Painters Online Logo

Login/register

Studio

Both sides of paper the same?

Welcome to the forum.

Here you can discuss all things art with like-minded artists, join regular painting challenges, ask questions, buy and sell art materials and much more.

Make sure you sign in or register to join the discussions.

Hang on Studio Wall
Showing page 3 of 4
Author
Message
michael

Michael Edwards

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 3850
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 1552
Posted
I've never tried Saunders Waterford paper before so I thought I'd order some. It arrived today and although I've yet to try out I was quite disappointed to see how creamy (almost yellowy) it is. For me the whole point of watercolour is to preserve that elusive 'sparkle' and I doubt this paper will ever facilitate it - but time will tell.
michael

Michael Edwards

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 3850
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 1552
Posted
I must admit I do love Arches Robert but I'll give the SW a try tomorrow. I've not had a chance today - just come in from gardening and getting a dose of vitamin D in the sunshine - after all I don't want to look white like watercolour paper do I.

Ian

  • New Member
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 12
Posted
Well, since I started this thread I thought I'd let you know that I did use the reverse side of my Saunders Waterford paper. I must say that it behaved just the same as the other side, which won't surprise most of you who had advised that it should so anyway :) Just to recap, I had been painting on the side that appears to have a pattern to it which I have found distracting on some of my paintings. The reserve side has a more velvet surface which I now prefer. I should say that I popped over to the wetcanvas watercolour forum and someone has recently posted the same query (quite spooky) and they explained the issue better than I did.
DSCF4152

Anonymous User

  • Esteemed User
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 1263
Posted
I've tried many papers, the one I wouldn't use again is Langton, Its like a sponge soaks up the water and takes ages to dry. I've ordered some St Cuthberts Botanical Ultra smooth, it says its similar to the Fabriano 5 hp, and the A3 is very reasonably priced.

Alan Bickley

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 9085
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 3434
Posted
I've had the Langton watercolour sketching pads in the past and I can only agree with Carol's comments. That, along with Bockingford are one's for me to avoid - blotting paper comes to mind. I concede however, that other artist's produce brilliant work on the latter. I used Arches 300lb in all three grades for many year's, but have switched over to Fabriana Artistico 300lb a while back, I particularly enjoy working on their HP paper for pen and wash when outdoor sketching.

Edited
by alanbickley

With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, NAPA

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 20417
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 7159
Posted
Yet some swear by the Langton (whereas others, clearly, swear AT it) - and some swear by Bockingford - certainly, I'd rather use Bockingford than the stuff I have been using (a Fabriano, but not the Fab. Artistico 300lb) which cockles if you so much as sneeze within four feet of it. While a lot of this is down to preference, I've had so much trouble with the cheaper papers that I'm giving up the search for a reasonably priced alternative to the very best - I'm going back to cotton rag when I next buy paper, unless someone can point me to that miracle paper which is cheap and also doesn't guzzle water like a man dying of thirst. I've had SOME success with Bockingford/Fabriano Cheapo (I have made that up; let's be honest - I've lost the label which told me what it was): I even sold a couple ... but had to fight with them all the way.
DSCF4152

Anonymous User

  • Esteemed User
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 1263
Posted
I certainly was a case of 'swearing at it' I was on holiday at the time and wanted to get as much down in my book as possible. Next time it will be the sketch book, and light washes. Alan, I have never had trouble with Bockingford, its one of my favourites, along with the Bamboo paper a good all-rounder, for me.
michael

Michael Edwards

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 3850
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 1552
Posted
I tried out the Saunders Waterford on the LP Project which I referred to a few posts back - seems better than I anticipated - if anyone wants to take a look I've posted it in the gallery at : http://www.painters-online.co.uk/gallery/art-view,picture_218121.htm

Michael Robinson

  • New Member
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 2904
Posted
And great it looks Michael.
DSCF4152

Anonymous User

  • Esteemed User
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 1263
Posted
Smashing work, Michael.
michael

Michael Edwards

  • Prestige User
  • Reputation: 3850
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 1552
Posted
Thanks Margaret and Carol - much appreciated.
DSCF4152

Anonymous User

  • Esteemed User
  • Last active:
  • Posts: 1263
Posted
I can't say I've ever used two sides of the paper, either in a sketchpad or on a watercolour pad, but, I'm going to work through my sketch pad one way then work back through on the other side. Goodness knows when I'll get to the end of the book, but I'll be doing as much sketching as I can, this year.

Edited
by carol

Showing page 3 of 4