Quick Look: Seawhite A6 Hardcover Sketchbook

[John the Monkey]

I was mooching around a local art supply shop on my lunch hour yesterday, and spotted these - this is part of a larger range that includes cahier and "mole-a-like" type books, as well as a handy looking square sketchbook.

The range is reasonably priced (this hardback, 46 leaf A6 book comes in at £3.29) and what interested me was the claim that the paper was suitable for "all media". As I've been dipping my toe in watercolour lately, I thought it would be worth giving these a try.

I've not used watercolour in it yet, but here's a quick ink test;

I'm impressed to see that even usual suspects like Waterman Havana Brown, and Diamine Amazing Amethyst exhibit no feathering. In fact, the only criticism I'd level at the paper is that it's a bit "toothy" for use with fountain pens, that's to be expected in a sketchbook though. Seawhite describe the paper as "140gsm acid-free, cartridge paper, sized for extra wet strength".

The covers are a firm, cloth covered board, with a "Seawhite of Brighton" logotype debossed into the rear cover.  The signatures are stitched, then glued into the binding. The cover overhangs the paper slightly, by what looks to me to be 3 or 4mm on the bottom and side, and 2 or 3mm on top. The book needs a little encouragement to lie flat, but at this price, I can put up with that.

The pocket size "mole-a-like" book is slightly more expensive, at £4.39 (I think) but I'm very tempted to pick one up after trying this sketchbook - I particularly like the look of the half blank/half lined version of the moleskine style too. Unfortunately they're not "reporter" format (they're bound portrait style), but again, for the paper, and the price...

Seawhite only sell their products directly from their factory shop (otherwise selling wholesale only) but you can find stockists at their website.

(click for larger pictures)

[KrazyIvan]

I have a sketch book I received in a RadBag that I was surprised at how well it handled fountain pen ink. It is also "toothy" as you say. I do like the idea of a "mole-a-like" in pocket size for doodling.

[John the Monkey]

A quick update - I've now used these with watercolour;



...and fairly heavy ink washes;



The paper copes nicely with both, so far as I can tell (the edges on the Hellboy ink sketch are feathery because of the line my brush pen makes on those strokes). Heavy watercolour washes will make it buckle, but I think that's a reasonable compromise where you're not using a heavy weight watercolour paper.

[Bogon07]

Neat work, the bear doctor looks very thoughtful and your Hellboy really captures the ethos...now I feel like watching the Hellboy movies agin.

[John the Monkey]

Thanks Bogon. I've been re-reading some of the Mignola Hellboy - it's a deceptively simple style, especially if you start adding in backgrounds &c.