Paul Rubens Watercolour Paper Pad, High Absorption Watercolor Block, 100% Cotton & Acid-Free Cold Pressed Medium Grain Paper for Art and Mixed Media, 20 Sheets, 140lb/300gsm, Size 7.87’’ x 5.43’’

This is the first paper I have bought in a block, I normally tape it down. I was pleasantly surprised on how well this paper performed with wet on wet and wet on dry methods. It didn’t buckle, was easy to paint on and nice and thick too. Even removing a sheet of paper once finished was easy.

I didn't like that when I opened the "book" it turned out to be a block of watercolour sheets gummed on 4 sides. Great if that's what you wanted, but I thought I was ordering a "BOOK" - which is a different thing.I wanted my papers to be securely bound together so that I'd have a sketchbook to flip back through. Blocks, even if you try to keep the pages together in the 'book' are apt to separate & fall out especially if you are doing washes with lots of water.I didn't see "BLOCK" mentioned anywhere in the description on Amazon.My other issue with this, is that there's NO information on the block's front or back covers, like the paper's weight, the % of cotton, the grain, acid free, number of sheets etc - not in English anyway, it might be there in Chinese - but as a Brit I'm afraid I neither read nor speak Chinese.I'm also not happy to find 3 glossy images on top of and sandwiched between the papers. I'd have much preferred 3 more pages of the paper instead.I'm sure they're very expertly painted, but I bought this for MY ART, not some unknown stranger's.Okay moan over.This 'BLOCK' has a very nice cover which looks like Pearl. But it says this is Cold Pressed - I ordered Hot Pressed.I do like the size and weight - but then that's what I ordered.I've not tried this paper yet as I bought it for a workshop in 3 weeks time.

Great quality little block of paper. Similar in texture to canson heritage. Takes wet washes very well, glazes well and lifts easily depending on pigment used.Great little sketchbook with the added advantage of the paper being glued on all 4 sides so minimal buckling of the paper.

I usually use transparent watercolours when I paint. I am not a professional only a young artist however I was very shocked when I tested the paper.Pros:1. The paper is of good quality. It’s extremely good quality paper rather than some cheap paper that you purchase from an arts and crafts store for young children. I have used far worse paper though for watercolour.2. I love the design it’s really compact and easy to move around with. I could even take it on a train if I wanted to.3. I think that 20 sheets it’s really good value for money and especially good for me as I don’t have a full time source of income. I recommend this to young artists like me who perhaps only work a part time job or who don’t have a source of income.Cons:1. It is not good for transparent watercolours at all. I made a little comparison with transparent watercolours and ink paints to demonstrate the point. I believe that if you want to use this as watercolour paper then perhaps consider using it with Gansai watercolours. Gansai watercolours are a Japanese form of watercolour that dry similar to Gouache paints. Why is this important? Because they do not rely on the paper used to show their full potential. When painting with transparent watercolours I usually use Moulin du Roy Canson paper which is much less grainy. So please consider that before purchasing.That is really the only thing wrong with this product. I just wanted to write this to make you aware of what works best for this paper. If you are planning on using this please consider Inks and Gansai before painting with transparent.I am planning on purchasing a set of Gansai watercolours soon hopefully within the next month or two. I will be sure to update this review if there is anything that is different as maybe my judgement on Gansai is incorrect.Happy painting!

The description of this as a book was a bit confusing. It is actually a block, glued on all sides, with a cover attached like a book as there is a front and back. The front cover can get in the way somewhat when you're painting on the block, although it does protect the block. I struggled to separate the pages from the glue, although I'd not used a block before. Maybe practice makes perfect. There is a picture on the top of a woman on the top sheet. I don't like the picture but it's there to protect the top page. I do like the texture and quality of the paper. It's great except that I've done a bit of damage on the edges getting it away from the glue. You can use both sides though if you damage one, which is good.

It dries way too fast, no time to work with the watercolours.

Nice paper but, even though it is in block format it still warps when doing heavy wet washes. I purchased it as practice paper to do studies on etc. It is fit for the purpose. I will still be doing finished pieces on Saunders Waterford or Arches paper. I also plan to try this paper for plein air painting. The book is solid. Probably will buy again.

A full sheet of Fabriano Artistico goes for £4 at Jackson's and even less when purchased in larger quantities and/or from Ken Bromley's, so the buyer of this block is basically paying for the pretty white covers. To each their own, but in my opinion this paper would have to be quite a bit cheaper than the best papers on the market to be worth purchasing. Otherwise, why start a cat-and-mouse game and spend time getting used to some other paper if doing so has no advantages whatsoever.