How to Choose a Sketchbook for Nature Journaling

[@GlitterPoolParty]

I like to have a clip board and attach my kraft soft cover journal to the clip board. Its slim and really light to carry. To protect it between subjects (and carry a few pens and pencils and ruler), i have a 10x14 zipper pouch.

[@MarleyPeifer]

great strategy! I should interview you some day!

[@lynneradcliffe424]

Love your presentation.....I think I need a larger bag for all my stuff!

[@MarleyPeifer]

Thanks Lynne! I don't necessarily recommend getting a larger bag. Maybe you are just joking though ;) Have you seen any of my videos where I review best bags for nature journaling? You can see them here: kzbin.info/aero/PLQmEfhMZXgCihBLyoVFlNqb_XiM6IFKI6 I am also planning to film an updated one today.

[@smw5279]

Thanks for such a thorough and informative video. I'm off to buy another journal. Can never have too many right 😉

[@MarleyPeifer]

You are so welcome! It is so great to know the video was helpful.

[@MegDong0925]

super useful information! thanks a lot!

[@MarleyPeifer]

Glad you enjoyed it and welcome to the channel! What is your favorite sketchbook so far?

[@rebeccapage4411]

Fantastic video! My favorite book is a 9 x 12 Canson Mix Media 138# spiral bound. 30 pages per book. The surface texture is very similar to their 90# Mix Media in the blue cover, but can take more water. That 9 x 12 trick was one I learned from JML that changed my game. I'd been trying to use a little 3 x 5 for years.

[@MarleyPeifer]

Hi Rebecca, Thanks for sharing your favorite book! I will have to try that paper, it sounds really nice! I'm glad that you learned that trick from Jack. He is awesome :)

[@amyanderson72]

Hey Marley-thanks for the recommendation on IG to watch this video. I learned so much about paper "lingo" and what it all means. I definitely feel more prepared to choose a sketchbook.

[@MarleyPeifer]

Hi Amy, I am so glad to hear that! My goal with these videos and my other product reviews is to help you spend less time and money finding the best supplies for you.

[@heatherh3457]

Thanks Marley. I have a problem with 'too precious' so I have found for me starting out, the spiral bounds are good because if I am really unhappy with a page I can simply rip it out. The other thing I have done is use spiral bound paper and if I am happy with a page I can glue it into a more formal binding so my 'Type A' doesn't have a hissy fit.😄

[@MarleyPeifer]

hi Heather! Great point for spiral bound benefit. I didn't think to mention that. As far as perfectionism, I know the feeling, I'm the same way at heart. Any strategy to work around or trick that part of your brain and try to get the pencil miles in. Thanks for sharing about your

[@lyndasmith6801]

Such a great video! So thorough! So many options. I lean towards the hardcover 9x12. Mixed media paper. Nice video location as well. I always love your "bye" endings! So fun!

[@MarleyPeifer]

Hi Lynda, I'm glad that you liked the video location! It is one of my favorite places to go. It seems like a lot of people are using a hardcover 9X12 mixed media paper for nature journaling. Do you use the Canson one?

[@lyndasmith6801]

@@MarleyPeifer no, it is not a Canson...may try one sometime. Its actually one I got at Michael's and I am quite happy with it so far. Well see as it gets filled up and travels more 🙂

[@lindacadeau554]

This was an excellent video,Marley, I really enjoyed it and found it very informative. I really look forward to your weekly video. Stay safe.

[@MarleyPeifer]

Thanks Linda! I'm glad that you look forward to the weekly episode :) I'm trying to stay safe here, lots of smoke and many fires all around. So far no evacuation warning for my part of Sonoma County. I hope you are safe too.

[@Kimbopolo]

Fabulous! Get some "Goo-Gone" - it will remove that sticker residue.

[@MarleyPeifer]

Thanks for the tip!

[@larryglatt2548]

Very informative. I think it comes down to chocolate or vanilla, I have spent a lot on books, as many of us have, and have my favs as well & first I've gone smaller than you & use the Travelers Notebook size with a 110 gsm. Some of my reason is because of some of my physical limitations.

[@MarleyPeifer]

Thanks for sharing Larry! Chocolate and vanilla are both good :) It sounds like you have found a good sketchbook option for your needs. I'm interested in looking into some smaller size sketchbooks for an upcoming rafting trip in the grand canyon. The Travelers Notebook sounds good, is that the brand name?

[@larryglatt2548]

@@MarleyPeifer I am using the brand name on Amazon with both lined & unlined paper. I am switching to a heavier unlined that will take some watercolor. It's a bit of a search. Tomorrow I will try to link the page if you wish.

[@indieh9]

Thanks for this video! I’m thinking I need to size up a little bit. Side question: what are those binoculars? I’ve been looking for smaller ones that I can take birding and those look nice and compact.

[@MarleyPeifer]

Hi there! Try out a bigger sketchbook and let me know how it goes. Remember, you know your sketchbook choice is good if you end up drawing and journaling more. As far as binoculars go these are the Pentax Papilio ultra close focus! I love them! I never use my fancier bigger ones anymore.

[@indieh9]

Thanks! Are the Pentax binos good for birding?

[@margotdorn2611]

Thank you for this very informative video. What about using a three ring binder and take individual sheets into the field in a Tyvek pouch. I have been using dick blick sketch pads which are economical and light but they don't store well. I think I will cut the sheets at the top. punch holes and add them to the binder after I have completed drawings. That way I can use whatever paper I want and add it chronologically to the binder. I hate the idea of all my drawings getting wet in the rain and I also hate to carry extra weight when I am back packing. I also would rather not have separate books for toned and white paper. I am going to make a drawing board from that plastic sign material that folds up and I will attach the sheets with clips. I would be interested to hear your thoughts.

[@MarleyPeifer]

That sounds like a perfectly workable system. You might want to check out what Roseann Hanson does because she does something similar and adds all her sheets to a 3 ring binder when she is done.

[@nicolemartel]

Can anyone recommend an Eco-friendly paper that is either 100% recycled paper or organic cotton? It seems wrong and hypocritical to not be environmentally responsible when it comes to nature journalling. Its more important to me to do right by nature then to have the primo high quality paper. Many thanks for any suggestions or recommendations!!

[@MarleyPeifer]

Glad you are thinking about sustainability and I should have definitely mentioned that as a criteria in this video, thanks for pointing that out. Everything we do has an impact. I try to reduce my use of paper and forest products in all other parts of my life so that I can splurge with my nature journaling. There are many ways to help the forests that can have a greater impact besides just our choices of sketchbooks. However, if you want to try more sustainably sourced paper I think there are more options today than ever. Here is one I just saw recently but have not tried yet. amzn.to/484n74h