We visited McGuckin Hardware twice while we were in Boulder last month. What an amazing store. It’s filled with an almost infinite number of gadgets and supplies. I was particularly interested in the glass container section–they had HUGE jars that I imagined would be wonderful for iced tea–, and the art area, which is filled with a wide-ranging selection of journals, including Moleskine and Rhodia brands.
The first time we visited, I bought a large Chinese brush for my background washes, and Marty got a 24-count box of oil pastels. I also picked up some colored pencils, since I hadn’t brought any for the trip. I fondled a beautiful Sokkia Engineer’s Field Book, but told myself I didn’t need it, since I’m overloaded with sketchbooks already.
But Roz Stendahl‘s review of the Alvin Field Journal #mce_temp_url#played in my mind, and on the second visit to McGuckin Hardware, I fell victim to temptation and bought the 4 1/2″ x 7 1/4″ sized book.
The journal has a hard, bright yellow cover, which seems like it would withstand variations in the weather quite well. Indeed, it’s advertised as weatherproof and highly durable. The book has 80 pages, with paper of 50% cotton rag content. The white stock is gridded with thin blue and red lines.
I love the way the paper takes watercolor washes. It’s more firm, and the finish considerably more accepting than Moleskine paper, which is what I normally use for my quick sketches.
Although the Sokkia paper ripples a little, the wonderful crackling sound the pages make when you turn them more than compensates for the ripple effect.
Today’s quote: I hate flowers. I only paint them because they’re cheaper than models and they don’t move. Georgia O’Keefe.
