She not only sent me one to review, but she sent me a second one to giveaway here on this very blog. Both the one I am reviewing and keeping for myself and the one I am offering as a giveaway are orange.
First, let me tell you about this notebook:
It has a soft leather-like cover that feels wonderful in one's hands and uses 90 g soft vellum ivory paper inside. It has sewn signatures and doesn't open completely flat, but is almost flat and can certainly be coaxed to do so. This particular notebook that I am reviewing and giving away has blank pages (not lined). I believe that past Rhodia notebooks had their logo on the bottom of every right hand page. Not so with this one. The front cover has a lovely embossed orange on orange logo, but the inside pages are smooth, silky and blank.
The inside back cover has an expandable pocket and the notebook has a lovely finished orange ribbon bookmark. There is also an elastic band closure. This notebook has 96 sheets for a total of 192 pages.
And perhaps best of all the corners are rounded - so comfortable for holding while sketching without getting poked in the midsection.
I tried writing in this notebook with all my favorite pens: ball point, Staedtler fine point, Zig writer, Graphic Marker, Micron Pigment Ink pen, Prismacolor Premier, Sharpie Permanent Marker, Copic Marker, Pitt Artist Penn, Elegant Calligraphic Writer and a Watercolor Pencil.
Only the Sharpie Permanent Marker and the Copic Marker bled through. The others wrote smoothly and beautifully. The Schaefer ball point pen needed a little extra drying time, but could surely be blotted if necessary.
I sure hope these are easy to find and order because this is my new favorite notebook.
If you are a pencil or pen and ink sketcher, or if you like to color with colored pencils in your journal then this one is the one for you.
If you would like an opportunity to win this lovely notebook, please leave a comment telling me what feature of a notebook is the most important to you. You must have a most important feature in your comment in order to be considered in the drawing.
I will draw the winner on Monday, August 16!
One entry per person please.
xoxo
My most important feature is for it to take pens well (like you!) and to also handle a few diffrent mediums because I really enjoy Acrylics and watercolors. Whatever medium loves me at the time! Ha! Thank you for considering me for the give-a-way and have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteWell, the most important thing about a notebook for me is that picking it up needs to inspire me. Opening it up to a blank page has to allow my pen lines to flow "almost" as quickly as my mind can think things up.
ReplyDeletepaper...paper...paper...
ReplyDeleteit's got to feel good, look good, and stand up to my heavy application of ink and pencil!
I love the orange color of this book, too...what fun!
I've used Vellum for my CP sketches and I love the way my Prismas glide on it. I usually buy larger pads of Vellum and bind them using my Rollabind system but I don't use that for plein air because I'm worried it might fall apart. So having a ready to use journal with Vellum would certainly be my fav feature of Rhodia.
ReplyDeleteLove the rounded corners. I think it will make working in it so much easier.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm...my subtle (I hope) drawing of strangers in public might be in jeopardy if they have to wear sunglasses every time they look at my notebook. Can a guy have an orange notebook? Would I want it?! If the paper is good, then sure! So I'm game to finding out! :)
ReplyDeleteSounds & looks like a great journal, sketchbook.
ReplyDeleteDeb
Lovely! I've only seen the lined Webbies and would love a blank one!
ReplyDeleteA great notebook starts with great paper like the Clairefontaine paper in a Webbie. Also, the binding is crucial. If it fights you, i.e., doesn't want to open flat, it is a chore to use.
ReplyDeletefountain pen gliding / across silky smooth vellum / thoughts actualize
ReplyDeleteThank you for offering this opportunity. Cheers, Donna Peach
Portability and the feel of the cover are important to me. I want the book to feel good in my hands and to be easy to carry while I travel here and there - locally and out of state.
ReplyDeleteit must be durable enough to survive a pocket for a couple months...one of the reason I like the softer covered Moleskines.
ReplyDeletejasonmichael.misc@me.com
It depends on what I plan to use the notebook for, of course, but my pen must love the paper. A fountain pen should glide across the page without the ink bubbling and skipping. I do love velum, and I'm not sure, but I think it will take very light washes of color.
ReplyDeleteMy experience with Sharpie permanent marker on papers is that they always bleed through.
ReplyDeleteBut if I really have to choose a feature, yes I'd go with the type of paper.
I am picky when it comes to paper, I want it think, well condensed, and with smooth finishing(for graphite), and if possible... mixing that with coarser surfaced papers too(for watercolor) I seriously would love to have a notebook that has half for dry media and another half for wet media...that'd be awesome! And just recently I found that publishers always prefer works on pure white papers. Acid-free papers on Moleskine has a faint yellow in color, they don't fancy it that much.
I am stretching it a bit here too, and it doesn't matter if this disqualifies my participation, price matters too, the lower the better. ^^
Oh boy Vicki I bet you're excited....how special of a gift for you. I do hope you enjoy it....nothing like a new crisp journal just begging to be dressed with creativity.....funny coincidence....I just posted on my blog about all my journals...go take a look...it would appear we both get energized with journals. Today I bought an orange journal at 50% off....ummmm....important feature being orange perhaps. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThe feel of the paper and how it takes pen and pencil. This journal is a great size too! I would love to have it!
ReplyDeleteOh, Vicki, this sounds like a really great notebook and I would love to win! I like not having lines on the pages.
ReplyDeleteOh, this sounds simply awesome! And I don't (only) mean the orange color (which just happens to be my most favorite one, if I had to pick a single one). It seems to be *the* perfect sketchbook and I sure hope I'll win it! ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your review anyway! I always appreciate other artists' recommendations for sketchbooks and material in general (although I'm not sure I'll find one of these over here...).
I like something that feels nice to touch, that makes you want to open it up on a clean page and draw.
ReplyDeleteI would definately find my sketchbook in my bag if it was that colour!
I love to have my notebook lay flat as possible so my writing is similar to writing on a tablet. Thank you for the review and give-away!
ReplyDeleteWell thank you for this - the notebook sounds great and orange is one of my favourite covers so I'd love a chance to win.
ReplyDeleteI know it is silly, but I love the back pocket (which is why I like Moleskines also)...I'm love to journal when I'm bored on my work breaks and such, and not only is the paper quality lovely in these books, the back pocket holds fortune cookie fortunes, movie ticket stubs---whatever---until I have time to gently paste them into the pages :)
ReplyDeleteYou have come a long way in a short time. I am enjoying your blog postings very much.
ReplyDeleteThe most important feature of a notebook for me is quality paper. Notebooks with very thin paper, or paper that makes your ink feather, are not enjoyable to write in.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the paper for me. It has to have a nice feel, be a nice soft color and of course, accept media well.
ReplyDeleteFor me the size and shape of the journal would be important, i.e. can it be easily transported everywhere with me. Also, the pages - can they hold up to various media like pen, watercolor or acrylic paint, collage, etc.? That notebook looks great and I would be thrilled to be the winner!
ReplyDeleteThe paper is the most important thing to me. I use a fountain pen to write, and the paper must allow me to use whatever ink and pen combo that moves me on any particular day. The Webbie has really good paper, and that's what I like about it.
ReplyDeleteIt's a feature that any notebook can have, but it's still key for me - completely blank pages. Having no ruling whatsoever leaves me completely free to use the space however I want.
ReplyDeleteA secondary feature is the paper. I hear good things about the Webbie paper, and my first fountain pen (a Lamy Safari) arrives tomorrow, so I'm in need of good paper. I've also found that I tend to bleed through most notebooks when sketching in pen, and it's unpleasant.
Definitely the paper. I have begun drawing and getting more into using various mediums (watercolor, colored pencils, acrylics and the like) and am just beginning to see the differences in and importance of paper! (quite an education after just paper and glue collage work) I'd love to have a wonderful journal to work in since I just signed up for another online drawing workshop! Hope I'm lucky enough to win....and I would LOVE an orange journal that won't get lost so easily in my mess...er, studio! LOL
ReplyDeleteDoreen aka LuniLadi
I think most important for me is the paper - I can write rather forcefully, so if the paper's weak, it won't stand up to much journaling.
ReplyDeleteI also judge a lot on a notebook with how it feels when I hold it.
The feel of something is most important to me. Tactile!!!!! I love smoothe.
ReplyDeleteThe most important thing about a notebook to me is the paper. I love writing on smooth, good quality paper. Not only does it bring out the color of beautiful inks and make writing with many pens a great experience, when it's smooth, the side of my hand doesn't get irritated from rubbing on the paper as I write!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance to win!
Cheers!
The paper quality is the feature I like best in these notebooks. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteMost important feature? Would have to be the back pocket! I love to have an extra space to tuck away treasures. :-) B.
ReplyDeleteMy most important feature is the binding. I want a binding that does not prevent ease of use. Second most important is the paper itself, but of course without good paper an excellent binding is useless ;)
ReplyDeleteI agree with a lot of the other comments. It's all about the feel. . . the feel of the book in my hand and the feel of the pens gliding over the pages. When those things are right then I want to pick up the book and use it.
ReplyDeleteThe most important paper is the quality of the paper - it has to be fountain pen friendly. Of course, a professional looking binding/backing and good feel are vitally important as well.
ReplyDeleteThank You for this oppurtunity (and thanks to Stephanie at Rhodia Drive)
It must be fountain pen friendly.
ReplyDeleteThe paper ... where it takes whatever I want to throw at it! In fact, bleed thru is sometimes a happy mistake for me. This sounds wonderful ... I too am trying to find 'my' notebook. Would love to try this one out!
ReplyDeleteI like notebooks with nice paper that I can use different kinds of pends on without it bleeding through. Put my name in the hat, please!
ReplyDeleteThe fine paper is my favorite feature- using a fountain pen in a notebook delicious!
ReplyDeleteAs I write with fountain pens, paper quality is a huge factor for me in notebook selection. Second place is if the binding will lie flat when the notebook is open.
ReplyDeletePaper is the most important feature for me as well. We all have our favorite writing tools (be it a fountain pen, pencil, roller ball or even water color pen) and it's nice to know that the paper you use can withstand and accommodate your ideas and creativity. Rounded corners and orange color are some of the convenient extras.
ReplyDeleteThe most important feature = the ability to stand up to fountain pen ink. I write small, so any feathering can be a problem!
ReplyDeleteteabird17 atyahoodotcom
The most important thing about a sketchbook for me is versatility & flexibility. That I can use pens, colored pencil with some layering, watercolor pencil (light washes), and pencil for sketching, and erasing (if needed). All without bleeding through so I can use every page just for sketching. Also, rounded corners are a definite bonus!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity
Most important feature? It must accept a fountain pen. Not just an extra fine nib, but even the broadest nibs. Given this requirement, it's then necessary to be compatible with the popular inks, as well. I won't buy a notebook, unless it's compatible with my pens.
ReplyDeleteOh, how exciting to recieve a notebook that you like so much. Put my name in the hat for the drawing, please. I go for the tactile, touchy, feely thing with notebooks for all the reasons the others have listed. Paper:smooth, no bleeding is most important.
ReplyDeleteWow, a giveaway! Right now, the most important thing for a notebook for me is the paper quality. It should be able to take on fountain pen inks well. :)
ReplyDeleteThe SIZE! It sounds perfect to carry for sketching on the go - I would love to try this! Thanks for the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteLinda Born
Kind of sad how the Copic marker bled through as that's my utensil of choice. My biggest thing is how fast the ink is absorbed into the paper reducing the smudging. I really dislike smudging. It just ruins everything about writing. Thanks for the offer!
ReplyDeleteThe most important feature from those you mentioned are that so many different mediums can be used. Second would be that the number of pages makes it a very nice usable size.
ReplyDeleteThe most important feature, to me, is the quality of the paper. Quality paper allows writing to be an experience, and better paper is typically more durable and friendly to a variety of instruments. I hate to say it, but I do tear pages out of some of my notebooks. People will study the paper and writing instrument used when you give them a list of recommended books, a recipe, or directions, so it is nice to have good paper when it is needed.
ReplyDeletemy favorite part of a notebook -
ReplyDeletelove soft covers while holding it and how my pen glides across a page when journaling. this notebook sounds yummy.
i would love to win an orange (my fav color) one.
Definitely the quality of the paper. I like a paper that won't bleed through with most markers. I haven't found one yet that Copic markers won't bleed through. I also like the smoothness of the paper so the markers don';t skip and jump while you are writing. And of course the ability to take collaged items and not fall apart. Thanks for the chance to win. Never heard of this brand of journal!
ReplyDeleteAloha, Kate
Lets try this again....
ReplyDeleteThe paper sounds absolutely scrumptillyishis! Silky - yum, and it's also nice to know which pens not to use...The cover also sounds exquisite - I luv to fondle my books - especially when I'm trying to decide what I want to do...
hugs
arlene
This looks like a fantastic sketchbook...durable,a pleasure to look at and hold..... I love the orange, too! The most important feature is the quality of the paper. I hope I win!
ReplyDeleteTo me, the first thing I look for in a notebook is size. Will it be easy to keep with me or be one to sit by my chair? After I decide it's the right size, I look next at the paper.
ReplyDeleteTo me, the first thing I look for in a notebook is size. Will it be easy to keep with me or be one to sit by my chair? After I decide it's the right size, I look next at the paper.
ReplyDeleteThe paper, plain and simple. I switched from Moleskine because with the Webbie, I can write on both sides of the sheet using a fountain pen.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking 58 is the magic number.... you know how I love, love, love books to draw in! lol hugs, nancy
ReplyDeleteThe most important feature of my notebooks are the ruling types/specs-- I write so small that I feel like I'm wasting space on wide ruled paper, and I can't get my creativity flowing on anything but a blank page. I'll write/draw in any notebook on any kind of paper as long as the ruling is right.
ReplyDeleteI never tried a Webbie before because I was under the impression that the lines were too wide for me-- but now that they've got a blank one, and I need a new sketchbook...
Sounds like you are having fun with Rhodia.
ReplyDeleteI like any notebook that allows you to work in many media. The Webby paper is about the best -- especially for fountain pen users. Thanks for running the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThe paper - if it's not fun to write on, it's not fun to write!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the journal love (Stephanie too). The feature that draws me is the paper, the blankness, creamy color, but mostly that it takes fountain pens well. I like to doodle with fountain pens, so that's a must. Would love to explore how it takes to watercolors.
ReplyDeleteDurability. I've found too many notebooks that don't stand up over the course of time before I've used up all the pages.
ReplyDeleteHi Vickie, Wonderful looking notebook. I like a notebook/journal if I like the feel of the pencil over the paper. The variations in tactile experience is important to me. Must be why I still prefer paper to things like drawing on the computer.
ReplyDeleteCool blog, by the way!
The most important feature in a notebook is that it lies perfectly flat. The good things about this notebook seem to be it lies flat, pages are unlined, and the paper is great.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't going to enter two of these giveaways, but yours has an interesting gimmick :)
ReplyDeleteTo me the most important aspect of a notebook is its size. I can find media to use on even the cruddiest of papers, but if it's too large or too small for my current needs, it'll probably end up gathering dust in favor of notebooks that fit just right.
I have an 18" × 24" drawing pad from Utrecht that I've been lugging around since I decided I didn't want to be an Illustration major perhaps five years ago. I'll use it someday, but probably not soon...
The most important feature of this notebook is the quality of the paper. It will handle just about any writing implement, even watercolors. The sky's the limit in what I can do with it.
ReplyDeleteThe most important feature of a journal/notebook is it's ability to invoke thought and consciouses by allowing my thoughts to effortlessly flow across the pages without resistance. Resistance can be in the form of "drag," color bleeding, flimsiness, all of which can distract when writing and make returning to said journal an "eye-sore."
ReplyDeleteI’ve yet to try out a Rhodia journal and greatly appreciate the opportunity of doing so.
Thank you kind.
Hi Vicki, What a beautiful review you have written for a beautiful notebook. I too am a notebook, journal addict. I guess the notebook for me has to be able to take a lot of punishment, Inks, glue, tape, needle & thread!, staples, watercolour pencils you name it I use any and every medium that takes my fancy at that moment I have inspiration. It has to like being handled lots, fit in my bag and it must enjoy lots of long train journeys. Thanks:)
ReplyDelete