After crowing about my new, favorite sketchbook recently, I decided to look for more of the same since I was tearing through the current one at a rapid clip. I looked at the websites of online as well as brick-and-mortar retailers and came up dry. Typing in “sketchbook” gave me endless inventories of the more expensive journal type of drawing pad that I am trying to avoid. I grew frustrated and decided to contact Horizon Group USA, the company that distributed the book, and plied them with all the information I had — the size, where it was purchased, the serial and stock numbers printed on the back cover — and told them how much I was enjoying their fabulous product. A representative from the company speedily responded to my query:
Thank you for your email. Unfortunately, we no longer carry the product as it has been already set in the Target stores. The item is considered a one shot deal, limited time only product.
NOOOOOOO!!!!!!
It may sound like an exaggeration, but this cheap, little sketchbook seems to be one of the best I ever had. I’ve had some great sketchbooks, a lot that were merely adequate and a number of Sketchbooks from Hell. This one just gives and gives. It makes me look good. I’m enjoying working on this immensely, and I like the dirty, little marks I’m making in it.
It may be the tools that I’m using that are making the difference. I’ve been having a blast with Derwent’s water soluble pencils known as Light, Medium and Dark Wash Pencils paired with Aquash water brushes. I’m having fun building tones and discovering what I can do with my newly found tools.
Whatever it is — the pad or the pencils — it’s working, and I haven’t enjoyed sketching as much as I am now. Hopefully this streak of mine will outlive the Sketchbook from Heaven because I’m more than halfway through it, and I turned up empty checking the shelves of the local Target. The sketchbook was probably the result of a surplus of paper somewhere in the company’s supply chain, and some bean counter thought they could unload it on retailers as a Stocking Stuffer. Sure, kids love to draw! Why not? Price them to move, and we’ll get rid of this excess stock!
Sadly, this kid loved drawing in this pad, and I will never see it on a shelf gain. Sniff.
So, I’ll move on once the cheap sketchbook is filled, and I’ll bring my new tools with me. In fact, one just arrived from Japan that I’m itching to try out.
Stay tuned!
Is that a cartridge I see in that blister pac?
2 and they’re a little odd. I’ll have to get a close-up. It looks like a ball bearing in the end of the cartridge. Absolutely beautiful brush pen. Kuretake No. 8 Fountain Brush Pen
That figures… sigh… Good luck finding a replacement!
There’s nothing all that special about it except that it’s bound on the short side, and I like most of the stuff I’m drawing in it. Maybe it’s the tools. We’ll see once I finish this one off.