Academie Wire bound Sketch Book

So Mead has done something very interesting recently with their Academie Sketch books, aside from changing the cover design, they added more pages for the same price! I have always enjoyed the simplicity of Mead sketch books. Their paper sizes are standard for most scanners, their perforated edges make it easy to share a drawing and fit conveniently in most bags and back packs. The paper has a nice tooth to it so it accepts both pen and pencil well and if you are using Sharpies the bleeding is a minimum.The down side is that after frequent use the spiral tends to bunch up the paper so it may wrinkle.

Here are some specs

• Soft Cover - pockets inside front and back covers
  
• Finished Size - 11” x 8 1/2”
  
• Pages - 70 perforated sheets
• Wire bound
  
• Paper- Heavy weight

Available at Mead.com

I’ve always wanted a Napkin sketchbook

Anyone that knows me, will tell you I love to draw on napkins. There is something so refreshing about doodling in a resturant or coffee shop.

There you are, doodling away on a piece of paper meant for someone to wipe their mouth with. Well now you can have that same joy with NapkinSketchbook

Dreamed up in 2005 by Fridolin T. Beisert

I don’t think this is availble yet, but when it is I’m so in.

- Lee

Urban Sketchers

Urban Sketchers is a network of artists around the world who draw the cities where they live and travel to.

They even have a manifesto:

1. We draw on location, indoors or out, capturing what we see from direct observation.

2. Our drawings tell the story of our surroundings, the places we live and where we travel.

3. Our drawings are a record of time and place.

4. We are truthful to the scenes we witness.

5. We use any kind of media and cherish our individual styles.

6. We support each other and draw together.

7. We share our drawings online.

8. We show the world, one drawing at a time.

Urbansketchers is the ultimate place on the web for sketchcrawling.

- Lee

Scout Books from Pinball Publishing

What are Scout Books? Well It’s kind of like a Moleskine, but smaller. These babies are custom made right in the good old Pacific Northwest; Portland OR.

These are totally customizable. Artists can upload cover art, choose an interior, and make your own. You can also choose from tons of bright soy based inks.

Eco Paper + Veggie Ink = 100% Recycled

After getting a sample sent to me in the mail, my only wish is that it was a little larger, at only 3.5”x5” it’s kind of small for serious sketching.

Here are some specs

• Soft Cover
• Finished Size - 3.5”x5” with 1/4” Rounded Corners
• Pages - 32 (blank, lines or grid)
• Cover Paper - Chipboard 20pt 100% Recycled Craft
• Interior Paper - 100% Recycled White 70lb

Go make yours over at Pinball Publishing!

- Lee

Moleskine Soft Cover EXTRA Large Plain Notebook (7.5 x 9.75)

- Is bigger really better?

We recently picked up the 10 x 7.5 inch extra large Moleskine sketchbook, and it’s huge. Like most Moleskines, this comes in the standard black leather cover you would expect but unlike it’s smaller brother, it’s a soft cover.

True to Moleskine tradition, this sketchbook carries the standard expandable inner back pocket. This is very useful for sticking in those loose napkin drawings or the occasional business card.

Here are some specs:

• Soft cover
• 192 pages
• Off white paper color
• Acid-free paper
• 7.5 x 9.75 inches (19 x 25 cm)

Overall, the softcover has a nice feel to it but, I’m a little worried about the durability of the sketchbook. I also tend to use a lot of ink in my sketchbook and have already begun to see some bleeding between pages. The paper is a little too thin for me.

What do you think?

Pick one up for yourself here: Moleskine Plain Notebook Soft Cover XLarge

- Lee