Strathmore 500 Series Bristol

Created in 1893, Strathmore 500 Series 100% cotton Bristol is an industry standard beloved by artists for its exceptional quality.

It is made by pasting multiple drawing sheets together to create a stiff, strong surface to work on.

Strathmore Bristol comes in two distinct surfaces: vellum and plate.

𝗩𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘂𝗺 surface has a toothy finish that is excellent for pencil, colored pencil, charcoal, pastel, oil pastel, pen & ink, and airbrush.

^{By Justin Maas, Drawn on Strathmore 500 Series Bristol Vellum with graphite}

𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 surface has an ultra-smooth finish that is unsurpassed for detailed work with technical pen, airbrush, colored pencil, pen & ink, and marker.

^{By Jennifer Morrison, Drawn on Strathmore 500 Series Bristol Plate with colored pencils}

The term "plate" comes from a process that is exclusive to the Strathmore® brand. The finish is created by hand: Bristol sheets are layered between smooth metal plates to create a "book." The book is run back and forth between pressure rollers, compressing each sheet and creating a very consistent, ultra smooth surface like no other.

It’s been over a century since the inception of our Bristol, and we’re proud to continue manufacturing it to the exacting standards artist have come to know and expect from the Strathmore brand.