Awesome news for Moleskine Fans!

[timpaatkins]

They just release large sketchbooks and watercolor books, A4 and A3. They are beautiful! Ordered mine!

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/886293193X/ref=ord_cart_shr?_encoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

[IanE]

Fuuuuuuck!

[Grendel Grack]

These books are really beautiful. My local art store just got them in. Needless to say, I was really surprised and pleased. Although, I won't be able to afford one anytime soon.

[Aphotic Phoenix]

Argh, yet another temptation! I've been really pleased with the small watercolor notebook (really doesn't buckle much at all), and been thinking of buying a larger one...

[Jacob Kobryn]

Damn, I still have two thirds of a pocket size Moleskine and two 5x8 moleskines to fill up... I'll get to this size eventually.

[Not Pink]

I always hear about the deep love fans have of moleskin notebooks, even the non-artist crowd who just uses them as day-to-day notes, planners, diaries, etc.

I've never had the (supposed) pleasure of using one of these notebooks... anyone want to fill me in on why these things are so good? Like... what mediums are best for it, etc.?

[RyanSC]

Yes! now i can still fill my love of Moleskines and not be cramped!

[German-s]

SIGH i just ordered three or four of the regular-sized sketchbooks from ebay.
;__; this is the consequence of pack rat syndrome...

needless to say I am pretty excited about this.

edit - Are these available yet?? I just noticed on the site that they're taking pre-orders??
don't wanna track down to the store if they're not out..

[Interceptor]

I always hear about the deep love fans have of moleskin notebooks, even the non-artist crowd who just uses them as day-to-day notes, planners, diaries, etc.

I've never had the (supposed) pleasure of using one of these notebooks... anyone want to fill me in on why these things are so good? Like... what mediums are best for it, etc.?

paper quality is almost like bristol. Nice and smooth, not flimst like normal sketchbook paper. The yellowish tint helps against glare.

I cannot wait to go pick up one of the big books tomorrow though.

[Aphotic Phoenix]

I always hear about the deep love fans have of moleskin notebooks, even the non-artist crowd who just uses them as day-to-day notes, planners, diaries, etc.

I've never had the (supposed) pleasure of using one of these notebooks... anyone want to fill me in on why these things are so good? Like... what mediums are best for it, etc.?

Sketchbook pros:
As Interceptor said...the sketchbook paper is nice and thick. I especially like how super smooth it is, which is very nice when using harder pencils. They also actually lay flat, which means you can work across the spread of both pages and scan it decently. I also have less graphite transfer from one page to the next with them, despite carrying a small one with me everywhere in my bag.

Cons: Wouldn't use the sketchbook version for any medium that requires tooth, or paper absorbency. Pastels/charcoals would prob. smear a lot easier, wet pen work would take longer to dry, etc. Gouache/acrylics might be okay if you are good at using them on bristol. Also, if you erase hard or a lot, you can rub through the yellow tint.

Watercolor book pros:
- Lays flat
- Perforated pages (have yet to have one come loose)
- Minimal buckling despite heavy wash use (flattens out easily anyway)

Cons:
- Perforated pages means that you can't really work across pages the same way
- No choice in paper type (I like their cold press, but some people prefer hot press)
- First page doesn't lay flat (I just tear that one out)
- If you work to the very edge of the page you're likely to stain the edges of every page underneath

[Not Pink]

Hmmm... sounds pretty promising, I might go pick one up next time I need to order some supplies.

I erase A LOT, but I'm trying to get better at drawing in one shot with only minimal erasing, so we'll see.
I'm guessing my india ink pens are out of the question on these unless I can let it dry for a while before closing the book.

[wookiedabo]

ohmanohmanohmanohmanohman.... bloody awesome.

[t11]

FINALLY!!!!!

edit: waitaminute... do these have the heavy substantial paper like the standard large sketchbooks or is it the "might as well be tissue paper" stuff I've been tricked with before?

[timpaatkins]

The sketchbook version has 96 pages, same as the nice one that is smaller, so I would assume that it has the same paper. Watercolor has 30 pages, and come in landscape format!

[Toffeeliz]

so beaitiful... but I have to finish the ones I have now. I was so pissed off when they recoated the sketchbook pages so that they'd be extra-unwatercolourly. They used to make a nice mottled effect and now they reject the water completely! *grrrr*

i will definetly get one of these regardless though haha

[AsaB]

Oooooh! I'm very tempted! I still have about half of my current sketchbook to fill, though. And money doesn't exactly spawn around me, either. But it's on my mental wish-list, thanks for telling! :)

[PieMonster]

Haha, I was just looking for info on an A4 Moleskine sketchbook yesterday , but I couldn't find anything, then this shows up today. Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

[Interceptor]

I just picked one up. paper is'nt quite as thick as the A5, but it still holds the pencil just as well. Still ncie and smooth, I'm in love with ith. Weird thign is that the first page IS as thick as the smaller ones. Oh well

[ArtZealot]

I just picked one up off amazon, the small sketchbook version, to see what all this "mole-skin" hubbub was about. I've been using copic sketchbooks but they are damn expensive. Hopefully these are better bang for the buck.

[OmenSpirits]

hmmm......been thinking of getting one of these since my abilities kicked up to a worthy notch of noticeablity...

...but am I worthy? :(

[Interceptor]

It's a sketchbook, not a purple heart.

[Asatira]

Hmmm. Definitely on a wish list. Got to fill out the sketchbooks I have already, first.

[serhc]

mmm just ordered one. i can't wait. i love to touch paper

[OmenSpirits]

It's a sketchbook, not a purple heart.
Always felt like if I get a new sketchbook that I got to put something worthwhile into it. (Yeah, I know self-imposed pressure).

Not filling it with crap (memories of SB's of past, *sigh*). :(

[German-s]

btw, for us canadian folk, we can order it from here: http://www.amazon.ca/Folio-Sketchbook-A4-Bf832us-Moleskine/dp/886293193X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239328298&sr=8-3

I checked the conversion rate too, it's approximately the same price!! (give or take 60 cents)

[Aphotic Phoenix]

Okay, since I like to test things I decided to actually try using a bit of liquidy medium (watered down gouache) in my pocket size sketchbook.
Verdict: Do-able, but less than optimal. As expected it's pretty much just like painting on smooth bristol board. You gotta be willing to push the pigment around a bit for good coverage, but certainly works in a pinch.
- Paper will buckle more than bristol (this is thinner so it's to be expected), but goes back to a reasonably flat state. Since the A4 version apparently has thinner paper I prob. wouldn't recommend painting it.
- Holds up to some scrubby damp blending, and going over the same places reasonably well.

Included: poorly thought out sketch/paint test full of artistic errors. XD Blown up to show lack of any serious paper damage.

[RyerOrdStar]

I actually think that looks pretty awesome, then again I've always been partial to that effect. Going to buy one as soon as they get into my local store. Whewt.

[nonie]

There's a watercolor moleskine too, you watercolorists may want that one instead of the sketchbook...

Edit... Didn't read the middle part of the thread, sry :P

[archipelago]

holy sexy mother of god.

[Minja]

woohoo ordered one yesterday. psyched.

[erinel]

If I didn't have three sketchbooks to fill up now I'd order one in a hearbeat. Unfortunatly....

[ArtZealot]

I ordered the notebook by accident...ungh. Don't have my invoice anymore either so i can't return it. i gave it to my girlfriend as an easter present, but told her what happened, so now i try again to get the sketchbook version of this. :D

[ShroudStar]

My local Borders has a discount sale and after rummaging through the boxes, I found four 8.25" x 5" Moleskine watercolor notebooks (72 pages). I bought two of them for only $21.40. Awesome!

[CCorsair]

I just picked one up off amazon, the small sketchbook version, to see what all this "mole-skin" hubbub was about. I've been using copic sketchbooks but they are damn expensive. Hopefully these are better bang for the buck.

AH i see you got one of the good one two but its dam hard to draw on them till you flatted them out and always take more than one ...lol

You know had really fun thing happen to me once in art and stationary store I was looking at paper and ran across some old type Moleskin Sketch books and was talk I about them and this girl looked at me from the other side of the area i was standing look at me as if i killed her dog she scram HOW COULD THEY DO THAT!! and when to a rage with me the target she when into a ran that got the manager to come over and ask what was wrong and she started in on him too HOW COULD SELL thing Made from mole's Skins !! and stomped out of the store and the next day she and 5 other girl From you guested it PeTa .. they thought the it was real mole skin the manager let them protest for a good amount of time them when out side when that had a really big crowd around them and he took out dictionary read from it very loudly what moleskin was and how it was made .. the crowd looked around and then look at the PeTa people and left .. the girl screamed that he was lying but to vale all left the protesting ended but the girl kept trying to tell people that were real skins.. some people nuts and some really NUTZ

The sold out 3 time due to girl .. protest too lol

CC

[Jacob Kobryn]

Well it's Moleskine not Mole's Skin so you shouldn't ever have that problem... It's pronounced mohl-skyne I think

[P-WAF]

I'm glad it's not real Mole's Skin. Been holding off on buying one because of this.

They seem like nice sketchbooks. Think I'll buy one or two. I'll use this as an excuse to start watercolors.

[Equality72521]

just got mine today, here are some pics of how big it is. The pages are slightly thinner than the "large" moleskines, but should react fine to light watercolor washes.

[Hookswords]

Wow Equality72521, I didnt realize the new larger Moleskines were Wacom pen compatible! That's bad ass, I'm gonna go get one now!!

[amarryth]

oh my, this is so ridiculously amazing...... has anyone in canada happened to score their's at an indigo/chapters? i'm between books right now and am seriously considering leaving my current plastic wrapped moleskines on the shelf for the time being and bursting out of my tiny book bubble.. and i hate waiting for mail...

[German-s]

Hey Amarryth,

I have seen the larger ones over at Pages on queen, Midoco over at the annex (bloor and bathurstish) and De Serres says that they are talking with Moleskine to stock them sooner than later. The peeps over at Chapters/Indigo didnt know what I was talking about or presumed I was speaking Chinese.

Unfortunately the stores that do carry them only carry the plain notebook and NOT the sketchbook, totally lame.

That said, I've ordered my sketcbooks on amazon.ca and look forward to getting them!

G

[amarryth]

haha.. thanks G.. after calling every indigo and chapters within REASONABLE driving distance 'cause i want one NOW.. they thought i was on crack.

a few local art stores at least knew what i was talking about.. but they are still in the process of getting them in..

so, about an hour ago i followed suit and ordered an A4 and an A3! you can't beat the price.. and maybe this will be the secret to getting me to work bigger than 5x8..

now, i wait.

[Jacob Kobryn]

Woah, the pages are white!

[Equality72521]

Jake: no the pages are the same color, its just that my web cam uses a flash

[Karein]

That's awesome, Just in time too, my small one is running low on blank pages :P I will have to order myself one

[amarryth]

i got my A4 & A3 in the mail today.. i'm so intimidated i haven't even taken off the plastic yet.. here's how they size up..

[German-s]

oh gosh, that is a pretty sexy notebook. I think mine is coming tomorrow(i hope!)