ARCHES 23 x 31 cm 300 gsm Cold pressed Watercolour Block

THE PAGES ARE NOT BLACK! My stomach dropped when I saw the top sheet lol. I love these watercolour blocks as they hold tension and the wet paper doesn’t warp. I use a guitar plectrum to separate the pages from the slit at the top of the block. They are so easy to use. I have two, one to allow to dry while I begin on another. A little expensive, but it’s either this or faff with tape. I like that there are so many sizes to choose from. Excellent quality cold pressed paper. Love this brand. So happy to have found them. It’s a game changer.

Please note this is an Arches block (glued on four sides), you remove the sheet after you have finished the painting by very carefully breaking the glue sealed edges. personally I use something like a bank card which is less likely to damage the paper underneath (keep it flat) but if you are careful you can slide a flat knife across the edges, there is a gap in the glued edges at the top of the block where you inset your knife or card to slide around the seal. you get to practice a little on the black protective sheet at the front of the block when it arrives (don't be alarmed when you see the black paper when you open it). Blocks are great to paint on as you don't need to stretch the paper beforehand but please note if you use a lot of wet in wet and saturated washes you will still get buckling, you then need to allow it to dry completely and usually it will dry pretty flat but may take a while. Blocks will never be as effective as stretching paper properly though so if you do use a lot of wet in wet it may be better to buy sheets or pads, which work out a lot less expensive than blocks anyway but you'll have the same high quality paper, you'll just need to stretch it. I have tried MANY different watercolour papers over the years but Arches are the best by far (IMO), I still use other brand papers for different techniques, watercolour studies/sketches and work where I am experimenting, purely because of the price but when I have done a lot of preliminary work and am ready to take the plunge, hoping to create something special, I will usually opt for a high quality 100% cotton paper and you can't get better than Arches. If you use masking fluid or tape in your watercolour painting, this paper will save you from the nightmare of spending hours on a piece only to ruin it when removing the tape/fluid, personally I have never damaged the paper with tape or fluid (and I use them a lot). Of course the quality of the paint you use will also contribute greatly to the results you get so it goes without saying you should only use Artists quality watercolour paints when using premium cotton paper. Word of warning; once you try it, nothing else will compare. Photo attached of one of my paintings on Arches paper

Very good product not cheap,my mother rates them

Arches watercolour paper is the best. This watercolour block is perfect for when I am working plein air as it allows me to have all my paper in one block to take out anywhere, even on holidays. At 140Ib this is a great weight for most painting styles. When it arrives remove the protective plastic sheet covering and it is ready to use. There is no need to stretch the paper because the block is glued down on all sides and keeps the paper flat. I work with lots of wet in wet and have no problems with buckling. When you receive the block the top sheet is black to protect the first sheet, the middle of the block at the top of the page showing white just slide a small blade or debit card underneath the sheet and the paper can be cut away. I keep the black sheet to protect my top sheet. Arches is a professional archive paper I have used for years as it is simply the best.

Not the cheapest paper out there, but just about affordable for an amateur watercolour painter, who paints for fun. I chose the small pad rough paper, A5 i think. I like the way the paint flows once the paper has been wet. It spreads beautifully. It doesn't warp or buckle, it's just so satisfying to paint on. I paint on the back of the paper as well. (Paintings are of images found on the internet and was unable to find the original artists name) Just love this paper.

The watercolour pad arrived in time and well packed. As you unpack it you see a black edge all around the pad. Don’t panic like I did! It is just the glue. Also the top/ first sheet is black, but the actual pad it is white, and very nice looking.

My first choice when painting watercolour. Nice tooth and predictable results.

Brilliant product would recommend

Arches 140 pound cotton paper is the best for my watercolor painting. The paper stays flat and does not buckle when painting the picture on top of the block. The sheet tears easily with a little help from an instrument to slide under the one side of the paper.

Prima papier om met aquarelverf te werken. Dit is qualiteit. Ik raad dit aan.

Es un papel estupendo para acuarela

Il pacco è stato recapitato in perfette condizioni. Per il momento è la carta migliore che abbia usato per la tecnica acquarello. Supporta benissimo l'acqua ed il colore si espande in maniera brillante, perfette le miscelazioni. Nei negozi per articoli da disegno, la trovavo sempre troppo cara, ma grazie ad Amazon l'ho potuta acquistare ad un prezzo accettabile. La consiglio

It is very high wuality