Moleskine notebooks.

The Moleskine Notebook, is a cheap leather bound notebook that has caught on with artists, especially it seems animators. I always thought that these notebooks, which seem really cheaply put together, made in china, and $10 for a 3.5”x5.5” one, where just another hip status symbol object. I just could not figure out what the appeal of these sketchbooks were. Well, while I was at A.P.E. I sat next to some animators who were sketching in Moleskines, I started to wonder about them again. Later I was at Barnes and Noble I noticed that they had Moleskines for 20% off. So I figured I'd see what the hype was all about. I took the plunge and bought one. And well, it's hype and a status symbol... mostly. The one I got was a hard bound, but it really is not well bound, however, this actually works in the things advantage. Because since the perfect binding breaks on every spread, you can draw freely across the gutter. The paper is a very smooth slightly toned surface that's kinda hard. It takes to my beloved Col-erase pencil beautifully (probably why Animators like 'em). So I have to admit that it is a nice drawing experience. But here is the part that sucks. A 3.5”x5.5” sketchbook costs the same as a 9”x12” by most other companies. And while the texture of the pages is great it's nothing that can't be obtained in a less expensive notebook, made in the first world. So basically it's a nice book, but way overpriced in my opinion, especially since they are made in china. So it won't replace my Strathmore's and Canson's any time soon. But that said, I may keep get the 3.5”x5.5” type as a travel notebook in the future, epecially if I can find them on sale. Because it fits into the pocket well, without the discomfort of the spiral bind. So there you have it they're good, but no greater than other makes of sketchbooks, so my conclusion is that Moleskine notebooks are hype and status symbols.