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The Mind of Watercolour - discussion
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Message
Posted
On YouTube (sorry Alan Bickley, but I do find it rewarding - if time consuming) is a US painter whose page is called the Mind of Watercolour. He has a video dating from 2018, which has cropped up again and so reminded me. He compares Fabriano Studio, Canson SL (I think), and Strathmore - in this case, all woodchip papers - with his favourite Arches brand, and unsurprisingly compares them all unfavourably to Arches. Well, so would I. I don't like the lighter weight Fabriano; I have got on well with Canson; and I've heard good things about Strathmore, but have yet to try it.
I have tried The Langton, and Bockingford - also woodchip papers. Didn't quite get on with the former, though I think that was just its unfamiliarity at the time - I did get better with it; and I do like Bockingford, as a good, reliable paper. I know they're not cotton rag - and don't cost anything like so much as Arches or other rag papers. What I'd be interested to know, though, is - does anyone PREFER the woodchips to rag; do they suit your technique better; do you find a paper like Arches less sympathetic than, say, Bockingford (or any of the others)?
I don't paint a lot of watercolours - if I painted a fraction as many as Alan Owen, I'd be in the bankruptcy court if I used Arches every time. But in view of the question 'is it the paint or the painter?', how about - in watercolour, is it the paper or the painter?
Posted
I must confess I've been very remiss regarding the paper I use. I don't give it enough attention. Having a love of sketchbooks, I tend to push my luck with paper not intended to suffer the treatment I give it. However, I've used a Strathmore Visual Journal sketchbook...heavy duty 300 gsm. This was good, but I've only been able to find it in 9x12 inch size. I recently got a Strathmore 18 x 24 inch 300gsm pad that I've barely used. I've never tried Arches paper.
Whether it's the paper or the painter...I don't know. I've got pictures I think are OK on poor paper, and pictures I think poor on 'good' paper. (And the other way round , of course). So I tend to think it's less about the paper and more about whether I'm having a 'good' day.
But I'm not a purist watercolourist and I don't sell work. Common sense tells us to use the best materials we can...can't argue with that.
Posted
I’m not decrying YouTube Robert, it’s just not my thing in general.
As for watercolour paper, well this is an important factor in the success or failure of a painting in my view.
I’ve used Arches 300lb for years, but more recently I’ve switched to Fabriano Artistico 300lb NOT. I like both and don’t have any particular preference.
I’ve never liked Bockingford, it feels like painting on blotting paper, but I’ve seen exceptional work painted on it, namely Rupert Cordeux - watercolour at its very best!
So, that’s obviously down to me, not the paper.
Edited
by Alan Bickley
Posted
Well this is a debate that could go on for ever. As you will probably all agree the choice of paper is as personal as the choice of cloths, I for one think more about what I psi to on than want I wear. Often hear a voice saying dad why don’t you put something on a bit smarter as we’re going out . Or mostly are you going dressed like that, no I’m going to take my cloths off and just wear boots. Sorry carried away with the excitement of watercolour paper , to get it out of the way I would love to be able to afford to paint on Archers paper regularly , it’s simple the best as the song goes. Any Archers is excellent for painting on and I do like the rough textured heavy papers they produce, ( please Mr Archers can I have some free samples).
I have and do sometimes use Langford paper and have found that quite reasonable in quality and price, the price is important as like a lot of us I have to watch the pennies. I do use Bockingford on a regular basis and have several surfaces in my stock I buy loose sheets on line in a4 and a3 sizes . Like it a lot had good paint hold in ability , but can be a bit greedy and soak it in a bit , but that’s a part of the appeal . It’s the paper I use when I want to do a particular good painting for someone else . I do recommend to anyone that asked me to do them a paint that they fork out for a sheet of Archers paper or I use the Bockingford . I did not that Alan has never liked Bockingford , for me that confirms what I said that paper choice is a very personal thing .
I have included a photo of the paper I use each and every day , it a good paper and does what I want it to do, it hold the paint well, and is fine with wet in wet, it also stands quite a bit of scrubbing . Importantly it allows areas to be washed out and repainted , excellent for the odd mistakes, I’ve used acrylic on it and sketched with ink, charcoal etc. Basically it’s a good cheap everyday paper . 
Posted
I use Langton, Daler-Rowney, Winsor and Newton, and Fabriano. 300gsm. Hot and cold pressed depending what I'm doing. I'm not to keen on a certain brand which I wont name but it puckers when the water is on and there seems to be distinguishable horizontal and vertical lines that sway they paint in areas you don't want it to move too. I use a variety of sizes small right up to big sheets, 80cm x 60cm I cut them in half. I've not attempted a watercolour that big yet but I've done a couple 40cm x 30cm. I've not tried the others but I will try them.
Posted
In the early 80s I had a 'Love Affair', with Fabriano, and I feel that some of my best work was done at the time. Then suddenly, the occasional sample of paper turned up with bad sizing, and it was exactly like blotting paper. I tried to put up with that, but the paper wasn't cheap even then. That was when I put my toes into the Arches waters.
I use Bockingford for studies, (And for backing small canvas boards) but my paper of choice now is Arches 300 lb. I have a lot of their 140 lb paper to use up, but I don't buy any more of that now.
I just love the texture of the heavier paper, and the effects that the rough papers give.
Have I turned into a paper snob?
This post has been removed as it violates our forum rules and guidelines.
Posted
I’ve only tried Stonehenge cotton paper and did not get on with it at all, so I am still with Bockingford. But, I am not the watercolour expert. Nonetheless less Bockingford is reliable and relatively cheap.yeah , The Stonehenge has a slight cream color is my all time favorite. I ordered it from Bostick & Sullivan. The Canson is slightly more neutral (white) is also best.