BockingfordWatercolour Block 140lb/300gms 9x12"/228x305mm Rough

I've been using Arches exclusively for a year and a half as a watercolorist. I wanted to branch out, buy other paper, test them, see what's out there. I should have read the fine print better, because it's not 100% cotton -- the greatest qualifier when painting. I bought rough and not textures. On one, I did wet into wet; the other, wet onto dry. I painted side by side with each, to better gauge which performed better. I noted no difference. I lifted clouds out with ease on each. Thought that odd. When I opened each block I saw that the texture was largely pitted with mould marks, so a lot of pigment would sit on the surface in these larger areas.I've painted on numerous student brand papers, and prefer the Cannon cellulose block. (blue cover). While there's no cotton in it, I've always had wild success with this brand, and love it far more than Arches for what it has done for me. I find that the Bockingford blocks have little appeal to me. Best suited for extremely light fluid, excellent for dry brush. Realize that there's no cotton in it (that I could discern), and the paper's texture is different on each side. Not sure when I'll ever use it again, but I won't plan any paintings with it in the immediate future. Too bad. I so wanted to like a backup paper. It arrived, made me feel important having my watercolor paper go through customs, even though, I never have.UPDATE: After using each block for various projects, I find I like this paper a lot more than originally thought. Not great for super w/w, but the balance of 2 landscapes proved this paper's might. The rocky expanse I'd been working on defined more realism than I'd expected. It can take a beating, but I feel it's best utilized for fresh projects without a lot of fussing.

This paper is used by so many people so I thought it would be worth a try. It isn't very good at all. You can get the same bad quality paper at your local store for less. I expected better, but alas, don't recommend this paper for anything.

love this paper, the texture, and I don't have to block, great for Pleine Aire too.

Good paper. Order was as expected. Delivered faster than expected. Good job.

I love this English watercolor paper. The rough surface adds a beautiful affect to my paintings. I'll be buying this paper again.

Excellent purchase. Perfect for my art class.