Finding the dream journal is not easy. I love to test art and craft supplies and I do it fervently. My opinion is that if you don't play around with your supplies you do not know what they can do for you. This time it was art journals. 14 of them! I chose to make a picture rather than just test the different mediums. There is still a bit of plan behind the pictures. The large blocks of colours was laid down this way to test how much the paper would curl. Different brushes was used to see how the paper reacted. There is a lot of small things that I look for to find a good journal. I made my self a diagram with the property that I am looking for. I'll add property as I remember them/ find the need to have them. It is all about finding the balance what is important to me and what is important to you, and what to write there. If there is element/property you want to know that I have not written about just let me know, there is a good chance that I have tested it but did not write about it here. Or I can test it. Why am I doing it? Read this post http://ewian.blogspot.com/2008/12/testing-art-journals.html

Let me tell you about the life of a journal in my care, one journal lasts about a month. I carry it with me when ever I go out and it gets drawed and painted in several times a day. So this first month it has a bit of a ruff life. After when there is no more blank pages it retires/moves in to the bookshelf with all my other old doodle book and journals. Here it stays until I need some of the sketches or just some inspiration. So now and again it comes out.

Testing the journals did not take so long but writing down all the findings was a large job.

Name: Kilimanjaro
Producer: Kilimanjaro
Colour of the cover: black and blue with logo and info on.
Appearance: paper and card stock
Book/ note block: note pad
Cover: soft in front, card stock at the back.
Sheet: 20 watercolour paper and 20 protection paper that works fine as drawing paper.
Pocket: no
Ribbon/rubber band: no
Book mark: no
Corners: squared
Produced: mass-produced
Binding: spiral, can be folded all the way back
Tear edge: no
Size outside:26,8x14
Size drawing surface:24,5x13,9
Price Norwegian kroner: 79
Price dollar: 11,19
Purchased: http://www.cheapjoes.com
Paper gram: 300g on the watercolour paper.
Paper info: good quality watercolour paper
Paper colour: off-white
Paper acid free: yes
3B on paper: good to draw on, you notice the tooth.
Eraser on paper: lifts well
Pen on paper: OK
Watercolour on paper: very even colour distribution
Crayons on paper: well
Water on paper: don't bend
Water to get the paint to flow: plenty
Lift of some paint: yes
See through the page: nothing so far.
In my bag: needs a rubber band to stay closed
Other notes: lovely drawing and painting journal

Name:Moleskine, small sketchbook
Producer: Modo&Modo
Colour of the cover: black
Appearance: *synthetic leather*???
Book/ note block: book
Cover: stiff
Sheet:80
Pocket: yes
Ribbon/rubber band: yes
Book mark: yes
Corners: rounded
Produced: mass-produced
Binding: stitched, tight
Tear edge: no
Size centimetre outside: 9,1x14,2
Size centimetre drawing surface: 9x14
Price Norwegian kroner: 84
Price dollar: 11,95
Purchased: http://www.cheapjoes.com
Paper gram:--
Paper info: very smooth paper
Paper colour: pale yellow
Paper acid free: yes
3B on paper: very smooth, BUT smudge the graffiti on the page have to try with a harder pencil.
Eraser on paper: lifts OK
Pen on paper: well
Watercolour on paper: uneven colour
Crayons on paper: very well
Water on paper: bends a bit
Water to get the paint to flow: little
Lift of some paint: some
See through the page: yes, when watercolour and water is applied.
In my bag: closed
Other notes: --

Name: Moleskine, watercolour notebook
Producer: Modo&Modo
Colour of the cover: black
Appearance: *synthetic leather*???
Book/ note block: book
Cover: stiff
Sheet:72
Pocket: yes
Ribbon/rubber band: yes
Book mark: no
Corners: rounded
Produced: mass-produced
Binding: stitched, tight
Tear edge: yes
Size centimetre outside: 21x13
Size centimetre drawing surface: 20,5x12,6
Price Norwegian kroner: 119
Price dollar: 16,99
Purchased: http://www.dickblick.com
Paper gram: 200
Paper info: cold pressed watercolour paper 25%cotton
Paper colour: white
Paper acid free: yes
3B on paper: good to draw on, a bit of tooth.
Eraser on paper: lifts well
Pen on paper: well
Watercolour on paper: even colour distribution
Crayons on paper: well
Water on paper: do not bend.
Water to get the paint to flow: alot
Lift of some paint: yes
See through the page: nothing so far.
In my bag: closed
Other notes: --

Name: Canson, sketchbook.
Producer:Carson
Colour of the cover: brown
Appearance: paper canvas
Book/ note block: book
Cover: stiff
Sheet:78
Pocket: no
Ribbon/rubber band: yes
Book mark: yes
Corners: squared
Produced: mass-produced
Binding: stitched and glued
Tear edge: no
Size outside: 21,6x14,8
Size drawing surface: 14,2x20,9
Price Norwegian kroner:196
Price dollar: 28
Purchased: Neraas, local art shop.
Paper gram: --
Paper info: good quality drawing paper
Paper colour:white
Paper acid free: ja
3B on paper: very good to draw on.
Eraser on paper: lifts well
Pen on paper: well
Watercolour on paper: even colour distribution
Crayons on paper: well
Water on paper: bends a little
Water to get the paint to flow: --
Lift of some paint: some
See through the page: yes, you can see hints of the picture.
In my bag: closed
Other notes:--

Name: Canson, watercolour
Producer:Canson
Colour of the cover: brown
Appearance: paper canvas
Book/ note block: book
Cover: stiff
Sheet: 15
Pocket: no
Ribbon/rubber band: yes, silk ribbon
Book mark: no
Corners: squared
Produced: mass-produced
Binding: spiral, can be folded all the way back
Tear edge: no
Size outside:26x33
Size drawing surface: 23x32,5
Price Norwegian kroner: 147
Price dollar: 21
Purchased: Neraas, local art store.
Paper gram: --
Paper info: good quality watercolour paper
Paper colour: off-white
Paper acid free: yes
3B on paper: OK to draw on, a lot of tooth.
Eraser on paper: lifts well
Pen on paper: well
Watercolour on paper: even colour distribution
Crayons on paper: well
Water on paper: don't bend
Water to get the paint to flow: alot
Lift of some paint: yes
See through the page: nothing so far.
In my bag: closed
Other notes: --



Name: Daler - Rowney, sketchbook
Producer: Daler - Rowney
Colour of the cover: black
Appearance: textured card stock
Book/ note block: book
Cover: stiff
Sheet:50
Pocket: no
Ribbon/rubber band: no
Book mark: no
Corners: squared
Produced: mass-produced
Binding: spiral, can be folded all the way back
Tear edge: no
Size outside:22,9x30,1
Size drawing surface:19,9x29,7
Price Norwegian kroner: 129
Price dollar: 18,5
Purchased: Libris, local book store.
Paper gram: --
Paper info: good drawing paper
Paper colour:white
Paper acid free: --
3B on paper: good to draw on.
Eraser on paper: lifts well
Pen on paper: well
Watercolour on paper: OK colour distribution
Crayons on paper: well
Water on paper: bends a little
Water to get the paint to flow: --
Lift of some paint: yes
See through the page: yes, you can see hints of the picture.
In my bag: needs a rubber band to stay closed
Other notes: --



Name: Daler - Rowney, sketchbook
Producer: Daler - Rowney
Colour of the cover: black
Appearance: textured card stock
Book/ note block: book
Cover: stiff
Sheet:50
Pocket: no
Ribbon/rubber band: no
Book mark: no
Corners: squared
Produced: mass-produced
Binding: spiral, can be folded all the way back
Tear edge: no
Size outside:16,2x21,5
Size drawing surface:13,7x21
Price Norwegian kroner: 105
Price dollar: 15
Purchased: Libris, local book store.
Paper gram: --
Paper info: good drawing paper
Paper colour:white
Paper acid free: yes
3B on paper: good to draw on.
Eraser on paper: lifts well
Pen on paper: well
Watercolour on paper: OK colour distribution
Crayons on paper: very well
Water on paper: bends a little
Water to get the paint to flow: --
Lift of some paint: some
See through the page: yes, you can see hints of the picture.
In my bag: needs a rubber band to stay closed
Other notes: nice drawing journal




Name: Rationella media ab, red journal
Producer: Rationella media ab
Colour of the cover: red
Appearance: paper cover
Book/ note block: book
Cover: stiff
Sheet:94
Pocket: no
Ribbon/rubber band: no
Book mark: no
Corners: squared
Produced: mass-produced
Binding: stitched and glued
Tear edge: no
Size outside:21,5x15
Size drawing surface: 20,7x13,9
Price Norwegian kroner: 98
Price dollar: 14
Purchased: Ark, local book store.
Paper gram: --
Paper info: drawing paper
Paper colour:white
Paper acid free: --
3B on paper: good to draw on.
Eraser on paper: lifts OK
Pen on paper: very well
Watercolour on paper: even colour distribution
Crayons on paper: very well
Water on paper: bends
Water to get the paint to flow: --
Lift of some paint: no
See through the page:yes, you can see the picture through.
In my bag: whit a rubber band it stays closed
Other notes: the colours become pale.

Name: Quattro, artist blank
Producer: Global art materials. Inc
Colour of the cover: black
Appearance: paper cover
Book/ note pad: note pad
Cover: soft in front, card stock at the back.
Sheet: 64
Pocket: no
Ribbon/rubber band: no
Book mark: no
Corners: rounded
Produced: mass-produced
Binding: glued
Tear edge: yes
Size outside:14x8,8
Size drawing surface:12,7x8,8
Price Norwegian kroner: 21
Price dollar: 2,99
Purchased: http://www.cheapjoes.com
Paper gram: --
Paper info: good drawing paper
Paper colour:white
Paper acid free: yes
3B on paper: good to draw on.
Eraser on paper: lifts well
Pen on paper: well
Watercolour on paper: OK colour distribution
Crayons on paper: well
Water on paper: bends a bit
Water to get the paint to flow: --
Lift of some paint: some
See through the page: yes, you can see hints of the picture.
In my bag: need a little bag to stay closed
Other notes: --

Name: Hand Book Artist Journal
Producer: Global art materials. Inc
Colour of the cover: green
Appearance: green canvas
Book/ note block: book
Cover: stiff
Sheet:64
Pocket: yes, a see through plastic.
Ribbon/rubber band: yes, rubber band
Book mark: yes
Corners: rounded
Produced: mass-produced
Binding: stitched
Tear edge: no
Size outside: 14x14.5
Size drawing surface:13,9x13,9
Price Norwegian kroner: 57
Price dollar: 8,09
Purchased: http://www.cheapjoes.com
Paper gram: --
Paper info: good drawing paper
Paper colour: off-white
Paper acid free: yes
3B on paper: good to draw on.
Eraser on paper: lifts well
Pen on paper: well
Watercolour on paper: uneven colour distribution
Crayons on paper: well
Water on paper: bends a bit.
Water to get the paint to flow: --
Lift of some paint: some
See through the page: yes, you can see hints of the picture.
In my bag: closed
Other notes: --
Name: Winsor & Newton, artist water colour sketchbook
Producer:Winsor & Newton
Colour of the cover: white and blue with logo and info on.
Appearance: waxed paper
Book/ note block: book
Cover: stiff
Sheet:40
Pocket: no
Ribbon/rubber band: yes, rubber band
Book mark: no
Corners: squared
Produced: mass-produced
Binding: spiral
Tear edge: no
Size outside:25 x 31,5
Size drawing surface:22 x 30,5
Price Norwegian kroner: 218
Price dollar: 31
Purchased: Ciro, local craft store.
Paper gram: 190
Paper info: mould-made water colour paper
Paper colour:off-white
Paper acid free: yes
3B on paper: good to draw on, a bit of tooth.
Eraser on paper: lifts well
Pen on paper: well
Watercolour on paper: very even colour distribution
Crayons on paper: well
Water on paper: don't bend
Water to get the paint to flow: alot
Lift of some paint: yes
See through the page: nothing so far.
In my bag: closed
Other notes:


Name: Rhonda Miller, brown leather journal
Producer: Rhonda Miller
Colour of the cover: brown
Appearance: brown leather whit leather wrap around
Book/ note block: book
Cover: soft
Sheet:50
Pocket: no
Ribbon/rubber band: yes, leather wrap around
Book mark: no
Corners: squared
Produced: custom order
Binding: stitched
Tear edge: no
Size outside:16x23,2
Size drawing surface:14,7x22,2
Price Norwegian kroner: 154
Price dollar: 22
Purchased: http://www.myhandboundbooks.etsy.com
Paper gram: --
Paper info: good quality watercolour paper
Paper colour:white
Paper acid free: --
3B on paper: good to draw on, a bit of tooth.
Eraser on paper: lifts well
Pen on paper: well
Watercolour on paper: very even colour distribution
Crayons on paper: well
Water on paper: don't bend
Water to get the paint to flow: alot
Lift of some paint: yes
See through the page: nothing so far.
In my bag: closed
Other notes: lovely drawing and painting journal, I'll hope she can make my some more journals...
Name: SeaLemon, plywood
Producer: SeaLemon
Colour of the cover: light wood, looks like birch
Appearance: wood finer
Book/ note block: book
Cover: flexible
Sheet:60
Pocket: no
Ribbon/rubber band: no
Book mark: no
Corners: rounded
Produced: custom order
Binding: stitched
Tear edge: no
Size outside: 23x15,3
Size drawing surface: 22,8x15,2
Price Norwegian kroner: 295
Price dollar: 43,5
Purchased: http://www.SeaLemon.etsy.com
Paper gram: --
Paper info: good quality watercolour paper
Paper colour: off-white
Paper acid free: --
3B on paper: good to draw on, a bit of tooth.
Eraser on paper: lifts well
Pen on paper: well
Watercolour on paper: even colour distribution
Crayons on paper: well
Water on paper: bends a little
Water to get the paint to flow: alot
Lift of some paint: yes
See through the page: nothing so far.
In my bag: need a little bag to stay closed
Other notes: lovely drawing and painting journal.

Name: Huey, brown hard covered Journal
Producer: Huey
Colour of the cover: brown whit blue ribbon
Appearance: paper whit ribbon
Book/ note block: book
Cover: stiff
Sheet:52
Pocket: no
Ribbon/rubber band: no
Book mark: no
Corners: squared
Produced: custom order
Binding: stitched
Tear edge: no
Size outside:11,3x16
Size drawing surface:14,8x10,5
Price Norwegian kroner: 140
Price dollar: 20
Purchased: http://www.huey.etsy.com
Paper gram: --
Paper info: probably 200g good quality drawing paper
Paper colour:white
Paper acid free: --
3B on paper: good to draw on
Eraser on paper: lifts well
Pen on paper: well
Watercolour on paper: OK colour distribution
Crayons on paper: well
Water on paper: bends a bit
Water to get the paint to flow: --
Lift of some paint: some
See through the page: nothing so far.
In my bag: need a cover
Other notes: lovely drawing journal


The pictures is made by drawing a picture with a 3B pencil. Then traces with a permanent marker. The pencil marks is then erased. Then the picture is then coloured in with watersoluble wax crayons. Some areas is coloured in with watercolours. Then it is stamped and iridescent is painted on the trumpet.

I prefer an art journal that is not spiral bound, although this tend to lie flat, I like to be able to make my picture on both sides of the open page not having a hole in the picture.

If you have suggestion on good art journals, please do so.

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060109
Most for your money if you are looking for a good but cheap one: Hand Book Artist Journal from Global art materials. Inc

Best watercolour:Kilimanjaro

Best drawing: both Daler - Rowney, sketchbook AND Canson, sketchbook.

I want better watercolour paper than Hand Book Artist Journal, Daler - Rowney, sketchbook and Canson, sketchbook, and better drawing paper than Kilimanjaro, and it would not be fear to compare the custom ordered as they are all unique.

I have to many elements I want to have in my dream journal. So I am sorry, I can not tell you the one journal I would prefer over all others, but I wanted to give you an insight in the quality of the journals and show you some of the elements you may look for.