Etchr Watercolour Sketchbook Review - IS THIS MY NEW FAVOURITE PAPER?!?! Coldpress And Hotpress

[@janed.9907]

I’ve been using the Etchr cold press journal for my daily paintings this month and love it. Both sides of the paper are very good and I’ve never had a problem with bleed through. In fact, today I thought I’d over wet the back side and worried it would affect what I did yesterday, but when it all dried, it was fine. This is really good paper.

[@tanjathiess6790]

Dear Emma, I've enjoyed your review to the max. Your tip at the end for beginners, made me smile from ear to ear, you're so honest and true. Thank you! Your tips made me fall in love with watercolors from the beginning. And now I'm no longer a beginner, I'm not a pro either 😅.. I wanna thank you again and wish you and your family a great day, be safe! Lot of love from the Netherlands

[@barbborja1910]

If I read the information sheet you showed correctly, it has 26 sheets (52 sides). I think it’s still worth a try though and a better price right now.

[@FaerieDust]

Yep, that's right! The book has 52 pages, 26 sheets.

[@EmmaLefebvre]

Yep!!

[@amypak]

Thanks so much for such a thorough review! I do want to mention that you said you get "52 sheets" (18:05), but you actually get 26 sheets (52 PAGES), just to people aren't thrown off. ;-) LOVE the Etchr series and plan to get more!

[@DeniseSmithCreative]

I see great reviews on these sketchbooks however your review zooms in and really shows how the paint reacts! Great job!

[@jameswburke]

I got some blocks of cold press - fabulous paper and you can scrub / mop away paint easily without damaging the surface.

[@lizzy9975]

Absolutely awesome review Emma. Please ignore the negative comment. I'm not actually sure what you could have done better or differently. I thought you did well. Up close camera shots were exactly what I (am I'm sure many others) wanted. So we could see exactly how the paint when onto paper, bled and how it dried! I ordered the sample pack, and I get the $10 back when I make a full order! Looking forward to many more reviews and painting tutorials from you!

[@Joyce-bv2tg]

Check Jerry's Arterama, buying arches by the sheet and tearing it for size you need, is a better price point. I recently purchased Fabriano cold press in pad form from Jerry's, because of the Etchr sketch books, they supposedly use Fabriano for these books. I was very impressed. I used my Levenger to put together my own pad. I was very pleased with the way it turned out and experience was a real pleasure. I wasn't sure about this paper since many artists that swore by Fabriano, stopped using it because of some change in formulation that they liked. Once I use up my arches I currently have, about ten full sheets left, it will be replaced with the Fabriano. I hope this helps someone, but paper used for art is a totally personal experience, not everyone is going to have the same likes and dislikes due to their use of water and pigment. I believe when the kickstarter launched, those books were assembled with Arches paper. I believe there is video about the assembling of the original books on KZbin.

[@geslinam9703]

The white canvas cover sketchbooks are not Fabriano paper. The other sketchbooks Etchr carries, the “Perfect” sketchbooks, one of them is Fabriano paper, but it’s always sold out. Then they have a bundle buy, and it is also called “Perfect” and has 100% cotton paper 300gsm - but the website does not say what brand of paper it is. I have the ones shown in this video, with the canvas covers, and I like them ok. They aren’t the greatest, but they are better than a lot of other options out there. I don’t love the texture, and the paper isn’t as absorbent as I like, but they are good for quick studies and swatches.

[@ellendeman8417]

How did you use your Levenger? I have a Levenger I don’t use.

[@lindseyB_33]

These are my favorite sketchbooks! I just upgraded to the “perfect” one with the black cover and it’s even more awesome!! They are both amazing sketchbooks and you can’t go wrong!! Loved this review.

[@christaminson7753]

Thanks for a very nice review. I've got the cold press bundle in all 3 sizes and although I've yet to start the smallest, the middle (A5) and largest (A4) sketchbooks have almost become my default work spaces. I use both sides of each page, usually with masking tape for clean edges, and even when working wet in wet on both sides of the page there's no excessive buckling. I'm not quite a beginner and these sketchbooks are helping me to move more quickly towards intermediate than might have otherwise been the case. I also bought the A4 cold press Perfect sketchbook bundle (these contain 300gsm paper) but I need to get a bit more practice before starting one of those 😊. For anyone in the UK: Etchr has a UK warehouse so anything ordered on their website will be delivered free from there, and with no additional VAT or import taxes to worry about. And Jackson's, of course, also sells Etchr products if you want to buy a single sketchbook rather than a bundle.

[@nancymiller7009]

Love this and your funky music.

[@maryscott1122]

Hello Emma. I follow your videos just about every day. The way you teach is so easy to follow, thank you for sharing your techniques 🥰 I’m looking forward to you publishing your books, I’ll definitely be purchasing them. Stay safe, well and happy

[@loveandlife4222]

I just ordered an etchr sketchbook (I haven’t tried it yet) and I also just received 3 perfect etchr sketchbooks! I’m so so excited to try them now. This is so beautiful!! Thank you for sharing your talent and all this beauty with us! 🌸🌷💕

[@artistinagarden]

I love ETCHR sketchbooks. I recently tried them as well. I ordered the 3 pack of cold pressed sketchbooks, they came with a tiny(5.9x3.9")a small(8.3x5.9")& the large(11.4x8.3") I also ordered their pack of watercolour postcards! Love them all! Thanks Emma for the review, hope you enjoy your books as much as I do mine!

[@LisaYoungmpp]

I am so impressed, especially the cold press book! The final floral look is gorgeous!!

[@FannaTurano]

Emma: I purchased 2 bundles, assorted, and on each bundle I was given 20% because it was a first order. Maybe if possible, stock up, order more on that first order? That's why I ordered 2 bundles and they came FAST! I'm working on the A4 size, VERY wet, yet another Canadian waterfall! (Red Deer Falls & Christina Falls). Held up GREAT! Closed up the A4 book, weighted it down, and it's perfect! You're right: it's amazing how the color bleeds are seamless. Beautiful books. Frances (Fanna) Turano Denver, CO USA

[@beverleyphillips7499]

Thanks, Emma, for posting this review. I, too, have been reluctant to practice on Arches because of the expense; but cheaper paper doesn't give encouraging results. Enter Etchr sketch books, which I purchased in the smallest size based on your review. I haven't painted much yet, but I DO feel much more at liberty to play and experiment. Despite the cost, this was a win for me so, thanks again!

[@mskhartwatercolourwithmisu8598]

OMG. I love the cold press one. It really let the paint move so well. So satisfying to watch. Does it really stay vibrant after dry too? I found some cotton paper eats lots of colour, so after it gets dry the colour fades. You should try Baohong watercolor paper too. I think it will work well with your floral style. You can get 100% cotton, cold press at pretty good price, and pretty good quality. Thank you for your video.

[@EmmaLefebvre]

It dries beautifully too! Nice and vibrant!

[@rachelkashani]

Thank you for this review I was looking for another sketchbook after I fill my moleskin.

[@jessicalesher7517]

That paper (although I don’t have it in person so can’t say for sure) but it reminds me of the fabriano cold pressed paper which is my absolute favorite to paint on and it’s a cheaper option Jerry’s always has it on sale too!!! Idk if you’ve tried it or not but might be an option for you to try :)

[@sallyalter6003]

Hi Jessica, I just finished my first painting on some Fabriano paper in a block. It was fab. I think it will be my favorite too.

[@lizzy9975]

I've ordered the etchr sample pack and I think it's uses the Fabriano.

[@Kb1901kb_kris]

Love the painting of the painting

[@kimotten9885]

Although I love your watercolor tutorials and have learned so much from them, it was really fun to see your work in other formats as well. You have such great talent!

[@dotydiva]

Great video. Love your honesty and giving us ideas on what is great out there. I will check this out. Thank you

[@macrostephanie]

I am happy to see you are doing a review on this paper. i have been curious about the quality. Lucky that you got it free. Thanks for sharing!

[@mamparoargentelacomba7347]

Me gustan mucho tus vídeos. ¡Felicidades!

[@marlenejones6266]

I own the midsize. I love it. I will be buying the largest one soon. I wish I could afford the set. From Etchr Lab. Thanks for this comprehensive review

[@yodiggitydog800]

Just like if u get my haircut like a specific movie star I expect to then look exactly like that movie star, I feel the same about my art products. So, if I buy this sketch book ( which I did) I should be able to draw and paint like you right? Well maybe not, but for sure your lovely painting inspired me to buy it. Great review!

[@paulaverger4129]

I have the set of the Etchr sketchbooks and they are really very nice.

[@MixedMediaCraftsbyDiane]

Thank you for the review.

[@krismua1209]

Thanks for the review! I've been curious too, as so many artists I follow seem to use these etchr sketchbooks.

[@syerye9748]

I’m so glad you did this review, thank you so much! I’ve had my eye on this paper for ages but the price is the problem! I wanted to be able to see if the price was worth it. The main issue I have with trying them is that they don’t sell just one sketchbook... it’s so annoying to have to buy 3 when you only want 1! If they sold them singularly I would’ve ordered one a long time ago. But I’m not willing to risk spending that much on 3 books only to find I don’t like them. So you helped me immensely. I loved the look of the paper so I may try some, thank you for reviewing it, it was just what I was looking for. I’d be really interested to see what the hot press paper is like for acrylic paint and if it bleeds through.... if you have any acrylics and have the time I’d love to know what you think. ❤️😊

[@eemankhan4088]

You can get the single sketchbooks from Jacksons! They ship pretty cheap as well if you buy a bunch of supplies at once

[@rvkhart]

I wish these came as pads too. I'm not a fan of painting in sketchbooks. I too have struggled to get art supplies. My arches order was cancelled because the backorders are indefinite now. Have you thought about doing a video to compare other watercolor paper that closely acts like Arches?

[@EmmaLefebvre]

I think Etchr is coming out with pads soon too that will be sold by other retailers. Keep your eye out! I haven’t tried too many other papers because they are so expensive... and if I don’t like, I’d feel like it’s a waste

[@elizabethnicholson6691]

Great video, Emma - really informative for a beginner such as myself. 👍🌻

[@Makachopping]

OMG THEY CONTACTED YOU?! Emma!!! That's so exciting ♥♥♥♥ Also I'm enjoying fabriano 100% cotton paper which is a bit cheaper, bee paper 100% cotton, shizen 100% cotton, and khadi 100% cotton. I really need a couple of these, I've been eyeing them forever!

[@oldisbest1]

I just ordered 100 Cold Pressed Postcards from this Co. for $39.00 +free shipping. With my daughter living 2690 miles away, this will be a lovely way to share my paintings with her. TY ❤

[@EmmaLefebvre]

I just ordered them too. I couldn’t help it!

[@maud2rolland348]

Thank you very good information , happilynmy bithday is coming soon!!

[@lorettascutta3629]

Excellent information. Thank you very much.

[@meanbean98]

cant wait to try them awesome thank god im getting tired of not finding arches now too.. also on my last pad i panic bc i really like the bees watercolor but cant find that either unless you know where to get it

[@stevesidare2493]

Nice review. I'll get one eventually, based on this review. But it is 26 sheets, actually - still better than 12 though.

[@MR_THINQ]

Emma, what makes of paints did you use in this video?

[@masaratsheikh647]

Hey can you just tell about watercolor pencils I just got them and don't know what do with that . love your videos 🌹🌹

[@eMavern_Emporium]

Cold pressed/ Taking a while to dry can also be a down point if you want a speedy paint but I like the idea of having more time to paint up. I've painted on cheap paper that dries really quick and holy moly it's annoying

[@samuelcamero6618]

COLD PRESS - 3:38 HOT PRESS - 8:43

[@mandy.austin]

I am a hot press girl. I went and checked out their prices and the bundles are great value. I am going to get a hot and a cold bundle.

[@patriciabeyer7824]

Thank you for the review. 👍😊

[@So_salty]

So I’m pretty new and I want this thing so bad, but I cannot justify the cost. Do you have some mid range ideas? I also paint gouache so I think hot press maybe. Maybe the Paul Ruben’s one? (But I also use colored pencils 🤔)

[@pamketron]

I really love how the leaves bled into the flower just the right amount for what I would think of as watercolor paint. The way it dried was beautiful too - I think maybe better than your Arches paper. The sketch drawing looks amazing with the pencils. I would love to be able to afford good paper. For now, I’m happy just playing with my cheaper paper. I’m just learning to paint after several years of watching. Fun to see you try out something new. PS - My next purchase is going to be some Snap brushes. I watch you use them and they look better than other brushes I’ve seen others use. Which ones would you recommend? Thanks. 🖌🎨Happy Painting 🎨🖌

[@EmmaLefebvre]

I suggest a size 6 and 12 round!

[@pamketron]

Emma Lefebvre Thanks Emma. I appreciate you taking time to answer my question. 🤗💕☀️

[@vegasrenie]

Emma Lefebvre - I love these brushes. Quality and great value.

[@paulinedavis2918]

Thankyou love the sketch book paper x

[@vipinkrishna28]

Cold pressed are my favorite

[@abbyevensen3566]

wow that is pretty good paper ;dont freak out i am on my last arches to emma

[@ellendeman8417]

You lucky girl!

[@christinehill6887]

I use these...best so far!

[@Penciledbykay]

How do you think the cold press texture would be for people who draw directly on the paper instead of transferring images over?

[@linneakokinos9940]

I think I need to order these, also I think they should of did a different animal one for the hot and one for the cold book .

[@louisegrinham2315]

Very cute selfie xxx

[@annnoyez]

Wow... I was looking it up and they are expensive. Okay you can paint on both sides, but still... its as pricy as arches watercolour block. I am testing the artesa sketchbooks and they are scraper and also quite good performing. Also 100% coton and acid free. I dont know with the problem is in usa, but here you can buy everything in the artistshop, if you order online everything is available. Postoffices never stopped working and everything comes is promised...

[@annehebert6959]

This is very useful. Thank you. Question: because these sheets are in such a nice book - you likely wouldn't be cutting these pages out to sell or use for cards....I imagine these booklets are probably best used for a portfolio perhaps?

[@riamaas]

in the netherlands not for sale, just by amazon, shippingcosts 10$ , so a total of 35$, is it worth that money?

[@elaineporter182]

I would have liked to see the other side of the page that you painted on

[@paulak8679]

I just got mine. How do they hold up when painting on both sides?

[@lynnrush7166]

I play around painting bookmarks and always paint on both sides. Have you ever painted on the backside of arches? If so, what difference did you notice?

[@EmmaLefebvre]

I have! It works ok but the back side is a little flatter. It just doesn’t have the same texture

[@colleenrankin3426]

Thank you for using the "Canadian" term of pencil crayons.

[@Ladyfirebird84]

On cheap papers lifting colors is not good. How does color lift on this paper? Thanks.

[@EmmaLefebvre]

Hmmm I actually didn’t test that. I’ll give it a try and get back to you!

[@LulluNatic]

78$ for 3 A5 sketchbooks that are not even 300 gsm, lol. Seriously, watercolor supplies are made with caviar.

[@ScheherazOdd]

That is *exactly* what I was thinking!

[@lizzy9975]

Buy the largest size paper - The A4 and grid it into portions!

[@LulluNatic]

@@lizzy9975 No I won't, still way too expensive for me. I buy huge sheets for less than 6€ then cut them in 9. Also I found a great wood-pulp paper on Amazon ☺️

[@pamelacleveland5330]

@@LulluNatic Just curious, what is the name of the 'great' wood-pulp paper you found on Amazon?

[@lizzy9975]

@@LulluNatic Where do you buy the sheets from for 6 Euro? That is really good value. Oh and what brand is it etc? In addition do you have a link or the name of the paper you are buying from Amazon etc... Thanks in advance. And I do agree with you, watercolour products are expensive. Even more so, because I'm now trying to avoid buying anything made in China after this fiasco in 2020 on principle!

[@angelarae8961]

This was a Q&A on Amazon for Etcr book. Do you know if this is true? Q:Is there a reason for not disclosing paper brand used in these sketchbooks? It would seem if they are selling a quality paper they'd want this known Answer this question A: The Signature series books are made with Fabriano and The Perfect Sketchbook series is Boahong which is the premier paper manufacturer in China.

[@nancyquinones2349]

I think the paper looks wonderful...I did notice that it said 26 sheets in a pad....still a good deal?

[@EmmaLefebvre]

Yes because you can use both sides!!

[@musemeisje-7862]

Paint that dries way too quickly on the paper is something I’m really struggling with. Do you perhaps have some tips and tricks for this?

[@EmmaLefebvre]

I know it can be so tricky! Using 100% cotton paper usually stays wet longer so it’s always the best to work on for that. And sometimes you just have to use more water or work faster. A trick though is that if you want a nice colour bleed and an area is already dry, take some clean water and go over that dry area again to get the bleeds. hope that helps!

[@jancaulfield3549]

What brush were you using in this please

[@marijke2457]

I also want to known That.

[@EmmaLefebvre]

Princeton Snap Brush in a size 12 round

[@elaineporter182]

One other thing _how easy is it to remove a page? Love your vidéo

[@EmmaLefebvre]

I think you’d have to cut it. There isn’t a rip line

[@wonderwonder30]

This was a great review but I still love my Bee Paper lol

[@lizzy9975]

It's so hard to get though. I'm in Australia. I found the packs of 25 sheets on Jerrys from memory and they wanted to charge me $200 for postage. Clearly they aren't interested in my business. I managed to find a 5 yard roll on Amazon a while back. But sometimes it's just easier to use precut smaller packs!

[@wonderwonder30]

chaserkitty Holy smokes 200 bucks, I wouldn’t pay that either! That’s a good idea finding the paper in a roll and cutting up in the size you need. I might have to steal that money saving idea 😉 It’s the same shipping from Australia, I was gonna order an enamel pin from a website and they wanted like, 45 bucks for shipping. I think shipping from country to country is expensive either way unfortunately.

[@lizzy9975]

@@wonderwonder30 Everything is just expensive in Australia! We are just generally ripped off here! It's hard too because I'm really trying my absolute best not to buy things made in china - after the 2020 sh%t storm we've had. But sometimes it's very difficult!

[@wonderwonder30]

chaserkitty I know how you feel, everything is so overpriced for the quality of crap these companies are peddling. Living in America it’s hard finding anything that doesn’t say “made in china” on it. And if it says made in us it’s basically put together in the us but the parts are made from things in china. It’s sad really, I can’t wait for 2020 to be over 😳

[@jennifershepit4359]

I just bought one of the hot pressed books and am wishing I bought another of the cold pressed... I was seduced by my curiosity to try something different 😂

[@katalinar77]

thanks :) :)

[@allisonandrews2259]

Does anyone know why etchr only gives the option to buy 3 sketchbooks and not just one?

[@FaerieDust]

One of my favourite art shops (Artemiranda, in Spain) sells them individual, and I'm pretty sure they're available at Cheap Joe's and Amazon in the US. No idea why Etchr doesn't seem to sell them individually on their own webshop, though 🤷‍♀️

[@shannonmorgan8810]

I just purchased the large one on eBay for $35. The set of three is less expensive as well.

[@ellacalvan1536]

what brand is food for water color?

[@tanjathiess6790]

Just scroll through her videos, it's different for everyone, but I love winsor and Newton paints. I started and still use the Cotman ones, so student grade paint, they are affordable and give great results on pigments and stuff. I've got the professional ones as well, but I still reach for the Cotman almost every time. I hope this answers your question a bit. Have fun with watercolor! 😊

[@lindamcneely]

It would be really nice if you guys would advertize some reasonabley priced water color paper for those of us who do this as a hobby and are not flush with money to pay for it.

[@midnightdreams8136]

This review is so disappointing! If you are *comparing* two sketchbooks wouldn't it make more sense to draw the same painting? This is just so frustrating because like this it's a hardly a comparison. You could have as well painted with two different sketchbooks then or just review one. I'm wondering, would it be possible to still do the same painting in both? And perhaps also even try using different mediums in both (like gouache, ink or even coloured pencils)?

[@luisak68]

Sorry this is the worst review demo Ive seen from you. You dont show any thing. Other than your palette while mixing paint & a blank sheet & you talking. We only we a finished painting. Your camera is so close, we see nothing really. Its so unfair to the people who sent you the products. How are we, the viewer supose to know you really used their product at that camera angle? Did you even watch what you posted, Before you posted it? If you had sent your product to be review, & they posted what you posted would you be pleased with the post?

[@lizzy9975]

OMG! You're joking right! Have you physically watched the video! It's obviously the Etchr pad being painted on! And why in gods name would she paint on something else! As for the close up shots! That's exactly what we want. Close up shots of paint going onto the paper so we can see how it bleeds, dries and what the painting looks like when completed. As for Emma talking - what were you expecting!? A circus of marching Elephants? Again that's exactly what we want to hear. Her voice and her opinion of what she thinks of the paper she's reviewing. I'm honestly confused by your post, because I'm not sure what else Emma could have added. It's a lovely video and I've put an order in for the paper based on Emma's review! Maybe you could conduct a review on your channel and show us all how it should be done!

[@EmmaLefebvre]

chaserkitty thank you, I love your response! Sometimes you can’t win with people. 🤷‍♀️

[@lizzy9975]

@@EmmaLefebvre 🤦🏼

[@Plantsandmusicandyarn]

I thought it was a great review. It was nice to see the painting so close up so you can really see how the paper performed. I may have to try the hot press so I can add detail to paintings with colored pencils.

[@wolfgangproductions7402]

@@Plantsandmusicandyarn I just got the large size hot pressed etcher sketchbook now I’m afraid to use it lol…. Thx for a great video and ignore the trolls