Strathmore 400 Series Colored Pencil Pad 18in x 24in - Durable, Toothy

In this review the Strathmore 400 Series Colored Pencil Pad is assessed for artists who work primarily with colored pencil and mixed dry media. The bottom line: it is a dependable, heavyweight pad that delivers a clean white, toothy surface allowing smooth color laydown and layering, while the durable paper stands up to repeated erasing and reworking. For students, hobbyists, and professional sketchers wanting consistent results and a portable pad, this one earns strong marks.

Key Features

• Paper surface: The medium tooth gives colored pencils something to bite into, producing vivid color and smooth blending without excessive wax bloom.
• Weight and durability: Heavyweight sheets tolerate repeated erasure and reworking so drawings can be refined over multiple sessions.
• Versatility: Although optimized for colored pencil, the pad also works well with graphite, charcoal, sketching sticks and pen and ink for mixed-media studies.
• Binding and convenience: Micro-perforated wire bound sheets separate cleanly and keep a portable stack that is easy to flip through for practice or finished pieces.
• Archival quality: Acid free construction preserves work over time and supports long-term sketchbooks or portfolio pieces.

Who It's For

The Strathmore 400 Colored Pencil Pad is ideal for colored pencil artists who need a reliable, toothy surface for layering, burnishing, and blending, including portrait and landscape sketching. It is also a good choice for art students and hobbyists who appreciate a portable pad with micro-perforated sheets for easy display or scanning.

Artists who require heavyweight board for heavy wet media or finished gallery cradled panels should look elsewhere, as this pad is optimized for dry media and light marker or ink use rather than prolonged wet applications.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Excellent paper quality for colored pencil with good color accuracy and smooth blending.
• Durable surface that stands up to erasing and reworking without pilling.
• Micro-perforated, wire bound format makes individual sheets easy to remove and organize.
• Acid free white paper preserves work and is suitable for keeping sketches over time.

Cons

• Not formulated for heavy wet media, so markers and paints may bleed or buckle the sheet.
• The medium tooth may be too textured for artists seeking ultra-smooth paper for fine ink line work.

Specifications

Our Verdict

The Strathmore 400 Colored Pencil Pad is a smart buy for anyone focused on colored pencil and dry media who wants a reliable, toothy sheet that handles layering and erasing well. Its micro-perforated wire bound format and archival, heavyweight paper make it good value for students and practicing artists who need portable, consistent paper for studies and finished pieces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this paper good for blending colored pencils?
Yes; the medium tooth provides enough tooth for pigments to layer and blend smoothly while still supporting burnishing.

Can I use markers and ink on these sheets?
Light marker and pen work are fine, but heavy marker saturation or wet media may bleed or buckle the paper.

Are the sheets easy to remove?
Yes; the micro-perforated wire bound format allows clean removal of individual sheets for framing or scanning.