Canson Artist Series Watercolor Paper, Wirebound Pad, 5.5x8.5 inches, 20 Sheets (140lb/300g) - Artist Paper for Adults and Students - Watercolors, Mixed Media, Markers and Art Journaling

This is a great sketchbook for use with watercolor! I really wish I could find something in between the standard 5.5x8.5 and 9x12 that seems to be common for watercolor. A 7x10 would be perfect for me. However, this book exceeded expectations! I ordered this at the same time as another with the same dimensions and was surprised at first to see this one is bigger. I realized that Canson measures these pages based on the perforation line. If you were to tear them out the size listed (5.5x8.5) is what they would be after removing them. There's probably an extra inch or so on the left side where the spiral is. The other sketchbook I got measures the paper literally - meaning the spiral is eating into the listed size so you don't even that that full size for painting space.Other than being happily surprised about the size, I'm really impressed with the paper. It's nice and thick and hasn't buckled with light to medium use of water. Both regular brushes and water brushes work well as do the variety of paints I've tried. It's pretty textured, which I often enjoy, but I do wish they'd offer a hot pressed variety of this book just so I could pick and choose based on what I'm working on. That's not a flaw with this book, though, and this exceeds all my expectations. I also wish it had more pages, but I'll settle for buying new ones more often because this is just that good!

Perfect for travel

good watercolor paper

It’s an very inexpensive sketchbook that is okay for quick sketches or thumbnail-sized experiments with light washes. I got it when I started to play with watercolor a few months ago. The paper is thick, and I use both sides for practices of ideas. The paper do buckle a bit with repeated washes. I found it tearing (peeling) easily with masking tapes. That makes me uneasy to try with techniques involving masking fluid.Given what I know now regarding the differences of watercolor paper, I think I would have gone with a sketchbook with 100% cotton . Oh well, you learn as you go.

My package was delivered to me during a bad rain storm and by the time I discovered it sitting by my front door, the box was so soaked, it had fallen apart. Of course I was very worried about this watercolor pad inside. It had gotten quite wet and I expected it to be ruined. I opened it up and let it air dry but I had little hope, to be honest. To my surprise, the next day I looked at it and I couldn’t even tell that the paper had gotten wet. It had recovered beautifully and looked like new again. The only way you could tell what had happened was that the front and back covers looked warped. But who cares!Today I did a little painting on this paper and it performed great! I find it much better than the Cannon XL. In case you’re debating between the two, go for this one, the Canson Montval.

This was a great addition to my art room. The paper is thick, and it is just what I needed to begin my new projects. This is great for the artist in your life. They will love it for how well it functions!!

I didn't paint on it myself, but I have painted on quality watercolor paper and this paper also seems to be of good quality. Almost wish I got a second for myself. I love the size of this pad of paper. Specifically wanted a smaller pad for a gift for someone starting to dabble in watercolors. All looks really good, no issues. I feel good about giving this paper as a gift.

Good value for price. I like to keep it close for attempting to do watercolor. I am an amateur artist, but I find that it has served my needs.