Gorgeous! Renaissance Art Journals

[UpMyKilt]

This is my first post here - and it was browsing this forum that I discovered Renaissance Art Journals (http://www.renaissance-art.com/)a couple of weeks ago.

 

I finally decided that the only way I was going to be able to stop the obsession with looking at Ren-Art's website and photos of leather covered journals was to put in an order. In fact, I ordered two refillables - one for myself and one as a Valentine's gift.

 

They arrived today - and I can say that they are simply gorgeous!

 

The workmanship is impeccable. I was a bit concerned about using my fountain pen on the Arches paper after reading some comments here about that, and therefore also ordered a refill with another paper (can't recall at the minute which paper it is). I still have an Exacompta journal that I will finish before seriously using the new one from Ren-Art - but I did want to see how my Carene Special Edition (Fine Nib) with Noodler's Black wrote on the Arches paper. So the first page contains my hand written personal information with the Carene and Noodlers - and I LOVE it!

 

Arthur was great to speak with and I can say that I am totally pleased with everything.

 

Thanks, Arthur!

 

Ian Scott

http://about-flyfishing.com

 

 

 

[Ghost Plane]

Beautiful AND your Carene loves it. I was already drooling. Now I'm going to have to start saving...

[UpMyKilt]

Beautiful AND your Carene loves it. I was already drooling. Now I'm going to have to start saving...

 

Well, my credit card issuer recently increased my limit, heh.

Edited February 9, 2008 by UpMyKilt

[Ghost Plane]

They're sneaky that way...

[kiavonne]

Welcome, Ian!

 

You're hooked. And it isn't with fly fishing.

 

Ren Art journals nab you and never let go. No catch and release here. And very nice Valentine's present you got for someone!

 

I started with the refill journals. Still using them. Just recently, though, I got the Medieval journal in large. Wow. I won't stop now. Well, I will until the journal is filled and my budget has recouperated from the last month or so.

 

I'll wager the other paper you got was Frankfurt Creme. Your pen will like that paper, too. My pens are very happy.

 

A peek at what you'll have to look forward to a little down the road:

 

 

lusted after and finally gave in

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Misc/Albion1.jpg

 

 

(covered personal info)

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Misc/Albion3.jpg

 

 

opens flat

 

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j111/kiavonne/Misc/Albion5.jpg

 

 

[Thornton]

This is exactly the kind of journal I've been looking for. My old one is almost full and I wanted to get something different from what I now have (glossy, black, gold trimmed pages, very fancy). These journals have an understated elegance. Thanks for the tip. This is definitely going on my birthday list!

[UpMyKilt]

Welcome, Ian!

 

You're hooked. And it isn't with fly fishing.

 

LOL... well, I also picked up their Fly Fishing Journal too. Thanks for the welcome, Kiavonne!

 

Ren Art journals nab you and never let go. No catch and release here. And very nice Valentine's present you got for someone!

 

Well, I sure hope she likes it! She won't be getting a dozen roses - just what I think is a beautiful way to record her thoughts.... hopefully some good ones about me

 

I started with the refill journals. Still using them. Just recently, though, I got the Medieval journal in large. Wow. I won't stop now. Well, I will until the journal is filled and my budget has recouperated from the last month or so.

 

Ohhh... I've been looking at those too! I have a five year old - a wonderful "wee man" that he is - and have been thinking that it would be amazing to keep a record of all the special things he and I do together in one of those Medieval Journals!

 

We'll see...

 

I'll wager the other paper you got was Frankfurt Creme. Your pen will like that paper, too. My pens are very happy.

 

Yup, that's it! Frankfurt Creme.

 

Here's the thing about the Arches paper - I was a bit concerned about some descriptions of it being "toothy" - but the interesting thing was that my penmanship seemed to improve dramatically writing on it. Maybe it slowed me down just a bit? I don't know... but I sure enjoyed writing on it even after having some concerns.

 

But I am looking forward to the Frankfurt Creme too.

 

 

A peek at what you'll have to look forward to a little down the road:

 

 

lusted after and finally gave in

 

I know about lust very well.... those are gorgeous images.. and I'm lusting!

 

Ian Scott

 

 

[dapv]

This is my first post here - and it was browsing this forum that I discovered Renaissance Art Journals (http://www.renaissance-art.com/)a couple of weeks ago.

 

I finally decided that the only way I was going to be able to stop the obsession with looking at Ren-Art's website and photos of leather covered journals was to put in an order. In fact, I ordered two refillables - one for myself and one as a Valentine's gift.

 

They arrived today - and I can say that they are simply gorgeous!

 

The workmanship is impeccable. I was a bit concerned about using my fountain pen on the Arches paper after reading some comments here about that, and therefore also ordered a refill with another paper (can't recall at the minute which paper it is). I still have an Exacompta journal that I will finish before seriously using the new one from Ren-Art - but I did want to see how my Carene Special Edition (Fine Nib) with Noodler's Black wrote on the Arches paper. So the first page contains my hand written personal information with the Carene and Noodlers - and I LOVE it!

 

Arthur was great to speak with and I can say that I am totally pleased with everything.

 

Thanks, Arthur!

 

Ian Scott

http://about-flyfishing.com

 

Hello Ian,

Just curioous, which size refillable journal did you get?

Thx, d.

 

 

[HDoug]

I ordered a refill a while back just to see how the paper was. It was too bumpy for my tiny italic. I know there is a smoother off-white (ecru) type paper. Can one of you tell me the name of that paper?

 

Doug

[anniemac]

I think I'm in love!

Would all refills fit in the refillable journals? I like Clairefontaine paper, or similar. Now I'll have to go and find something to sell to buy one . . . .

[kiavonne]

I ordered a refill a while back just to see how the paper was. It was too bumpy for my tiny italic. I know there is a smoother off-white (ecru) type paper. Can one of you tell me the name of that paper?

 

Doug

 

 

It's the Frankfurt Creme. It has a laid finish, smoother than the Arches. It's still just about as heavy as the Arches, though. I think I'll be getting the Frankfurt Creme from now on, myself.

 

There is also the Zerkall, but it is a very smooth finish. My inks take a little while longer to dry on it. It's heavier, and more costly, albeit a nice paper. It's just in off white I think.

[kiavonne]

I think I'm in love!

Would all refills fit in the refillable journals? I like Clairefontaine paper, or similar. Now I'll have to go and find something to sell to buy one . . . .

 

No, not all refills, pretty much just theirs unless you find a refill with the same dimensions. If you want to use your Clairfontaine, go to the customize book cover section. Give them the exact dimensions of the refill you want to use, and they'll make a cover for you at a very reasonable price.

[UpMyKilt]

Hello Ian,

Just curioous, which size refillable journal did you get?

Thx, d.

 

I chose the 5 1/2 by 8 1/2 size.

[jmkeuning]

I'll also endorse Renaissance Art.

 

I ordered a plain black cover for my book and it was delivered inside of a week. Amazingly fast!

 

I ordered the cover for the composition book. It's a perfect fit.

[naniwa46]

Me too jmkeuning. I also endorse Ren-Art.

I have the refillable 5x7 journal. The Arches paper was a bit too bumpy for me.

My FPs didn't like the paper to much. I contacted Arthur at Ren-Art and he

said that I would love the Zerkall Book Smooth paper. I ordered 3 and they are on

there way. Can't wait. I should of ordered the Frankfurt Creme while I was at it.

 

Someone on FPN did a scan of the Frankfurt Creme but, I can't trust my monitor.

Kiavonne, is the creme color rather "dark" or how should I say it, barely noticeable?

 

Thanks,

Jun

 

[kiavonne]

Me too jmkeuning. I also endorse Ren-Art.

I have the refillable 5x7 journal. The Arches paper was a bit too bumpy for me.

My FPs didn't like the paper to much. I contacted Arthur at Ren-Art and he

said that I would love the Zerkall Book Smooth paper. I ordered 3 and they are on

there way. Can't wait. I should of ordered the Frankfurt Creme while I was at it.

 

Someone on FPN did a scan of the Frankfurt Creme but, I can't trust my monitor.

Kiavonne, is the creme color rather "dark" or how should I say it, barely noticeable?

 

Thanks,

Jun

 

 

Was probably my scan. It isn't dark. My scanner was having some issues that night. It's a really nice Ecru/Ivory. Lends itself very nicely to the medieval style book. In the scan above (which isn't much better - I have a really cheap scanner), I used a piece of the Arches Text Wove offwhite to cover personal information on the Frankfurt Creme paper. The camera flash washed it out a little bit. It is as heavy as the Arches, but it is much smoother with a laid finish. The Zerkall is a completely smooth paper. Ink will take a little while longer to dry on it, but pens really like it.

 

Ask Arthur at Renaissance Art to send you a sample of the Frankfurt Creme. I ordered based upon the samples of all three papers that he sent to me.

 

 

Edited February 10, 2008 by kiavonne

[dapv]

From my Arthur provided samples, Frankfurt Creme is my top choice. I would describe the color as deep and egg-noggy, but not "barely noticeable". It's definitely noticeable, and with some ink colors it works really well, e.g., brown, deep blue, black, copper, bronze. With brown ink, it's almost parchment like in appearance.

 

I'm still obsessing over 3 things regarding my next journal (Ren Art refillable is the front runner): 1) 5.5x8.5 or 5x7; 2) no closure or closure w/pen holder; 3) journal bump.

 

1) I'm inclined towards 5.5x8.5, but wonder of 1.25 thickness is too bulky. the 5x7 is 1" thick.

 

2) I'm inclined towards no closure, but it seems most people opt for the enclosure. I go back and forth on the pen loop/holder, and will probably go without.

 

Now, regarding "journal bump" ... I've read recently a few folks find this bothersome. What do you feel? What do you do about it? Journal bump is the bump caused be the thickness of the inside top and bottom partial covers. So, early on, the left side of the journal is impacted when writing on the reverse side of the sheet. Towards the bottom of the refill, the obverse side of the sheet is impacted on the right side of the journal.

 

I'm really only picky about a few things in life, but this is one.

 

d.

[kiavonne]

Now, regarding "journal bump" ... I've read recently a few folks find this bothersome. What do you feel? What do you do about it? Journal bump is the bump caused be the thickness of the inside top and bottom partial covers. So, early on, the left side of the journal is impacted when writing on the reverse side of the sheet. Towards the bottom of the refill, the obverse side of the sheet is impacted on the right side of the journal.

 

I'm really only picky about a few things in life, but this is one.

 

d.

 

 

Not so noticeable in the refillable journal. Plus, you can bend it around a bit over on itself. It's pretty flexible. I never did though. It is noticable in my Medieval, because I got it packed a little fuller than normal. Also, the Medieval has some pretty intricate stitching on the front - which goes through to the backside of the leather, of course. So, I use a heavy card there so I don't rumble over ridges. The leather is very soft and pliable, so it isn't going to be like writing in a hardback journal. I wouldn't trade that journal for anything, though. It is really gorgeous, and I do enjoy writing in it.

Edited February 11, 2008 by kiavonne

[naniwa46]

Me too jmkeuning. I also endorse Ren-Art.

I have the refillable 5x7 journal. The Arches paper was a bit too bumpy for me.

My FPs didn't like the paper to much. I contacted Arthur at Ren-Art and he

said that I would love the Zerkall Book Smooth paper. I ordered 3 and they are on

there way. Can't wait. I should of ordered the Frankfurt Creme while I was at it.

 

Someone on FPN did a scan of the Frankfurt Creme but, I can't trust my monitor.

Kiavonne, is the creme color rather "dark" or how should I say it, barely noticeable?

 

Thanks,

Jun

 

 

Was probably my scan. It isn't dark. My scanner was having some issues that night. It's a really nice Ecru/Ivory. Lends itself very nicely to the medieval style book. In the scan above (which isn't much better - I have a really cheap scanner), I used a piece of the Arches Text Wove offwhite to cover personal information on the Frankfurt Creme paper. The camera flash washed it out a little bit. It is as heavy as the Arches, but it is much smoother with a laid finish. The Zerkall is a completely smooth paper. Ink will take a little while longer to dry on it, but pens really like it.

 

Ask Arthur at Renaissance Art to send you a sample of the Frankfurt Creme. I ordered based upon the samples of all three papers that he sent to me.

 

Thanks for the info. I'll contact Arthur for some samples. Thank you Kiavonne!

 

 

[kaseygirl]

Well, I hope you are all happy! I placed an order today for a 5 and 1/2 by 8 and 1/2 refillable. I liked the Moleskine style so I went with that design. I am a little nervous, with the price and all but excited too.

 

I am going to sit by my mailbox now.

Edited February 12, 2008 by kaseygirl