New notebook alert: the Fabriano Ecoqua Original
Can the Fabriano Ecoqua Original succeed where my beloved Field Notes struggles? I'm putting this much-praised Italian notebook to the test.
A parcel has just arrived from Great Art in Germany, containing a new Essdee Ink Roller for my lino printing and this little bundle of joy by Fabriano.
If you know me at all, you'll know I love a pocket notebook. I always have my Lochby Mini-Field Journal handy, usually filled with Field Notes, my go-to memo books. I have a pretty extensive collection, although to be honest, the paper is pretty shoddy and can't cope with most pens, but they're (relatively) cheap and cheerful and do the job.
Recently, however, I've been wanting to get back into sketching and wanted a book that could handle ink better than the flimsy Field Notes, and so went for the Italian-made Fabriano, specifically a series I've heard mentioned over and over again in stationery round-ups: the Ecoqua Original.
I opted for the 'dark colours' pack, priced at £10.45 with covers ranging from black and anthracite (steel-grey to you and me) to dark blue and (my favourite) burgundy.
Size-wise, the books are pretty much identical to a Field Note, although they come in at only thirty-two pages to the standard Field Note's forty-eight. The textured covers are pleasantly tactile and thicker than the flimsy FN, made from denim-finished 290 gsm card.
They're stapled, again just like a Field Note, and the BioPrima paper inside is ivory white, weighing in at 90 gsm, with the back half of the book perforated so you can easily tear sheets free.
Most reviews say the Ecoqua handles ink better than the Field Note, so I'm looking forward to giving it a go. I've already slipped the burgundy book into the Lochby so I can sketch and doodle on the go. We'll see how it performs!
Check back soon for the results!
Until next time, look after yourself and each other.
PS. What pocket notebooks do you use? Let me know in the comments.
WHAT I'M WORKING ON
Thanks to pesky NDAs, I can’t reveal many details about what I’m writing at the moment, so I’ve come up with a sneaky list of project names. Keep an eye on future editions. I'll update everything as the work progresses!
Project: Avarice
- A novelisation for a fantasy franchise, currently in copy edits.
Project: Passer
- A graphic novel of a top romantasy novel. The outline has been given the greenlight, so I’m currently scripting.
Project: Soldier
- A newly commissioned fantasy novel, currently in outlining mode.
ELVTR Comic Writing Course
- A 13-part online course for the APAC territories.
Konflikt ‘47
- Working with Warlord Game on the lore and creative direction for the weird World War II tabletop game.
Masters of the Universe: Origins
- A three-issue arc chronicling the early career of Man-At-Arms.
COMING SOON
Coming to a bookstore near you!
Star Wars: Scoundrels and Smugglers - Race for Jabba’s Bounty
An all-age graphic novel starring Han Solo, Chewbacca, Jaxxon and a host of scum and villainy. On sale 6th October.
Godfather of Hell
My new creator-owned graphic novel for mature readers. Think Goodfellas meets The Exorcist. On sale 27th October.