I'm a newbie to watercolor and I bought this because I wanted to try a high quality hot press paper. Smooth texture but not too smooth.

Update: The seller contacted me and replaced the defective sketchbook, so I've added one star. The sketchbook (when in good shape) is nice with good quality paper that takes paint well. And I appreciate the timely and helpful customer service. I do still prefer the older version's thinner/harder cover, but this one isn't bad.

This is my second purchase of this little sketchbook. The first one was awesome. That's why I bought another one, about a year later. This second one has a different type of cover, feels cheaper. And the whole thing was glued into the cover crooked, so it doesn't close all the way and the edges of the pages don't sit snugly under the cover. Terrible quality control, not worth sending back. I had to take it apart and try (and kind of fail) to fix it myself. Disappointing.

Surface accepted multiple layers of watercolor, technical pen (like micron, with needle-sharp pen tip glided smoothly across the hot-press surface) and lifting (scrubbing/erasing paint) without damage. The rubber type sealing around the edges protects the bottom pages from leaking, but does not keep the paper flat with wet washes. There is a small gap at the top by the binding for you to slide a thin object to separate the sheets later, and I was concerned it might leak there. I did not pay attention to it as I put down a VERY wet wash. The paper underneath was totally clean, so no problem. It handled high water loads very well considering hot press is typically better for detailed low-water applications.

Sadly I am removing one star because this honestly could have been a little better made. The top sheet had a lot of little defects including messy sealant around the edges and some markings here and there. I also do not think the curved edges were a good idea, because the corners should be decently protected by the hardcover anyway. Now I just have more to be careful about trimming away if I want to frame the art later. You barely have a few milimeters to spare when you trim away the curved edges and sealer mess to end up with a picture frame 5"x7" size rectangle.

If you travel, paint during transportation or do urban sketching than this is pretty nice to have. The hard book style surface allows you to even balance a small travel palette on the open flap in your lap if you were tight on space. The paper is hard to remove from the next sheet without a very thin object, not so sure a credit card would not scrape the next sheet, so I used a thinner razor blade. A plastic razor blade would be a safer option and compact enough to throw into your travel pack.

Refill note: I bought the small paper block which I haven't been able to find the Paul Rubens brand refill for in size nor in hot press. However, I did notice that the cold press version of their paper block (also on amazon) could fit into the larger size cover once empty. They are glued in, so you'd have to get to the last page then glue in a new pad. No real easy way to reuse these, though the cover is very nice like a hardbound book. Overall the price is reasonable even if you just replaced the whole thing now and again.

At approx 5.25" x 4" I knew the journal would be small and is not a problem as I want to keep it inside my purse or fanny pack to be able to capture a quick urban sketch on the go.

The paper inside is heavy and has a slight texture that I'd say is somewhere between cold pressed and hot pressed. It takes water well, both sides can be painted on without bleed-through, but it needs to be "worked" a bit first to get each page to lay down flat if you plan to work inside the journal rather than removing individual sheets to work on. I had to go to each page and spread it wide open, forcing it back a bit to lie flat in both directions. Some of the pages had glue that seeped in between them where they attached together making this even more difficult to do. At first I was concerned that the cover might come loose from the signatures from my pressing down and back on the pages and glue, but the paper is held really securely (sewn together and glued) to the book and the pages now lay nicely flat while open.

The pages are perforated to tear them out, which is convenient I guess, but given a choice I'd rather not have them perforated and just work inside the journal and keep it intact.

There is an expanding pocket inside the back cover which is convenient for slips of test paper, color chart, removed pages, etc.

All I need is to add a few watercolor pencils; a water-filled brush; mechanical pencil; and waterproof pen in my fanny pack with the journal and I'm ready to go. Or can keep it all together in a small zip lock plastic bag in my purse.

Three Cons:
-- The pages do not lay down flat and they need to be really "worked" to get them to stay flat. Without doing that first you can't work inside the journal. Journals are meant to be worked inside of without having to tear the pages out. So it's not really a journal, as it is, in my opinion, and the craftsmanship, and excessive glue between pages, leaves much to be desired.

--The first and last pages are partially glued to the inside flap pages, so one side of those pages is not fully usable. I figure I'll use those sides for testing mixed paint colors, or as scratch paper, but not good that two page sides are just wasted like that in such a small journal.

--There's also a ribbon used to mark the spot where you are in the journal. Unfortunately the pages it was placed between have a messy embossed impression where the ribbon was folded back awkwardly inside the journal. The impressions will definitely show up when you apply pigment to the pages. Hopefully it can be camouflaged when I paint on those pages. I don't think the ribbon is necessary and should probably be left out of the journal all together since it has only 20 pages (40 if used double sided).

Overall, I would recommend this since it's pretty inexpensive, a convenient pocket size with a rugged hard cover, and has good 100% cotton paper. When done with it, I can also remove the pages and easily glue my own signatures inside of the cover for a custom-made journal with my preferred paper. I would probably buy it again for myself if it goes on sale, but not as a gift.

In the world of watercolor painting, the quality of your paper can be just as critical as the quality of your paints. The Paul Rubens Watercolor Journal not only meets but exceeds these standards, providing artists with a reliable and exceptional canvas for their work. Here's my comprehensive review:

Quality of Paper:
The journal features 100% cotton, 140 lb (300 GSM) hot-pressed watercolor paper, ideal for both beginners and professionals. The paper can handle a good amount of water without warping, and the paint settles beautifully into the texture of the paper, maintaining the vibrancy of your colors.

Hot Pressed Surface:
The hot-pressed texture is a game-changer, offering a smooth surface that's great for intricate details and finer brushwork. It's perfect for artists who want a sleek finish without the graininess that often comes with cold-pressed papers.

Versatility:
This paper performs remarkably well with various techniques, from layering to blending. Whether you're doing wet-on-wet, glazing, or dry brush techniques, the paper holds up and delivers excellent results.

Binding and Construction:
The journal is sturdily constructed with a strong binding to keep your pages in place. This makes it a convenient and portable choice for artists on the go. Plus, the pages are easily removable if you want to frame your work or give it away.

No Bleeding or Feathering:
One of the most impressive aspects of this journal is how well the paper holds the paint. You won't experience bleeding into other sections or feathering at the edges, allowing for crisp lines and defined shapes.

Page Count:
The journal comes with a generous number of pages, making it a long-lasting investment for your artistic pursuits. It's a great value for the price, considering the high-quality, 100% cotton paper.

My Opinion:
In my view, the Paul Rubens Watercolor Journal is a gem in the art supplies market. The attention to detail in the quality of the paper and the construction of the journal itself speaks volumes about the brand's understanding of an artist's needs.

Would I buy this again? Most certainly. It's a premium product that elevates the quality of your work, making it well worth the investment. Would I recommend it to others? Yes, especially to those who take their watercolor painting seriously, be it as a hobby or a profession.

In summary, if you're on the hunt for a watercolor journal that offers professional-quality paper, exceptional durability, and versatile application, the Paul Rubens Watercolor Journal should be at the top of your list. From its texture to its performance, it's designed to make your artistic journey a rewarding experience.