Strathmore - Series 500 Imperial Watercolor Paper
Series 500 Imperial Watercolor Paper
Master color lifting and blending with hard-sized cotton paper
Harder sizing transforms how watercolor behaves on cotton fiber. This Imperial surface holds pigment near the top of the paper rather than letting it sink deep into fibers, giving you extended working time for lifting highlights and blending edges before colors set. That controlled absorption matters when you're building complex passages or need to recover whites after the initial wash dries.
Strathmore manufactures this sheet from 100% cotton fiber with acid-free chemistry that resists yellowing and degradation. The random texture provides enough tooth for pigment adhesion without imposing a mechanical pattern on your brushwork, you get surface interest that reads as natural variation rather than obvious grain. At 140 lb, the paper handles generous water loads without excessive buckling, though you'll still want to stretch or tape larger sheets for wet techniques.
The sizing philosophy here differs from softer European papers that absorb quickly and stain permanently. Imperial's harder surface lets you work corrections and gradations longer, scrub out mistakes more successfully, and maintain cleaner whites. Botanical illustrators appreciate the lifting capability for precise highlights. Landscape painters use it for atmospheric effects that require repeated glazing and adjustment. The surface rewards patience and responds well to both direct wet-into-wet passages and controlled layering techniques.
PRODUCT INFORMATION
- 100% cotton fiber, acid-free construction
- Hard sizing improves color lifting
- Enhanced water hold-out for blending
- Random texture adds character
- 140 lb. weight prevents buckling
- Suitable for watercolor techniques
