Recently I turned a very late 40-something number. For my birthday I requested two new Moleskine sketchbooks. In making my birthday request, I measured the notebook I had (you can see the final illustrations in that sketchbook here) and gave that information to my husband. However, I didn’t realize that where it comes to Moleskine notebooks, size isn’t the only thing that matters. Therefore, on my birthday when I opened one of my new Moleskine notebooks, I was dismayed to discover that the paper was MUCH thinner in comparison to my old notebook. Upon further research online, I realized my mistake. If you want the heavier paper thickness, you’ve got to go with Moleskine’s Art line rather than the Classic line of sketchbooks. Here is a closer look at the sketchbooks – Moleskine: Classic vs Art.

Moleskine Sketchbooks: Classic vs Art

As you can see below, my new notebook is a nice size, but unfortunately because of the thin pages there is bleed through. Not only can I see the previous page’s illustrations, but the pressure of the drawing implement I use also “embosses” the following pages as well.

Example of colored pencil illustration done in a Moleskine Classic notebook.  Moleskine Sketchbooks: Classic vs Art

Making lemonade out of…moles?

Although I donated the 2nd unopened (pink…hee-hee!) Moleskine Classic notebook to my husband, I decided that I can still use my Moleskine Classic notebook for my colored pencil illustrations.

Ink and colored pencil illustrations done in a Moleskine Classic plain sketchbook by Joana Miranda

(And, to solve the bleed-through issue, I plan to illustrate on every other page.)

Illustrating on alternate pages in the Moleskine Classic sketchbook -  Moleskine Sketchbooks: Classic vs Art
Humorous colored pencil garden sketchbook illustrations by Joana Miranda

For my ink and watercolor illustrations…

I rush ordered another Moleskine Art Sketchbook! My new Art Sketchbook is scheduled to arrive tomorrow. Needless to say, I can’t wait to pair it with my new Noodler’s Ahab flex fountain pen. I’ll also be able to add watercolor accents since the thicker paper does handle a delicate amount of water.

Here’s an ink illustration done in my (old) Moleskine Art sketchbook:

Moleskine Sketchbooks: Classic vs Art.  Ink sketch done in a Moleskine Art sketchbook by Joana Miranda
(Thick, bleed-proof paper is a feature of Moleskine Art sketchbooks. Note the ivory colored paper, too!)

And that, my friends, is the difference between Moleskine Classic and Moleskine Art sketchbooks.

(Now I’m off to do some chores…sigh.)

Colored pencil Cleaning Bug illustration by Joana Miranda

Comments

  1. MM says:

    Wow, you are going wild and crazy. I love it! and you, too! MM

    • Joana says:

      Yah, I’m discovering I have even more zany parts inside my brain. Who knew?;-)

      xox – J

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