Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Paper Pad, Vellum, Tape Bound, 9x12 inches, 20 Sheets (100lb/270g) - Artist Paper for Adults and Students - Charcoal, Pen and Ink, Marker, and Pastel

While I would normally rate this product with 5 stars, (I've changed my review to 5 stars, see below) I have had to replace the pad teice in a row due to the item being either an obvious return or a way to sell off stock that could not be sold if on the shelf of an art store. In the past, several years ago the smooth bristol pad would arrive PRISTINE, no tears in the tape binding, perfect uncreased or otherwise damaged sheets. But the last two times I ordered, the pad was either completely separated from the tape with 3 corners crushed and oddly dirty, or with a gouge through the majority of the sheets making them unusable for tabloid illustration. I have ordered a third pad since I need it. Maybe this time it will be a proper new pad and not a return or otherwise undesireable/useless item. Strathmore store, you know better. Anyway, if you take the risk and get lucky with a new pad, you'll LOVE the bristol boards -- they are some of the best, perfect for ink and alcohol marker work.Edit: 5 Stars, on my third order, the smooth bristol pad came in and it was packaged in a box instead of an envelope, that was great! AND the product was in perfect shape, new, usable. I love the 300 series bristol so I was very happy to receive it in such good condition (after the last two debacles). I will order it agian when I need to, I am chalking up my experience to just bad luck.

This is my absolute favorite paper! It is excellent quality at an affordable price. I use it for sketching, and for drawing charcoal and graphite portraits. I haven’t used colored pencils with it, but only for a pop of color on my black and white drawings. The paper is even heavy enough for light washes of watercolor. Durable and easy to work with.

Me gustaron mucho! El papel es muy liso y suave! Perfecto para rotuladores a base de alcohol.

Me gusta la textura del papel, muy buena para realizar dibujos de calidad

perfect

I use this for dragon puppet making as a sturdy paper (if anyone knows about dragon puppets). Markers might bleed through, if pressed too hard, but otherwise, pencils, pens, they’re fine. I also used this with nail polish (I sound crazy I know, but it turned out good and I’m proud of it :)) on it sooooooooo… I recommend. Even my art school does.

Espectacular superó las expectativas.gracias

I’ve loved Bristol vellum paper for years, and I keep coming back to it for its incredible versatility. Surprisingly, it’s also quite affordable here, which makes it an even better choice. As an art teacher and printmaker, I’ve tested it across a variety of mediums—watercolor, colored pencil, marker, and even linocut—and it holds up beautifully for all of them. The surface provides just enough texture to grip dry media while still being smooth enough for detailed work, and it handles wet media surprisingly well without buckling too much. Whether I’m using it for my own work or introducing students to different techniques, it consistently delivers excellent results.