In Paper Review

Notebook Review: Apica C.D. Notebook Premium A6

Author AnaPosted on 3 Comments

Apica C.D. Premium Notebook A6

I’ve always heard such good things about the paper quality of the Apica C.D. Premium Notebooks that I jumped at the chance to finally try the A6 blank notebook ($10.25). Its a small pocketable softcover with warm white pages and a slightly metallic graphite grey cover with a bookcloth taped spine. It has 96 pages and crisp square corners. It’s about a half an inch larger in height and width than a pocket-sized Moleskine if you’re not familiar with the A6 size.

Apica C.D. Premium Notebook A6 writing sample

Inside, the paper is a soft, warm white. Not ivory, just a natural white and silky smooth.I used the notebook on and off for a week before I felt like I oculd make an informed opinion about the notebook because I had some surprising results the first couple times I used it. I had heard that the Apica premium paper was awesome so I assumed my fountain pens would work great.

What I discovered was that, for me, it was too smooth for most of the fountain pens I use. The inks from fountain pens either took too long to dry or kind of bled a bit and softened around the edges. And the paper was so smooth that I felt like I was chasing the smooth nibbed fountain pens around on the paper. However, what I did like using on this paper were felt tip pens like Microns, the Sharpie Pen, brush-style felt tips or even a PaperMate Flair. The felt/fiber tips seemed to have just enough traction on the slick paper to make for a wonderful writing experience. Gel pens and rollerballs also did well on the paper too. The one fountain pen I did find that worked well was the Platinum Carbon Desk Pen so I suspect that other microfine fountain pens might also perform well.

I had decent results with colored pencil. I tested graphite after I photographed. Palomino Blackwing 602 smudged a bit because its so dark but a harder 2H Turquoise worked quite nicely. I think a standard HB or 2H pencil or a mechanical pencil on this paper would be a good match up as well.

Apica C.D. Premium Notebook A6 writing sample

Overall, once I got over my disappointment that this notebook wasn’t going to be THE notebook for fountain pens, I ended up really liking it. I really like the size, the soft cover and creamy paper. It creates a nice form-and-function arrangement that I really like.

DISCLAIMER: This item was sent to me free of charge by JetPens for the purpose of review. Please see the About page for more details.

In Link Love

Link Love: Whole Lotta Notebooks Goin’ On

Author AnaPosted on
Awesome new Link artwork by Chris Grine, illustrator of the web comic Wicked Crispy.
Awesome new Link artwork by Chris Grine, illustrator of the web comic Wicked Crispy.

Pens:

Ink:

Pencils:

Notebooks & Paper:

Other Interesting Things:

In Ink Review

Ink Review: Noodler’s Dostoyevsky

Author AnaPosted on 11 Comments

Noodler's Dostoyevsky

I got a sample of Noodler’s Dostoyevsky ink (19.50 for 30z bottle or $1.75 per sample) because I need more teal blue grey ink like I need a hole in my head. Right? But there was rationale here, folks. Several of the teal blue grey inks I own are limited edition inks like the Montblanc Meisterstück Blue Hour and Pelikan Edelstein Aquarmarine. As far as I know, Dostoyevsky is a regular ink color in the Noodler’s line-up not to mention considerably more affordable than either the Montblanc or the Pelikan Edelstein inks.  So, let’s talk about the overall quality.

Noodler's Dostoyevsky writing samples

The color has lots of shading and was relatively smooth performing. In my water test, it did not shift much which leads me to wonder if it might stain. Anderson Pens Ink Tool lists the ink as a permanent and waterproof ink so its definitely not an ink to be left in a vintage pen. My sample for the water test was not left to dry for more than a minute so it probably was not completely dry. But its good to know that this is a permanent ink. I may try it out in my Lamy Joy for drawing. It could prove interesting!

Noodler's Dostoyevsky comparison

I re-tested the waterproofiness several hours later with similar results to the water droplet test shown above so the ink isn’t PERMANENT permanent. There was definitely some color travel but it would definitely hold up well for a writer’s notebook but not enough to be used with watercolor for sketching purposes like Platinum Carbon Black.

Overall, I like the color and shading enough to consider Dostoyevsky as an option to replace the limited edition teal blue greys when they run out.

CJ helps with ink review

If you happen to ever see a stray hair in any of my reviews, this is why. I have helpers. Three furry ones and one of them always decides they need to sit on my review, my lap, my table, in the box or be pet at some point during my review process. Today, CJ looked so content it was hard to boot her off the review. Can you blame me?

Anderson Pens is a sponsor of this blog but I purchased this sample and all opinions are my own.

In podcast

Art Supply Posse Episode 1: Let’s Talk About Sketchbooks, Baby

Author AnaPosted on

sketchbooks

The first full episode of the Art Supply Posse is up and Heather and I talk about sketchbooks– the building block of any good art supply stash.

For full show notes and to subscribe, listen to or download the episode, go here.

This week is a bonus week because you’ll be getting TWO episodes. Our second episode should go up on our regular schedule on Wednesday night as well so I hope you enjoy getting to binge this week.

In Fashionable Friday

Fashionable Friday: Assorted Dozen

Author AnaPosted on

FF-AsstDzn

In honor of National Donut (or the more formal “Doughnut”) Day  (and we all know I love a good donut), I’m dressing today up with chocolate, sprinkles and a good glaze!

  1. Face Mug $18 (via Uncommon Goods)
  2. J. Herbin Cacao du Bresil (30ml Bottle) $11 (via Anderson Pens)
  3. Hello Sweetie doughnut umbrella $19 (via Paperchase)
  4. Diamine Wild Strawberry Ink 30 ml $7.50 (via JetPens)
  5. Retro 51 Coffee Tornado Rollerball Pen $39 (via Goldspot Pens)
  6. Caran D’Ache 849 Pop Dots pink granite ballpoint € 22 (via Fontoplumo)
  7. Midori Spiral Ring Notebook – A5 Slim – Camel $14 (via JetPens)
  8. Sailor Professional Gear Color Series Fountain Pen in Ivory (vanilla) $248 (via Pen Chalet)
  9. Delta Journal Ivory Swirl Fountain Pen $316 (via Pen Boutique)
  10. Donut Talk to Me Digital Wallpaper (via Betty Magazine)
  11. Coffee and Donuts Art print $25 (via I Love Doodle)
  12. Bung Box Valentine’s Chocolate Ink 50ml $43 (via Vanness Pen Shop)
In news

The Big Reveal: We Started a Podcast!

Author AnaPosted on 9 Comments

I mentioned last week that I had a project in the works… well, here it is:

Art Supply Posse

Heather Rivard and I decided to start a podcast! It’s all about art supplies. We collectively decided to start it when we had the thought “how come there isn’t a podcast about art supplies like there is for pens and pencils?” It occurred to us that maybe we ought to start it.

The show is called Art Supply Posse and iTunes just approved our feed so our Pilot episode it live. We will post our first real episode soon and will start posting regular episodes on Wednesday evenings. More information will be included in the episodes and on the Art Supply Posse website.

Please let us know what you think of the show, tell your friends, subscribe, and follow our Twitter feed. Thanks so much!