Great gift, but...by learningdragon

Reader Rating:

May 19, 2009: I purchased this book as a Christmas gift for my son. He really likes it. I must agree with the other reviewers, the store should stock the refills!! I would have purchased several at the time I bought the book and other supplies. Even without the refills, I have to give the sketchbook five stars.

Beautiful, but where's the refill????by nancymae

Reader Rating:

March 18, 2009: I just got this gorgeous portfolio this weekend and I loved it when I saw it. The paper (which is refillable) is a very good drawing paper. I haven't tried it out with water media yet, but I think it will do well with light washes or colored pencil. Looks great with pen!

The thing I most loved about the paper, was the fact that it opens flat so you can draw over the gutter. I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, hope that B&N looks at these reviews and decides to stock the refills. (which, by the way, they said they had at the store..but did not). This portfolio will take a 11 x 14 (bound on long end) book like an Aquabee, but most sketchbooks that large are coil or spiral bound, which makes it difficult to draw over the gutter.

As for a shoulder strap as the previous reviewer suggested...go and get an old bag you are not using and clip it on the sturdy metal rings. I am deciding to use a thin strap or a thicker strap. That should work out great.

The non-availability of the refills is the ONLY reason I give this a 4 star...it is a 10 star!!! porfolio which I am looking forward to using this summer in my sketchbook work! The workmanship is beautiful and it just looks like a sketchbook that an artist from the 30's in France would be carrying around, on their way to the Louvre to draw for the day!

Thank you B&N for this great find!