Hey there! If you’re an artist who loves using watercolors then you know how important it is to use high-quality paper that can make or break your watercolor paintings. One watercolor paper brand is Strathmore. Strathmore is a well-known brand that offers a range of watercolor papers, but is Strathmore watercolor paper good? The answer is yes, but it depends on which type of Strathmore paper you choose and what you’re looking for in your watercolor paper.
As a long time user of Strathmore products, I feel I can help you out here.
In this post I will explain:
- What Strathmore watercolor paper is
- Types of Strathmore watercolor papers
- Features and benefits of using Strathmore watercolor paper
- A Comparison with alternative watercolor paper brands
One popular option for Strathmore watercolor paper is the Strathmore Ready Cut Watercolor Paper range.
It has received positive reviews for its ability to handle wet-on-wet techniques and being able to handle excessive amounts of water with minimal warping.
Even with this claimed ability, some users have noted that the paper can curl at the edges when it gets a little too wet.
Another option is the Strathmore 300 Series Watercolor Paper which is a bit more affordable and suitable for average artists who are learning of for practice purposes.
While it might not be the highest quality paper on the market, it still produces pretty decent results.
These are just some factors to consider when choosing Strathmore watercolor paper and below I will go into a few more.
So whether you’re a beginner or a professional, I will guarantee that there is a Strathmore paper that will work for you.
Let’s now take a closer look at some of the most popular Strathmore watercolor papers and what makes them a good choice for different types of artists.
Understanding Strathmore Watercolor Paper
As I mentioned earlier, Strathmore is a well-known brand in the art world and their watercolor paper is no different.
Strathmore watercolor paper is available in different series, each with its own unique features related to weight, and texture.
Understanding the different types of Strathmore watercolor paper can help you choose the right one for your project.
Strathmore 300 series watercolor paper
The Strathmore 300 series watercolor paper is an great choice for beginners artists and students. It’s affordable, acid-free, and has a nice medium texture.
What makes the Strathmore 300 series watercolor paper good:
Texture
The paper has a cold press surface, which means it has a slight texture that allows watercolor paint to adhere to the surface and creates interesting texture and depth in the painting.
Weight
The paper has a weight of 140lb or 300gsm, which means it is thick enough to withstand water and pigment without buckling or warping.
The 300 series paper can handle light washes and is perfect for practicing technique but the paper may not hold up well to excessive amounts of water.
The color may also not be as vibrant as other Strathmore series.
I tend to believe this dullness and loss of vibrancy in the watercolor paint is related more to using cheap watercolor paints with low quality pigments rather than the paper itself.
All this paper does is show up the deficiencies of low quality watercolor paints.
Acid-free
The paper is acid-free, which means it will not yellow or deteriorate over time, ensuring the longevity of the artwork.
Quality
The paper is made with high-quality materials, such as 100% cotton fibers, which allows for better absorption of water and pigment, resulting in more vibrant colors and smoother washes.
Affordability
The Strathmore 300 series is a more affordable option compared to some of the higher-end watercolor papers, making it a great choice for artists who are just starting out or who want to practice without spending a lot of money.
Strathmore 400 series watercolor paper
The Strathmore 400 series watercolor paper is a nice step up from the 300 series paper. It is thicker, has a heavier weight and can handle more water without buckling.
What makes the Strathmore 400 series watercolor paper good:
Texture
The paper has a cold press surface, which means it has a slight texture that allows watercolor paint to adhere to the surface and creates interesting texture and depth in the painting.
Weight
The paper has a weight of 140lb or 300gsm, which means it is thick enough to withstand water and pigment without buckling or warping.
Acid-free
The paper is acid-free, which means it will not yellow or deteriorate over time, ensuring the longevity of the artwork.
Quality
The paper is made with high-quality materials, such as 100% cotton fibers, which allows for better absorption of water and pigment, resulting in more vibrant colors and smoother washes.
Versatility
The paper can also be used with other wet media such as gouache and acrylic, making it a versatile choice for artists.
The Strathmore 400 series is an excellent choice for artists who want to experiment with different techniques and create more detailed paintings.
Strathmore Ready Cut watercolor paper
The Strathmore Ready Cut watercolor paper which is the same quality as the 500 series is another option for artists who want the convenience of pre-cut and pre-stretched watercolor paper that is a bit more quality.
What makes the Strathmore Ready Cut series watercolor paper good:
Texture
The paper has a cold press surface, which means it has a slight texture that allows watercolor paint to adhere to the surface and creates interesting texture and depth in the painting.
Weight
The paper has a weight of 140lb or 300gsm, which means it is thick enough to withstand water and pigment without buckling or warping.
Acid-free
The paper is acid-free, which means it will not yellow or deteriorate over time, ensuring the longevity of the artwork.
Quality
The paper is made with high-quality materials, such as 100% cotton fibers, which allows for better absorption of water and pigment, resulting in more vibrant colors and smoother washes.
Convenience
The paper is pre-cut to standard sizes, which makes it easy for you to use without the need for additional cutting or trimming.
Consistency
Because the paper is pre-cut to standard sizes, you can expect consistent results from your paintings without the need for measuring and cutting their paper.
Types of Strathmore Watercolor Paper
Apart from the 300, 400 and Ready Cut series of Strathmore watercolor paper, they also come in other types. Here are some of the more popular types of Strathmore watercolor paper you can use:
500 Series Watercolor Paper
The 500 series watercolor paper is Strathmore’s premium watercolor paper. It is best for professional artists who want the best quality paper. It is basically the same as the Ready Cut Watercolor paper.
It’s made from 100% cotton and has a luxurious texture that’s perfect for fine details and washes.
200 Series Watercolor Paper
The 200 Series Watercolor paper is an even more affordable option for beginners or artists who want to practice and experiment with watercolors.
It’s available in cold press and comes in both pads and spiral-bound sketchbooks.
Each one of these types of Strathmore watercolor paper has its own unique characteristics and benefits.
So it’s important to choose the right one for your painting style and other watercolor needs such as the level of detail you want to achieve, and your budget when selecting a paper.
Overall, Strathmore watercolor papers are a reliable and high-quality choice for all types of artists at all artistic levels.
Features and Benefits of Strathmore Watercolor Paper
What makes Strathmore watercolor paper good is that they have several features that artists want from a watercolor paper.
Here are some of its features and benefits:
Excellent for wet-into-wet technique
Most Strathmore Watercolor Paper holds up well to excessive amounts of water, making them ideal for the wet-into-wet technique.
With cheaper paper you will find that it breaks down quickly when too much water is added. Strathmore Watercolor Paper stays strong and can take more punishment than the cheaper brands.
The color is also excellent, allowing for beautiful and vibrant paintings.
Acid-free and buffered
Strathmore watercolor paper is acid-free and buffered to neutralize acids absorbed from the atmosphere or formed through the natural aging process (I had to look this one up and it means: Buffered is when acids from the air or from getting old are stopped from causing damage to the paper).
This ensures that your paintings will last for a long time with minimal yellowing and deterioration.
Available in different sizes and weights
Strathmore Watercolor Paper is available in different sizes and weights, making it suitable for different painting styles and preferences.
You can choose from pads, sheets, and blocks in all kinds of sizes and weights.
Affordable
Strathmore Watercolor Paper is an affordable option for artists who want high-quality watercolor paper without breaking the bank. They’re a great choice for both beginners and professionals.
Comparison with Other Watercolor Paper Brands
When it comes to watercolor paper, there are so many brands out there to choose from. Along with Canson, Strathmore is one of the most well-known and respected brands in the art community, but how does it compare to other brands?
Let’s take a look.
Arches Watercolor Paper
Arches is another really good brand of watercolor paper. Arches is known for its high quality and durability but the tradeoff is that it is also more expensive than Strathmore.
Arches paper is made from 100% cotton and has a cold-pressed texture that is similar to Strathmore’s 500 series watercolor paper.
While both brands produce high-quality results, Strathmore is a more affordable option for artists on a budget.
Canson Watercolor Paper
Canson is another brand that I use that offers a wide range of watercolor papers, including cold-pressed, hot-pressed, and rough textures.
While Canson papers are usually more affordable than Strathmore, they are also known for being less durable.
Canson papers are made from wood pulp which can break down over time and even when you start adding too much water to the paper.
Strathmore, on the other hand, is made from a combination of wood pulp and cotton, which makes it more durable.
Winsor & Newton Watercolor Paper
Winsor & Newton is well known for its high-quality art supplies. Their watercolor paper is no exception.
Winsor & Newton watercolor paper is made from 100% cotton and has a cold-pressed texture that is similar to Strathmore.
Like most things Winsor & Newton, their paper is also more expensive than Strathmore’s.
While both brands produce high-quality results, Strathmore is a more affordable option for artists who want to save money.
Is Strathmore Watercolor Paper Good – Wrap up!
So there you have it, next time someone asks is Strathmore watercolor paper good then you can flat out tell them that Strathmore’s watercolor paper is an great choice for any artist, regardless of experience.
Though many brands out there that provide outstanding results with their watercolor paper, Strathmore stands out for its affordability, availability and beautiful results.
Whether you are a student or a professional artist, the Strathmore paper is a great choice for your next watercolor project.
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