I did my own comparison of a few sketchbooks including the HandBook and Moleskine. I use both brands regularly and like them both very much, for different reasons. But here’s a review from someone who HATES the HandBook! I’d had some issues with coloring the pages, since they don’t lie as flat as the Moleskine … Continue reading HandBook vs. Moleskine
After looking at various attributes of the Moleskine, HandBook, Derwent, and Pen & Ink sketchbooks (see Part 1 and Part 2 of this review), let’s sum up a few key points about these 4 very similar notebooks. Moleskine: Made in China 80 pages Price: $10-15, depending on retailer Where to Buy: Amazon and all major … Continue reading Four Notebooks Reviewed Part 3: Moleskine, HandBook, Derwent and Pen & Ink
In the first part of this review, I discussed the outward appearance of four similar pocket sketchbooks, the Moleskine, the Pen & Ink Journal, the HandBook, and the Derwent Journal. Now I’ll look at the insides. Rather than bore you with repeated photos of almost identical things, I’ll just point out a few details that … Continue reading Four Notebooks Reviewed Part 2
The notebooks I use most frequently are hard cover pocket sketchbooks, with heavy unlined paper that is suitable for various kinds of ink, pencil, and watercolor paints. I like to doodle and draw sometimes, so this type of notebook works well for me even though I also tend to use them for keeping a journal. … Continue reading Four Notebooks Reviewed Part 1: Moleskine, HandBook, Derwent, Pen & Ink
I bought a set of Moleskine Volant notebooks recently. I had ordered something else from Amazon and needed to tack something on to get that free shipping, so I figured what the heck! But now I’m not sure what to do with them! They’re nice notebooks– much more substantial than the Cahiers: sturdier, smoother cover … Continue reading Moleskine Volant Notebooks
Here are some animal sketches from the recent safari trip. A pocket size notebook is a great thing to bring on safari, especially if, like me, you’re not a photography nut. I brought a tiny digital camera (a Casio Exilim, which also happens to be my favorite golden rectangle-ish shape, though much smaller than 3×5) … Continue reading Animal Art
Here’s a drawing from a safari trip in Africa. Watercolor and brush-tip marker in a HandBook pocket sketchbook. This was the view from our campfire area– as the sun set, the meadow took on twilight shades, and the tall plants in the foreground were silhouetted. The trip was amazing– I’ll put some of the animal … Continue reading Safari Sketchbook
I go through a variety of notebook-using habits. Lately, I tend to have about 3 going at once. I have a soft-cover Moleskine with graph paper pages that I’m using for daily jottings: to-do’s, French vocabulary, notes on books or movies to read, etc. A lot of these kinds of notes are things that I … Continue reading My Current Notebook Usage Dilemma