When I first got into watercolor painting, I experimented with all sorts of watercolor paper including this, Strathmore 140-205 Ready Cut Watercolor, Cold Press, 5" x 7", White, 25 Sheets. I liked 'em, but I didn't really realize how good they are.A few years down the road with lots of experience with watercolors, I can really appreciate this paper. It's 100% cotton, and after talking to the folks at Strathmore a while back, I discovered it's also vegan. Yay, Strathmore! It holds paint well, it absorbs liquid at the perfect rate, the sizing is ideal for wet washes and dry brush techniques. Paints look great on this paper, and it never gets in the way of what I'm doing, which some paper does.You may already know that Strathmore's 100 series is their entry level paper, then there's the 200 series, 300 series and 400 series, and this - their 500 series - is their highest quality watercolor paper series. And you can tell the difference.So I'm happy I came back to these 5x7 series 500 sheets. I think I'll order some bigger Strathmore 500 paper, too. Good stuff! I'd say it's good for every level of watercolor painter.