Journal Shop Handmade Hardcover Watercolor Journal 14 x 20 cm - Fabriano Artistico Cotton 300gsm, Forest Green

Α beautiful organic watercolor blank book that can serve as an artist sketchbook, a traveler's journal, a diary, a watercolor journal, an art journal, a notebook or for any occasion a special book is needed. 

The cover is made with handmade Lokta paper. Lokta paper is made from the bark of the bush named Daphne Papyrus, which only grows at an altitude of 6500ft or above in the Himalayas. It is handmade by local artisans using traditional methods and the process remains the same for more than 1400 years. The cultivation of this "tree free" paper is an eco-friendly resource and a reliable revenue stream for the village artisans of Nepal's rural and urban areas.

The patterns on these incredible papers are done entirely by hand, using the batik method. Wax is used as a resist on the paper, and then color is applied by hand wherever there is no wax. Some patterns are colored in by two artisans who work on one sheet at the same time! The result is a beautiful paper with rich vibrant colors and unique designs and textures on both sides of the sheet.

Because of its aging resistance, its tearing resistance and its durability, in early days, the Lokta paper was the perfect material for official documents and letters and for writing down mantras and sutras - thus originally and exclusively just used by Hindu and Buddhist monks.

The journal is bound using the coptic stitch-a bookbinding method, developed by early Christians in Egypt, the Copts, and used from as early as the 2nd century AD to the 11th century. The spine of each journal is left uncovered, in order to permit it to open even 360 degrees. Of course they open flat, and they will be the joy of any art journaler, mixed media artist, writer or painter.

It has 62 pages of Fabriano Artistico - a 100% Cotton watercolor paper of 300gsm (140lbs) - a paper that is highly valued among watercolor artists. It is ideal for watercolour, tempera, gouache, acrylic, ink, charcoal, graphite and drawing. It is also suitable for printmaking. It is also chlorine and acid free, guaranteeing long conservation and inalterability over time. The paper is sized both internally and externally, making it ideally absorbent and retaining its nature unaltered even if scratched. Traditional white, without optical bleaching. If you are lucky, you will find the watermark of the paper along some pages.

It is a paper created for watercolours, gouache and all wet techniques, but it has been proved amazing for pencil, pen, liner, marker, crayon and acrylic. It is a versatile paper that will be a real treat for any artist, designer or illustrator.

Its size is 14.3 x 19.5 cm ( 5.62" x 7.67"), small enough to be carried along constantly, but in a perfect size for even the most detailed work. It opens flat, to facilitate your art and can open even more than 180 degrees without any problems. It is not a delicate studio journal, it is your outdoors and travel companion!