Collateral shopping damage, that’s what this is. I went to National Bookstore to buy envelopes (I owe several of you artwork, you know who you are) and drifted towards the notebook section. I picked up a Venzi Copelle dot-grid notebook for P289.
![Venzi Copelle notebook Venzi Copelle notebook](http://www.leighreyes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/P1110507.jpg)
It has a hard cover, an exaggeratedly wide elastic band and smooth dot-grid sheets. The last 48 pages are blank, perforated and detachable.
![Wow, now it's notebook porn Wow, now it's notebook porn](http://www.leighreyes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/P1110508-600x450.jpg)
The back has a suitably subtle “Copelle” logo.
![Why am I doing all these macro shots of insignificant details? Why am I doing all these macro shots of insignificant details?](http://www.leighreyes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/P1110509-600x450.jpg)
The thick elastic is stylish and sturdy, but has to be folded neatly in the back so the notebook is level.
![Somewhat problematic elastic Somewhat problematic elastic](http://www.leighreyes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/P1110515-600x450.jpg)
Based on this Office 1 listing, the paper is 120 gsm and wood-free.
![Dot-grid macro happiness Dot-grid macro happiness](http://www.leighreyes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/P1110525-600x450.jpg)
Here are the perforated pages in the back.
![Tear away what you need Tear away what you need](http://www.leighreyes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/P1110522-600x450.jpg)
So how does the paper fare with the usual suspects?
It’s very, very smooth. The sizing is minimal so ink behaves itself on the surface. This is a 6mm Parallel Pen with (somewhat diluted) Platinum Carbon Black. Parallel Pens tend to work even on not-so-good paper because they don’t have scratchy edges that snag and lift the paper fibers.
![After the crash come the days After the crash come the days](http://www.leighreyes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/P1110528.jpg)
This is a Pilot 742 FA nib in an eyedropper, with Platinum Carbon Black.
![Swirling to an uncertain ending Swirling to an uncertain ending](http://www.leighreyes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/P1110529.jpg)
The back of the paper shows traces of ink. I expected this.
![If it bleeds, it bleeds If it bleeds, it bleeds](http://www.leighreyes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/P1110532.jpg)
Vintage music nib, Diamine Oxblood. Feathering, finally – likely due to this pen having very generous flow.
![is better than licking sheep is better than licking sheep](http://www.leighreyes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/P1110538-600x450.jpg)
Here’s a 2.4mm Parallel Pen.
![I cannot remember what ink this is I cannot remember what ink this is](http://www.leighreyes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/P1110541-600x450.jpg)
I like dot-grid paper for calligraphy and handwriting practice. It’s less intrusive than lines, lines, lines. This notebook works for that, and also for watercolor if you are so inclined.
![the claw, the claw the claw, the claw](http://www.leighreyes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/P1110546.jpg)
I used a squirrel mop brush and a student Winsor & Newton set. Not bad. As a general-purpose journal, the Venzi Copelle works. I am not too fond of the name, but at least it’s not stamped in bright pink and Comic Sans all over the front cover.