tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711781124266002702.post6909586048640067175..comments2024-03-28T04:20:14.241-04:00Comments on Painted Thoughts Blog: Stillman and Birn Sketchbook ReviewLaure Ferlitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14966163843633158039noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711781124266002702.post-20461369513683184342012-09-10T19:06:07.539-04:002012-09-10T19:06:07.539-04:00your works here are awesome ! I am glad to be abl...your works here are awesome ! I am glad to be able to read your review...makes me think the Bind It All 8 1/2 " by 10 1/2" one I am making with Arches Cold Press 140 pd bright white will be better for me. winnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11855761611456521141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711781124266002702.post-78736927329314894962011-10-24T06:58:22.505-04:002011-10-24T06:58:22.505-04:00I really enjoyed ur works...beautiful blog! keep i...I really enjoyed ur works...beautiful blog! keep it up!ashokhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07151604896442505084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711781124266002702.post-58300127151274886042011-10-05T06:35:21.448-04:002011-10-05T06:35:21.448-04:00Wonderful review, Laure...I can see myself trying ...Wonderful review, Laure...I can see myself trying both of these sketchbooks in the future. I especially like heavier paper in my purchased books, but the consequence is fewer pages! Your daisy paintings are glorious!Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12304349794622823797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711781124266002702.post-29639769904973827852011-10-02T09:33:13.400-04:002011-10-02T09:33:13.400-04:00I'm loving your "reviews" of all kin...I'm loving your "reviews" of all kinds of paint supplies, especially art journals. It's so hard to find a good one... I know I'll eventually make my own just to get the results I want, but for now, I'm using up what I have.Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05540050745681475664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711781124266002702.post-78746953629600360522011-09-29T10:17:30.292-04:002011-09-29T10:17:30.292-04:00Sue, I think you'd be okay with heavyweight op...Sue, I think you'd be okay with heavyweight option as it took a LOT of water! I agree with you on the idea that the sketchbook people are missing out on the square paged, bound books. However, I can see where it would be difficult with the heavy paper to bind it. The problem I have with Arches is that the paper cracks when you fold it even if you do make your own. And I'm just not that fond of Canson or Fabriano, but I'm going to give Fabriano a go one more time.Laure Ferlitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14966163843633158039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711781124266002702.post-76572812802789667962011-09-28T23:26:43.782-04:002011-09-28T23:26:43.782-04:00Nice job, Laure. I wondered if I'd like these...Nice job, Laure. I wondered if I'd like these, but Ithink I use too much water to enjoy them the way I'd like. I wish Moleskine or Canson or Arches or somebody would make a really nice, square pages sketchbook, medium sized, without spiral binding, so you could paint over spreads. you really have to make your own, but frankly, Ithink they're all missing out on an opportunity.A Brush with Colorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07638723986208929476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711781124266002702.post-17544228040837448582011-09-26T08:29:31.654-04:002011-09-26T08:29:31.654-04:00Great and helpful review. There's a confusing ...Great and helpful review. There's a confusing amount of sketchbooks to choose from, and it helps to have your hands on opinion.Kathy A. Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01499969787028085716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711781124266002702.post-85278628509249048562011-09-24T14:14:18.836-04:002011-09-24T14:14:18.836-04:00Thanks for all this useful information. I love how...Thanks for all this useful information. I love how you test new products and rate them. I love that first sketch of the daisies. The paper must have worked out well because the flowers look almost real.Katiejanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10703557560000189704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711781124266002702.post-57086168104337031092011-09-23T16:32:33.166-04:002011-09-23T16:32:33.166-04:00Beautiful daisy paintings! Is it a mix of copic &...Beautiful daisy paintings! Is it a mix of copic & watercolor?Jacquelinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10474477135510492401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711781124266002702.post-47375524471207964162011-09-22T21:45:11.054-04:002011-09-22T21:45:11.054-04:00Who knew there was so much to know about watercolo...Who knew there was so much to know about watercolor papers. I am learning so much by coming here. How cool to hear from the company of these sketchbooks. Shows they care.Cris, Artist in Oregonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15067969984221375853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711781124266002702.post-43462379619248086542011-09-22T16:42:09.847-04:002011-09-22T16:42:09.847-04:00Great review! I am half-way through an alpha serie...Great review! I am half-way through an alpha series and do my best to try it with different medias - hope to post results soon too!<br /><br />(great daisies!)<br />NinaNina Khashchina aka Apple-Pinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04509455443525588628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711781124266002702.post-4255896637768424922011-09-22T16:05:39.793-04:002011-09-22T16:05:39.793-04:00Thanks, Teresa!
Timaree, if you get a chance to p...Thanks, Teresa!<br /><br />Timaree, if you get a chance to pick up a small one, I would. Experiment. You might be pleasantly surprised!<br /><br />Thanks, Pam!<br /><br />You're welcome, Vicky, and thank you!<br /><br />Stillman & Birn, thanks so much for stopping by! Thanks for placing a product out on the market that's fun to paint on as well. I look forward to working in the journals.Laure Ferlitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14966163843633158039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711781124266002702.post-53083016849826560702011-09-22T15:15:05.952-04:002011-09-22T15:15:05.952-04:00Hi Laure,
Thanks for taking the time to review th...Hi Laure,<br /><br />Thanks for taking the time to review the new Stillman & Birn sketchbooks. I enjoyed seeing the artwork you did in these books.<br /><br />I believe the buckling you experienced in the Alpha book was due to the amount of wetness used; as you point out Alpha is primarily suitable for dry media and light washes. For heavier applications of wet media we recommend the Beta Series which is more suitable for multi-media renderings.<br /><br />I agree with you that the Beta series is quite absorbent and may require a wet on wet technique in certain instances, rather than dry brush.<br /><br />Again, we very much appreciate your time in evaluating these books.<br /><br />Best regards,<br /><br />Michael Kalman<br />Stillman & BirnStillman and Birnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11295325845979317050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711781124266002702.post-91055918932990663932011-09-22T14:49:39.106-04:002011-09-22T14:49:39.106-04:00Excellent review, Laure -- thanks for all the deta...Excellent review, Laure -- thanks for all the detailed info! You answered all my questions regarding these much-talked-about sketchbooks.<br /><br />(The daisies and donuts are incredible!)Vicky L. Williamsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00435272623009754836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711781124266002702.post-42394835000564560062011-09-22T13:14:00.834-04:002011-09-22T13:14:00.834-04:00Great review, Laure! Your daisies are divine and a...Great review, Laure! Your daisies are divine and absolutely pop off the page. Guess my wallet is safe today. I'll stick with filling the journals I've got :)Pam Johnson Brickellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07927455773097702525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711781124266002702.post-2060442321409948692011-09-22T11:11:50.014-04:002011-09-22T11:11:50.014-04:00Thanks for the evaluation. It sounds like this pa...Thanks for the evaluation. It sounds like this paper is similar to Aquarius II with it absorbing the water. I don't like that attribute and would have been real disappointed had I bought one of these. <br /><br />Your daisies POP off the page. Wow!Timareehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15769047120660859743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711781124266002702.post-46832573093457382702011-09-22T09:55:43.195-04:002011-09-22T09:55:43.195-04:00Nice assessment, I am very paper ignorant unfortun...Nice assessment, I am very paper ignorant unfortunately!!!! Love your work done here!ArtistUnpluggedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13580512807760805224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711781124266002702.post-42689960205715826582011-09-22T09:53:32.097-04:002011-09-22T09:53:32.097-04:00Glad you like them, Teri!
Stephanie, don't le...Glad you like them, Teri!<br /><br />Stephanie, don't let that statement discourage you. I like the sketchbooks and the paper performs well. I just don't see an advantage over my usual sketchbooks that I already use. If there's no clear advantage, and a personal preference doesn't emerge by the time I've filled them, I don't/won't need to replace them.Laure Ferlitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14966163843633158039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711781124266002702.post-86142062095058328072011-09-22T09:49:34.435-04:002011-09-22T09:49:34.435-04:00Thank you! I have been wondering about these sket...Thank you! I have been wondering about these sketchbooks for awhile and wasn't sure if I wanted the Alpha or Beta. Sounds like the Beta would be better for me but I'm not sure now at all since you said you wouldn't buy another once these are filled....hmmm. I appreciate you review.Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10013304757413766339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6711781124266002702.post-82469340089212049342011-09-22T09:45:21.852-04:002011-09-22T09:45:21.852-04:00A very timely post Laure. I had recently heard ab...A very timely post Laure. I had recently heard about this paper and wondered how it would work with watercolor. Thanks for doing the tests. Thanks for using white daisies for the test ...lolTerihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16029722057577018059noreply@blogger.com