Winsor and Newton Lana Cartridge Paper - Medium surface - this was found to have sufficient tooth to grip the pencil, but still allow it to move smoothly over the surface. One person thought the texture was too rough for cp, and that it needed quite a few layers before the white of the paper ceased to show. Smooth surface - this takes plenty of layers, and the white is covered quickly. One person felt it broke down under heavy pressure.

22/8/05: Bob Ebdon adds: Winsor and Newton have replaced Lana Cartridge paper - they have just dropped the "Lana" for some reason, and it is now called W&N Cartridge Paper. Several artists have reported that the medium weight 150gsm or 130gsm, Smooth surface papers are now too slippery and will not grip the pencil. I use the Heavyweight 220gsm,shown in the picture left, and have found it still to be good - a less expensive alternative to better papers, that will take 12 layers where others take 20 or more.

The Mythical Rising Stonehenge!!
Lesley had no comments on this as it had not yet appeared in this country!
Bob Ebdon says: Look in any book by a US author and you will see they all use this paper. Shall I tell you why?? 'Cos its the best. By far. No question. In my opinion! Ann Swan thinks it is like blotting paper and cannot get on with it. I have been desperately trying to con anyone who I know is going to the States into bringing me back a pile of it. It is around 300gsm, originally a print making paper, with a surface that grips coloured pencil like Velcro! I have NEVER damaged it, even after erasing several times, and scratching out with a knife. It just seems to be the same fluffiness all of the way through! It is incredibly soft - your fingernails will make an impression on it if you are not careful - and has to be used with a very light touch, but I have very rarely exhausted its ability to take pencil, 20-30 layers is entirely possible. More good news is that it comes in Black and various shades of off-white as well. The problem is getting hold of this fabulous paper. See our Links page for some US suppliers - but be prepared to pay shipping charges, and remember that paper is actually quite heavy.