Pentalic 8.5" x 11" Aqua Journal, Watercolor, 48 Pages, Blue

I have a number of journals, from different companies, and most of them are very nice. This journal, however, is the only one I've seen that comes in a nice set, that with a little water, will allow you to do anything you would do with regular watercolor paper.Others have reviewed the actual journal. I haven't had the problems, some have mentioned, but I only do sketches so my binding hasn't been a problem. That may change in time, but I'm not too worried about it as the elastic band will keep the pages together when the book is closed.What blew me away, with this set, was the really nice travel brush and watercolor pencils that came with the set. I normally buy a basic set of 12 pencils, before I buy a larger set, to make sure I like the pencils before investing hundreds of dollars in a complete set. I believe this is the first set that has included all the colors I need for sketching.It only takes a light coat of the pencil to give you enough color for a basic wash. From there you can add more layers until you get the look you want. The colors will lift, if you use too much water, when applying more coats, so you do need to be careful of that.The sketch, I've included, has multiple coats of different colors. I used only the pencils provided and the paint brush. All worked exceedingly well for journal work.I liked the journal set so much that I immediately ordered a second one to keep in my purse. I do a lot of sketching, in bed, and the size of this set is very handy without taking up a lot of room on my nightstand or in my purse.The traveling paint brush holds a lot of water and keeps its shape. It is the right size to both bold and fine work. The paper is nice and heavy and works well with watercolors without wrinkling or staining the other side of the sheet. It is easy to open the book to scan your drawings.Overall, I think this set is a real bargain. It was well thought out and all the provided materials work very well together. I am sure I will be ordering more of these journal sets for Christmas presents plus more for me to fill and finish.

Great, high quality journal. I love water coloring in it and it’s the perfect size to travel with.

These are of high quality for watercolor or sketching and can leave you with rewarding memories. They will lie open flat and the seams do not open, i.e., the seams continue to bind as they should. This purchase was my fourth.

I haven't painted in it yet. It is exactly what I ordered

First time I used it, the cover separated from the pages. I don’t k ow if binding was broken before or if merely opening it flat broke the strings, but frustrating regardless.The paper has a light to medium texture on front side. Very nice to paint on- doesn’t warp easily, absorbs water evenly and colors stay true.

I like to have an art journal with me at all times. This size transports easily, even in a smaller bag or purse (although I wish I could have a 2nd bigger landscape journal from them for bigger onsite sketching and painting). I primarily like to use fountain pens and watercolors... and I have tried a lot of journals. For the quality and thickness of paper, how it handles those mediums and the amazing price. This is my go-to travel journal now. I highly recommend it.Update: I have now finished this journal. I love the paper. I love the elastic that holds the book together. I love the pocket in the back. I love the cover. the pen loop. I HATE THE BINDING. I kept hearing about people having problems with the binding... well - it happened to me too. as I got to about the 3/4 point in using my journal - I started having pages falling out from the beginning of the journal. Pretty much every time I open it now - I lose a page. I have been tacking them back in with washi tape - and thank heavens for the elastic. I know how to treat a binding and journal. This journal would be perfect - If they would stitch the binding. It is annoying to have to cover up parts or the center of pictures with washi tape and worse - washi isn't permanent - so they could all start falling out again. Pentel - make this perfect - give us a stitched binding so all of our hard work dosen't just fall out.

Allison Aletha on youtube uses this for gouache practicing, so I gave one to my daughter as part of a creative gift. She loves it, and it's perfect for small practice paintings, portable, not intimidating like a large page can be.

I just ordered this sketchbook and have painted 2 paintings. I really like the quality of the paper plus it has a pocket folder in it and a pencil or brush holder too.