Comments about Canson XL Watercolor Pads:

I'm not a watercolorist, but I use this paper for mixed-media art. It's such a great value, 30 sheets per pad. The paper stands up well to the many techniques I do. Fabulous.

Comments about Canson XL Watercolor Pads:

I've used these pads in different sizes for drawing/painting with watercolor, pen and ink; markers, oil pastel, pencil, and acrylic. When using it for mixed media like pen and ink and acrylic it works incredibly well and and I don't get the fuzzing up like some others mention. When using for multiple washes of watercolor/goauche only the paper does buckle (even when stretched and mounted). I cover one size with M.Graham matte medium and let it dry then let it sit under a weighted board for a few hours or overnight and I don't have the problem. I do this with a six or so sheets at a time. e.

Comments about Canson XL Watercolor Pads:

I said average in price but I really do not remember what I paid. Dick Blick is great but this paper is the pits.

When wetted it reeked of formaldehyde! I would not let my students use it.

Also when wetted thoroughly it pulled apart like cotton wool. I don't know what I will do with the rest but because of the formaldehyde alone, I would not let students use it.

Comments about Canson XL Watercolor Pads:

This is an update of my previous review. In my recent batches of this paper I've noticed an extreme decline in its quality. It now absorbs watercolor like a blotter -- even a light application of paint soaks right through. Colors are dull and strangely blotchy. My young students are ending up with holes in their paintings. I did a side-by-side test with a batch from last year and the differences were obvious. It seems to work OK for tempera paint in light applications, but I'll never use it for watercolor again. Very disappointing.

Comments about Canson XL Watercolor Pads:

I'm an art teacher, and this is the best affordable watercolor paper I've used with my students, both children and adults. Very sturdy, nice texture, accepts the paint well, doesn't buckle unless heavily wetted. Unlike some cheaper products this paper maintains the bright colors of the paint after it's dry.

Comments about Canson XL Watercolor Pads:

this paper is completely useless! with just a light wash of water, the paper becomes fuzzy, and uneven, literally breaking down. any subsequent brushwork over any wet paper areas will easily tear the paper... its like pulp, and decomposes with water..?!? its watercolor paper! unbelievable... btw i'm not a paper snob, ive used student quality stuff before, but this junk is just an intentionally bad paper to make you buy the expensive stuff... junk!

Comments about Canson XL Watercolor Pads:

This paper buckles up too much, with just a few washes of watercolor it already starts to ball up. Well, at least I now know for next time :\

Comments about Canson XL Watercolor Pads:

This is cold-pressed paper, but I prefer working with paper that has a rougher finish. I buy these pads for my jr. artists for when they want to get wild and woolly with watercolors, so they have a good experience painting, and I can save their work if it turns out well. It holds up well, with little waving, and doesn't bleed onto the next page.

Comments about Canson XL Watercolor Pads:

I bought this as a "throw away" pad of paper for learning new techniques. Cheap paper that I wouldn't be hesitant to goof up on. Surprisingly, I like it better than my 400 series Strathmore and find I use it more now out of choice than economy. The surface is not as bumpy, although they are both cold press, and so washes go on smoother.

It does start to ball if you try to do lifting. I just let it dry completely and then brush away the balls. Minimal buckling when painting. I tend to do glazes lately with four or five washes of color and the paper holds up well. It is thinner and less stiff than the more spendy artist quality 140lb papers I've tried. But it's more than sufficient for learning techniques or even complete paintings that you aren't concerned about being archival.

I like it enough that I returned my two unused Strathmore pads and replaced them with Canson Montval (the artist version of this paper). The only paper I would prefer over this is the Fabriano Studio, which comes in a 50 pack for about twice the price, but is worth it.

Comments about Canson XL Watercolor Pads:

My two kids are using the pad for their art class. The paper is thick and very nice for any kind of drawing.