Joining the ranks of Strathmore's warm tan and cool grey toned papers is a brand new color: steel blue. The origins of this new toned blue is the perfect example of what happens when creative customers give great feedback. Strathmore's popular Vision Pads come with a customizable cover made of a heavyweight, (300gsm) steel blue mixed media paper. This cover paper was so popular that artists were asking for more, and the blue toned mixed media paper was born.

These toned papers are designed specifically for use with light and dark media. Starting your artwork with a mid-ranged colored paper allows for unique drawing possibilities by providing the middle value that you would otherwise need to render. Keeping the value of the paper as one of the values in the drawing makes it easier to apply dark shadows or white highlights, making your drawings pop.

Strathmore's mixed media papers work well with both dry and wet media like watercolor, gouache and acrylic. Watch the video tutorials below to see how you can create ethereal art using mixed media on toned paper.

Georgina Kreutzer's Tutorial on Creating Highlights & Shadows for Realistic Art on Toned Paper

Toned Blue Mixed Media Demo with Artist Minnie Small

Strathmore Mixed Media Pads are available now, in-stores only at both our San Francisco and Oakland stores.