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Leochi In reply to Megan-Uosiu [2019-08-29 21:51:18 +0000 UTC]

Oh, and I can't stand paper with a striped structure as the one you've linked to. The illustration is adorable, btw, but I probably wouldn't have used that paper due to the texture. And I hardly ever use mixed media paper.

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Megan-Uosiu In reply to Leochi [2020-01-08 10:07:59 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so much for your reply!

Hahnemuhle is widely available in my country right now. I was a fan of their sketchbook ( artworldonline.co.uk/gift-2019… ) for many years, but when I finally found an identical one in the shop after filling up the first one - the quality of that new one was nowhere near the same. I wonder if it's because it needs time for the paper to change its qualities...?

I will check Cézanne next, since I think I saw it on the shelves. Thank you for your recommendation.

I also got a recommendation from a friend to check Canson Mix Media Imagine 200g Natural white, since it's cheap. It's very similar to what my Hahnemuhle sketchbook was like. You can't put too many layers on it, and it's not good with too much water, but at least it allows you to make some corrections and mix the colours a bit after they dry. The texture is small too, so I like it.

Arches seems to have gone out of production and is unavailable in my country right now. Same for Canson Montval. I've heard they have some problems in the factory. Not sure what it is though...

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Leochi In reply to Megan-Uosiu [2020-01-08 20:01:38 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome!

Oh bother! Maybe you got a bad batch? I've mostly had good experiences with Hahnemühle products.

But paper is subject to changes in the course of time, especially if it's cellulose paper. To my knowledge  Hahnemühle sketchbooks and watercolour books are made of cellulose.

Pure cotton paper is probably more archival and doesn't age as quickly.

Hope you'll enjoy the Cézanne paper, I really like it a lot!

Yes, the Canson mixed media is enjoyable, indeed, but I rarely use it for watercolour because It's too smooth.

Oh no! Really? That sounds really bad, I cannot imagine Arches being discontinued. Maybe it's just not available for now due to some technical problems?

I mostly buy my watercolour paper at Gerstäcker's, and there doesn't seem to be any shortage there. The same goes for Canson Montval.

Let's hope for the best!

A happy new year to you, and much fun doing art.

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Megan-Uosiu In reply to Leochi [2020-01-09 14:25:25 +0000 UTC]

Thank you, and to you too! Happy New Year!

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Leochi In reply to Megan-Uosiu [2019-08-29 21:44:11 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for your kind appreciation.

Sadly I haven't got the time to scan the different types of paper with close-ups. I've scanned them with an Epson Perfection V600 Photo and I haven't altered them at all digitally so as to show a maximum of structure. It's always very difficult to scan watercolours and I've tried various scanners, but the Epson V600 is by far my favourite.

If you want to minimize structure you might like to look into hot pressed watercolour paper. It's with very little texture, but I hardly ever use that type of paper.

My favourite of the a.m. would be the last one, Saunders-Waterford, but it really depends on my mood, which paper I choose. I've come to like the Arches but it took me a long time to get used to it. I've worked a lot with the Canson Montval NOT/cold pressed and I don't mind its texture. I quite like the Canson Montval Torchon, too, but I hardly ever use it for illustrations. It's always a matter of taste and style of course. Some companies sell sample packs of different watercolour paper. Depending on where you live you could try to  contact them and ask for samples. Some give them for free, others sell them. A German watercolour brand called Hahnemuehle even offer a block with 10 or 12 of their different types of watercolour paper. My absolute favourite from Hahnemuehle has to be the Cézanne. That brand is widely available in the EU, but they're probably not yet established as well as the likes of Arches etc. worldwide. I've made a comparison of their types of paper here:

Yes, I feel you! 100% cotton paper is always VERY expensive. Some companies offer wood pulp paper with a percentage of cotton, but I'm not familiar with any of them. It's either good old Canson Montval NOT for me, or the really good 100% cotton paper. (Cézanne, Sauders-Waterford, Arches etc.)
Hope this helps somehow.

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Leochi In reply to ghostchiryou [2018-01-21 15:57:40 +0000 UTC]

Good luck with your watercolour experiments! It's such a nice and rewarding medium, but it does take some time to get the knack of it.
If you're interested in some advice, here's a collection of tips that might be useful to you:

Working with watercoloursWorking with watercolours.
A collection of hopefully useful hints and links:
It seems preposterous to make a tutorial about working with watercolours and telling people what to do and not to do. I suppose that each artist is very unique in his/her approach to the matter. Some will work in thin, transparent layers, others will prefer the strong colours that come out of tubes. Some will never condescend to use black and others will use it all the time. There are purists who never would dare touch any white or use other media to reinforce their pics and give them more depth.
Well, my personal opinion is: try out what you like, study the works of classics like Constable, Dufy, Nolde, Schiele and many, many others and then do your own thing. ☺
A few little hints that may help you in the beginning:
Use the VERY BEST brush you can get. Sable brushes are wonderful to work with, you can achieve very thin lines and broad strokes just with one thick brush.
Vegans don't like to use animal pr

as for watercolour brands, here's another link that could be intersting, too:

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Leochi In reply to KannyMOs [2016-12-05 15:26:21 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for your kind appreciation!

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goddessandmcmanus In reply to goddessandmcmanus [2016-08-17 11:35:18 +0000 UTC]

How kind you are. Thank you so much. Given the glowing review, I believe I'll purchase some Centenaire, even if I have to reach across the pond for it.
Previously I've used Saunders Waterford rough and have really enjoyed it. Their HP curls some if loaded with water (as I tend to do), but seems to regain a flatter form in time. It also takes a lot of layering well. Though, unlike other HP papers I've read about, it does have show a surface texture. I love being able to do smaller pieces without the fuss of stretching. I'll be posting an example of it later today. If it appeals, great.
Many thanks!

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Leochi In reply to goddessandmcmanus [2016-08-17 11:11:24 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for your lovely comment.
I've asked Greatart www.greatart.co.uk/gerstaecker… about their Centenaire paper, it apparently is a line produced exclusively for their company by the French paper mill Clairefontaine. You might therefore get that paper under the producer's label. www.saa.co.uk/paper-board-canv… .
Thank you for your input, you've made me curious about Saunders's Waterford HP which I haven't use  yet because I'm more into slightly structured paper. I think I'll have to give it a try.

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Leochi In reply to scribblerian [2016-08-06 08:06:47 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for looking! Unfortunately scanning doesn't do justice to the colours. The colours on the other papers are just as vibrant, but somehow scanning makes them look quite different. It might have to do with the paper texture.

Arches certainly is a wonderful paper but one needs to experiment quite a lot with it to get satisfying results. I'm not overly fond of it because of its rather strong smell and its abrasive surface. It's a paper that ruins your brushes.

So pleased you liked the comparisons. It took me quite a while to put this all up.

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Leochi In reply to IvieMoon [2016-08-06 08:10:09 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for your kind words. Very pleased this was of use to you!

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IvieMoon In reply to Leochi [2016-08-06 18:08:36 +0000 UTC]

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Leochi In reply to Passin [2016-08-05 17:34:40 +0000 UTC]

Actually, that project was far from "little" as it took me almost a week of work. So yeah, thanks, I guess.

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