Paper Showdown: Strathmore 300 vs 400 Series – Which Is Best For Your Art?
Today we dive into the interesting world of paper, the artist’s silent partner.
I am going to keep this introduction very short as I know you want answers and you want them now! Ready to unravel the mysteries of Strathmore 300 vs 400 Series? Let’s do it!
What are the differences between the Strathmore 300 vs 400 papers?
First, let’s take a moment to highlight the main differences between the Strathmore 300 vs 400 series.
- Texture and Weight – 400 Series paper typically comes with a heavier weight and a more pronounced texture than 300 Series. A heavier weight means the paper can handle more media without warping or tearing.
- Quality – 400 Series offers higher quality, designed to withstand more vigorous techniques and more layers of medium. Its surface is durable and versatile.
- Price – With greater quality comes a higher price. 400 Series paper costs more than 300 Series.
Strathmore Paper Series Numbers Explained
Strathmore, like a well-written book, provides a clear rating system for their paper. Their series numbers are like guideposts on a hiking trail – they show you where to go based on your journey.
- 100 Series (Youth) – Perfect for young artists. Paper is of good quality and works well for beginners.
- 200 Series (Good) – Step up from the 100 Series. It provides better performance and is suitable for practicing techniques.
- 300 Series (Better) – Offers a better performance for both beginner and experienced artists. It is great for exploring different mediums and techniques.
- 400 Series (Best) – High-quality paper for serious art enthusiasts. The performance is top-notch, making it suitable for final pieces.
- 500 Series (Professional) – Designed for professional artists. This is top of the line, archival quality paper.
Strathmore Paper Types Explained
Strathmore is like a gourmet kitchen, serving up a variety of paper types for your creative feast. From sketching to painting, there’s a type of paper that’s just right for your project. Here are a few favorites:
- Sketch – Best for quick sketches with dry media. Both 300 and 400 series offer sketch paper.
- Drawing – A step up from sketch paper. It can handle more detailed work and a greater variety of mediums.
- Mixed Media – Suitable for both dry and wet mediums. It offers the weight of watercolor paper and the finish of drawing paper.
- Watercolor – Heavier paper designed to withstand the water without warping.
- Bristol – Smooth, heavy paper perfect for high contrast work.
Let’s delve a bit deeper into the details with the weight ranges for each paper series.
Which Strathmore Paper Is Right for You?
Let’s delve a bit deeper into the details with the weight ranges for each paper series.
| Strathmore Paper Series | Paper Type | Suitable Mediums | Paper Weight (lbs) Estimated | Paper Weight (GSM) Estimated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Series | Sketch | Pencil, Crayon, Charcoal | 20-50 | 74-135 |
| 200 Series | Sketch, Drawing | Pencil, Charcoal, Sketching Stick, Pastel, Oil Pastel, Marker | 20-80 | 74-163 |
| 300 Series | Sketch, Drawing, Mixed Media, Watercolor | Pencil, Charcoal, Sketching Stick, Pastel, Oil Pastel, Marker, Soft Pastel, Mixed Media, Watercolor, Gouache | 50-140 | 74-300 |
| 400 Series | Sketch, Drawing, Mixed Media, Watercolor, Bristol | Pencil, Charcoal, Sketching Stick, Pastel, Oil Pastel, Marker, Soft Pastel, Mixed Media, Watercolor, Gouache, Acrylic, Pen & Ink, Colored Pencil, Collage | 60-260 | 163-500 |
| 500 Series | Drawing, Mixed Media, Watercolor, Bristol | Pencil, Charcoal, Sketching Stick, Pastel, Oil Pastel, Marker, Soft Pastel, Mixed Media, Watercolor, Gouache, Acrylic, Pen & Ink, Colored Pencil, Collage | 100-260 | 270-500 |
Now, armed with this knowledge, make your next paper choice with confidence.
Picking the perfect Strathmore paper type can be the difference between properly executing your vision or falling short.
Don’t let the wrong paper choice be the cause.
Joseph Colella (Joe Colella) is an Editor and Writer at WastedTalentInc. As a frustrated artist with over 40 years experience making art (who moonlights as a certified Business Analyst with over 20 years of experience in tech).
While Joseph holds a Diploma in Information Technology, in true wasted talent fashion he spent years applying for various Art degrees; from the Accademia di Belle Arti (Napoli), to failing to get into the Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts) at the University of Western Sydney.
While he jokes about his failures at gaining formal art qualifications, as a self-taught artist he has had a fruitful career in business, technology and the arts making Art his full time source of income from the age of 18 until 25.
His goal is to attend the Julian Ashton School of Art at The Rocks Sydney when he retires from full time work. Joseph’s art has been sold to private collectors all over the world from the USA, Europe and Australasia.
He is a trusted source for reliable art advice and tutorials to copyright/fair use advice and is committed to helping his readers make informed decisions about making them a better artist.