Watercolor Paper: gorgeous

Paper Love, or  shall I say “paper-philia?”

Printmaking, Asian papers, watercolor, pastel and handmade papers… I do love good paper.

 

Gorgeous Papers

Watercolor Loose and Easy  began its first session yesterday at Atwell Gallery, Perth.

It was fabulous.

Discussing watercolor basic materials,

and the many types of Watercolor papers,  those most beneficial to beginners, was a priority.

 

 

Selecting 100% Cotton paper

With pure cotton, your results are smooth.  Lovely transitions and merging of beautiful colors.

The added bonus: 100%  cotton papers are a dream when you make a mistake and need to rinse/lift it off.

Student grade papers

(made from cellulose ingredients not cotton)  are very difficult, not beginner friendly in this regard.

 

Yes, they are cheaper!

But, I’d rather not pull my hair out in frustration with that cheap paper.

 

 

I’ve recommended Saunders Cold Press 100 % Cotton Rag.

With the proviso, if they so chose to go the luxury route, Arches CP or Rough was a very, very good paper. 

 

 

 

I’m also personally fond of using: Masa, Fabriano Soft Press, Fabriano Rough, Fabriano Esportarzione,  Twinrocker Feather Deckle and Yupo.

Usually, it is anything that is going to provide lots of texture with a lovely soft cotton ‘feel’ to it.

 

 

Though the Yupo is quite slick and plastic like in its feel and handling.

But, I like it and so do many of my students!

 

 

 

 

Close up of Saunders

When you look at this watercolor study close up,  you can see the exquisite textures within the Saunders paper.

 

I’d like to point out, for beginners, that it is the combination of:

• Plenty ie  surplus…. of Water and
• the good paper  and
• the granulating paint pigment
• that will allow this perfection of textural effects to shine through.

 

 

I have used  Daniel Smith (green)  watercolors in this impressionist mountain study:

zoisite,   green apatite and serpentine.

 

Zen.   They blend harmoniously.

And the textural qualities these pigments lend to the painting are sensational.

 

 

Zoisite, the gemstone

Its so lovely to get to see, what the pigment originally was.

Before it was ground fine as dust, mixed with gum arabic and squeezed into a paint tube.