Thanks for sharing! The Lightwish/Potentate sketchbooks also exist in larger sizes and square shapes, I got a couple and they’re great, plus they’re affordable. They have them hot press and cold press too. 😊
Sold! Just ordered the Hahnemuhle using your link - thank you! I’ve tried some of your others, as well. (I also have a Hahnemuhle, but a different version - and I enjoy it.) I purchased a smaller Khadi Paper sketchbook this past summer, and there’s something about it I do enjoy. It’s kind of fun to play with watercolor paints on it. I find I keep returning to it. And I like that it’s not super spendy. I thought that weirdness with the paint not soaking into the page immediately was because of oils from my skin, but maybe not? I’ve noticed the same reaction on other paper, as well; and I’m bad about resting my hand on the page. Anyway, glad I found your channel - I’ve subscribed!
This is a good comprehensive review. About Etchr: the white cover ones are cotton, but not true watercolor paper. I think they call this mixed media paper. The Perfect sketchbook (grey cover) is cotton watercolor paper. I think this only comes in landscape format, A5ish. The Perfect Sketchbook, Signature series (I think it’s called, with navy and tan covers) is the only one with the Fabriano Artistico paper. It has a deckled edge. That’s how you tell. And it will run you a pretty penny, and only comes in B5 portrait. They only do a limited batch every year. Lots of people think the regular “Perfect” sketchbook (grey covers) have the Artistico paper, but it’s not. Not sure what the paper is. There was speculation in the business that maybe it was Baohong paper, but it’s never really been known.
Thank you so much, this was a very helpful video for me, as I have been looking at every single one of these sketchbooks and I hadn't made up my mind which ones I was going to buy. In fact, I pretty certain I have every one of these sketchbooks, except the Hahnemuhle, in my shopping cart on various websites online. This video helped me decide which sketchbooks I am going to buy to try first. I am definitely going to start with the Tumuarta and Bahong.
Fwiw, a friend told me that with the khadi, you have to paint the page with just water, let it dry then you can paint on it. I haven’t tried yet though
I was going to add this comment too - i saw a video recently explaining why some watercolour paper basically needs a prewash to take off a bit of material that impacts the absorption. Edit - i went back and found it - tip 1 from this video ua-cam.com/video/FUw_munzVaU/v-deo.htmlsi=M6ON88_aodKW9D6d
Thank you for this review, lovely to see your sketches too. Etchr are my favourite currently, I believe the covers are left white intentionally for us to paint on. I’ve seen others customise them like that, but haven’t done it myself as that feels like a lot of pressure to me and I quite enjoy the ‘battered’ look that comes from their use.
It is so lovely how we all have different reactions to materials. I thought about painting mine early on, but never did, perhaps I will give that a try. Thank you so much for watching!
Thanks for the reviews…I have a few of these brands that I haven’t used yet and I appreciate your feedback on how you felt about each of them. Thanks for the video! 😊
Potentate is actually a lot of very interesting forms, but unfortunately they may not be on Amazon. We also like to use it to practice watercolor techniques in China.
I have the square Khadi. Steep learning curve. I felt like I was painting on paper towels. It pilled terribly with attempts to lift or scrub or layer. Gouache was better. Ink feathered. BUT it did help me loosen up. My pages fall out too. I am filling my second one now. It loves granulating paint.
that Kilimanjaro would be perfect for water soluable oil pastels- edit: fabriano I hear uses veg sizing so if it feels off to you (it does to me) that might be why. Also, your bluecrabs are amazing
Ah you are right, I remember they have several types with different papers. I would love to try the Etchr Fabriano - I am sure it would be my favorite because Fabriano is my favorite paper for finished work. Perhaps it will be in the budget for me one day! I am dreaming of it!
At least 3 of your links go to the same "Lightwish" journal, not the other brands listed. Also-not trying to bash your video, but it would be nice if you would repeat the name of the brands for your viewers-I had to reverse through the video to find out which brands were your favorites since you didn't mention the brands in your summary; you just said, "this one" etc.
Thanks so much for letting me know! I have fixed it! And thank you for the feedback, I should have repeated the names, just forgot to but I do have stars by my favorites in the description so I hope that helps! I hope to make my next video better!
Thanks for sharing! The Lightwish/Potentate sketchbooks also exist in larger sizes and square shapes, I got a couple and they’re great, plus they’re affordable. They have them hot press and cold press too. 😊
I agree, I think they are such nice paper to work on!
Sold! Just ordered the Hahnemuhle using your link - thank you! I’ve tried some of your others, as well. (I also have a Hahnemuhle, but a different version - and I enjoy it.) I purchased a smaller Khadi Paper sketchbook this past summer, and there’s something about it I do enjoy. It’s kind of fun to play with watercolor paints on it. I find I keep returning to it. And I like that it’s not super spendy. I thought that weirdness with the paint not soaking into the page immediately was because of oils from my skin, but maybe not? I’ve noticed the same reaction on other paper, as well; and I’m bad about resting my hand on the page. Anyway, glad I found your channel - I’ve subscribed!
This is a good comprehensive review.
About Etchr:
the white cover ones are cotton, but not true watercolor paper. I think they call this mixed media paper.
The Perfect sketchbook (grey cover) is cotton watercolor paper. I think this only comes in landscape format, A5ish.
The Perfect Sketchbook, Signature series (I think it’s called, with navy and tan covers) is the only one with the Fabriano Artistico paper. It has a deckled edge. That’s how you tell. And it will run you a pretty penny, and only comes in B5 portrait. They only do a limited batch every year.
Lots of people think the regular “Perfect” sketchbook (grey covers) have the Artistico paper, but it’s not. Not sure what the paper is. There was speculation in the business that maybe it was Baohong paper, but it’s never really been known.
Thanks so much for all the added info! So great to know more specifically. I would love to one day get to try the tan Perfect Sketchbook!
Thanks Kat. Perforations are a deal breaker for me, too.
it's good to know I'm not the only one who feels this!
I love them. I want to be able to frame or sell. So easy clean removal is a must
Thank you so much, this was a very helpful video for me, as I have been looking at every single one of these sketchbooks and I hadn't made up my mind which ones I was going to buy. In fact, I pretty certain I have every one of these sketchbooks, except the Hahnemuhle, in my shopping cart on various websites online. This video helped me decide which sketchbooks I am going to buy to try first. I am definitely going to start with the Tumuarta and Bahong.
Fwiw, a friend told me that with the khadi, you have to paint the page with just water, let it dry then you can paint on it. I haven’t tried yet though
That's really good to know! I love the soft feel of the paper and would love to try this and make it work! Thank you!
ua-cam.com/video/9c6OWKyYNKI/v-deo.htmlsi=lgGKXZDvMUO4zacc
I was going to add this comment too - i saw a video recently explaining why some watercolour paper basically needs a prewash to take off a bit of material that impacts the absorption. Edit - i went back and found it - tip 1 from this video ua-cam.com/video/FUw_munzVaU/v-deo.htmlsi=M6ON88_aodKW9D6d
Thank you for this review, lovely to see your sketches too. Etchr are my favourite currently, I believe the covers are left white intentionally for us to paint on. I’ve seen others customise them like that, but haven’t done it myself as that feels like a lot of pressure to me and I quite enjoy the ‘battered’ look that comes from their use.
It is so lovely how we all have different reactions to materials. I thought about painting mine early on, but never did, perhaps I will give that a try. Thank you so much for watching!
I absolutely love the Baohong and the Hahnemuhle sketchbooks. I also have a Potentate 100% cotton one and that’s great too including its price.
Thanks so much for watching and glad to hear someone else feels the same as I do about these options!
Thanks for the reviews…I have a few of these brands that I haven’t used yet and I appreciate your feedback on how you felt about each of them. Thanks for the video! 😊
Can't wait to hear what your thoughts on them are! My opinions can change on the day but I am finding out more and more where I want to settle in.
Potentate is actually a lot of very interesting forms, but unfortunately they may not be on Amazon. We also like to use it to practice watercolor techniques in China.
I can't believe how expensive some of these are in Canada. I find the Khadi papers are for more experienced watercolour painters.
I have the square Khadi. Steep learning curve. I felt like I was painting on paper towels. It pilled terribly with attempts to lift or scrub or layer. Gouache was better. Ink feathered. BUT it did help me loosen up. My pages fall out too. I am filling my second one now. It loves granulating paint.
This is really great to know, I'll try some more to finish up the pages!
i think the hot vs cold press difference is big enough to mention- but I like the options! (except the PR- I can't their hot press)
that Kilimanjaro would be perfect for water soluable oil pastels- edit: fabriano I hear uses veg sizing so if it feels off to you (it does to me) that might be why. Also, your bluecrabs are amazing
A good way to compare is price of your books is by cents per square inch of paper. And I too hate the perforations on some of my books.
18:43 the one with fabriano artistico paper is the 75$ one…
Ah you are right, I remember they have several types with different papers. I would love to try the Etchr Fabriano - I am sure it would be my favorite because Fabriano is my favorite paper for finished work. Perhaps it will be in the budget for me one day! I am dreaming of it!
At least 3 of your links go to the same "Lightwish" journal, not the other brands listed. Also-not trying to bash your video, but it would be nice if you would repeat the name of the brands for your viewers-I had to reverse through the video to find out which brands were your favorites since you didn't mention the brands in your summary; you just said, "this one" etc.
Agreed
Thanks so much for letting me know! I have fixed it! And thank you for the feedback, I should have repeated the names, just forgot to but I do have stars by my favorites in the description so I hope that helps! I hope to make my next video better!
Absolutely CANNOT or WILL NOT do perforated pages!