20 November 2012

Stillman and Birn Beta Series Hardbound Sketchbook a Very Short Review




After reading Brenda Swenson's review of the Stillman & Birn Sketchbooks, I wanted to try the Beta Series Hardbound Sketchbook.
Because I can't find it in New Zealand I ordered one from gouletpens.com.

What I like about this sketchbook is:
- Its size, mine is 5.5 x 8.5 in. (it also comes in 8.5 x 11 in)
- The fact that opens flat.
- Its paper: archival, natural white, 180 lbs/ 270 grs, cold press, suitable for mixed media.
- It comes in Portrait Format!!!!

In the photos above you can see what I've done until now.
I have tried it with watercolor, ink and a little bit of paper collage which are my favorite media. Dip pens and fountain pens with nibs of different kind and sizes.

So far so good I'm loving it. 

The things I would change:
-Slightly thinner cover with round corners, nothing else.

10 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing, I can't find it in stores so ordering on-line will not be a guess after your review! Your artwork is beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Sofia! You can also check this link to see if there is a better option for you to buy http://www.stillmanandbirn.com/wheretofind.html

      Delete
    2. Thank you, I just ordered one from Amazon. Neither of online art stores carry this new item yet. I can't wait to start sketching in my new book!

      Delete
  2. Thank you very much for your review. Stillman & Birn is actually available in New Zealand through Draw Art. Here is the website: http://www.draw-art.co.nz/ If you have any questions about our prodcucts please, please feel write to info@stillmanandbirn.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much for you visit and you comment. I tried the website and apparently hasn't been updated since 2002 :S

      Delete
  3. Stillman & Birn generously gave the Urbansketchers symposium participants these sketchbooks in Santo Domingo last summer. I filled mine up this fall - mostly ink with watrecolour wash and really liked it. I found this site while starting to search where to buy them in Canada.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi John, I' m loving it too. Lucky you getting one as a present! I not even half way yet and thinking of getting another one.

      Delete
  4. I love your journalling and your artwork!

    Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've been ordering my Stillman and Birn sketchbooks through "Takapuna art supplies" in Auckland. They don't have the Zeta series on their website but when I inquired about them on their facebook page they ordered me in a couple :)
    http://www.tasart.co.nz/shop/group/1-125/
    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Takapuna-Art-Supplies/224260122379?ref=br_tf

    ReplyDelete