Stonehenge Aqua White Medium Weight Block, 140lb, Coldpress, 15 Sheets for Wet and Dry Media (9X12)

I've read the negative reviews, and they are very specific. The paper is the softest texture I've ever seen in a watercolor paper. You can just feel it, like the cotton is puffed up. Now, I've been doing a study of all the major cotton papers, and I believe the beauty is in finding the beauty that is exclusive to the specific paper. Being so soft, one would expect to not mask a lot, overly work it or erase dark drawings. I suggest that artists find what the paper is all about and meet it where it is. My first negative was when I ran a slightly wet brush over a mostly dry areas, hoping to see a smooth blend. I had to run it over the area 3 times, but it worked out. So the paper is sucking in the paint, and it takes more effort to blend. Most likely you do not want to scrub for three minutes. But the softness of those lines matches the softness of the paper, so there is where you need to take your work. Most of my paper experience relates to Fabriano, Arches and New York Central. We know what those papers do. Now, find out what this cotton does. That doesn't make it a lesser paper. It makes it an interestingly different paper. At 1/3 of the price of Arches, it's kind of worth the time to find out where this paper excels and EXPLOIT it. Find what this paper does that Arches does not. I found the subtle softness of the paper to be very compelling, and well worth the money spent. I will definitely buy more and use it a lot, but I will use it in the way the paper insists. A very high-quality paper that requires consideration.

I have purchased a variety of watercolor paper this year as a new artist. I have personally experienced the things that inferior paper dies that inhibits success: —-Paper absorbing too slow —-Paper absorbing too fast —-Paper not allowing paint to be layered without mixing. —-Paper now allowing paint to be lifted. The Legion watercolor paper block of 140 pound 100% cotton paper contains 15 sheets glued all the way around except for about 2” in the center of the side that is in protected by the cover. I chose the 12”x16” size to make large floral wreaths and other floral designs. But this is also PERFECT for landscapes, and everything else. This particular size had an incredible price…versus the other sizes. I have heard that blocks are the most expensive way to buy paper. That may be true as a calculation, but I see the block form as another choice I make for the success of my project. I don’t want the other versions the paper comes in. I actually have loose cuts of Arches, but reach for my block of Legion first. The block format allows me to work without taping the loose sheet of watercolor paper to another hard backer-board. That saves space where I am painting, as well as lots of tape. The block keeps my artwork flat while it’s drying. If allowed t dry the watercolor piece on a block will end up flat. The block under my artwork will absorb some of the moisture. If I use a separate backer-board, the board won’t absorb any moisture, because it is waterproof. The artwork would dry slower for that reason. It takes discipline to allow the finished work to fully dry before removing the tape, or cutting it off the block. This 12”x16” block has allowed me to layering paints, lift paints, and to scrub off bleeds, blooms or hard lines without damage. This paper absorbs at a predictable rate and behaves well in all aspects. I’m delighted with it! And on top of my experiences I LOVE that the quantity is 20 sheets. CON: When my block arrived directly from Amazon, this expensive special product arrived with only the expected shrink wrap, …inside a thin Amazon envelope. I do not remember if it was paper or the vinyl bag. What I remember is that it was not in a cardboard box and it should have been. Each of the four corners of this block were bent. That was very disappointing. . Otherwise—-Fabulous!!

Beautifully textured, accepts water and pigment very well and got the 12x16 for a superb price. At 140 pounds even the blocked paper buckles a tad - but it absorbs so well there are none of those nasty hill/valley misses and blooms. The Stonehenge 300 pound cold press block is definitely my favorite but this 140 is quite workable for the commissions and gallery pieces I've created.

I purchased this product based on the recommendation of an artist on Instagram. I normally use Arches and was hopeful this could be a knockout contender to save me some coin. What keeps coming to mind is comparing Brawny paper towels to the Viva brand. If you’ve ever used either of these you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about here. Brawny is top of its game; it’s super strong, absorbent, and can withstand scrubbing. Brawny you go after when you need something to last to get the job done. Viva is at the top of its game too. It’s strong, absorbent, but really soft. Both Brawny and Viva do what they’re supposed to do, but one you can scrub your lawn furniture down with and the other you can use to wipe your kids nose. Stonehenge paper is good, truly, but the color tends to bleed, and it cannot hold up to scrubbing. That said, it makes for some beautiful wet on wet pieces and is nothing to ignore. For twenty bucks I recommend each artist at least play with it a little.

While this isn't my favorite watercolor paper ever, it's affordable and reliable and does what I want it to do, and I use it to fieldtest different watercolor palettes because it gives me a fair basis of comparison. It takes pencil and brush pen well, has a nice surface texture, and generally responds well to masking fluid (although I've had a few tears- I live in a very humid area, and it might not have fully cured before removing). It can handle loads of water, and granulation is beautiful on this paper. My only complaint is I would like a bit more surface sizing and internal sizing- it tends to get a bit pulpy when it's too wet, and very easy to overwork at that point, but if you allow it to dry fully, that solves itself! Above examples are (almost) all painted on Stonehenge Coldpress- the exception is in the first photo, the illustration to the right was painted on Stonehenge Hotpress- I love that paper as well!

No me parece de gran calidad el papel, veo poca diferencia entre este y los de celulosa, a parte de que esto aguanta un poco mas las aguadas. El bloque viene con una esquina doblada.

Quality and prompt delivery

Took colour up but was easy to remove for light

Paper dries completely flat after many washes and colors look vibrant.

Great quality