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Tomoe River Paper and Cosmo Air Light: Which Is Better?
Fountain pen ink and watercolor battle of the papers: cosmo air light versus tomoe river paper
Please enjoy these sunny photos of both tomoe river paper and cosmo air light.
Tomoe River Paper and Cosmo Air Light: Fountain Pen Inks with Nikko G Flex Nib
Tomoe river paper 2025. Inks:
- Nostalgia Spring Rain by Kala.
- deAtramentis Urban Sienna.
- Diamine Forever Indigo.
As you can see, the way this batch of tomoe river paper takes the ink is second to none that I’ve found. That is, my Nikko G flex nib glides along the surface like a whisper on silk, creating fine lines and allowing for a beautiful calligraphic variation.
Back of same paper. As you can see, its ink handling is gorgeous. No bleeding. This is my batch of 2025 tomoe river paper, as sold in the 2025 planner journals. My 2024 journals had a similar quality.
Cosmo air light, as used in my undated 2025 batch of B6 slim companion notebooks.
- Nostalgia Spring Rain by Kala.
- deAtramentis Urban Sienna.
- Diamine Forever Indigo.
As you can see, the shading is gorgeous. The paper does absorb a little more ink, because it doesn’t quite have the same level of silky coated surface-ness. But the color is beautiful, and there’s no feathering. The edges are crisp. It’s pleasant to write on. There’s a little more texture than the tomoe river paper.
Back of the Cosmo Air Light Paper, absolutely no bleeding, and, if you’re into that kind of thing, you’ll love that there’s much less ghosting.
Tomoe River Paper and Cosmo Air Light: Watercolor
Below: watercolor on tomoe river paper.
Watercolor technique on tomoe river paper. It’s always impressive.
I love the way the water creates unexpected results in tomoe river paper!
Below: Watercolor on cosmo air light 75gsm
Watercolor technique on cosmo air light. It’s beyond impressive. The color blending is second to no other journal paper I’ve ever used. I’m in love.
Here’s where things get really interesting.
Tomoe River Paper and Cosmo Air Light: Ink Swatching
Kala Nostalgia Spring Rain, deAtramentis Document Urban Sienna Ink, and Diamine Forever Blue Indigo Ink swatched on tomoe river paper.
Gosh, I love deAtramentis Document Ink in Burnt Sienna’s shading! Spring rain is a little flat and Diamine Forever shines on tomoe river paper especially (for me), while the deAtramentis fares well on both. Diamine Forever Indigo is my favorite writing ink right now, however, because its flow is perfect. Not too fast. Not too viscous. Works well in both flex nib dip pen and everyday writing fountain pen.
What do you think? I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments! What papers and inks should I try next?
B6 July through December tomoe river paper bullet journal planner now (ready to ship).
B6 slim cosmo air light notebook now (ready in 3 weeks).
Marisa Porter
Owl Paper