JOANA MIRANDA STUDIO

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.

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.

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

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:

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

(Now I’m off to do some chores…sigh.)