I was so thrilled when Leda Art Supply(Website) asked me if I’d like to review their sketchbooks (US, CAN). They then asked me to be a brand ambassador. Yes please.
(Stay tuned, at the end of this post there’s info on a coupon code and a GIVEAWAY!)
I’ve been running my new sketchbook through it’s paces and what I’ve found is that it’s a well rounded workhorse. The sketchbook is ideal for pen & ink, pencil, pastel, charcoal and even light washes. I used many of those media in it including not so light washes and the paper stood up well. I’ll get into more detail below but let me tell you how this private label company came into being. Leda’s sketchbook story is quite inspiring…
Mission Statement:
The Cover
I started out just enjoying the feel of the cover of this sketchbook. It’s unlike any sketchbook cover I’ve ever felt. The texture is like rubber tennis shoe material with a cross hatching cut into it. It feels strong and sturdy even though it’s technically a soft cover sketchbook. Normally soft cover sketchbooks are not my jam. I like sturdier stuff. BUT, this iteration of soft cover is much stiffer and sturdier than I’ve ever encountered. The cover looks almost industrial and certainly feels like strength in your palm. The hand of it is pleasurable, not chalky or too smooth and the color is a nice dark grey. The only embellishment is the debossed logo on the bottom of the front cover, a page marker and the elastic closure. The sketchbook also has a pocket in the back to hold ephemera from your travels.
The Paper
There are 160 pages in this 5.5″ x 8.25″ portrait medium sketchbook. The light cream paper is 120gsm/81lb and is made to be difficult to tear. The slight color allows the artist to use white media (pencil crayon, white pen or gauche) to differentiate highlights in their artwork then using other dark media to add shadows. It’s very much like using a slightly toned paper. The binding is sewn, making the sketchbook strong. You can open it to any page and it will lay flat allowing the artist to paint and work across the gutter successfully. The best sketchbooks allow for that and it sure makes them easier to use and scan.
What Media Works In Leda Sketchbooks?
I started playing as soon as my sketchbook arrived. I had new AD markers, alcohol based and VERY juicy, that I decided to try first. Piece #1 & #2 incorporated those markers along with my new Zebra Brush pen and technical fineliners. Please know if you’re using alcohol markers, they do bleed through the paper completely so I put a piece of plastic behind the page I was working on so as not damage the next page. I always find brush lettering relaxing, taking only easy to reach for media.
Watercolors Work with some Reservations.
I got out the watercolors for piece #3. I was really surprised at how well the Leda took glazing. This piece has a total of seven (yes, SEVEN) layers of color to complete this simple negative painting. With negative painting, instead of painting the object, you outline it to pop it from the page. Then you darken your color and outline another object and so on and so on. I’d never used this technique so it was fun to test and play in the Leda.
That’s what I’m finding with this sketchbook. It’s such a great “playing” sketchbook. The paper seems to take nearly any media without any major failure and it’s inexpensive but well made. This, for me, eliminates the guilt factor that I think all artists feel. I can throw anything at this paper and just get creative without worrying that OMG, I might ruin a page! There are 160 pages to create on so that makes each one 11¢ per page. Now that’s guilt-free creation! The owners of the company make another good point when they explain that traveling with a lighter weight sketchbook that still has great amounts of pages to draw on only makes sense. That’s why they researched their paper mercilessly until they found something that would hold up to what they wanted to be able to do and still allow the artist to have page after page of creative space.
Now, you do have to realize, this paper isn’t really made for watercolor. It’s best use is pencil and pen drawings. It will take light washes but I found that after watercolor, I didn’t want to use the reverse side of the paper as it was wrinkled. I don’t find that a problem as I have another 150 or so pages to get creative on. It did, however, take watercolor better than expected. I found that what I had to do is let each simple wash dry, do NOT play again over wet paper, it’ll pill. Do a layer, let it dry, then play again with another layer. Let that dry before going back again.
The painting of tubes of Winsor & Newton paint (above) took several layers of color and deepening of shadows without any noticeable annoyance factors. The watercolor doesn’t move like it does on actual watercolor paper, it pretty much sits where you put it. But as long as you’re painting a more graphic piece, and you know the limitations then you’re good to go.
Pen & ink work beautifully in the Leda Sketchbook.
Where the Leda shone was with pen and ink. I have avoided doing any graphic pieces with just black fineliners and a white gel pen lately but this sketchbook screamed for me to get to it and try. I LOVED the effect of the subtle cream paper. Now THAT’S great contrast! All the work is in the black pen with a little white wash over to add the highlights. WOW. I love this effect and can’t wait to do another drawing!
Pencil Crayons work well but not as well as pen.
Finally there’s pencil crayon (or in my case, watercolor pencils). Pencil crayons worked fairly well on this paper. I did find that I got burnishing a little earlier than I wanted but overall, it took a dozen layers of color with no real problem. The one thing I didn’t do is try a pencil drawing. I’m guessing that would work as well as the pencil crayons, good but not perfect.
I’d have to say, this scanned the best out of all the pieces. The background color of the paper is the truest. To scan the watercolor tubes I had to do some correction work on the background thus the light cream color got eliminated. The Daffodils background scanned a little darker than the actual paper color.
The Price
The Gods are weeping with happiness because the Leda Medium Sketchbook is available for Canadians and it’s a fantastic price on Amazon Canada!! Hallelujah!!!!! At the moment, only the medium sketchbook is offered but I’m thrilled to announce that it’s an affordable price ($19 + free Prime Shipping) for us Canadians. Of course, Amazon.com also has Leda Sketchbooks. If fact, they have all four sizes! The Leda comes in the following dimensions:
Portrait Orientation | |
Pocket (Baby) | 3.5″ x 5.5″ |
Medium (Mother) | 5.5″ x 8.25 |
Large (Odyssey) | 7″ x 10″ |
Extra Large (Zeus) | 8.5″ x 12″ |
Overall Thoughts:
This is a terrific sketchbook for several reasons. The first and strongest point is that it’s price belies it’s quality.
Definition: Belies
In other words, “Damn that’s a good sketchbook for the money!!” Seriously folks, this is a terrific deal. I have not come across a sketchbook that will handle both pen & ink, pencil, and even some watercolor media for this price that is ALSO a sewn binding, has a kick ass soft cover that outshines all others and lovely cream paper. What more could one want? It will NOT make you breakfast in the morning but other than that. I’m a fan. Thank you to Leda Art Supply for asking me to test drive their sketchbook, I’m honored to be a brand ambassador.
GIVEAWAY!
Leda Art Supply has so generously offered to do a HUGE GIVEAWAY with Just Add Water Silly. Go HERE to read all about it.
Discount Code from Leda Art Supply:
Leda has generously send me a coupon code that I could share with my readers. If you want to purchase a Medium (5.5″ x 8.25″) Leda sketchbook at 25% off, US customers can go HERE. Canadian customers can go HERE. Before final check out there is a place to add the coupon code. Just copy and paste just before payment on Amazon (US or Canada). Coupon Code is valid through 04/18 @11:59pm Pacific Time.
LRVY8A2Y
Other Reviews of Leda Sketchbooks:
- Life Imitates Doodles
- Parka Blogs
- Doodlewash
- You Tube Review – (See Leda in action)
Jenny
Great review jenn! this sketchbook looks like one i need to get (coupon code!!yes!) love all the pages you created. thank you for sharing. that pear looks delicious! and an epic giveaway….. wow 🙂 thanks, have a great day.
Mary Ann Frey
I’d love to take advantage of the coupon, but the code won’t work for US Amazon. Help! Mary