I am also trying sample paper sheets that you can get from art supply stores. It is amazing to see what paper does to paint. Seeing all these samples next to each other makes you see the difference really good. Thanks for your review, and thanks for showing that Arches is not the holy grail. 😉
Thank you for the video review. I was wondering the same about Arches! I am a returning watercolorist and, of course, was using Arches CP 140 and had the same funny/muddy results with my paintings. But always blamed my poor skills! I did try Cotman paper in the past and as I recall I did like it, but followed the trend of it-should-be-cotton-paper! I guess I will give Cotman another try. Thank you!
Thanks for the comment Iryna Boehland. This test surprised me, and I think it is helping people to look at paper more critically. I'm glad you found that the funny/muddy results weren't you but the paper!
This Is The 3rd Vid(Of Yours) That I've Watched. I Am Also Self Taught. I Did Actually Take One Drawing Class In My 30's. You Will Probably "LAUGH" At Me...I Find Canson XL 140 lb 300g Cold Press= Pretty Good...I Also Use Strathmore MIXED MEDIA Cards Like "Hot Press" Paper. I Just Love It! I'm Disabled, And Don't Work A Paying Job...BUT I Make Cards For People In Our Church...Maybe I Just DON'T KNOW What I'm Missing, But I've Found THEY BOTH Can "Hold Their WATER", *AND* Take A "SCRUBBING"...Don't Usually Have To "SCRUB" Though, Thanks To MAGIC ERASER.... I Really Like Your Vids...
Wow I'm surprised by Arches. I use it occasionally. Ive tried Moulin du roy, it has funny sizing but can be fixed by streching or applying a wash of clear water before painting. I also find bockingford and fabriano student paper good student papers that perform really well despite it not bin 100% cotton. thanks for the useful video.
Hi Penholder Art. Yes, I was surprised by Arches too. Thanks for the info on Moulin du Roy. I haven't tried that paper yet, and now maybe can skip that. My subsequent testing of papers has led me to my new favorite cold press - Stonehenge Aqua, though Strathmore 500 is a close second. My fav hot press is still to be determined!
Wow! I've never tried W&N papers, but now I have to get some. I've also thought that Arches was the standard and have stacks of unused Arches in my studio. My own current favorite is 140# (or 300#) hot press Moulin du Roy. It's made by Canson.
Thanks for the comment Lana. I haven't tried Moulin du Roy papers yet. I need to do that. Arches hot press is on my least liked list. I don't like how the first layers of paint stain, and can't be picked up very well, and then if you put on lots of layers of paint, the upper ones pick up and move too easily. How is Moulin compared to that?
The Moulin du Roy lifts easily on the first wash of paint and it takes successive washes well so long as the previous wash is completely dry. It also keeps sharp edges very well. Little to no bleeding/feathering past the wet line.
I have found that sometimes 100% cotton papers behave that way. I maybe wrong but maybe the Cotman paper is made of different material and therefore gives that different result that you describe. Btw love all your videos and the information you share
Hello 2112Dahlia. Thanks for your comment. Yes, the Cotman is indeed made from different material (see above response), but at this point I don't know what that is. Cheap Joes website doesn't say it is archival - so that is a problem. I would like to try the professional paper from Winsor & Newton - but I haven't found it at a reasonable price yet... Still searching...
Cotman is indeed a student grade - a decent one though. Your colours will always look different on 100 percent cotton paper than a cheaply made paper because the paint "soaks" in all the cotton fibres, whereas with the cheap papers it doesn't 'soak" in the same (hence why you needed less layers too.) The 100 percent cotton papers give a consistent depth to your work, the cheaper paper gives only a brightness. I don't think any of the pieces looked overworked, they were all good pieces.
Thanks Kyomii. Yes, I agree that the paint may be sitting on top of the Cotman. However, it certainly soaks in more than on Arches hot press, and that is the primary reason I dislike AHP. After I did this video, I bought some more Cotman, and with later trials on larger pieces, I did find a mushyness and muddyness that I had not noticed on this first trial.
Hello Brenda, I'm glad you found the video helpful. At the end of the video I say what each of the 5 papers are. If you are working with Arches hot press, I would suggest that you try another brand before giving it up if you need it for your painting style.
Well that was quite a revelation. I use Cotman (cot not cote btw) because it's affordable (I live in England). I've always converted Arches but it's just so expensive to buy a full pack here. maybe I'll stick to W & N.
Hi Fiona. Thanks for the pronunciation help. I think it depends on an artist's style, and I'm sure that different papers match different artists better. But as for me, I'm with you. I see now that Arches has caused me much frustration.
I notice the price for an Arches watercolour block is almost the same in UK, where I live, as in the US. France is next door - so much for the Single Market EU! You can buy Bockingford 140lb paper on eBay at a very good price. Liked the cold pressed but didn't get on with the hot. Sandra has opened my eyes to how colour can come out quite differently on all these papers.
Brenda, thank you for finding Bockingford on Ebay. I ordered some and will be testing it when I get the rest of the papers. Yes, this video opened my eyes as well. I had no idea what the outcome would be.
