Paper and Silk

 Since the last post I have been paying attention to the paper I use: the color, the texture, the size, how the color and ink are absorbed and how the pencil shows up.  When I have taught a class in the past I have recommended a large spiral bound pad of Bee paper and a small spiral bound Bee notebook.  I really like the small notebook because the paper is white, it takes watercolors fairly well and the spiral binding allows me to lay it open flat.  

By the end of the Index card a day challenge, July 31st, I had filled up my last one and though I searched every art supply website including Bee Paper, I could not find another small one.  I was complaining of this to my daughter one day and she called me on which sketchbooks I had on hand.  So I went through my paper drawer and to my chagrin, I found I had enough sketchbooks to fill a small art store!  The full Bee sketchbook is just beside my coffee cup. The ones below, at the bottom of the picture are (or were) empty, obviously waiting for me to fill them up!  I pulled out the two black o

nes with the elastic attached and have been using them since the middle of June.   These are bound like a normal book giving a two page spread if one wanted to use that feature.  The paper is hot press (which is smooth) watercolor paper, probably 140#. It is very nice to paint and draw on as it doesn't buckle when wet. The downside for me is that it is creme color instead of white. I think the watercolor doesn't glow like it does on white. But they are a good size and sturdy and I had them so am using them.  Maybe by the time both are filled I will like them.