A quietly excellent journal that has built a loyal following among sketchers, writers, and travellers who appreciate a well-made book at a sensible price. The Collins & Davison Travel Journal has the look and feel of a premium notebook — soft, tactile cover with curved corners, clean minimalist design — but backs it up with paper quality that genuinely earns it a place in a working artist's bag alongside more expensive alternatives.
The paper is 150gsm acid-free cartridge — a notably heavy weight for a journal of this kind, significantly heavier than the 100 to 120gsm found in most comparable notebooks. The extra weight makes an immediate and practical difference: pencil, graphite, pen and ink, fine liner, and coloured pencils all perform well on it, and the paper handles light watercolour washes and ink wash considerably more capably than lighter journal papers that buckle and bleed at the first sign of moisture. At 64 sheets, the book has a good, substantial feel in the hand — thick enough to feel purposeful, compact enough to live in a bag or coat pocket without complaint.
Each journal features an elastic band closure that keeps the book securely shut in a bag without the need for a clip or clasp, and doubles as a page marker when slipped around the open book during use. An interior pocket inside the back cover provides storage for tickets, receipts, photographs, pressed flowers, loose sketches, and any other flat material that accumulates around travel and outdoor sketching. The cream-white paper has a natural, warm tone that is easy on the eye over long writing or sketching sessions.
Available in A5 (148x210mm) and A6 (105x148mm). The A6 is a genuine pocket size — small enough to carry everywhere, large enough to be useful. The A5 offers a comfortable working area for more ambitious sketches and longer writing, while still being portable enough for daily carry.
Paper weight: 150gsm Sheets: 64 sheets / 128 pages Paper: Acid-free cartridge, cream-white Cover: Soft, tactile, rounded corners Features: Elastic band closure, interior back pocket Sizes: A5 (148x210mm) and A6 (105x148mm)
What paper weight is the Collins & Davison Travel Journal? 150gsm acid-free cartridge — considerably heavier than the paper in most comparable journals and notebooks. This gives it significantly better performance with wet media, better erasability, and a more substantial feel under the hand.
Is it suitable for watercolour? For light washes and mixed media work, yes — the 150gsm paper handles light watercolour considerably better than lighter journal papers. For sustained wet-on-wet watercolour technique or heavy washes, a dedicated watercolour journal with 200gsm or heavier paper would be more appropriate.
What is the difference between the A5 and A6 sizes? The A6 is a true pocket size — small enough to fit in a coat or back pocket and ideal for everyday carry and quick location sketches. The A5 offers a larger working area for more detailed sketches and longer writing sessions, while still being compact enough for a bag.
Can the elastic band be used as a page marker? Yes — the elastic closure band wraps around the open book during use and sits naturally at the open page, serving as a practical page marker without the need for a separate bookmark.
