I'm based in Germany and also have to deal with the Brexit tax and extrortionate shipping fees. This makes me very sad. But whenever I have a visitor from the UK, or if I have a trip over, I will BULK ORDER Pith sketchbook because they have become my number 1 sketchbook of choice. They are PERFECT. I have always struggled with the RT - the paper is far too yellow and the inability for them to take wet materials well have made them limiting. I never understood how mix media artists loved them so much. I get that they are cheap, and this makes them feel like a safe space to explore in, but I find myself so annoyed at the page! When I open a Pith and sit down with it, it feels so good. Great review!
Thank you Raj. Yes, Pith is so much better with wet.I think I've reduced the amount of wet stuff I've used because I've been working in RTs. Boo to Brexit tax and hooray for bulk Pith orders!
Yessssss me too regarding Brexit. Nightmare for buying affordable art supplies. Jackson art is very good for shipping costs to France, and Iām looking into a
ArteMiranda who are based in Spain.
I am a royal Talens art creation sketchbook fan for everything š I actually created a very recent YouTube video showing how wet media can be used easily in them using a special cheap ingredient.
Thank you for your honest and helpful review. For the first time I am glad I cannot get something in my country without making a huge fuzz. It will save me from being irresponsible. Here it is more like 7.50ā¬ vs 25ā¬ plus shipping plus Brexit taxā¦
Hi Ruth, you can also order them at https://drawables.nl/collections/pith , she sells them (including the new ones, just not every colour) from the Netherlands, with normal shipping to Germany. Happy to enable š¬
I want to love the Royal Talens because it's so pleasing to look at and has that handy elastic to keep it closed. but I find the paper too thin and too beige for me. I'm sure I'll be tempted to buy it again though because it is so pretty. I'm intrigued by the Pith sketchbooks. I've been watching Frances Ives using them with joy for some time now and everyone else who's tried them has nothing but praise. I really need to find out for myself! x
Iām a Pith girl, through and through, but I do like to have a couple of Royal Talens sketchbooks on the go, for rough sketching and swatching. The RT are inexpensive so I feel less precious about what I draw in them.
I also like the Daler Rowney A3 sketchbooks for larger-scale work and life drawing and recently discovered the budget-friendly Jacksonās range, the A6 ones are perfect for having in my handbag or the car, I whip them out for quick sketching when Iām out and about!
I've had a Pith sketchbook sitting on my shelf for almost a year now brand new- I'm scared to use it! I really don't feel that way about any of my things so I'm happy to read your breakdown of the cost. That being said I'm in the US so my availability is limited to the sizes Jacksons carries- I don't think they currently carry all of the sizes and the one I've got feels quite big. You're inspiring me to just crack into it now! I do relate to the frustrating scanning process- I get very impatient with that part of using Royal Talens. Thank you!
Ooh I might have to try a Pith! Very interesting and thoughtful review, thankyou. Many many years ago ASDA sold an A5 sketchbook just like a moleskine with lovely paper for about Ā£3 and I stockpiled a mountain of them knowing it couldnāt lastā¦ Iām on the last one š±
Great review! Iāve tried Pith and agree itās better for wet materials. I really like the RT rounded edges though. Think Iāll use RT for pencil and Pith as a treat for paint.
Thank you for such a lovely comparison review. I have been very keen to learn more about the Pith sketchbooks particularly as I use a lot of watercolours and gouache plus inks in my work. I have been put off trying them as some YouTubers have mentioned that the paper was not great, but I think I will give them a try now, as I am not too keen on my first Etchr everyday sketchbook.
Which could be why itās difficult for me to know which one will work for me, there are different names to choose with Pith sketchbooks. I was thinking they seemed to concentrate more on being eco friendly than good paper quality.
I use inks, gouache, watercolors, pencils and lots of water š
The names just relate to the sizes, so just go for whatever size you think would work for you. I really like the paper for inks and gouache. It takes wet materials much better than Royal Talens paper. I bought a new Cara Cara sketchbook yesterday. That size is perfect for me for out and about.
They recently changed the paper and added new sizes. So it could be they were reviewing prior to that. Iām happy with the paper. They also do a book with 200gsm paper. Iām going to try that next time!
Love a Pith! They are the carthorse of the sketchbook world. I enjoy how they draw with a Blackwing too. For smooth paper loveliness I adore Nina Cosford sketchbooks, I really rate them.
Great review! My first thought was the paper weight and color, my only complaints about the RT sketchbooks. Nice to know there are similar sketchbooks out there
Thank you so much!! Very useful and insightful. I work predominantly in watercolour or mixed media sketchbooks, but I am also looking for something like these options, so this is a very timely review!
Iām a Pith girl, through and through, but I do like to have a couple of Royal Talens sketchbooks on the go, for rough sketching and swatching. The RT are inexpensive so I feel less precious about what I draw in them.
I also like the Daler Rowney A3 sketchbooks for larger-scale work and life drawing and recently discovered the budget-friendly Jacksonās range, the A6 ones are perfect for having in my handbag or the car, I whip them out for quick sketching when Iām out and about!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on these sketchbooks, they're a big investment for artists so very useful to read honest reviews.
Great post. Thank you. I will try the Pith. Just to complicate life thoā - if you are in the US or Japan Holbein Mixed Media sketchbooks are wonderful. True they are hardback and have a coil binding but the quality is so great. ā¦.
I'm based in Germany and also have to deal with the Brexit tax and extrortionate shipping fees. This makes me very sad. But whenever I have a visitor from the UK, or if I have a trip over, I will BULK ORDER Pith sketchbook because they have become my number 1 sketchbook of choice. They are PERFECT. I have always struggled with the RT - the paper is far too yellow and the inability for them to take wet materials well have made them limiting. I never understood how mix media artists loved them so much. I get that they are cheap, and this makes them feel like a safe space to explore in, but I find myself so annoyed at the page! When I open a Pith and sit down with it, it feels so good. Great review!
Thank you Raj. Yes, Pith is so much better with wet.I think I've reduced the amount of wet stuff I've used because I've been working in RTs. Boo to Brexit tax and hooray for bulk Pith orders!
Yessssss me too regarding Brexit. Nightmare for buying affordable art supplies. Jackson art is very good for shipping costs to France, and Iām looking into a
ArteMiranda who are based in Spain.
I am a royal Talens art creation sketchbook fan for everything š I actually created a very recent YouTube video showing how wet media can be used easily in them using a special cheap ingredient.
Oooh.
š itās gum Arabic and thatās all Iām saying
Thank you for your honest and helpful review. For the first time I am glad I cannot get something in my country without making a huge fuzz. It will save me from being irresponsible. Here it is more like 7.50ā¬ vs 25ā¬ plus shipping plus Brexit taxā¦
One day thoughā¦ one day. Looking forward to your fancy drawings! š©
Brexit tax š©š«š©šš£
The worst!
Hi Ruth, you can also order them at https://drawables.nl/collections/pith , she sells them (including the new ones, just not every colour) from the Netherlands, with normal shipping to Germany. Happy to enable š¬
Uh-oh Ruth!!!!
Thank you. I saw this on IG. She has lots of nice things I want šµ.
It is much better than the Brexit tax offers but still: A Lumia would be 32ā¬ including postage vs 7,50ā¬ RTā¦ I am still safe ;-)
I agree. I did fall for it though š«£
Someone find this woman a better deal!
Thank you! Saved me from checking it out :). Still safe tooā¦
I want to love the Royal Talens because it's so pleasing to look at and has that handy elastic to keep it closed. but I find the paper too thin and too beige for me. I'm sure I'll be tempted to buy it again though because it is so pretty. I'm intrigued by the Pith sketchbooks. I've been watching Frances Ives using them with joy for some time now and everyone else who's tried them has nothing but praise. I really need to find out for myself! x
What do you use at the moment Jess?
Iāve gone back to my old favourite Seawhite of Brighton A5. I used these for years, I like the white pages and the price is inexpensive. š
Iām a Pith girl, through and through, but I do like to have a couple of Royal Talens sketchbooks on the go, for rough sketching and swatching. The RT are inexpensive so I feel less precious about what I draw in them.
I also like the Daler Rowney A3 sketchbooks for larger-scale work and life drawing and recently discovered the budget-friendly Jacksonās range, the A6 ones are perfect for having in my handbag or the car, I whip them out for quick sketching when Iām out and about!
I've had a Pith sketchbook sitting on my shelf for almost a year now brand new- I'm scared to use it! I really don't feel that way about any of my things so I'm happy to read your breakdown of the cost. That being said I'm in the US so my availability is limited to the sizes Jacksons carries- I don't think they currently carry all of the sizes and the one I've got feels quite big. You're inspiring me to just crack into it now! I do relate to the frustrating scanning process- I get very impatient with that part of using Royal Talens. Thank you!
Get it off the shelf and wreck a few pages or kick it about a bit!!!
Ooh I might have to try a Pith! Very interesting and thoughtful review, thankyou. Many many years ago ASDA sold an A5 sketchbook just like a moleskine with lovely paper for about Ā£3 and I stockpiled a mountain of them knowing it couldnāt lastā¦ Iām on the last one š±
Oh my goodness!. How many did you buy? My review came at just the right time then!!!
I think it was about 20 - but the fact theyāve lasted so long shows Iām not doing enough drawingā¦oops!
Maybe you bought 40! š
Great review! Iāve tried Pith and agree itās better for wet materials. I really like the RT rounded edges though. Think Iāll use RT for pencil and Pith as a treat for paint.
Yes those corners are very welcoming! Like an old friend!
Hi :-)
Thank you for such a lovely comparison review. I have been very keen to learn more about the Pith sketchbooks particularly as I use a lot of watercolours and gouache plus inks in my work. I have been put off trying them as some YouTubers have mentioned that the paper was not great, but I think I will give them a try now, as I am not too keen on my first Etchr everyday sketchbook.
Actually thatās wrong. They are all 200gsm!!!
Which could be why itās difficult for me to know which one will work for me, there are different names to choose with Pith sketchbooks. I was thinking they seemed to concentrate more on being eco friendly than good paper quality.
I use inks, gouache, watercolors, pencils and lots of water š
The names just relate to the sizes, so just go for whatever size you think would work for you. I really like the paper for inks and gouache. It takes wet materials much better than Royal Talens paper. I bought a new Cara Cara sketchbook yesterday. That size is perfect for me for out and about.
They recently changed the paper and added new sizes. So it could be they were reviewing prior to that. Iām happy with the paper. They also do a book with 200gsm paper. Iām going to try that next time!
Love a Pith! They are the carthorse of the sketchbook world. I enjoy how they draw with a Blackwing too. For smooth paper loveliness I adore Nina Cosford sketchbooks, I really rate them.
If you want super smooth sturdy paper in a sketchbook, I made some and have a few left hereā¦ https://www.hollysurplice.co.uk/cards
Xx
Ooh thank you will have a look!
Great review! My first thought was the paper weight and color, my only complaints about the RT sketchbooks. Nice to know there are similar sketchbooks out there
I agree - Pith is my favourite. I find the RT paper too smooth!
Iām not used to the Pith texture yet. But everything else is šš¼
Thank you so much!! Very useful and insightful. I work predominantly in watercolour or mixed media sketchbooks, but I am also looking for something like these options, so this is a very timely review!
Glad it is helpful!
Iām a Pith girl, through and through, but I do like to have a couple of Royal Talens sketchbooks on the go, for rough sketching and swatching. The RT are inexpensive so I feel less precious about what I draw in them.
I also like the Daler Rowney A3 sketchbooks for larger-scale work and life drawing and recently discovered the budget-friendly Jacksonās range, the A6 ones are perfect for having in my handbag or the car, I whip them out for quick sketching when Iām out and about!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on these sketchbooks, they're a big investment for artists so very useful to read honest reviews.
Oh I'm going to have to try them out aren't I!
Haha! Yep! š
Thank you for this review Naomi! Very helpful. I was planning on giving Pith a try for some time now and your review made it clear I should do so š
The bleeding on RT is a real problem when working wet.
I do agree on the round corners though!
Thank you šš½
Enjoy Ehud!
Great Review Naomi xx
Thanks Heidi. X
Great post. Thank you. I will try the Pith. Just to complicate life thoā - if you are in the US or Japan Holbein Mixed Media sketchbooks are wonderful. True they are hardback and have a coil binding but the quality is so great. ā¦.
Thatās good to know for US and Japan. I have a real aversion to the spiral bound ones just because I canāt work across the spread.