BEST PAPER for Watercolor (My Favorite Watercolor Paper in 2022)

[@karenfinneganart2480]

I use Bockingford too but not the block, I spray the back before I tape it down that way it doesn't buckle too much. When the painting is completed and dry I spray the back and tape it with water activated tape to my window ( one where the sun doesn't reach) then allow it to dry and voila one very flat work of art

[@TheDevonArtist]

That's a clever method Karen and one I've never heard of, I like it! Thank you very much, Paul 🎨

[@neverlookback876]

This is so insightful. EVERYONE so far has recommended archers so it's nice to see some other ideas. Your paintings are stunning... And I think if you ever want a side hustle, you should narrate books. Such a calm, clear and enjoyable voice 😊

[@TheDevonArtist]

Thank you so much Richy. There are so many watercolour papers out there that I haven't as yet tried, and maybe over time I will. I know, it always down to cost when you want to try various papers out. Buying single sheets of each one helps. 😉 Paul 🎨

[@ShazAtts]

Hi Paul :) Thanks to your tuition I am now an avid fan of the Bockingford Block I love it and have 3 or sometimes 4 on the go at once LOL its just so easy to use and as soon as I remove a finished painting I have to draw up another almost right away ... one thing I found was where the opening is left unglued it does enable the paper to cockle a bit especially when doing a wet in wet background wash .. so what I do that helps avoid that is I put a bit of masking tape over the gap and as its easy to remove it causes no issues except it stops the cockling :) So thank you very much for the introduction to good ol Bockingford or 'Blockingford' as I now call it lol ... a good forgiving paper as well but you can overdo it sometimes so do need to be careful you don't work it too much ... yep speak from experience there. Great little video you are so helpful ❤👍

[@TheDevonArtist]

Hi Shaz, thank you very much for your lovely words, you are very kind. Yes, the paper can lift a little for the top unglued area, I tend not to worry too much about that though as it's not too bad. This will depend on the amount of water/ washes you use as well of course. As for the masking tape, I do that as well! LOL Chat soon Shaz, Paul 🎨

[@carolynsherratt6187]

I love bockingford paper, I found it years ago, then changed tack and used acrylics. Just rediscovering watercolour and thought I would try some cheap papers but they don’t come even close to bockingford.

[@TheDevonArtist]

I completely agree Carolyn, even though Bockingford isn't a cotton rag, more chemically are mould made, it's lovely to work with. 😀

[@TheDevonArtist]

What is your favourite watercolour paper? * Leave me a comment* , I would be interested to know. If you would like to see more videos on the materials that I like to use: bit.ly/37k41fq

[@Klecksfabrik]

Also love Bockingford Block and use both CP and Rough regularly. It is my 'go to' paper. So sturdy and reliable and as you say, it's easy to lift paint off! Also use Saunders Waterford Rough which has a very different feel, but very lovely, too.

[@TheDevonArtist]

Thank you Johanna, to be honest I've never tried Saunders Waterford even though it also made by St Cuthberts Mill. I will look out for some of this and test it out. 😀

[@amypanddirtytoo1926]

I have just discovered Fabriano soft press! It's in between a hot and a cold press, sounds kind of like yours! Smooth enough for me to do detail, but just bumpy enough to have the nice watercolor effects that I enjoy that pure hot press just can't recreate (like with granulating colors). Now, it is 100% cotton so it acts like the Arches I love, but the texture is just so much fun to play with! Oh! Almost forgot! I only use 300 lb/640 gsm paper now. Even on a block paper still buckles, that's just what happens if you wet it. Doesn't matter if you glue it on all four sides it will just expand upwards instead of outwards and upwards, lol!! I don't like taking the time to stretch my paper anymore because I usually paint large scale (12 x 16 inches is the "tiniest" I go) and it's just a hassle. So 640 GSM it is! I don't ever get my paper extremely sopping wet so it doesn't ever buckle and now I don't have to wait to start a painting I have an idea for, I can just go!

[@TheDevonArtist]

Thank you, I will look out for that one to give it a try. I don't usually use cotton rag papers, but I'm intrigued to say the least. A heavier weighted paper certainly gets around the need for stretching. Excellent advice and comment, thank you Amy. Paul 🎨

[@pascalineh4792]

I like Bockingford as I used it for ink. How do you glaze over watercolour as it’s easy to lift off the colour? Merci 😊

[@TheDevonArtist]

Hi Pascaline, I prefer to use light washes of colours, allowing each layer to completely dry before painting another 'glazing' layer over the top. This way it doesn't disturb the layer below as long as you use a light hand.

[@pascalineh4792]

@@TheDevonArtist aww Merci.

[@123Reinhardt]

Sounds good..So far I only used kind of cheap papers….I so admire your paintings …so accurate and patiently done..

[@TheDevonArtist]

Thank you Kerstin, I always say 'buy the best you can afford' especially when it comes to paints and paper. But, you certainly don't need to spend a fortune, Bockingford for example is middle of the road price wise. Have fun painting, Paul 🎨

[@fionaj4383]

Your artwork is beautiful

[@glenrappold5393]

Beautiful work! Just FYI, Bockingford IS in fact sized internally.

[@TheDevonArtist]

Hi Glen, I didn't know that, thank you for letting me know. Paul 🎨

[@sds9418]

I am not attached to a specific brand because I like to make my own discoveries; and seeks the best quality that can suit my creations. I loved creating my little series of cats with The Langton papers. he is just amazing and finds it particularly sensual. I appreciate its great softness at the same time as its exceptional resistance: To create my paintings, I had previously integrated tissue paper to add volume to my sunflower flowers, gesso, micro beads and sand that I I colored, sequins and spangles etc. I also used watercolor with inks, and acrylic for touch-ups and white highlights.. This paper really surprised me and I am ready to reuse it if the Waterford and Fabriano brands remain so expensive.. I took watercolor lessons with teachers for a few weeks; the classes were saturated with students! I didn't stay there due to lack of space..and the block Arches paper we were using disappointed me. I find it too rigid and also a bit too rough; it tears easily when you try to extract the sheets from the pads. But it is excellent in quality and resistance. I have some in reserve in my workshop, and I certainly think of using it to fix it durably on wooden frames. I will test beforehand that it doesn't make a too big bowl when I do wet on wet. If it stays taut, then it will be perfect! It's been since 2018 that I no longer created, I miss it, all my internships that I had planned to do have unfortunately been canceled because of the convid in 2020 and 2021; and 2019 the trainer was still on sick leave. I would like to learn how to make my papers from plants and recycled papers, to be more creative. But I find that there is nothing more beautiful than a look or an attitude of a cat (or other wild animal) you know you do it so well Paul; and that I can try to paint while progressing in my creativity

[@TheDevonArtist]

What a lovely comment SDS, it's very kind of you to explain your preferences where our lovely hobby of watercolour is concerned. Regarding your course, yes it's a shame that Covid has got in the way, but at least you have here and if you wish my own website to learn the love of art all here have, including of course little ole me! LOL Keep well over there, Paul 🎨

[@samvFineArt]

Thank you for the review Paul. I have only used Arches, since stepping away from the cheap stuff. I primarily use 140 HP. I like the smoothness, but have found it tuff to do wet in wet for large areas (dries fast). I noticed Bockingford cost about $10 usd less than Arches. May give them a chance when I run out of paper.

[@TheDevonArtist]

Yes, I have the same problem when applying large wet in wet washes with Arches. Lovely paper for those botanical details though. 😀

[@TimChuma]

I was advised to try this as it was the "student" grade. I just wanted to go up a level from the chain store paper and maybe the next level later. Still using the watercolour set I got from the same store (wooden box) and had used it to paint Christmas cards.

[@TheDevonArtist]

I think everyone has their preferences to be honest with you and it what you get used to painting on. Bockingford is one I've used for many years, so not cotton rag, but more of a chemical pulp make. 😀

[@UJB123]

Bought the small CP (5x 7) spiral Bockingford the other day. Always wanted to try it out. It has a nice feel to it however, it seems to be the driest paper on earth which is a huge problem with a non block pulp😊. Way too Thirsty for Urban Sketching, while out and about, imho. I think I’ll keep it for my WC Pencils. Derwent … keep the UK together thing. I do like the feel of the paper.

[@TheDevonArtist]

Thank you very much. I suppose it all depends on what we need from a paper with the type of paintings we do. I've never tried it for plein air painting, but that's an interesting outcome.

[@brightonrosie]

I really like Bockingford and Canson Moulin du Roy 100% cotton paper

[@TheDevonArtist]

I've never tried the Canson Moulin du Roy, I must look into that one. Thank you. 😀

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

I have never tried Bockingford paper. I began on the really cheap Canson XL Watercolor 140 lb. (300g/m2) Paper & the Canson XL Mixed-Media 98 lbs (160 g) paper but now I used Strathmore 500 Series 100 % Cotton Rag Watercolor 140 lbs (300g/m2) Paper or the Hahnemuhle Aquarelle 100 %Cotton Rag 140 lbs (300 g/m2) Watercolor Paper. ❤

[@TheDevonArtist]

You are using some lovely papers now Colleen, plus one's I have as yet to try. You know what it's like, you get used to one type of paper and how the water flows and become reluctant to try something else. LOL

[@creativecolours2022]

Have you ever use the HP one? I'm looking for a HP for botanical illustrations and I'm currently in a dead end because I'm not satisfied with any of the papers that I have tried up until now, including Arches, Fabriano, Waterford, Canson ( Heritage and Moulin) etc. The problem with the all cotton papers aside of the price is that they are way too soft and absorbing. And plenty of the papers that I have used in the past don't have consistent sizing. It varies from batch to batch. The Moulin du Roy has changed sizing three times. Fabriano changed the sizing of the Artistico paper and Arches is overpriced to the extremes. (almost 10 euros per sheet ). I don't have anymore access to the Strathmore papers ( I used to buy them from UK but now they don't even send to EU! ). How does Bockingford performs in multiple layers? Is it easy to work on it with multiple transparent layers? Can it hold the paint or it needs a very "light hand" in order to avoid lift the already dried previous layers of paint? Irrelevant now with the above.. don't paint backgrounds wet on wet when the paper is still attached on the pad. This is the way to destroy the sizing of the sheets of paper under. All the dampness of the paper that you work on goes on the sheets below and spoils their sizing. Pads are great for keeping the smaller sheets of papers completely flat but not for working on it.

[@TheDevonArtist]

Hi again, no to be honest I've never tried the Bockingford HP, I've always preferred a slightly textured paper for the water holding properties plus the extra effects we get with granulating colours within the nap of the paper, and especially with my style with mostly being wildlife related. I will certainly add it to my list to try out though. Bockingford is ok for layers of detail, but when adding layers of wet in wet washes it does fail and the dry layers of washes can move if you are not careful. Obviously this can depend on the staining properties of the pigments I've use, but as you know, you do get used to the limitations of the paper you use. I personally find Arches a dull HP paper, even though it's very good quality, and this is really the only HP paper I've tried after over 40 years of painting! LOL thank you. Maybe a fellow botanical artist here can recommend a different make to the ones you have tried. Paul 🎨

[@UJB123]

Baohong HP, imho

[@gigikat333]

is there a reason you use cold press overhot press paper? I had always heard hot press is better for painting sharp details like fur strokes

[@TheDevonArtist]

A good question Grace. I prefer to use cold pressed paper for the ability to apply large washes, especially for backgrounds. When I try this on HP papers, the water seems to float and sit on the surface a little more. Besides, I do like to have a slight texture for the look of the painting as well. 🙂 As you said, HP papers are perfect for fine detail, which is why many botanical artists use it. Paul 🎨

[@gigikat333]

@@TheDevonArtist ah that makes sense, maybe I will try my technique on CP to compare, always used HP (and I find color can lift a little too easily). Thanks!

[@kle1701]

This is 2 years down the road from the making of this video, but I wonder if you have used Saunders Waterford. I purchased a big block of it thinking that it would work better for me than Arches. It was quite disappointing and not at all what I expected. Some aspects are wonderful, but the two problems I have had are washes and with sizing issues. I can barely get a wash down before the water soaks into the paper and begins to dry. Even on a 5 x 7 section, I can get hardly anything done on a gradient wash before it starts drying. And then the sizing issue (I guess that is what it is)….. several small spots on the paper simply won’t allow the paint to soak in. It is like a little bump that stays almost white and seems to repel the paint. Both of these issues happen even if I wet the back of the paper and tape down before painting. So, I wonder if I might like Bockingford better. 🤔

[@TheDevonArtist]

Hi Kay, I have used Saunders Waterford and have a block pad here that I still use occasionally, just for a change. I have got on well with the paper and find the washes I use soak perfectly into the paper. I suppose it can also depend on the style of watercolour we do, be it detailed or loose. I also find that when using a new paper, it can take some getting used to. As you can see from this video, my favourite surface is Bockingford, which is more of a chemical pulp and not cotton, but that's probably because at the time I wanted to save money and went for the cheaper option. So I've got used to how it works over the many years I've used it. I still love that paper now. I prefer to wet the paper more than once so it stays wetter longer, but the issue with areas resisting the water can be down to an imperfection within that sheet, or in my case I've handled the paper too much before painting and left natural oils from my fingers on the paper, acting like a wax resist. I could go on, but this is just from my own experiences Kay, I hope you get to the bottom of your paper issues. Paul 🎨

[@kle1701]

@@TheDevonArtist Thank you so much for the response. So helpful. I’m using a block, so hardly handling the paper, and definitely wetting thoroughly. Tried taking it off the block and wetting back as well. One spot was actually thin on the paper, almost like a hole, but not quite. I only tried about 4 or 5 sheets and gave up. So maybe it’s just a couple of sheets that have a problem. I went back to Arches for a bit but may try again with my Blockingford. I definitely love the whiteness of it!

[@annettefournier9655]

I like Bockingford. I'll get the pads because they are cheaper and have more pages. Then I'll make them into a block myself by using a pallet knife and smoothing a layer of matte acrylic medium around the edges. PVA glue works too as well as hot glue. Just leave a little opening for a place to separate the pages after . Tada! A block! My favorite paper is Saunders Waterford( I usually don'tdo much fine detail)but I'm starting to do more animals,least favorite is Arches. It buckles badly and the sizing is inconsistent. Imo.

[@TheDevonArtist]

Hi Annette, I've never thought of making my own blocks but what an excellent idea, thank you. Paul 🎨

[@annettefournier9655]

@@TheDevonArtist Sure no problem. After you do a couple it just takes a couple minutes. I like the matte medium best. I let mine dry overnight. Hot glue works almost instantly. 😉

[@TheDevonArtist]

@@annettefournier9655 Thank you, I'm not that much of a fan or Aches either, but use it occasionally for my members benefit. 😀

[@joycejohnson7017]

thank you for doing this review I found it very good for me I find arches isn’t a bright white and it is rough and I find The paint seems to dull down the colors for me I’m not sure why

[@TheDevonArtist]

Hi Joyce, I've had similar issues with Arches as well, especially with it being a sort of off-white compared to my Bockingford paper.

[@samvFineArt]

Arches has a bright white version. When I first started I too noticed it was off white. Now I use bright white version.

[@TheDevonArtist]

Thanks Sam, I will check it out. 😀

[@suev1520]

Thank you so much..I will try Bockingford since my favourite Fabiano has changed their massive production method and machinery after a couple of centuries of perfection..I am deeply upset by this but I will move on….Bockingford sounds just what I need…

[@TheDevonArtist]

Brilliant, just bear in mind that Bockingford isn't a cotton rag paper, it is a sort of chemical pulp, but personally I love it and have used it for many years. 😀 devonartist.co.uk/materials-i-use-or-recommend-for-realistic-watercolour/

[@suev1520]

@@TheDevonArtist but perfectly fine to sell paintings from would you say? Archival etc?

[@TheDevonArtist]

@@suev1520 Yes, Bockingford is certainly a good make and a middle of the road price. 😀

[@voliabrandaolaveneremachad7849]

Great advice!

[@TheDevonArtist]

Thank you very much 🤗

[@bonnieg4076]

I just bought a block of Fluid 100, all cotton, 300# paper to try. I'm still at the exploration stage of painting.

[@TheDevonArtist]

I've not heard of that make Bonnie, thank you though, I will look it up. 🤗

[@bonnieg4076]

It's made by Speedball Art in North Carolina US

[@kellyhalligan1328]

Hey the link you shared to purchase the paper doesn’t work for that purpose.

[@TheDevonArtist]

Apologies, no idea what happened there.... Thanks very much for letting me know, here's the right link: bit.ly/3JJzZPu