This is exactly the stuff I love. So, I have a journal that I mostly use to sort through my thoughts or write down noteworthy stuff. Sometimes I roughly sketch out something that resonated recently. I’m not always consistent with it and keep telling myself that I’ll get more consistent and that’ll last for a month max, lol. Them I have my notebook that I use as a planner. This is the first year I have my calendar digitally but I can’t fully skip paper entirely and bought a blank notebook that I made into a scrapbook/ bullet journal/ tracker / monthly and weekly planner. Every month gets a collage as cover and I have lists to track the books I read, movies I watch, write down books I want to read and movies and shows I want to watch. It’s so fun to use. My therapist also told me,e to keep a dream diary and that’s a tiny notebook next to my bed filled with bullet points and my weirdest dreams. Last but not least I recently started a common place book for random learnings to have them all in one place. Oh, and I have now two notebooks with notes from all my workshops regarding my work, so I can always look things up again!
Your system sounds very well thought through! And really joyful and fun! I keep meaning to keep a dream journal by my bed...thanks for the trigger, I must get on it. The power of notebook systems and analogue notes is always something that amazes me = I've explored so many versions of digital, and they never quite stick, or bring joy anywhere near to the notebooks. Digital is great for sharing calendars and family organisation, but for stuff that requires organising the brain, or memory keeping, or learning - for me it has to be analogue. Thanks for sharing your approach, I really relate to it! I love knowing that I can easily go back on notebooks and flick through them too.
I rarely make notes! When I make notes, they are almost never words, but pictures :) I do have separate notebooks to jot down ideas, but that stack is much much much smaller than my sketchbook stack.
I have a very visual memory, so I connect images to information. This was very helpful when I studied art history, because when I saw an artwork I could remember where in the book the artwork was, and I could then connect it to the information. Although it isn’t helpful when you remember the picture but not the name 😅
Agreed! Love my Leuchtturm notebooks and yes, uniball pens are a dream to write with. I went away from notebooks for a few years, have been keeping notes in my iPhone instead…but really miss the feel of writing! I use a remarkable for work notes now, not the same! I’m super scattered, as you can see ;)
I think I'm going to start using notebooks again. The remarkable is good for work, but not for my personal lists and notes. I do review my project/implementation notes in the remarkable, for action items, etc. But my brain works differently for work versus art.
Leuchtturm used to be my ride-or-die when I worked in an office. Dot grid for life! Yellow cover only because it’s such a happy colour in a greige world.
I love your notebook sketches so much! The idea of them being the start of a zine is sort of unnecessary if you ask me. They are *perfect* as they are. Scan, place, print, done!
I got soooooo angry when they stopped making my favourite notebook - The Dodo Blank Book. It was blank on one side and squared on the other and I tended to get the desk size which is a bit bigger than A5 and wider. I wrote them complaining emails about it (which they never responded to, for some reason). I used these as my 'day books'. They sat on my desk and got notes on meetings, daily, weekly, monthly to do list, lots and lots and lots of little random doodles. Plans. Thoughts. Feelings. Everything. Except they never left my desk - unless I was going on a working holiday and then they would come with me and sit on the dining table of the AirBnB.
I have managed to adjust to just using the squared ones. (They now make four versions - blank, lined, grid or dotted.) And the little blank ones that I accidentally bought I am making do with for my art biz notes. But I'm still grumpy about it and they are definitely Not Quite Right.
I usually chuck them out when I'm finished. I don't feel the need to keep them. But the last few I haven't got rid of and they are sat in a drawer under my desk and I've quite enjoyed flicked through them now and again as a reminder of what was happening in my life some time ago.
Sketchbooks... I almost exclusively use A5 Seawhite softbacks. Portable. Work with pretty much all the media I use. And I just really love them, for some reason. I do have some thicker-paper sketchbooks for gouache. But I also use gouache in the Seawhites with no problem so might just stick with them once the others are all full.
oh I just looked up the Dodo - and its ring bound! I totally feel your frustration, its SO ANNOYING when you find what works and they stop making it. The perfect catch all desk book - I'm sorry you haven't found a suitable replacement that you love as much.
The Seawhite range is so good! I feel that people don't talk about them much, they are a kind of student favourite - I used to use them years ago at Uni on my design degree. The paper is really solid does take a lot! I think once you find the one that works with all your favourite media, you've found the winner.
1. I have a notebook and sketchbooks. The sketchbooks aren’t all for drawing. Some are more scrapbooks with notes. Sometimes, the sketches spill over into the notebook, but rarely.
2. Mostly analogue, but sometimes I need something more like a spreadsheet, so that’s when I go digital.
3. I don’t know. Everywhere? In all the books? Maybe more often in real life?
4. Leuchtturm dotted. Though I actually have a Rhodia right now. It’s a softcover, which I like, but it has fewer pages. So I’ve just realised that I’ll be running out of pages this year. I do some sort of own version of bullet journaling. Favourite pen: Pentel Energel. Fave sketchbook: I’m not there yet. I guess I’m still in the bleed-through-is-a-no-phase.
Do you use separate sketchbooks related to your jelly plate work, or do you tend to use mostly loose sheets for that? I had a Rhodia notebook and loved how smooth the paper was, gorgeous for fountain pens. I think I might revisit that brand! Thanks for sharing!
I do have some sketchbooks dedicated to gel printing, but you’re right, I mostly use loose sheets. And then I paste ones I want to keep (for whatever reason) into sketchbooks. Because I do have lots where I’m just practising or trying stuff out. Sometimes a print isn’t great, but I want to remember something I did, or there is a small part that gives me a new idea, etc. If I kept all of that on loose sheets, I would run out of space quickly, and I wouldn’t be able to find anything back when needed!
Oh Raj, I think you and I are Notebook and Sketchbook sisters! I love both my Leuchtturm and my Pith! I love to use my Uni Pin fine liners and my Lamy Safari Fountain pen x
Hey Raj, this was a really interesting post and something I’ve been pondering. I used to think I had lots of things on the go with three different types of analogue - writing journal, sketchbook for everything art, reading journal - but I’ve quickly learnt that 3 is quite minimal!! I’ve seen people on Substack have in excess of 6+ and I just LOVE, like you, seeing all the creative ways people document their lives.
My last written journal, I started about 6 months ago. Over time I started to draw and scribble in. Then dedicate full pages to pieces of art. Also, my latest two sketchbooks, I write in.
When I noticed I’d started doing it, I realised that I only actually had capacity for one thing. Doing the same thing is two different places felt taxing. So I’m currently choosing the (Pith!) sketchbook as my ‘catch all’ — because as you’ve pointed out, the more we can practice our craft the better and drawing, painting, collage etc. is something I want to improve and see progress with. Whereas with my writing, I’m always doing that…in the margins of motherhood (which means my Notes app for the most part!).
Due to my chronic pain and fatigue and probably perimenopause, brain fog and memory lapses feel quite intense. So that’s another reason to stick with one mode for most of my creativity. So I will also keep up my book journal, this is where I will draw and write. I’m not one for reading goals anymore. So whether it’s an article from here, a book, a zine, even a well put together flyer that comes through my door, if I want to remember it and the impact it’s had on me, it goes in there.
I think my comment is long enough but needless to say I’m a Pith lover through and through. The things I have been reaching for of late….my TomBow markers, my Karin brush pro markers, Prisma colour pencils, POSCA paint pens, TomBow twin markers, Neocolours and a very cheap but extremely satisfying black pen. For line work. All of these mediums work together well and I love the effect of layering.
I’d like to try and use my dip pen and fountain pen a little more for the rest of this month for some line work. And I haven’t made nearly as much use as I’d like to with my Wren pen from Toms Studio. His inks are dreamy! Side note: even writing about these materials makes me excited!
oooh thank you Louise! Firstly, I love seeing your beautiful joyful Pith pages that you share on Notes. It is clear you are really having fun and making time for that joyful creative space. Especially when you're managing chronic health issues.
I also hear you on the 'catch all' way. In many ways, I was similar. I used to journal in a separate book, but I also have just incorporated journalling into the same book as my 'master brain'. It's much simpler to manage, and actually works quite well.
Also, your list of materials is DREAMY. I have so far resisted the Toms Studio inks and pens, but they are very much in my conciousness and I am pretty sure I'll get some at some point!
BTW - I got an email from Pith today, saying that for their 5th birthday celebrations coming up, they are inviting people to photograph their favourite Pith spread and tag them on instagram for sharing. You should do it!
Hi Raj, this part of your post stood out for me: "How do you organise your brain externally? Analogue, Digital or both? ". It sort of sent me off on some weird feedback loop as I don't organise my brain: it organises me. Now i realise that could be one and the same thing, hence the weird effect I got to thinking when I read it! See by putting digital or analogue you make it sound like there are only two choices, binary and we know there isn't much binary in life, it's never that simple! There is of course both as you mentioned and neither.. unless you count your brain as digital🤔, which it probably isn't as we don't program it with code as such. This topic and the brain is fascinating, way too complex to go into here, but a thought provoking post none the less. Isn't it great we are all different 🫶, I can't imagine writing or storing all that information, i think my head might explode... and make a pen and wash mess all over the floor! Anyway, thankyou for your post, I love your work✍️ .
Oh wow, if your brain is able to organise you, rather than you organise it, then you are winning! That's the goal for me, but I sadly accept that it is probably not going to happen. 🤣 As for binary - you're right, this is certainly not binary. There are many choices. I guess I am curious about the choices between what determines what goes on paper vs a digital note or equivalent. The way those captures 'stick' can vary so much. Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment Carl! Got me thinking too!
I love this. I too believe the Leuchtturm and Uniball are magic together. Perfection.
I have journaled pretty regularly since I was in middle school, so I've used a variety of things over the years, and journaled for different purposes at different points in my life. I had chunky Miquelrius notebooks with graph paper forever as sort of a diary/commonplace book (before I knew what a commonplace book was) but then waffled around between Moleskines and Leuchtturms for several years, and have now settled comfortably in to Archer and Olive dot grids for my journaling. I like that I can add some liquid media to the pages and it's not destroyed. I don't keep a commonplace book/notebook really anymore, unless you consider the notes app in my phone. Which is sad, now that I think about it.
I just started keeping sketchbooks regularly. Right now, I love Royal Talens for their affordability, and Stilman and Birn for their durability. And, while my goal in keeping a sketchbook originally was to work on my art practice exclusively separate from journaling, I've been wanting to add words to the sketchbooks. But, like you said, any piece of paper can be there for you at any time, for whatever you need!
Miquelrius notebooks are so underrated! I love Archer and Olive for journaling, and I am currently using a weekly planner from Leuchtturm, and I’m starting to fall down the Traveler’s Notebook rabbit hole, but an A5 grid Miquelrius is my ride or die.
I don't know the Miquelrius and Archer and Olive brands - I will look them up! I have always loved the look of the Travellers but have resisted going down that rabbit hole! I Have been very tempted though!
I use Leuchtturm occasionally, lovely pages, mmm must get some more in, great reminder! I’m currently using a large Moleskin as a notebook and a standard Jackson’s Black cloth bound sketchbook. I used to agonise over journaling/sketch booking and there are many abandoned books or some with pages actually ripped out! But I’d say for the past twenty years or so I’ve embraced the mistakes, mess and muddy paintwork. I’ve always been a bit in awe of those beautifully curated sketchbooks but know deep down it’s just not me and I’ll never produce one, they’re too controlled and I’m far too impulsive! I’ve just come across a brilliant idea for a new painting tucked away in a notebook from last year, when I went hunting for something else…
I agree, when you let go of the idea of a perfect sketchbook and embrace the mess and scribbles, there is so much more joy. Then its really yours, and not an idea of something you want it to be. There's so much more honesty in books that way, and also they really serve your needs. I think those are the books that are the most fascinating to look back on! Capture all those painting ideas in. scribbles!
OOOh nice to meet another Leuchtturm + Uniball fan! Thanks for sharing your notebook Journey - I have to admit I do love this world of notebook and sketchbook fans! It's such a wonderful way to memory keep. I must admit I still don't really know what a proper Commonplace journal is meant to be - I just call mine an 'everything book'. I do not know about Archer and Olive - I will look those up! A dot grid is so accommodating to any need, isn't it? They are perfect.
I'm still a die-hard Pith girl for my sketchbooks, but I am always intrigued in trying new papers and playing with how they feel with pencils and paint. It's nice to feel connected to the surface, and to understand what works well on it. I've really enjoyed adding words to my sketches and pictures to my words! Nice to hear you are also enjoying that cross pollination! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment so thoroughly. 🥰
This is exactly the stuff I love. So, I have a journal that I mostly use to sort through my thoughts or write down noteworthy stuff. Sometimes I roughly sketch out something that resonated recently. I’m not always consistent with it and keep telling myself that I’ll get more consistent and that’ll last for a month max, lol. Them I have my notebook that I use as a planner. This is the first year I have my calendar digitally but I can’t fully skip paper entirely and bought a blank notebook that I made into a scrapbook/ bullet journal/ tracker / monthly and weekly planner. Every month gets a collage as cover and I have lists to track the books I read, movies I watch, write down books I want to read and movies and shows I want to watch. It’s so fun to use. My therapist also told me,e to keep a dream diary and that’s a tiny notebook next to my bed filled with bullet points and my weirdest dreams. Last but not least I recently started a common place book for random learnings to have them all in one place. Oh, and I have now two notebooks with notes from all my workshops regarding my work, so I can always look things up again!
Your system sounds very well thought through! And really joyful and fun! I keep meaning to keep a dream journal by my bed...thanks for the trigger, I must get on it. The power of notebook systems and analogue notes is always something that amazes me = I've explored so many versions of digital, and they never quite stick, or bring joy anywhere near to the notebooks. Digital is great for sharing calendars and family organisation, but for stuff that requires organising the brain, or memory keeping, or learning - for me it has to be analogue. Thanks for sharing your approach, I really relate to it! I love knowing that I can easily go back on notebooks and flick through them too.
I rarely make notes! When I make notes, they are almost never words, but pictures :) I do have separate notebooks to jot down ideas, but that stack is much much much smaller than my sketchbook stack.
I am AMAZED by this, because it means you hold everything you need to hold in your actual brain! You're the winner!
I have a very visual memory, so I connect images to information. This was very helpful when I studied art history, because when I saw an artwork I could remember where in the book the artwork was, and I could then connect it to the information. Although it isn’t helpful when you remember the picture but not the name 😅
Well, my mind is truly blown! I can’t remember anything!
Agreed! Love my Leuchtturm notebooks and yes, uniball pens are a dream to write with. I went away from notebooks for a few years, have been keeping notes in my iPhone instead…but really miss the feel of writing! I use a remarkable for work notes now, not the same! I’m super scattered, as you can see ;)
Do you think you will go back to notebooks? And do you tend to look back over the notes you create with your Remarkable?
I think I'm going to start using notebooks again. The remarkable is good for work, but not for my personal lists and notes. I do review my project/implementation notes in the remarkable, for action items, etc. But my brain works differently for work versus art.
Leuchtturm used to be my ride-or-die when I worked in an office. Dot grid for life! Yellow cover only because it’s such a happy colour in a greige world.
I love your notebook sketches so much! The idea of them being the start of a zine is sort of unnecessary if you ask me. They are *perfect* as they are. Scan, place, print, done!
awww you're so kind! I agree - dot grid for life!
I got soooooo angry when they stopped making my favourite notebook - The Dodo Blank Book. It was blank on one side and squared on the other and I tended to get the desk size which is a bit bigger than A5 and wider. I wrote them complaining emails about it (which they never responded to, for some reason). I used these as my 'day books'. They sat on my desk and got notes on meetings, daily, weekly, monthly to do list, lots and lots and lots of little random doodles. Plans. Thoughts. Feelings. Everything. Except they never left my desk - unless I was going on a working holiday and then they would come with me and sit on the dining table of the AirBnB.
I have managed to adjust to just using the squared ones. (They now make four versions - blank, lined, grid or dotted.) And the little blank ones that I accidentally bought I am making do with for my art biz notes. But I'm still grumpy about it and they are definitely Not Quite Right.
I usually chuck them out when I'm finished. I don't feel the need to keep them. But the last few I haven't got rid of and they are sat in a drawer under my desk and I've quite enjoyed flicked through them now and again as a reminder of what was happening in my life some time ago.
Sketchbooks... I almost exclusively use A5 Seawhite softbacks. Portable. Work with pretty much all the media I use. And I just really love them, for some reason. I do have some thicker-paper sketchbooks for gouache. But I also use gouache in the Seawhites with no problem so might just stick with them once the others are all full.
oh I just looked up the Dodo - and its ring bound! I totally feel your frustration, its SO ANNOYING when you find what works and they stop making it. The perfect catch all desk book - I'm sorry you haven't found a suitable replacement that you love as much.
The Seawhite range is so good! I feel that people don't talk about them much, they are a kind of student favourite - I used to use them years ago at Uni on my design degree. The paper is really solid does take a lot! I think once you find the one that works with all your favourite media, you've found the winner.
1. I have a notebook and sketchbooks. The sketchbooks aren’t all for drawing. Some are more scrapbooks with notes. Sometimes, the sketches spill over into the notebook, but rarely.
2. Mostly analogue, but sometimes I need something more like a spreadsheet, so that’s when I go digital.
3. I don’t know. Everywhere? In all the books? Maybe more often in real life?
4. Leuchtturm dotted. Though I actually have a Rhodia right now. It’s a softcover, which I like, but it has fewer pages. So I’ve just realised that I’ll be running out of pages this year. I do some sort of own version of bullet journaling. Favourite pen: Pentel Energel. Fave sketchbook: I’m not there yet. I guess I’m still in the bleed-through-is-a-no-phase.
Do you use separate sketchbooks related to your jelly plate work, or do you tend to use mostly loose sheets for that? I had a Rhodia notebook and loved how smooth the paper was, gorgeous for fountain pens. I think I might revisit that brand! Thanks for sharing!
I do have some sketchbooks dedicated to gel printing, but you’re right, I mostly use loose sheets. And then I paste ones I want to keep (for whatever reason) into sketchbooks. Because I do have lots where I’m just practising or trying stuff out. Sometimes a print isn’t great, but I want to remember something I did, or there is a small part that gives me a new idea, etc. If I kept all of that on loose sheets, I would run out of space quickly, and I wouldn’t be able to find anything back when needed!
Oh I just read Laura Jane’s comment. I do use the Notes app quite a lot. But that’s more for temporary notes?
I put so much into my Notes app - its a mess over there! Also, I rarely ever go back through it the way I do with notebooks. Weird!
Oh Raj, I think you and I are Notebook and Sketchbook sisters! I love both my Leuchtturm and my Pith! I love to use my Uni Pin fine liners and my Lamy Safari Fountain pen x
oooh we MUST be! I also have two Lamy Safari's - that I do need to revive actually. I better go dig them out!
Ooh I'm excited for you! It will be like getting brand new supplies!!
Hey Raj, this was a really interesting post and something I’ve been pondering. I used to think I had lots of things on the go with three different types of analogue - writing journal, sketchbook for everything art, reading journal - but I’ve quickly learnt that 3 is quite minimal!! I’ve seen people on Substack have in excess of 6+ and I just LOVE, like you, seeing all the creative ways people document their lives.
My last written journal, I started about 6 months ago. Over time I started to draw and scribble in. Then dedicate full pages to pieces of art. Also, my latest two sketchbooks, I write in.
When I noticed I’d started doing it, I realised that I only actually had capacity for one thing. Doing the same thing is two different places felt taxing. So I’m currently choosing the (Pith!) sketchbook as my ‘catch all’ — because as you’ve pointed out, the more we can practice our craft the better and drawing, painting, collage etc. is something I want to improve and see progress with. Whereas with my writing, I’m always doing that…in the margins of motherhood (which means my Notes app for the most part!).
Due to my chronic pain and fatigue and probably perimenopause, brain fog and memory lapses feel quite intense. So that’s another reason to stick with one mode for most of my creativity. So I will also keep up my book journal, this is where I will draw and write. I’m not one for reading goals anymore. So whether it’s an article from here, a book, a zine, even a well put together flyer that comes through my door, if I want to remember it and the impact it’s had on me, it goes in there.
I think my comment is long enough but needless to say I’m a Pith lover through and through. The things I have been reaching for of late….my TomBow markers, my Karin brush pro markers, Prisma colour pencils, POSCA paint pens, TomBow twin markers, Neocolours and a very cheap but extremely satisfying black pen. For line work. All of these mediums work together well and I love the effect of layering.
I’d like to try and use my dip pen and fountain pen a little more for the rest of this month for some line work. And I haven’t made nearly as much use as I’d like to with my Wren pen from Toms Studio. His inks are dreamy! Side note: even writing about these materials makes me excited!
oooh thank you Louise! Firstly, I love seeing your beautiful joyful Pith pages that you share on Notes. It is clear you are really having fun and making time for that joyful creative space. Especially when you're managing chronic health issues.
I also hear you on the 'catch all' way. In many ways, I was similar. I used to journal in a separate book, but I also have just incorporated journalling into the same book as my 'master brain'. It's much simpler to manage, and actually works quite well.
Also, your list of materials is DREAMY. I have so far resisted the Toms Studio inks and pens, but they are very much in my conciousness and I am pretty sure I'll get some at some point!
BTW - I got an email from Pith today, saying that for their 5th birthday celebrations coming up, they are inviting people to photograph their favourite Pith spread and tag them on instagram for sharing. You should do it!
Hi Raj, this part of your post stood out for me: "How do you organise your brain externally? Analogue, Digital or both? ". It sort of sent me off on some weird feedback loop as I don't organise my brain: it organises me. Now i realise that could be one and the same thing, hence the weird effect I got to thinking when I read it! See by putting digital or analogue you make it sound like there are only two choices, binary and we know there isn't much binary in life, it's never that simple! There is of course both as you mentioned and neither.. unless you count your brain as digital🤔, which it probably isn't as we don't program it with code as such. This topic and the brain is fascinating, way too complex to go into here, but a thought provoking post none the less. Isn't it great we are all different 🫶, I can't imagine writing or storing all that information, i think my head might explode... and make a pen and wash mess all over the floor! Anyway, thankyou for your post, I love your work✍️ .
Oh wow, if your brain is able to organise you, rather than you organise it, then you are winning! That's the goal for me, but I sadly accept that it is probably not going to happen. 🤣 As for binary - you're right, this is certainly not binary. There are many choices. I guess I am curious about the choices between what determines what goes on paper vs a digital note or equivalent. The way those captures 'stick' can vary so much. Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment Carl! Got me thinking too!
I love this. I too believe the Leuchtturm and Uniball are magic together. Perfection.
I have journaled pretty regularly since I was in middle school, so I've used a variety of things over the years, and journaled for different purposes at different points in my life. I had chunky Miquelrius notebooks with graph paper forever as sort of a diary/commonplace book (before I knew what a commonplace book was) but then waffled around between Moleskines and Leuchtturms for several years, and have now settled comfortably in to Archer and Olive dot grids for my journaling. I like that I can add some liquid media to the pages and it's not destroyed. I don't keep a commonplace book/notebook really anymore, unless you consider the notes app in my phone. Which is sad, now that I think about it.
I just started keeping sketchbooks regularly. Right now, I love Royal Talens for their affordability, and Stilman and Birn for their durability. And, while my goal in keeping a sketchbook originally was to work on my art practice exclusively separate from journaling, I've been wanting to add words to the sketchbooks. But, like you said, any piece of paper can be there for you at any time, for whatever you need!
Miquelrius notebooks are so underrated! I love Archer and Olive for journaling, and I am currently using a weekly planner from Leuchtturm, and I’m starting to fall down the Traveler’s Notebook rabbit hole, but an A5 grid Miquelrius is my ride or die.
I don't know the Miquelrius and Archer and Olive brands - I will look them up! I have always loved the look of the Travellers but have resisted going down that rabbit hole! I Have been very tempted though!
I use Leuchtturm occasionally, lovely pages, mmm must get some more in, great reminder! I’m currently using a large Moleskin as a notebook and a standard Jackson’s Black cloth bound sketchbook. I used to agonise over journaling/sketch booking and there are many abandoned books or some with pages actually ripped out! But I’d say for the past twenty years or so I’ve embraced the mistakes, mess and muddy paintwork. I’ve always been a bit in awe of those beautifully curated sketchbooks but know deep down it’s just not me and I’ll never produce one, they’re too controlled and I’m far too impulsive! I’ve just come across a brilliant idea for a new painting tucked away in a notebook from last year, when I went hunting for something else…
I agree, when you let go of the idea of a perfect sketchbook and embrace the mess and scribbles, there is so much more joy. Then its really yours, and not an idea of something you want it to be. There's so much more honesty in books that way, and also they really serve your needs. I think those are the books that are the most fascinating to look back on! Capture all those painting ideas in. scribbles!
OOOh nice to meet another Leuchtturm + Uniball fan! Thanks for sharing your notebook Journey - I have to admit I do love this world of notebook and sketchbook fans! It's such a wonderful way to memory keep. I must admit I still don't really know what a proper Commonplace journal is meant to be - I just call mine an 'everything book'. I do not know about Archer and Olive - I will look those up! A dot grid is so accommodating to any need, isn't it? They are perfect.
I'm still a die-hard Pith girl for my sketchbooks, but I am always intrigued in trying new papers and playing with how they feel with pencils and paint. It's nice to feel connected to the surface, and to understand what works well on it. I've really enjoyed adding words to my sketches and pictures to my words! Nice to hear you are also enjoying that cross pollination! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment so thoroughly. 🥰