Tuesday, August 12, 2014

FREE SAMPLES

I wrote to Stillman & Birn to get some free samples of all of their journal pages and got a really nice email in return that their sample packs were only available from Germany right now, but they would be sent.  



And two days later, I got it!!




Here are the paper explanations.  I am only interested in the 180# paper for watercolor and watermedia.  








From the looks of it, I chose well when I picked a journal last year in the Beta Series.  It's 180# and bright white and seems to be between cold press and hot press in the way it reacts to watercolor.  I like it, but will try the Zeta Series, too.





I would try the Delta Series, as it's also 180# but it's definitely ivory, not white.  The Gamma Series is also ivory but thinner at 100# weight.








And the Alpha and Epsilon Series papers are thin - good for drawing, I imagine, but not for watercolor.


Sometime in the next few weeks, I'll try them all and let you know what I think - and how they performed.

Each sheet in the sample packet is postcard sized = 4" x 6" so large enough to try out.


6 comments:

Sadami said...

~(*o*)~ ʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ·.•*•♫°•♫·.•ʚ(ˆ◡ˆ)ɞ !!!

Jeanette Jobson said...

I've used 3 or 4 of the Stilman & Birn sketchbooks and can only say good things about them so far. The lightweight paper (100lb) performs beautifully with watercolour and acrylic, even oil with barely a ripple.

I've never asked for samples, mostly because the majority are in the USA and they don't usually ship to Canada - I never understand why - so I jump right in and purchase and play.

Autumn Leaves said...

Can't wait to see what you decide you like best! Do share your painted on samples!

Pam Johnson Brickell said...

I love Beta and Zeta. Am also a huge fan of the Alpha. Love the sizing on the S& B papers. Have fun!

http://carolking.wordpress.com said...

Who doesn't love free samples?

RH Carpenter said...

Glad you enjoyed the little display, Sadami, Jeannette, Sherry, Pam, and Carol.
Sherry, I will share when I get something on each of them - guess I should try watercolor on each and see how the different papers compare.
Pam and Jeanette, good to know you like them and use them. Itching to get more really good journals for watercolor and watermedia stuff on travels.
Jeanette, this batch came from Germany, apparently, so maybe you could get a freebie or two? I used to have a friend in Canada and we sent paintings and such back and forth - took forever!!! Quicker to send to my friend in Spain than up to Canada due to the delays at the border that sometimes took weeks.