A reliable, well-made watercolor pad that suits students, hobbyists, and traveling artists who want dependable performance from a historic papermaking name without committing to full sheets.
A reliable, well-made watercolor pad that suits students, hobbyists, and traveling artists who want dependable performance from a historic papermaking name without committing to full sheets.
The Fabriano Watercolor Paper Pad brings a legendary Italian papermaking heritage to your studio or plein air kit. Fabriano has been producing paper since 1264, and this pad reflects centuries of refinement in surface texture, sizing, and fiber quality. Each sheet is built to handle washes, lifting, glazing, and dry brush work without pilling or excessive buckling, making it a dependable choice for both students and working artists. The pad features acid-free, cellulose-based sheets with a cold-press texture that offers a pleasing balance between tooth and smoothness, ideal for detailed botanical work as well as loose expressive washes. The internal sizing helps control paint absorption, giving you more open time to blend pigments before the paper drinks them in. Edges are gummed on one side so you can tear off finished pieces cleanly while keeping the remaining sheets secure and flat for transport. Whether you're sketching landscapes outdoors, practicing color theory exercises, or building a portfolio, this pad provides a consistent, archival-quality surface you can trust. Its compact bound format makes it easy to slip into a backpack or art tote, and the sturdy cardboard backing gives you a stable surface to paint on even without a separate board or easel.
I've gone through three of these pads now. The surface takes layered washes beautifully and doesn't pill even with repeated lifting.
Good paper overall, though the thinner sheets do cockle a bit with very wet techniques. Still my go-to for sketchbook studies.
The cold-press tooth is perfect for florals and landscapes. Colors sit beautifully and the tear-off edge is so convenient.
I take this pad on hiking trips. The cardboard backing means I don't need a separate board, which saves weight.
