The Paper Thread

[Mullanphy]

I love, even lust after, Arches 300# cold press paper. An artist could dump half an ocean of water on a full sheet and never see a single puddle.  It doesn’t need stretching.  I’ts like a board when dry before and after painting on it. It’s forgiving, doesn’t shred under harsh painting techniques.

Arches 140# is pretty good, too, but tends to buckle under heavy washes but most of the time it flattens back out without being taped down.

But good watercolor paper is becoming scarce, at least in the US, so prices are sky-rocketing, and, frankly, it’s getting too expensive for me, being on fixed income and no overtime available.  So, what do ya’ll recommend? Why do you like it?

Save lives, mask up. ?

[Yorky Administrator Ormskirk]

I don’t know about US costs, but I find 200# Saunders Waterford paper to be robust and economical in the UK.

Doug

We must leave our mark on this world

[Mullanphy]

I’m going to put that on my list, but after checking prices on Amazon, I see it’s a few dollars more for the same number of 9×12, 140# sheets (20) as Arches.  $35/Arches  $40/Saunders Waterford.  And, it looks as though everything from St Cuthberts Mill ships from UK.

Because my painting is so sporadic I haven’t purchased many of any kind of art supplies for quite awhile, and no wc paper probably for a couple years.  Maybe it’s just sticker shock, but, dayum, prices have gone up!

And I’d still like to hear about other’s favorite papers.  Ateza, anyone?  Fluid? Are there any good quality wc papers made in the US?

Save lives, mask up. ?

[Yorky Administrator Ormskirk]

I couldn’t get on with Arteza, the surface doesn’t take any rough treatment, scrubbing etc.

Doug

We must leave our mark on this world

[Lavendulan]

Hi Mullanphy,

I bet you are in sticker shock.  I’m fairly new to watercolor, and the prices have increased even since I started.  The economic problems caused by current conditions are not helping.  As a new student, I am in the experimentation stage, trying new things, and haven’t settled into any ruts so far!  And I have tried several brands of paper.

I bought a 10 sheet pack of Arches 140lb CP sheets when I took a class last year.  I tore them into quarter sheets , so I got 40 quarters, which will last me a while.  I actually struggle getting this wet enough.  It drinks from a fire hose.

I dont buy paper on Amazon. Their prices are almost always higher than Blick, Jerry’s, or CheapJoes, or even Jackson’s in the UK.  In fact, rarely buy any art supplies on Amazon, with the exception of checking Amazon warehouse every once in a while. This is where they sell returned or “used” items in like new condition. I went for a pad of 300lb Fluid paper the other day at about a 50% discount. When I got it, one corner had obviously been bent in the original shipment. I would have returned it too had I paid full price, but for half off, I am ok with it. Fluid is definitely NOT on my list of favorites. Very soft, not hard sized at all. Hates any kind of scrubbing or lifting. Pills if you look at it funny. However, great for me to do practice studies without feeling like I’m wasting good paper.

Stonehenge  Aqua – this was the first “good” paper I tried. Nice and bright, colors are really vivid on it. I loved it, except for a couple of problems. It is not fond of lifting, it Hates scraping, and my last three pieces I had real issues getting the masking tape off.  I’ve seen other complaints about that too.  However, yesterday I painted an edge to edge piece on my block, and the whole thing was lovely.  I’ve only used 140lb.  This paper is made in the US, and is quite reasonable. I may give the 300lb a try on my next order.

Blick Premier – made in the UK (probably St Cuthbert’s).  Pretty nice, pretty good price, only available in 140lb.

CheapJoe’s Kilimanjaro- their house brand of 100% cotton paper, also made in the US, I think in NC. I bought their travel journal, which goes on sale regularly. Surprised at how nice this paper is.  I got the natural white, I want to try the bright white.  Price varies by the format you buy, and whether you want to tear sheets, but this is a good value paper.  They do have 300lb in blocks and sheets.

Just got a pad of Saunders Waterford 140 lb, haven’t used yet.  Jacksons has the 200lb blocks on sale right now.. tempting to try. Their shipping is pretty reasonable to the states.  Takes a while, but I have found buying European brands there is often cheaper even with paying for shipping.  The Saunders looks very much like the W&N.

Winsor & Newton Professional. Oh my.  I love this paper. I’ve only gotten a couple of things done on the 140 lb block I have, but it is really nice to paint on.  nicely sized.  Doesn’t mind lifting, scraping, washes. It barely even blistered up from the block when really wet.  I got mine at Blick and the price per sheet is good.

I think CheapJoes will put together sample pack of different brands, you might want to look into that.

All the above are just my opinion, of course. Good luck on your search.

Lora
C&C welcome

[Yorky Administrator Ormskirk]

Thanks for the tip off about the 200ib blocks, I’ll investigate.

Doug

We must leave our mark on this world

[Mullanphy]

Lavendulan wrote:

Hi Mullanphy, … Their prices are almost always higher than Blick, Jerry’s, or CheapJoes, or even Jackson’s in the UK. In fact, rarely buy any art supplies on Amazon, …

Wow, that is quite a list, Lavendulan!  And the top end of informative. Thanks for sharing.

I know I didn’t ask about where to buy, and I’m not arguing your points.  I’ve been buying from Amazon since they opened for business – really great prices on books.  It use to be THE place to buy brand name art supplies because they had the lowest prices, and they still do – if the supply is sold and shipped by Amazon.  Price differences, though, are usually based on shipping which Prime members get for “free”.  But all that is a different story for another thread.?

I’m going to try a block of that Stonehenge.  Descriptions say it is 100% cotton.  The price difference between it and, say, Arches or Fabriano, might be the cost to get it across the Atlantic.  Don’t know, but I’m going to give it a go.

I bought some fluid on sale quite awhile ago.  Not as good as Arches, so was disappointed at first, but used it for practice and discovered it wasn’t as bad as a lot of other inexpensive brands because, like Arches, the paint stays mostly on top so the colors remain strong.

 

 

Save lives, mask up. ?

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