Love this!! I wrote about travel sketchbook/journals a few weeks ago and tried to figure out how to do a newsletter version of it. You’ve perfected it! ❤️❤️❤️ So glad I found your beautiful newsletter thanks to notes.
I absolutely love this update and you amaze me with your ability to draw beautiful Japanese buildings WHILE STANDING. P.S. do you have any fountain pen recommendations?? I went looking for one in Bristol the other day and got major overwhelm.
Ah thank you! For fountain pen recommendations, it depends on your budget! I used to use the Platinum Carbon Extra Fine Fountain Pen exclusively for years and it was really cheap at like $17 a pen that you could refill. But they recently discontinued it! They've come out with a new version I haven't tried out called the Platinum Carbon Desk Pen. Because they discontinued it, I decided to splurge on a pricey Sailor 1911S fountain pen which I've been using exclusively. The sailor is PERFECT and although it costs a lot, it's refillable and with some care I'm hoping this pen will last me until I die with it clutched in my hands. I don't think I'm going to buy another pen for at least the next 5 years now because the Sailor is perfect for me. For more affordable options, there is also the LAMY safari which I also have two of. The LAMY pens are German so they are thicker. If you want a thinner fountain pen, I'd look into Japanese brands such as Sailor, Platinum or Pilot. They each have different pens for every budget! If you are able to find a stationery store near you that has pen testing that's the best way to know if a pen is right for you because everyone has different preferences, the only real way to know is to try it out! Hope this helps :)
Oh my gosh thank you so much for your lovely long reply!! These are wonderful recommendations. I've only tested LAMY before and the nibs were always too thick for me. I might order the Platinum first to try it out while I look into Sailor! Do you like the extra fine nib for your Sailor too or does it give it scratchiness? Thank you again!!
I have the F nib for my Sailor! I actually bought a Pilot EF falcon pen but found that the EF in Japanese nibs was just way too fine for my liking. I have an EF Lamy but the F in Sailor is still thinner than the Lamy EF. From what I've read, I think Sailor nibs tend to have a bit more scratch than other nibs. It took me some getting used to but I like that it kind of feels like a pencil against paper. My pilot falcon pen that I have is super smooth so it might be worth trying out pilot if you like smoothness! I'm not too sure if this is the case across all their pens though. If you want to see good youtube videos showing you different pens, I highly recommend Yoseka Stationery or Jet Pens youtube channel! They often showcase different pens and the way they write.
This was such a to read! I love the chefs all enjoying your drawing (even if the manager did grumble about looking like his dad 😂) Thanks for sharing! Super entertaining way of sharing a trip! I just found your newsletter and I’m in! 😁✌️
Thanks so much for sharing your adventures! I love seeing the sketches alongside what you were sketching. And I loved the way you told the interaction of the free portraits at the restaurant!
Love this!! I wrote about travel sketchbook/journals a few weeks ago and tried to figure out how to do a newsletter version of it. You’ve perfected it! ❤️❤️❤️ So glad I found your beautiful newsletter thanks to notes.
Aw thanks so much!!
The Manger's reaction to your drawing is funny. Maybe he should've given you that discount! 😂
It looks like you had fun in Kyoto! I hope to visit Japan one day too.
If he had given us a discount he would have been drawn like a damn supermodel! Too bad!
I absolutely love this update and you amaze me with your ability to draw beautiful Japanese buildings WHILE STANDING. P.S. do you have any fountain pen recommendations?? I went looking for one in Bristol the other day and got major overwhelm.
Ah thank you! For fountain pen recommendations, it depends on your budget! I used to use the Platinum Carbon Extra Fine Fountain Pen exclusively for years and it was really cheap at like $17 a pen that you could refill. But they recently discontinued it! They've come out with a new version I haven't tried out called the Platinum Carbon Desk Pen. Because they discontinued it, I decided to splurge on a pricey Sailor 1911S fountain pen which I've been using exclusively. The sailor is PERFECT and although it costs a lot, it's refillable and with some care I'm hoping this pen will last me until I die with it clutched in my hands. I don't think I'm going to buy another pen for at least the next 5 years now because the Sailor is perfect for me. For more affordable options, there is also the LAMY safari which I also have two of. The LAMY pens are German so they are thicker. If you want a thinner fountain pen, I'd look into Japanese brands such as Sailor, Platinum or Pilot. They each have different pens for every budget! If you are able to find a stationery store near you that has pen testing that's the best way to know if a pen is right for you because everyone has different preferences, the only real way to know is to try it out! Hope this helps :)
Oh my gosh thank you so much for your lovely long reply!! These are wonderful recommendations. I've only tested LAMY before and the nibs were always too thick for me. I might order the Platinum first to try it out while I look into Sailor! Do you like the extra fine nib for your Sailor too or does it give it scratchiness? Thank you again!!
I have the F nib for my Sailor! I actually bought a Pilot EF falcon pen but found that the EF in Japanese nibs was just way too fine for my liking. I have an EF Lamy but the F in Sailor is still thinner than the Lamy EF. From what I've read, I think Sailor nibs tend to have a bit more scratch than other nibs. It took me some getting used to but I like that it kind of feels like a pencil against paper. My pilot falcon pen that I have is super smooth so it might be worth trying out pilot if you like smoothness! I'm not too sure if this is the case across all their pens though. If you want to see good youtube videos showing you different pens, I highly recommend Yoseka Stationery or Jet Pens youtube channel! They often showcase different pens and the way they write.
Thank youuuu!!! I'm about to go down a very deep rabbit hole! :)
Haha, “I look like my dad!” - so so good. Also welcome back and good luck with all the things in May! You got this!
Thanks Rachel!! It feels good to be back :)
That was so fun to see! Thank you for sharing it with us!
Thank you!
Haha! That restaurant manager won’t mess with you again! Love how you tell a story with drawings and photos combined
Aw thanks!! I'm trying out something new so I'm happy to hear it's working!
It’s definitely working!
Such beautiful photos Lian! I bet the manager still treasures his drawing even if he looks like his dad LOL
HAHA he BETTER 😡 at least he can give it to his dad instead as a present
This is so awesome Lian - love all of these sketches and your commentary, too!
Thanks Cindy!
This was such a to read! I love the chefs all enjoying your drawing (even if the manager did grumble about looking like his dad 😂) Thanks for sharing! Super entertaining way of sharing a trip! I just found your newsletter and I’m in! 😁✌️
Thanks Simon!! So excited to have you on board hehe
Loved all of this so much. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Pauline! So glad it was entertaining :)
Thanks so much for sharing your adventures! I love seeing the sketches alongside what you were sketching. And I loved the way you told the interaction of the free portraits at the restaurant!
Thanks Jen! Definitely testing out different ways to showcase comics and photos side by side so I'm happy it's working!