Fountain Pen Friendly Sketchbook

[milkb0at]

Any recommendations for a small sketchbook for drawing with fountain pens? I like A6 (or B6), since it's easily transportable, and probably wire bound.

 

I realised I have no idea what to look for when buying art paper. There are papers for oil, acrylic, watercolour, bristol board... the list is seemingly endless and often don't work with pen and ink. Even a Clairefontaine sketchbook I bought feathers badly.

 

In theory I might dabble in watercolours to try some line and wash, but my main priority is smooth-ish paper, white or light cream, that works brilliantly with fountain pen (usually Platinum Carbon pen and ink, which aren't known for feathering much).

[migo984]

If you want to use watercolour washes you should use an internally sized paper, but if it's just an occassional light wash you might get away with a good "Pen & Ink" style paper.

 

Look at the Stillman and Birn range. They are really excellent quality and come in hard bound, wire bound & soft cover. I use the Epsilon series for sketching with fountain pens. The paper will take light washes too. The only problem is that I don't think they do A6 size.

 

There are lots of other options. Moleskine do a watercolour series that are supposedly ok with fountain pens. Also look at the Fabriano art line, or Derwent for cheaper options. Perhaps you could visit a local art shop and talk to staff there?

 

Here's a suggested stockist of S & B but there are many others. Jacksons sells a vast range of art papers. You could give them a call; they're friendly & knowledgeable.

 

https://www.jacksonsart.com/brands/stillman-birn

[mhguda]

I've recently discovered the Maruman Pocket series sketchbooks, series number s 161, named Croquis. I think it's Tomoe River 52 gsm paper, which I really like. This is a sketchbook in A6 size, 100 sheets, landscape spiralbound. Wonderful for fp sketching, although I have no idea how it would take a (light?) wash, have not tried that...

I found mine a Jetpens (no affiliation, etc.), and after trying one, liked it so much I ordered four more...

[milkb0at]

Thank you. I had vaguely remembered a brand that wasn't Windsor & Newton; Stillman and Birn is the one. A crash course on types of paper is needed, and now knowing that I need internal sizing will save me a load of bother.

 

Jackson's looks excellent too - the Cult Pens of art supplies. Dangerous!

 

I'll try a S&B Epsilon in whatever smallest size I can find, and I'll give a Maruman S161 a go too since that seems nice and cheap.

[AmandaW]

+1 for Stillman and Birn

[senzen]

Fabriano Traccia is really nice; that Clairefontaine was probably not designed for fountain pens.

[migo984]

I've recently discovered the Maruman Pocket series sketchbooks, series number s 161, named Croquis. I think it's Tomoe River 52 gsm paper, which I really like. This is a sketchbook in A6 size, 100 sheets, landscape spiralbound. Wonderful for fp sketching, although I have no idea how it would take a (light?) wash, have not tried that...

I found mine a Jetpens (no affiliation, etc.), and after trying one, liked it so much I ordered four more...

I have a couple of Croquis - they come in a series of different papers. Agree, they are fine for FP sketching, but not so good for watercolours.

[Namo]

Maruman Soho is worth a try (two kinds of papers, one FP friendly)