Testing the Hand Book Journal Company Watercolor Landscape Journal

I'm planning to go on an Alaskan cruise this summer, and I've been trying out watercolor sketchbook journals to use as my travel journal.  I hope to paint a lot of landscapes of the gorgeous Alaskan coast, so I thought this extra-wide and narrow format would be ideal.

I used a photo from a travel brochure as my reference picture, and tested out the graphite pencil and watercolors from my travel kit.

I sketched the scene with an HB mechanical pencil.

Then I masked out the snowy mountaintops and waterfalls with a white Crayola crayon.

I began laying in washes of phthalo blue for the sky and distant mountains, mixing in a touch of alizarin crimson for the nearer cliffs and mountains, touching in sap green and yellow ochre for the plant foliage.

I used a Micron 005 pen in permanent black to add the details of the cruise ship.

I love this watercolor journal!  I was able to work wet-in-wet easily, and the paper didn't buckle.  The light texture is ideal for my preferences, and the paint soaked in beautifully.  I loved the way the pages lay flat.  

I think this journal is going with me on our trip!

Are you taking any trips this summer?  I hope you take a little time for yourself to make art and tell the story of your journey. Even a rough sketch holds memories for you to enjoy later when flipping through your sketchbook.

Happy Creating!

 

Copyright Betsy Bangley 2024. All rights reserved.

Strathmore 400 Series Watercolor Sketch Update

In an earlier post "Testing Another Travel Journal," I reviewed the Strathmore 400 Series Watercolor Sketch book as a potential travel journal for myself.  I didn't quite like the texture of the double page spread I first painted on (below).

I took this journal out for another hike, and discovered that only half of the pages were textured.  The double page spread that I worked on the second trial (top photo) was much smoother, and I loved the way the watercolors and inks worked on the paper.  

I wish the entire journal was as smooth as the pages above!

The textured pages still accepted watercolor & ink just fine.  It's my personal preference that makes me hesitant to adopt this sketchbook for a trip.  I'm hoping to find a sketchbook that's smooth on both sides.

Here are some photos from my most recent hike.  I hope you'll use them to create artwork from!

Happy Creating!

Copyright Betsy Bangley 2024. All rights reserved.

Testing Travel Journals

In my quest for the best travel journal for our Alaskan adventure this summer, I tested journals by Canson, Strathmore, and now Stillman & Birn Delta Series Watercolor Sketchbook.

I used Winsor & Newton Watercolors from my travel set to make that quick sketch of the mulberry branch.  

What I liked:

• the sturdy binding
• the way the paper lays flat
• the cream color of the paper - not glaring white
• the thickness of the pages- some buckling when a lot of water is used, but dries mostly flat
• the smooth texture of the pages

What I didn't like:

• Some of the watercolors felt like they were sitting on top of the paper rather than soaking in.

I used this journal on my Transatlantic Voyage in 2023, and was pleased with the results with colored pencil, graphite, ink and watercolor.  You can see that journal here: 

https://betsyblissart.blogspot.com/2023/08/

I think this is my current favorite, simply because I like the smoother texture of the paper.  Sometimes our preferences are more about personal taste than the quality of the materials.  

All 3 of the journals I tested would support my art well.  I am fortunate to have a choice and a journey to take them on.

Now I just have to pick out my travel kit!

Testing Another Travel Journal

Sitting outside with my cat and a watercolor sketchbook to test out on a summer evening was a relaxing "assignment."  When you make art with the plan simply to experiment and test supplies, it takes away any expectation of perfection.  You're just playing.

I drew a series of circles (tracing the rim of my water cup) and rectangles (tracing my phone), and filled each in to tell the story of the scene before me.

I enjoyed this approach!  

These sketches were made in a Strathmore 400 series Watercolor Sketchbook.

What I liked:

• The sturdy, sewn binding allows the pages to lie flat.
• The thickness of the paper 
• Paper didn't buckle when wet.
• Pen and ink flowed smoothly over the paper.
• No bleed-through -- you can use both sides of the page.
• I was able to do some wet-in-wet, and use granulating pigments to good effect.  
• It handled the pen and ink well.

What I didn't like:

• The paper seemed thirsty. I wonder if I could do a full-page painting and keep it wet long enough for good wet-in-wet effects.  I'll have to try this out, too.
• Has textured paper on one side. It's not deeply textured, but I prefer a smoother surface to work on for travel journals.

Overall, my tests showed this journal is of good quality. I can recommend it for general watercolor sketch purposes. I think this journal would work fine as my travel journal.

 I used this 400 series Strathmore Watercolor Journal as my travel journal on my Transatlantic Voyage in 2022.  You can see that here: 

https://betsyblissart.blogspot.com/2022/09/transatlantic-crossing-travel-journal.html

Testing Art Supplies for a Trip

This summer, David and I will go on a cruise to Alaska.  I'm excited about the idea of making a travel journal of the grand scenery and wildlife we encounter.

I wanted to test out sketchbooks to use on the trip, and started with this Canson watercolor sketchbook.  I took it out on a canoe ride with David at Raccoon Creek State Park, and painted this shrub leaning over the water.

What I liked:

• The pages open to lay flat.
• The paper didn't warp when wet.
• You can do wet-in-wet techniques.
• The paper has the strength to let you scrub out and lift paint without pilling.

What I didn't like:

• The spiral binding catches on things and is bulky.  I'd prefer a sewn binding.

Are you looking for a way to jump start your art process?  Why not gather up any supplies you have and test them out?  What do you like about them? What don't you like?

Happy testing! 

Walnut Ink Update

I've been testing out my homemade Walnut Ink to discover its properties.  

I'm finding that I can use it like watercolor paint, watering it down to lighten it, or adding layers to darken it.  If I want to lighten a spot, I can even scrub out dried ink spots with a clean, damp brush.  

I added white colored pencil marks to show the window light reflecting on these salad tomatoes.

This combination of supplies reminds me of Rembrandt van Rijn's ink and white chalk drawings.

Above: Rembrandt's Three Studies of a Child and One of a Woman from the Harvard Art Museums

Rembrandt's fluid lines and masterful portraiture show the possibilities of such simple materials as ink & chalk on brown paper.  Inspiring!

Testing out an art supply just to become familiar with it is a great way to trick your brain into not judging any artworks you create.  Because you are merely exploring and experimenting, you are freed from expectations.

What material would you like to test out and explore today?

Happy Creating!