This pad is for charcoal and pastel artists, designed to take strong strokes while retaining surface texture. Strathmore 500 Series Charcoal Paper supplies natural white, laid-finish sheets suited to charcoal, oil pastels and crayons. Will the wire-bound 9x12 format and 24 sheets suit your sketching routine?
⚡ At a Glance
- • Surface Texture: Natural white with a traditional laid finish that creates tooth for dry media
- • Best for: Artists working in charcoal, oil pastels, crayons and other dry media
- • Not ideal for: Heavy water-based techniques or projects requiring heavyweight paper
Natural white charcoal paper, 64 lb / 95 gsm, with a traditional laid finish. Wire-bound 9x12 pad contains 24 acid-free sheets for dry-media sketching.
Expressive Mark-Making – with a traditional laid finish
The laid finish produces a toothy surface that traps charcoal and pastel particles on the sheet surface. That texture helps strokes remain visible and layered without sinking into the paper.
Captures bold, textured strokes and subtle shading alike, ideal for studies and finished sketches.
Reliable Handling – thanks to 64 lb / 95 gsm stock
A 64 lb / 95 gsm weight gives moderate thickness suitable for repeated passes of dry media while remaining reasonably flexible. The stock supports layering without excessive tearing when working with charcoal and pastels.
Good for multiple adjustments and erasing during sketch development, making it suitable for practice and gallery pieces.
Long-lasting Pages – with acid-free construction
Acid-free manufacturing prevents rapid yellowing and deterioration that can affect lower-grade papers. The archival quality helps preserve tone and contrast over time.
Sketches keep original values longer, making pads appropriate for kept studies or pieces intended for framing.
✨ The 4 Key Reasons for Strathmore 500 Series Charcoal Paper
- Natural white tone – Ensures accurate value studies and clear charcoal contrast
- Laid finish texture – Holds dry media particles for expressive, controllable strokes
- Wire-bound 9x12 pad – Lies flat for sketching and easy page removal
- Careful packaging noted by buyers – Arrives protected and ready to use straight away
📋 Technical Details at a Glance
- Category: Charcoal paper pad
- Brand: Strathmore
- Material: Natural white paper
- Finish: Traditional laid
- Weight: 64 lb / 95 gsm
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is this paper suitable for charcoal drawing?
A: Yes. The description explicitly states it is perfect for charcoal, and the laid finish gives tooth suited to charcoal work.
Q: What size is the pad and how many sheets are included?
A: The pad is 9 x 12 inches and contains 24 wire-bound sheets.
Q: Is the paper archival and acid-free?
A: Yes. The paper is specified as 64 lb / 95 gsm and acid free, suitable for preserving sketches over time.
🏆 Our Verdict
The Strathmore 500 Series Charcoal Paper is well suited to artists who work primarily in charcoal, oil pastels and other dry media. Laid-finish, acid-free 64 lb / 95 gsm sheets in a wire-bound 9x12 pad deliver dependable texture and archival stability. The combination of reliable surface hold and careful packaging makes it a practical, long-lasting choice for regular sketching and finished work.
