10 Reviews: Best Paper for Colored Pencils (Mar 2023)

It’s no surprise that the Canson American Choice XL Series Mix Paper Pad is our top recommendation. Of course, because of its unquestionable quality for creativity. Aside from that, the paper has a smooth and heavy texture, perfect for coloring with colored pencils, pastels, and markers.

Then, you also don’t need to worry; this paper will bleed through on the reverse page because that’s impossible. In addition, this paper will improve your work as easy to erase and blend. Thus, isn’t it so worth buying for less than $10?

"Love these little notebooks. I use watercolor markers, pen, pencil, some paints. Great paper."

by Vickie

Calling out to everyone who loves drawing, coloring, and other fun activities can make this your pick. Apart from that, with 104 pages, it’s pretty thick and can be used for a long time. Plus, if you want to use colored pencils, watercolors, pens, and other media, you can apply them to this Moleskine Art Sketchbook Hard Cover.

In addition, the binding and cover have a durable finish designed for daily journal writing. Therefore, you can also choose from various cover colors ranging from black, red, blue, green, and brown.

"This is a great value sketchbook. It has really nice tan-ish paper with a nice binding. I buy these all the time and I use them for both sketches and finished drawings. It is a great alternative to Moleskin sketchbooks."

by Lance Taylor

This heavy bristol paper is ideal for pens, inks, colored pencils, airbrushes, and markers. Also, the 270 gms / 100 lb paper offers a smooth surface to provide fine detail work. In addition, the 20 sheets of paper are securely and neatly bound. So it will not be dislodged even though it is often flipped.

Conversely, it will be great for everyone, whether a beginner or an expert. Thus, Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Smooth Pad has various sizes you can choose from and customize according to your needs.

"I am not good at coloring but this paper and the markers have made a huge difference. My dad always says you get what you pay for and this has really been the truth with this paper."

by Savvy Crafter

This 25-sheet paper with 9×12 inches has a paper type of 100lb / 260g. Besides, the Canson XL Series Bristol Pad piece is thick and bright white, so it works well with pens, inks, markers, pencils, and colored pencils. In addition, having a smooth surface will make it easy to erase and color without damaging the paper.

Also, the thick cover makes it very useful to protect the inside of the paper from folding easily. So, you can also take this book with you anywhere, as it’s the perfect size to fit in your bag.

"I am a beginner artist and I love these notebooks. i use the bristol smooth for markers and the bristol vellum for colored pencils, and I have used watercolor pencils with waterbrush pens successfully in both. its a great way to practice at a low cost, and the paper is a good quality so you aren't cheating yourself."

by AmazonFiend

Strathmore 477-9 Colored Pencil provides a clean, toothy white surface ideal for various colored pencil techniques. Besides, it is available on 30 sheets of paper, ready for you to color. Moreover, each piece measures 9×12 inches, with each type at 163gsm/100 lb.

In addition, you will also get a unique cover image and thick material. Apart from that, the good thing is that it won’t tear easily because of the grip holes to place the paper. Otherwise, if the edges are glued using regular glue, they will tear easily.

"The thickness and texture is perfect. I use it for graphite drawings, colored pencil drawings, and mixtures of each. Performs very well, and holds up nicely to erasing."

by Dingletone

The paper type of Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Vellum Pad is 100 lb / 270 gsm with a 9″ x 12″ length. In addition, this is ideal for you to scratch your artwork, whether you are an emerging artist or a professional.

Furthermore, it has an acid-free vellum surface and texture perfect for realistic blending and shading with dry media. So, what are these dry media? Colored pencils, airbrushes, markers, pens, and inks. Also, it has a wide range of sizes, from 100 series to 500 series, and each level has its uses.

"Great paper for colored pencils and watercolor pencils!!! Really enjoy this paper. The watercolor pencils don't leave lines unless you mean for them to leave lines."

by John B

We come to our recommendation number 7, the Yupo Paper Legion Stonehenge Pad. Aside from that, it contains 15 sheets that measure 9×12 inches, which is ideal enough to fit in any bag you have. Furthermore, as the paper is quite thick, it will come in handy when coloring with colored pencils, watercolors, acrylics, or anything else.

What’s more, this cotton paper will quickly spread to all drawing techniques, especially when you use colored pencils. Plus, it provides a flexible surface that is suitable for a variety of creative artists.

"This pad is perfect for my colored pencil drawings and a great alternative to the large sheets of same paper. Love it."

by LAK

If other books only offer a plain paper, this Strathmore Series Colored Pencil Textures Pad book is different. Further, with a paper type of 100lb / 270 gsm, this will be thick enough for you to scratch colored pencils, pens, watercolors, and other things on it. Besides, it comes with step-by-step instructions on how to color on quality Strathmore paper.

Moreover, when you purchase this book, you will immediately receive eight blank pages for practice, 32 pages of fully-colored instructions, and ten online video tutorials per pad. So, this will be very useful for beginners who want to get the knowledge to do their artwork well.

"Excellent colored pencil tutorial book."

by Jan Connell

This 9 x 12-inch paper is 50% cotton and resistant to fading. Plus, you can use Canson Mi-Teintes Pastel Pad for drawing, paper crafts, or whatever. Furthermore, the paper has two surfaces: one side with a heavy texture and the other side with a lighter texture.

Likewise, this is made with a quantity of 24 sheets with a paper type of 98 pounds/160 grams. Also, it is classified as a fast-bright paper that can be colored using any color medium, including colored pencils.

"This paper has different textures on each side. I use the "smoother" side for colored pencils and it is the best paper I have found. It easily accepts multiple layers of color depending on the pressure... other than that, this is by far the best paper I have found by far!"

by Annett Ritter

You should be proud and happy because of this Unknown Fabriano ATW BL Echtbuetten Watercolor. Why? Because this book has a smooth and glued surface that will absorb all the colors very well, there is no need for maximum pressure to make the colored pencil color all the drawings.

Apart from that, you will receive a 12.5 x 18 cm block of 25 sheets weighing 300 g/m² in natural white color. Not only colored pencils, but you can also use any color media, such as crayons, watercolors, and others.

"this paper is really good and is awesome for beginners and many uses. I know this is watercolor paper but would totally recommend for colored pencils as well. totally would recommend."

by Monika T.