Sketchbooks Then and Now (Part 2) AND a NEW Giveaway!
Editor’s note: The following post is part 2 of a series from Drawing magazine’s Material World column (Summer 2016) and features an article by Sherry Camhy on a timeless friend of the artist: the sketchbook.
In addition to this free article, Lucid Art is offering you the chance to win a FREE LUCY Camera Lucida drawing tool, just for commenting on this blog post! Simply tell us your favorite pencil or pen for sketching in the comments below, and you’ll be automatically entered to win.
Come back soon for Part 3 of this article on sketchbooks from Drawing magazine and another chance to win more art swag!
Happy drawing,
Cherie
Material World: Getting the Most out of Drawing Media (Part 2)
by Sherry Camhy, abridged from an earlier article
Sketchbooks Today
The important thing about a sketchbook is not what it costs but whether it suits your individual artistic needs. It should be something you want to keep with you for drawing anywhere at any time.
Some artists use inexpensive sketchpads for practice. Others use bound sketchbooks for casual visual notations, for more serious studies or for completely finished images. Sketchbooks can also be private journals where artists maintain ongoing commentaries and visual diaries. Opening an old sketchbook of this type can be like remembering a long- forgotten dream.
You can turn anything you have on hand into a sketchbook if need be—why not? When I was 10 years old I turned my math textbook into my first sketchbook, unbeknown to my teacher. Much later I found an old French anatomy book in a thrift store and used it for a series of life drawings.
My first real sketchbook was a gift.
I was attending a sketch class, and the artist sitting next to me asked, “Why are you drawing in a newsprint pad?” I said that it didn’t matter what I used, as I was just practicing. At our next class, he handed me an elegant leather-bound sketchbook. I was terrified to draw in it at first, but that fear forced me to pay serious attention to every line, figure and composition. It mattered. I loved the fine feel of the paper under my pencil. I kept that sketchbook snugly in my back pocket until it was full.
[Read Part 1: Sketchbooks Throughout History]
Sketchbook Considerations
Here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for and working in a new sketchbook:
• The papers used in different sketchbooks vary greatly in their color, thickness and texture, among other factors. Before purchasing a new sketchbook you want to determine whether the paper will suit your needs. Read the manufacturer’s description carefully, then open up the book and feel the paper yourself. Check both sides of a sheet—they may feel different.
• Test the sturdiness of the front and back covers. Having a firm support behind your paper is important when working on location.
• Check whether pages can be re- moved neatly—you may want to be able to pull out individual drawings. On the contrary, you may prefer a permanently bound sketchbook from which it’s difficult to remove pages. Note that with some books you may be able to remove a whole group of sheets, known as a signature, together in one piece, leaving no sign that pages are missing.
• You can make your own unique books from scratch using any kind of paper—lined, unlined, manufactured, handmade, printed, cut, torn, gesso-coated, painted or collaged. You can even create a small sketchbook with just an 8 1⁄2″-x-11″ sheet of paper. (Come back to ArtistsNetwork soon to see a demonstration in Part 3 of this series and learn how to make your own sketchbook.)
• Make your sketchbook your best friend. Don’t leave home without it. And remember, if your sketchbook is just for you, spelling and drawing mistakes don’t matter!
NOTE: Come back to ArtistsNetwork soon for Part 3: Sketchbooks Today (and another chance to win new drawing supplies!) And, remember to comment below with your favorite pencils/pens for your chance to win this LUCY Camera Lucida! Winner will be chosen February 28, 2017 (must be a US resident).
I should’ve mentioned I prefer generals graphite and charcoal pencils. If anyone well knows some brands leave you with broken insides and sharpening and losing leads and or chintzy wood causes frustration even with a great sharpener
I gave my 2yr old granddaughter a personal sketch book I made for Her. when she grows up her mommy can show her what opa was talking about as what an artist does when my granddaughter looks through my books.
I use a mechanical pencil with 2B lead for quick sketches.
Although I have a set of Prisma pencils, I still enjoy beginning all my sketches with my purple mechanical pencil. I can vary the “lead” but I like to stick to my #2. It always has a clean eraser!
Royal Langnickel
staedtler are my current favorite pencils to use.
I currently use staedtler pencil
Someone at a workshop shared her fav pen:
It is Carbon Ink. Awesome! Long lasting cartridges, archival, waterproof. Try it.
Pigma micron
I love Pitt pens. Since they can’t be erased, it forces me to pay attention to the lines and not get too detailed.
I use an old Cross mechanical pencil. About 40+ years ago I was awarded a beautiful Cross pen and pencil set. The shape, weight and length of the pencil felt so comfortable and familar in my hand , that when I started sketching and drawing a few years ago, it became my go to peice. The point is always nice and sharp and leads are easily available.
For Me the favourite medium of choice are Faber-Castell 4 PITT artist pens in sepia (Indian ink set of 4 nibs sizes in a pack) Brush nib is excellent!
I am currently using Daler Rowney graphite pencils. Thanks, and have a great day!
I have a set of 12 Blick Studio drawing pencils that I use for my drawing work, anything from sketches to paint over, to full portraits in pencil.
My first choice is Faber Castell #2
Using #4 pencil. A #2 also.
I prefer to use a #4 drawing pencil for my sketches. Thank you for the opportunity you are providing with this sweepstakes.
Le Pen!
Thank you for this series of drawing information. My favorite drawing tool is a #4 or #6 pencil, and if I can’t find those (I just know I put them RIGHT HERE the last time I used them!!!), I find a Black Warrior #2. Works everytime.
I like Prisma No.2
I use Faber Castell but several other brands as well.
As a beginner I am using a #2 pencil which seems to do the trick for me. This would be a wonderful prize to share with my small art group.
typically start with a #2 and move to one of my fav’s like Prang charcoal pencil.
I’d have to say for general sketching I like using the Pentel Graphic Gear 500 0.3mm and Koh-I-Noor Rapidomatic 0.5mm mechanical pencils. If I want color I like Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer Watercolor Pencils.
I like to use my Cross mechanical pencil.The point is always Sharp and it is easily erased with many different types of art erasers ( seldom used while sketching). Also it’s not necessary to press hard. I’ve had this pencil, and matching pen for almost 46 yrs!
It just feels right in my hand. Right weight, shape, length and dimension. Love it! Also love the Lucy! Read about it before it was on the market. I even wrote to you then asking about it.Hope, hope,hope!!!
Faber-Castell, however, any available #2 pencil and scrap paper because I have to draw to communicate my thoughts, it is just part of who I am.
I love the Sketchbook article. My favorite pencils are by Faber-Castell.
Faber Castel or Staedtler are favs
I enjoy playing with Mongol watercolor pencils.
any pencil, pilot g-2 10, three notebooks in my bag. each for different ideas
I like Staedtler and Derwent pencils.
I love my prismacolor colored pencils.
Faber Castell 2B pencils to rough in, then technical pencils in various sizes from .03 to 3mm all with 2B leads – then when working in large dark areas my favourite are the Cretacolor Monolith or Steadtler woodless 6B pencils.
I usually start with a mechanical pencil 0.5mm, HB lead then fill in with Derwent.
Derwent Charcoal Pencils…. I have been wanting to buy Lucinda for some time now…would love to win this, this would make a great late birthday present (feb 7)!!! Good Luck Everyone!
I use prismacolor colored pencils.
Caran d’ache pencils, charcoal, and pastels are m favorite tools.
Prismcolor – Pitt charcoal pencils, compressed and vine charcoal – Silverpoint
Colored pencils, black fine tip pen, Kohinoor #2 pencil, sometimes I draw with my brush
various mechcanical pencils, uni ball pen. pastel pencil, travel watercolor with 6colors in altoid tin
I really like prismacolor pencils and mechanical pencils.
I use large mechanical pencil sizes & 0.5mm Pentel P205 pencil… I love antique fountain pens too…
I like a heavier paper that accepts watermedia such as the Aquabee sketchbooks. I am dependent on an HB mechanical pencil to block things in, and I love the Copic value markers to make my drawings come alive. My standard values are #1, #2, #4, & #8.
Love the unusual sketchbook ideas….old books…so cool!
My favorite pencils are from Prismacolor and Faber-Castell. I also love Prismacolor markers.
Staedtler mechanical for sure, watercolor pencils or Uniball pens. Anything at hand though will do!
So many to choose from- the softer the better.
I use a mechanical pencil when drawing for watercolours. When life drawing I like to use a Wolff’s carbon pencil, they are DARK!
Most of my drawing is sketching for plein aire watercolor journal painting. I use mechanical
pencils-no sharpening required.
I like a #2 pencil. General is one of my favorites but I use whatever is handy. I really am trying to get in the habit of carrying a sketch book with me and using it regularly.
I have usually used any pencil, handy. I like various mechanical pencils and regular old #2’s, the best. My sketchbooks used to be scraps of paper, then a few bound store books. I gave up on finding the one I really like, so I am in the process of making my own, with paper I prefer and places for my pencils. My sketchbooks are my journal, by accident. When going through an old box from my Mom’s house, I found she had saved almost every scrap of paper I drew on. What memories it brought back.
Lately I’ve been using Sharpie fine tip, acid free pens. The ink is water resistant so I can add watercolor and maintain my lines. If I want ink lines to bleed or soften, my Waterman fountain pen produces a very different look.
The idea of drawing on pages of an old book is very interesting.
I am a 75 yr old beginner just using any kind of pencil that is handy at the moment.
My current favorite sketching pencil is a Koh-I-Noor Hardtmuth Progresso HB pencil. It stays sharp forever, feels so nice in my hand with the weight, and allows for such a broad range of lines since it’s caseless. I’m hoping to get a 2B & 6B to try soon as well.
My favorites are #2 and I use Fabre castell pitt artist pen.
Pencil: Faber-Castell Pitt Oil Base (hard). Pen: Platinum Carbon. For value studies: Tombow ABT in cool grays. Those and a sketchbook are with me 24/7. 🙂
My favorite drawing tool is a #2 pencil. I sketch on anything that has an open space and I also have sketch books for my more serious moments!
Soft pencils, currently liking the Faber-Castells
My favorite sketching pencil is a Staedtler mechanical with a .5 HB lead.
My favorite sketch pen is lamy fountain pen. I use De Atramentis document black Ink. So, after I finish the line, I can use watercolour to colour my sketch. I like my sketch to be colourful than only simple lines. 🙂
The drawings on printed pages or patterned paper shown in the article create an interesting effect. My favorite sketching tool is a Faber-Castell Pitt pen(F).
I love the Stabilo All pencil. It’s so black, and easily blendable with water. I do mixed media and it plays well with acrylics
My current favorite is an old-school Ticonderoga #2! Durable and inexpensive.
I don’t have a favorite brand, but I liked to have 2B through 6B pencils with me when I sketch.
My favorite is Faber-Castell.
I do not have a favorite brand, I just like a #2 pencil or a pen with no drag to it, that fits comfortably in my hand.
Usually HB
My favorite pencil to sketch with? Whichever one is handy, that my doberman hasn’t chewed to shreds when she’s bored that I’m ‘ignoring’ her while I draw…. geesh….
Ebony pencil
Very nice sketch book created. Thanks
Staedtler Mars Lumograph 9B-9H