Thank you for this. I use a Stillman and Birn and often wonder if I should be trying something else. But now feel there's no need. Don't fix what ain't broke I guess! Would love to see a sketchbook flip of one of your sketchbooks :-)
I envy your ability to draw machines, like cars and train engines. I'm in love with your work! And you travelogue is goals! Goodness, i havent visited those places but just by looking at those paintings i feel like i have been there.
Amazing and very inspirational work Brenda! Thanks for sharing. I'm only just getting to know the S&B books this year and, like you, I love the Beta and secondarily the Zeta Series. Great review, thanks!
I love your fountain pens. When I was 12 I discovered them and got a Schaefer. It was pen if choice for my journal writing. Now I want to draw with them. Just learning. Love your brown ink.
Thanks for the advice on the Stillman & Birn Sketchbooks ~ I'm getting back into sketching more and have been wanting to try better quality sketchbooks. I'm getting one of these ASAP!
I was wondering if you ever made the blog post about your fountain pens? I looked but couldn't find it, maybe I missed it. Not sure but thought I would ask.
Hi, Sorry I haven't done a video about my pens...yet. Have you checked out www.gouletpens.com? They are my favorite resource for info and videos about pens. Happy Sketching!
Loved this review of the different books! Your drawing and watercolor is beautiful. Thanks for doing this video. I have to check out your blog to find out which pens you like best. I am having trouble with that!
Brenda Swenson Watercolors I got Mine a month ago and I was def not disappointed already 5 pages in and I've been using both gouache and watercolor and Indian ink heavily and it takes it like a champ
Brenda Swenson Watercolors yes and it's the zeta that I got! By any handle have you have any experience using the Gamma one? Im thinking of picking it up next for more of my dry media and I like that the pages are ivory white which is something I really enjoyed about the Moleskine pages
I read that the beta version is smoother than other cold press papers, is that true? I typically use a fountain pen to ink and I find it has a scratchy feel on cold press 300gsm paper. I want the cold press look for my watercolor washes but I want the paper to be a little smoother so my fountain pen is gliding through the paper when I'm inking.
That’s right. The beta is smoother than traditional 140 pound cold press paper. It has very little surface texture. If you like hot press paper with ink you might want to try the Zeta. Very smooth surface.
Great video! Stillman & Birn are my go to sketchbooks! I haven't found one that I dislike yet! However, my favorite is the Zeta. I love the slickness of the paper. Oh and the softbound is just amazing! I feel that even though it is soft its not too soft! Your work is beautiful! I just subscribed and I am so glad I found your channel! I have an art channel too... I would love it if you checked me out.
I wish it was printed each book you reviewed. Only the 1st sketch book name is listed in the description with your video. Can you send a link to the other books reviewed. Your paintings and drawings are beautiful.
Anne, Even though not cotton they still meet a very high standard. • A unique Mixed Media paper program giving artists a choice of paper weight, shade and surface/tooth • Internal and surface sizing: Double-sized (from non-animal materials) for enhanced wet strength and glowing color • Archival quality (conforms to ISO 9706 standard for permanent paper), acid-free, chloride free, lignin-free
thank you so much for your amazing review of these sketchbooks! I was wondering though, with the beta, do fountain pens work well and smoothly even with the textured paper? and what kind of ink do you use for your fountain pens? thank you so much!
Ariana, The texture is pretty smooth...not a true cold press. For you questions about pens and ink please visit my blog. I cover those questions in detail. brendaswenson.blogspot.com/search/label/Fountain%20Pens?m=0
Thanks for such an extensive review! I also love my stillman&birn- i've been using the Alpha for my watercolor sketches and after watching your video, definitely want to try the Beta next!
I saw...'...on my way out to Greenville, NC?!.. Hey!..I live there (here!)...do you come here often?...Let me know, if you will...Thanks!.. Rowland Harris
Would love to see a future video where you do a watercolor sketch in one of these sketch books. The shadows on the white building took my breath away @ 0:02--0:30. I need gorgeous-shadow lessons! lol 🎨 🖌
Sylvia, Shadows...I love to paint shadows! I think you'd find my DVD helpful. www.cheapjoes.com/sketching-techniques-with-watercolors-by-brenda-swenson.html
Thanks, Brenda. I just saw where you'll be doing a workshop at the SDWS in June. I'll likely see you there! :) Is your Visconti fountain pen the silver-plated or the rose-gold plated 125th year anniversary pen?
Sylvia, The SDWS workshop is full. Look at the dates and locations closer. I have the rose gold nib fine that came with the pen and a silver plated medium I can switch out. Hope I've answered ALL your questions. I am swamped with workshop planning, emails, jury duty......... and have limited time available. Take care
Great review and art. Every artist needs to make the trip to New Mexico to experience the unique light and landscapes, particularly of the north. I made my home there for 15 years. (Very lucky me!) You've captured some of my favorite places in some of my favorite mediums -- watercolor and pen & ink. Well done! Thank you
You've chosen a spectacular time to go, Brenda. Gold aspens against that sapphire blue sky -- and so many more en plein air opportunities beyond the ski basin and City Different. The Bosque del Apache, Madrid, Tent Rocks, Lenora Curtain wetlands, Diablo Canyon, so, so, many to choose....can't wait to see what you discover. Enjoy!
have you notice any might dry faster than the other? I'm looking for a relaxed boring bus waiting sketchbook for watercolour. just curious because they all look amazing it's hard to choose. I also love your artwork its very lively!
I just ordered two soft cover books one in portrait and landscape both are beta and we're a store special promoting the soft covers and with any purchase they are giving a package of all of their papers to try it could not here what type of fountain pen that you like so much...could you mention here for me? I've been getting overwhelmed with all the options available so I'm confused lol take care Heather
You're gonna enjoy the Stillman & Birn Sketchbooks! Fountain pens...I love them all from inexpensive to high end. If you are new to the fountain pen world I'd start with a nice started like a Lamy or Pilot Metropolitan . A good source for info: www.gouletpens.com Be sure to check out they're video on the pens. You'll learn LOTS!
thankyou Brenda for your quick reply! I will check out the fountain pen company you mentioned, I also found out that you can purchase the Stillman & Birn paper as single sheets in various sizes! I do like to bind journals in different sizes and bindings. I hope you have a creative week I'm getting ready for a morning session of watercolour "play" it's a great way to start the day and I do the same late in the evening to relax before bed Heather
thanks for reviewing these. out of curiosity, what line what you recommend for a beginner watercolorist? do the different paper thicknesses vary that much? I've only recently seen these and they all look like they held up well to your sketches. I don't know if I'm heavy or not with water because I don't usually do wet in wet.
The one I use the most is Beta. I also enjoy the Delta which is the same surface but has a slightly warm tint, and the Zeta which is slick like hot press watercolor paper.
Keith, I usr gesso for one of two reasons: 1. To cover up a sketch that didn’t work and paint on top of it. 2. A toned surface to work on. It works different than watercolor paper but I like the effect.
Do you pretreat all your pages with tinted gesso and if so why not watercolor grounds instead? I get warping for the Stillman and Burns unless I use very light water .
I rarely pretreat a page. I only do it when I want to cover up a terrible sketch beneath. A little warping is normal. If you're getting a lot I'd reduce the amount of water you're using.
Hi, I was wondering what kind of ink you use because I’ve use noodlers waterproof ink but it still bleeds when I add water so I was looking for a good substitute that’s actually water proof! Hope you can help :)
What was it you said you used as a base? I think you said "jesso" tinted with watercolour. Am I right, I'd like to find something like that as a base for watercolour. Lovely books! Thanks for sharing!
I am considering purchasing the Beta series, but I am unsure if it can withstand layering and glazing in watercolor. Those are my favorite watercoloring techniques to build depth. Also, are you able to do any lifting or light scrubbing with watercolors on this paper? There are just so many choices of paper and it can be very overwhelming.
The Beta sketchbook paper is the best for glazes, scrubbing, lift... I holds up great. The Delta is the same paper with a warm tone and the Zeta is slick but still heavy weight paper.
Loved your video and your excellent critique on the products mentioned. So informative. And your personal artwork is so beautiful and inspiring. My Fine Art fever has went up a few degrees after seeing this video! Thanks! Kisses!
Amazing! Your sketches look better than my final paintings. Also, the books seem to take watercolour very well. Great sketch books, great art works in the style of a journal. Thanks for sharing.
Hey :) Do you know which series is the best for acrylic, ink and pen? Im thinking of buying the beta sketchbook,but I dont know if acrylic is as much bleedproof as watercolors? Thank you and greetings from germany!
I could only DREAM to be able to draw so SpECTACULAR like you! I cant believe a person can draw soooo well. I would love to be good but I am terrible at drawing. Very jealous! lol Too bad you cant teach me...... I still keep practicing YOU ARE A WONDERFUL ARTIST AND HAVE A GREAT GIFT!
Kat, Thanks for the kind words. Practice, practice, practice...is the best teacher. Draw everyday and draw from life. I make it look easy only because I've been at it 25 years. Happy Sketching!
Brenda Swenson Watercolors Thank you Brenda.... Im watching all your videos and you have INSPIRED me. I appreciate when Artist are willing to share their knowledge. Also I must tell you that you and your husband are the Cutest. Nice To see a loving & Happy couple.We really feel the true & kind love you have for each other! Peace and Love Kateri Levasseur Toronto
Books look great, especially with your art in it Brenda. This may sound stupid, but what do you do with your sketches? And Portraits- I mean with the spine line down the middle. Do you sell them, or is your main work taking out groups to paint?
Jenny, Good question! My sketchbooks have a different purpose...to play, explore ideas and for me to enjoy. I don't remove pages from the sketchbooks with a stitched spine. But I use them for inspiration for paintings. I do paintings for competitions, shows and sales. I elaborate on the subject on my blog. I think you'll enjoy this: brendaswenson.blogspot.com/2017/04/what-is-purpose-of-art.html Brenda
Thank you for the thorough review. I'll be trying the Beta and Zeta. I'm giving the softcover a try. Thought they might be less bulky and lighter. Ordered them both sizes, landscape and portrait. I'm excited to find which I prefer.
Likethumb aren’t good enough for what I feel looking at Your work, there should be a Love-icon, now I need to restart this video so I’ll listen and doesn’t drewling 😉
Hey! I bought myself the Delta from JetPens a week ago and I'm eagerly awaiting its arrival, but I will also try the beta because I like what it looks like. Thank you for the review!