The calligrapher's practice surface — and why Rhodia specifically
Rhodia pads use Clairefontaine Velin — the same paper used in Clairefontaine notebooks, a smooth, fountain pen optimised French paper widely regarded as among the finest European fountain pen papers available. The smooth surface accepts calligraphy dip pen inks without feathering (provided the ink is appropriate for dip pen — some dye inks are too thin and spread on any surface), shows shading clearly, and produces crisp, clean letterforms when writing with a pointed pen nib or broad-edge nib. The heavy cardboard cover folds completely back, creating a flat working surface without the cover interfering. This fold-back behaviour is important for calligraphy practice: the working surface needs to be completely unobstructed and the pad needs to sit flat on the writing surface without tilting.
Dotpad versus Blank — which to choose
The Dotpad has dots at 5mm intervals printed in a pale colour that provides visual reference for letter height and line spacing without the visual noise of ruled lines. For calligraphy practice, dots are generally preferred over rules because the dot grid provides reference without constraining the work visually — the dots are easy to ignore when looking at the overall letterform but present when you need to check alignment. The Blank Pad has no markings at all — the correct choice for practitioners who find even dots visually distracting, or who are using the pad for free writing and sketching rather than calligraphy practice with height reference.
Honest Note:
Who is it For?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUSTIONS (FAQ)
Does Rhodia Velin show shading and sheen the same as Tomoe River?
Rhodia Velin is a different paper to Tomoe River with different ink absorption behaviour. Shading is visible and clear on Rhodia — often more visible than on Midori MD. Sheen is present with appropriate inks but typically less dramatic than on Tomoe River. The paper dries faster than Tomoe River and has less show-through. If maximum shading and sheen visibility is the priority, Tomoe River is the better choice. If a practical, high-performing practice paper that shows shading clearly without extreme dry time or show-through is the priority, Rhodia is excellent.
Is Rhodia suitable for dip pen calligraphy inks?
Yes — it is one of the standard calligraphy practice papers recommended in UK calligraphy instruction. Most calligraphy-appropriate dip pen inks (De Atramentis Document range, iron gall inks, dense pigment inks) perform well on Rhodia Velin without feathering. Very thin or very fluid inks may spread slightly — test the specific ink and nib combination on a corner of the pad before working on a full practice session.
Dotpad A5 or Dotpad A4?
A5 for calligraphy practice at standard working size — the A5 format is large enough for full letterform practice without being unwieldy. A4 for larger letterforms, display calligraphy, or if you prefer a larger working surface. The A5 No. 16 is the most popular choice.