Strathmore 400 Series, 60 Lb (89 G/m²)

[magnus919]

The aforementioned paper came up in conversation on the Facebook group for this site. I thought it might be useful to post the front & back scan of a quick test I did with a number of pens, starting with "relatively wet" to "relatively average" pens. You'll see why when I use these more affordable notebooks, I only get to use the front side of a sheet.

 

Front:

http://i.imgur.com/p2RnHBL.jpg

 

Back:

http://i.imgur.com/TZRpzFc.jpg

[senzen]

Thanks, very useful!

[12345Michael54321]

A Strathmore 400 series drawing pad is a commonly required supply for drawing/sketching classes. It's well regarded in such circles as being a step up from a series 300 sketchpad, but not being excessively expensive.

 

I don't use it with fountain pens, but it's a sound choice for use with pencil (either drawing or writing).

 

I would note that the series 400 paper is usually cream (yellowish) colored, not white, which some people like and others dislike. And that while it's acid-neutralized, it's not technically archival (more like semi-archival), which some may see as a drawback.

 

I would note that at least in the US and Canada, Strathmore 400 paper/pads can often be found at Michael's Arts & Crafts - a chain with around 1200 stores. Since there are always 40% and 50% discount coupons available for Michael's, it can be one of the better places to shop for this paper. Although all the usual art supply stores are likely to carry it, too, along with many non-art supply stores. It's definitely not an "exotic" item.

 

[cellmatrix]

Overall I like this paper and use it for correspondence. Personally I have not noticed any bleed through with this paper, despite using flex pens on it however I have not used any of the noodlers or other inks the OP used on this paper. Thats because I do not like the way certain noodlers and other inks have a tendency to show line spreading, and I like my lines to be as thin as possible. Thats why I use mainly drier inks such as montblanc and pelikan. Thats also why I like this strathmore paper, because of the way that it keeps lines very thin, even thinner than clairfontaine. The downside of this paper is that it does not highlight shading very well at all and it has a bit more texture than most papers, which takes a bit of getting used to. Basically the feedback trains you to use a light touch with your writing, which is a good thing. Once you are used to it, however, the texture/feedback can be useful towards guiding your writing.