgraf I got one in a sampler and it crumbled taking it out of the foam. So use them like you are handling an archaelogical artifact LOL. I decided Diane Townsend are not for me, but she does have the amazing neon colors. But know, those are *even more delicate* (she says so herself!)
yeah that sounds super dangerous!! I'm messy already but I think I'll have to pick maybe one of her terriage sets or whatever they are called... There's one inspired by Matisse and that's like catnip for me... Thanks so much for the info, definitely good to know and keep in mind!!
@@iritlandgraf Oh I thought for sure you'd want the fluorescent set! The Matisse one always sounds appealing but when I look it really only has 4 or 5 of "our" type of colors 😅 BTW I *love* the big painting in the background here!! It's great😍
