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The Mind of Watercolour - discussion
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Message
Posted
Arches Rough; Saunders Waterford; I still like Bockingford and The Langton among woodchip papers. And the Hahnemuehle and Schoelershammer papers - it's been so long since I last used the last two that I can't remember if they're rag or woodchip - senile decay setting in. But I do remember getting on very well with Saunders Waterford.
Posted
Arches and Bockingford rough for me. Straying ever so slightly, I would welcome any thoughts on a pure white paper - even those i've tried that claim to be extra or high white are, in reality, off-white. Saunders Waterford high white dissapointed as it's vitually the same as Bockingford. I haven't tried Arches Bright white Aquarelle which is a 100% cotton paper - might give it a try when I put in my next order.
Posted
I hate Bockingford! Think blotting paper… but other artists love it.
I’ve recently been using Two Rivers handmade Tub and Gelatine sized rag watercolour papers, and can highly recommend them. Probably the best paper I’ve tried to date!
Buy direct from their Somerset mill or Jackson’s. It’s not cheap, but if you want the best you have to pay, and I want the best!
Posted
I do use Bockingford that had been bought as a gift, it’s ok but not brilliant. I prefer Archer and have used it for the odd commissions as it’s normally out of my budget range and I can pass the cost onto the buyer. I recently bought a cheap bundle of 100% rag paper 35 sheets of A4 handmade, it quite reasonable and for every day stuff it’s fine , also as I’m not used to the rough texture it’s cheap enough for practice. I will look to getting some two river to try , have a birthday next month so that can be a suggestion for a present.
Posted
Linda you can get little sample packs of different brands of watercolour paper to try out, quite cheaply, from Jacksons or other art suppliers. I think I also did buy separately two small samples of Two Rivers paper. I prefer the St. Cuthberts Mill papers - Saunders Waterford and Millford. If you like a loose style with wet in wet washes then Millford is wonderful I think.
Posted
Will try the Two Rivers paper when I've exhausted my supply of Arches (at the rate I paint, that'll probably not be until next year). On Bockingford - I think you do get what you pay for; it's a paper that needs pre-soaking or will guzzle washes and buckle - it's also possible that Alan's batch of paper wasn't properly sized: it does happen. The difference between Bockingford and Arches is dramatic - Arches is not a paper I've found easy to use, but that's because it's so totally different as a surface - you lay down a wash expecting it to sink in and expand (if you're used to B'ford) and - it doesn't. So you end up with cleaner washes, which do require a different approach to painting.
If I could be given another 30 years of life, I might find my perfect paper!
Posted
A lovely painterly painting, Michael.
I too, have always liked using Bockingford. It was the first watercolour paper I used and have continued to do so, along with
many other types, using different watercolour brands. Its been an interesting journey over the past 20+ years of painting.
I've heard a few professional artists mention 'Whatford' and St Cuthbert Mill has made an equivalent, Millford, having purchased two half imperal sheets (arrived yesterday) I'm looking forward to trying this paper out using different watercolour brands.
Edited
by C Jones
Posted
I usuall tend to stay with the 140lb, a good all-round paper weight. I like using rough for seascapes and mountain vistas.
It will be interesting to read Michael's opinion of the Langton paper. Haven't used this for a few years, when I did it seemed to be a bit absorbent when doing wet in wet washes for the sky, however, it did dry flat. Being the skinflint I am I did buy two pads which were on offer, an A3 cold pressed and a HP 16''x 12'' I'll use the latter for botanical work.
When you get to a particular age this is the only phenomena of variety I crave :)
Happy painting.
ps
Do you think it would be a good thing for the forum users to place their experiences of surfaces and medium used, past and new, for others to read and then, maybe, try out, using the 'art materials' thread?
Doesn't have to be on a regular basis, just out of interest, if and when.
Edited
by C Jones