If you’re a daily reader of my weblog then you’ll know that I really like utilizing Alpha sketchbooks by Stillman and Birn. There are a variety of explanation why this paper fits me completely and through the years I’ve refined my watercolour methods to get the perfect outcomes on it. And that is true for each sketching on location and my paint-only teacups.

This picture (taken for a demo from my upcoming Teacups course) demonstrated two of the explanation why I really like Alpha a lot. It allows me to:
1. create a wide range of totally different edges notably when working into damp washes and …associated to this…
2. work rapidly with out having to attend for one wash to totally dry earlier than making use of the following.

In these two examples, I painted the roses over damp shadow washes utilizing the identical timing for each. And only for the file, I’ve used Alpha via the Teacups course.

I do love 100% cotton paper (chilly press) – the granulation and the dry-brush texture that it could possibly create. However I haven’t to this point labored out a strategy to create different washes and arduous edges which can be an necessary a part of my work. That is one thing that’s on my ‘to-explore’ listing.

The above instance on Alpha doesn’t present a number of granulation/pigment occasion however I can get a number of stunning watercolour magic on Alpha through the use of the precise mixture of pigments and the proper pigment-to-water ratio.

I may create a number of enjoyable textures and results on Alpha. Many watercolorists attempt to keep away from backruns and arduous edges however I really like them!

Thick cotton paper which is the ‘gold normal’ for watercolour portray doesn’t truly swimsuit my sketching follow. I would like paper in my sketchbook that’s good to jot down on, that’s ‘adequate’ however not too treasured in order that I be at liberty to take dangers and sketch lots in my every day life.

I additionally need a sketchbook that accommodates a number of pages – so Alpha sketchbooks which comprise 80-120 pages are excellent for me. (In the intervening time I’m utilizing A4 hardcover Alphas and finishing them in simply over a month!)

Alpha additionally fits a spread of media. The paper is nice to make use of with ink and pencil (nice tooth) and though not designed for watercolour, it’s extremely strong. I throw a LOT of water and pigment at it, draw into the watercolour with ink and nothing goes via to the opposite facet – properly, heavy scrubbing with a water-soluble device right into a moist wash would possibly! The paper buckles a bit of however I like that ‘lived-in’ really feel from my every day e-book.

Everybody has their very own preferences relating to sketchbooks and paper… I believed it was an excellent time to elucidate mine once more. 🙂

And eventually… I’ve written a number of different articles that develop on these concepts (with some on-location sketches):