Stillman & Birn Zeta Softcover Sketchbooks are praised for their thoughtful design and quality manufacturing, making them a popular choice for artists and illustrators alike. In this article, Amy Sharp shares her love for the smooth and durable paper surface of the Zeta Sketchbooks, and their exceptional handling qualities, adding comfort and ease to her drawing practice.
Artist Review of the Stillman & Birn Zeta Softcover Sketchbook
by Amy Sharp
This is my absolute favourite sketchbook, one of the few that I’ve managed to fill from cover to cover, and I’m currently on my third one! One of the biggest reasons for this is the paper. I’ve tried several other sketchbooks with ‘smooth’ paper, often finding the paper to feel thin and cheap, with a strangely slippery quality. Stillman & Birn’s Zeta Softcover Sketchbook balances the smooth surface with thick, high quality paper, creating a much better drawing experience.
This allows pencils to glide across the surface, but with enough tooth to allow controlled and detailed lines. In addition to this, the paper is sturdy enough to withstand vigorous erasing; this is a very important quality for me as I constantly revisit and edit ideas.
I personally use an 8 x 10 in sketchbook, which I find to be big enough to allow plenty of space to sketch, but not so big as to feel like a daunting blank space. I also find it refreshing to step away from the typical ‘A’ sizes, which is something you can’t always do with other sketchbook brands. There is also flexibility to work at larger dimensions, as, once opened, the sketchbook pages sit flat, meaning that I can easily work across a double-page spread. The sketchbook as a whole is a bit thinner than some of the others I have tried. But this is a bonus for me, as I find that chunky sketchbooks can be too high for me to comfortably rest my hand anywhere, reducing the control I can have over the pencil.
I typically use dry mediums such as graphite and coloured pencils in this sketchbook, using it as a place to plan compositions and ideas, rather than for finished pieces. This stage of working can sometimes be a bit of a struggle, especially with more complex ideas. So the last thing I need is to face added difficulties through the materials I’m working with. Using this sketchbook makes the process so much smoother and enjoyable, posing no obstacle to the creative flow. It is a little pricier than some others on the market, but to me it is worth it, and I think the price is definitely reflected in the overall premium feel of the book, and in the enhanced experience of working that it provides.
About Amy Sharp
Amy Sharp is a mixed-media illustrator who combines traditional and digital techniques to create windows into fantasy worlds. Taking great inspiration from historical architecture and fashion, she hopes to foster a feeling of escapism in her work, provoking the imagination by offering a sense of immersion, intrigue, and magic.
Further Reading
Inside the Sketchbook of Lis Watkins
A Guide to Drawing in Galleries and Museums
Everything You Need To Know About Drawing Paper
Chiaroscuro Techniques for Painting, Drawing, and Printmaking
Shop Stillman & Birn Zeta Softcover Sketchbooks on jacksonsart.com
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