How to choose good watercolour paper (Part 1)

In the 1st part, we look at how paint performs on watercolour paper with different cotton content. In the 2nd part, we'll look at the texture, colour, size and weight of the paper.
Text review:
www.parkablogs.com/picture/ho...
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[@teohyc]

Part 2 is here kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6DXm4hvp6eBhdU

[@picassoboy52]

In the end it's personal taste. I've been painting professional watercolor for 26 years, teaching for 16. For any serious painting, for me, Arches has always been the gold standard, and indeed is for most of the painters of the world. There's just no escaping it. The cream always rises to the top. Arches 140 cold press all the way.

[@Jorigin]

WOW that Fabriano Rosaspina paper was the unexpected MVP here. It's not too expensive either. Quite surprising as it's not even considered one of Fabriano's watercolour papers, but rather their 'print making paper' line. I think I'll have to buy a whole lot of large sheets, cut them down and get then custom bound into my own sketchbook.

[@higherground711]

It's all a matter of experimentation, trial and error, and personal preference. I suggest to anyone to try out many different types of paper watercolor and non watercolor paper. One has to adjust to different ways of working from type to type, but it's worth it when the paper gives one the desired effect or surprises them. I just learned today that some artists are using Tyvek (the stuff they wrap houses in) as a substrate. I googled it and the paintings look great. It's pretty interesting. Tyvek Yupo transparent vellum etc, they may not be watercolor paper and the way of doing things might not be the conventional way, but they can give exciting results. Seems to me the Fabriano Rosapina paper is the highest quality you have among what you demonstrated. For 60% cotton print making paper it handles watercolor even better than Arches does. You need to hold onto that stuff. Thanks for the demos and advice. 👍😃

[@madelinelouise6383]

Finally got to watching the rest of this video and I love how in depth your reviews are. You are honestly so genuine and I love how honest your reviews are :)

[@suzalasuzala1135]

I love your official review: " this is rubbish"! well said. Ps. love that yellow drawing of Tiffany as well as the room.

[@nikolass83gianni]

I think Fabriano papper wins ... AWESOME video as always ... THANKS ... 👏😎

[@senthestem9683]

Thank you so much for showcasing the Rosaspina paper its now my top watercolor paper

[@beaast4249]

Thank you so much, this was very helpful. I love your sentence: you get what you buy for. Very good!

[@Kira-1418]

Thanks for this video! Liked seeing the different textures of paper!

[@LeaGalTan]

Thank you for the comparison. I am partial to Fabriano for watercolor but I like to try new ones. Leda is my everyday sketchbook and you explained why the watercolor behaves differently than in my watercolor journal.

[@cindyhorton6980]

Thank you! Good information☺ I can't wait for the 2nd part! All those papers can be confusing!!

[@geckonia]

Hi Tiffany! Thanks Teoh for the review I’m gonna try that Fabriano.

[@creationslandscapedesigns]

I currently use the Bee Paper and was looking for an alternative and found it, thanks to this video. Very helpful.

[@zenandink3531]

Cute baby book too🐥

[@nicolechen1011]

The Bee paper I got was 100% cotton, happy with it, more affordable for a beginner. Your info is helpful too, i will avoid the 25% book.

[@kuvira44]

Awesome video Teoh =D I also like Hahnemülle paper and Canson Moulin du Roy !

[@lynnbulwinkle2304]

Thank you for a very informative video. This is just what I was looking for.

[@rashone2879]

I appreciate this video. I use Arches as well as Fabriano hot press, 90 lb. I get 90 lb because it's less expense than 140 lb and works quite well as long as I don't load too much water. I'm not familiar with the Fabriano Rosaspina and will now give it a try. I am always wanting to learn more and your videos are so helpful.

[@JessicaHessjessanotherhess]

This was well done and very well thought out. I wish you had shown the performance on each for lifting color away as well. I feel like this technique also shows how well a paper is made. Very nicely done.

[@teohyc]

Thanks. Maybe I'll do the lifting in part two of the video

[@TanteDorle]

I'm new to watercolour so am not sure what "lifting colour" means. Remove the paint with a tissue, brush or so? Or is it something different? May anyone help me with this, please?

[@sumbae7668]

@@TanteDorle Yes it means lifting the color/water from the paper with brush or tissue whilst the paper is wet. You can also lift/rub color off once it's dried with a semi wet brush. But not all colors are liftable and it also doesn't work on all papers.

[@TanteDorle]

@@sumbae7668 thank you very much! It's so kind of you to reply

[@dan13ljks0n]

@@TanteDorle Exactly as you describe. Using the brush to add clean water then scrubbing off some paint with the brush & moping it up w/a tissue, sponge, etc.

[@KimImpossible]

Thank you! This is really informative!

[@maryrichardson9026]

Let's get real people. It's not the materials that make a masterpiece, it is the artist.

[@Uniacoty]

True but an artist's true potential is limited by the quality of his materials

[@mossie1954]

I feel that is Incorrect!. Totally....How long have you been painting Mary?

[@bluecurry6657]

very helpful review!

[@urbanchili]

Thank you for doing this. It is really nice that you use the same colours on all of them. I thought I could find "Kunst & Papir" paper as "Kunst & Papir" is Danish for "Art & Paper" (and I am Danish), but no luck so I will have to try out some other paper.

[@EmeralDQueenTV]

Very good comparison, the quality of the paper is so important. I've have several different brands but my favorite is Arches...

[@mossie1954]

Totally agree with you! the paper is the most important. Then paints. If you have the best paper, you can even make your own paints from Dirt!! it's that simple. (not that we would) Just saying that Paper has to be any artist's first consideration.

[@esthers5876]

Great video! I usually use Arches and have not tried Fabriano, but I will try it. Thank you!

[@teohyc]

Try the Fabriano Artistico. I personally prefer that over Arches because you have the option to get the bright white version of the paper. Arches is off white with a warm tone.

[@esthers5876]

Thanks, Teoh! I'll try it.

[@CharleRaeCafe]

Thanks for taking the time to provide so much information especially for a beginner who isn't sure if they want to invest in pricier supplies. .^_^.

[@teohyc]

Welcome :-)

[@rebabilly5722]

This was useful thank you 😊 just subscribed ❤️

[@angelarafael9875]

Excellent content as always...very informative. for me paper is the most importantpart of watercoloring,i have very little trouble with other materials such as paint and brushes,but when i use substandard paper i get very frustrated when i paint.

[@EstrafaDC]

FYI Teoh, I've discovered that Jackson's house brand watercolor books are ACTUALLY Kunst & Papier Aqua journals. They have the exact same internal labeling as the one on this video. I've suggested to Jackson's that they include this information as I enjoy K&P's 35% but have had a hard time finding them in the United States. Loved this video.

[@teohyc]

That's good to know. This is a thick sketchbook that takes a long time to fill

[@yamigekusu]

I bought a bunch of Stillman & Birn sketchbooks at a local store earlier because they were on clearance (got two Betas and an Alpha). I am gonna have fun testing watercolor stuff on the paper

[@teohyc]

Have fun painting :-)

[@debsmith7050]

Helpful :) Thanks

[@rouellafajardo998]

Hello! I’ve been going through all of your videos and your reviews have been extremely helpful for me (beginner watercolour artist)... I hope you could do a review of the Baohong watercolour papers. My favourite is the Arches but I just can’t keep using it for daily practices 😅 Thanks!

[@amandadalton4303]

I bought a pad of arches a LONG time ago but it’s always been too precious to use. I’ve started using it for sketching and it makes the biggest difference.

[@muskndusk]

This is exactly why I buy the Jumbo Aquafine pads. They're very economical.

[@astrog8tr]

Excellent video. I haven't used many different papers--been using Strathmore 400 series. I don't think it's wonderful, but I have to be careful not to overwork, rework, etc. because it can't handle it. Don't think that's an entirely bad thing though.

[@music-sc7eg]

Another great review Teoh. I have not yet tried many brands yet but feel I probably need to risk trying the more expensive. Also I have seen a very good review on Artistico comparing the new and older versions and it was found worse for some uses, better for others. I can edit this later if you are happy for me to name the youtuber.

[@teohyc]

I've also heard things about the new batch of Fabriano Artistico. I havent tried those yet so I can't really say anything much.

[@milosmihajlovic1867]

Fabriano in large format 170*80 is perfect for work, end watercolors is very important, i make some myself, a big greeting. 🙏

[@sookchong1286]

Thanks for the review, it is very informative. May I know what is the brand and size of your brush in this video?. Thank you

[@natashat.613]

Hi Parka, great work you have here! I have been following your blog and YT channel for years, you have great content that helped me get started with painting in watercolours back then too. I'd love to try the Daler-Rowney Aquafine w/col paper because of the texture but they're difficult to find here in Malaysia. Recently I discovered a Chinese brand of 100% cotton w/col pad called Baohong (I think they have since marketed their pads as Academy also), these come in three textures (i.e. fine, medium, rough) and various sizes so you can bet I got really curious about their quality and performance I had to order one with a rough surface to try them out. They come in a block of 20 sheets, and the price for each is around 18 MYR - 36 MYR (approx. 4 USD to 8 USD) depending on where you get them from. I ordered mine from Shopee. I'd love to see you reviewing them if you ever get the chance! All the while I have been using watercolour papers, both cellulose and 100% cotton, from Campap Arto line (Malaysian-made) which are priced about the same as the ones from Baohong.

[@teohyc]

Do you have a link? I wasn't able to find it on Shopee

[@natashat.613]

@@teohyc I had to search for it on Shopee SG instead of MY but here it is! shopee.sg/%E2%9C%BFniahode%E2%9C%BFNew-300g-Professional-Watercolor-Paper-Pad-20-Sheets-Hand-Painted-Drawing-Books-i.98759015.1847647582

[@SuperExadidas]

Thank you for sharing this great testings, may I know how do you store your watercolor paper to avoid the expiration which looks like - a translucent look (almost see-through)?

[@teohyc]

Store in an airtight box. But it is best not to keep the paper too long

[@melissabridge5687]

In the US Bee Paper is 100% cotton. Even the spiral bound book sold on Amazon. So weird. I just got my first Book of Arches paper. So excited.

[@Kaylasdaintydesk]

That Fabriano paper was beautiful!! Where did you get it? I only see single sheets by that brand on the blick and amazon websites

[@nerdieone1]

Hi. Fabriano paper is sold in blocks on amazon. (only 100 cotton content) www.amazon.com/Fabriano-Artistico-Press-Sheet-Block/dp/B004XC7AHW

[@danamelton9066]

Holbein makes a sizing that you can apply to the paper yourself. Just wondering if you have tried/tested it out. Perhaps you could do a video featuring it and a few other different mediums, maybe watercolor grounds? Thanks for this video, I found it very informative and helpful.

[@teohyc]

I think there's a product called watercolour ground

[@lindyashford7744]

Great comparison. Loved how the Rosaspina performed. How does it stand up where buckling is concerned. Could you include handmade papers such as Khadi if you do a followup? Or Jacksons eco....

[@teohyc]

Rosaspina can handle heavy washes well. The paper is quite thick. I've used Khadi Papers and it's one of my favourites too. It can created gradated washes well. Here's a text review www.parkablogs.com/picture/review-khadi-papers-210gsm-watercolour-sketchbook-hardcover

[@pegboyd9303]

Hi Teoh and Linda, I have been wanting to try the Fabiano Rosapina paper. I ordered some from Dick Blick's. Khadi papers are one of my all-time watercolor favorites as well. Good review!

[@juwu5095]

This is very helpful. Thank you. Recently, I have tried the watercolor canvas by Fredrix. The sizing is heavier than paper. The water stays on the surface longer. I like it a lot. Have you ever used it?

[@teohyc]

I've not used that before

[@seraby7151]

Ahhhh.. so arches is "dryer" compared to other watercolor paper. It's a favorite to most watercolorist yet I cant get used to it. I guess I'm just so used to 200gsm and watercolor sketchbooks.

[@annepercival7814]

Oops! It IS available..and from Jackson’s! Not appeared in their catalogue..but available online! But listed under printmaking papers rather than watercolour paper Thanks for bringing to my attention

[@teohyc]

It is a printmaking paper.

[@lisacurtis8162]

I think I like hot press and the one with the most cotton. Can't always afford that.

[@juanchiju2063]

Which is the smoother watercolor paper you know? thanks for your videos

[@teohyc]

The ones I've shown are all coldpress so they have fine grain texture. Some have more pronounced textures, such as the one from Daler Rowney. Smooth paper will be those with hotpress texture.

[@Donna_G]

This is very informative. Thanks for sharing. I use the watercolor paper that I can get locally which is Strathmore 400 series. It is more affordable than Arches and for me behaves similarly to Arches. A different watercolor painter may have a different experience.

[@user-we1on9uq7t]

Donna G does it really tho? Starthmore 400 series is by far one of the worst paper I've used, it lefts the colors and the flow of the pigments isn't great, it very hard to layer with, I really suggest you to try another type of paper and you'll see the difference.

[@asamandhiry8648]

Thank you Teoh. I never use paper with cotton content i will try one though it is expesive.

[@pattyleib]

I went looking online to buy the Fabriano Rosaspina Sketchbook but I couldn't find it. Do you know where I can get it? I'm in the U.S. Thank you so much. Your videos are so helpful!

[@teohyc]

Fabriano Rosaspina is usually sold in loose sheet. If you're looking for sketchbooks, check out the leather bound Arkademie sketchbooks. They are really good. www.arkademie.com/collections/journals-sketchbooks/products/a5-landscape-heritage-artists-sketchbook

[@Michelle-ux4et]

Hi teoh, do you happen to know of a sketchbook that handles watercolor well, but is good for alcohol based markers also? (that the marker isn't absorbed that much by the paper)

[@higherground711]

My suggestion would be to order some sheets of Fabriano Rosapina paper from DickBlick.com. They're currently $2.52 each for large 20 x 27 (I'm assuming inches, doesn't say) sheets. Take them to Fedex Office or Staples etc and have them made into coil bound sketchbooks. After seeing its performance I'd say that's an awesome paper to have!

[@teohyc]

Markers work well on smooth surface. The only smooth surface watercolour paper are the ones with hotpress surface. But even thick 300gsm paper can have alcohol markers soaking and bleeding through. Not a problem if you use single side of the paper though. If you use single side, having thick paper does not matter much. There are sketchbooks and papers made specifically to handle marker ink, to prevent bleeding. I've not used those myself. You can research the brand and reviews.

[@higherground711]

I misread the comment. Lol I didn't even see the word markers until just now. My apologies rainbow pony. I'm afraid I pointed you in the wrong direction.

[@capyboppy]

James: Why are you assuming everyone watching this video is in the USA? To order from DickBlick costs a fortune with postage and customs charges. It would be more suitable if you said, 'If you are in the USA....' Or, 'If you are not in the USA, try and get hold of....' Not criticising but trying to make you more aware. It seems a very common thing that Americans do; automatically assuming everyone in the world lives in America :-D

[@brianaa96]

I liked Fabriano the most but I don't like the texture after it dries. It makes it look like there's little fuzzies in the paint.

[@teohyc]

It's quite a dry paper so it would have dry edges.

[@jennw6809]

Was there ever a Part 2 to this video? I could not find this on the channel.

[@teohyc]

I've not made that video yet.

[@q8asami988]

from my own experience with bee paper, i did notice that even their 100% cotton paper doesn't preform like any other 100% cotton paper that i own (i own from 5 other companies) 1- it's bad for wet on wet 2- the colors appear much duller than they truly are. but it's fairly cheap, and makes good practice paper. and it looks like their sketchbook have the same issues. i thought i might say my opinion on them since i don't see a lot of reviews on 100% cotton bee paper (aside from their sketchbooks maybe). i hope that helps someone :)

[@teohyc]

Some versions of Bee Paper are lousy despite having cotton content. I've tried their single sheet paper and they work quite well. But the ones in the watercolour journals are lousy. Here's one review talking about that kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKK5maF9pJyhjac

[@leechengsui3010]

How about Baohong Artist's and Baohong Academy Have you tried those paper?

[@sdovas]

Some very nice basic foundational information here Teoh, thank you very much. Given that a lot of your work, as well as mine, is ink drawing with water color, you ought to go into detail at some point about how the ratio of cotton content versus paper-fiber content relates to the permanence of certain inks like you (and I) like to use. One of the curses that a new artist experiences is making a great sketch and then going in to lay down watercolor over it & finding that their watercolor causes their ink line to run or spread and there are some very basic ideas that you could lay out about how the content of the paper affects how some prominent waterproof ink actually gets its waterproof qualities. I'm also curious about your reactions to the Moleskine watercolor album. Keep up the good work.

[@teohyc]

I'm not sure if cotton or paper fiber affects the permanence of pen ink. Even Noodlers Bulletproof Black which is supposed to be permanent can smudge slightly on the wrong paper. Platinum Carbon Ink is a permanent ink for the first few months after which for some reason it is no longer water resistant. The best way to be sure about your ink is to test first before applying watercolour. Test it on some small area. As for Moleskine watercolour, well, it should perform like the Daler Rowney you see. It's challenging to achieve gradated wash on it but certainly can be done if you really want too. But full page gradated wash will be very difficult.

[@annepercival7814]

Have never seen Rosaspina for sale in UK....." not sure it is available at all here

[@teohyc]

I don't even know this paper exist in the first place. lol

[@lindyashford7744]

Yes, you can get it hee, but I forget where. It is not sold as ywatercolour paper, it is primarily use as a print making paper so has to have properties that are also useful to watercolourist -wet strength and ability to dry flat, for instance. You could try Jacksons Lawrences or any of the London based print and book makers suppliers. I must have a try with this paper, I dialike arches and so far only khadi has really wowed me, so I am ready to find a more regular paper that performs the way I want it to.

[@luisbito8391]

every paper has different tecnic you has figures how is work , how put the paint movement the brush stroke manipulation lot water

[@dairsensi]

If you ever do another paper video, can you write the name of the paper on the page you are working on so its easier to identify.

[@teohyc]

Good idea

[@zimrianispresent8123]

Agh I shoulda watched this sooner

[@KitarraChaosWeaver]

Paper choices are so confusing. Thank you for the great tutorial.

[@teohyc]

You still have to test the papers on your own, or do a lot of research

[@irangel1958]

excellent information. Could you add khadi paper if you do an extra comparison vid? Just curious as I think you use khadi paper in previous videos. thanks for your attention and work on these videos really helpful

[@teohyc]

I like Khadi Paper, it performs just like Arches and Fabriano Rosaspina in this video. But the surface texture is a bit inconsistent and can have some blemishes because that's handmade paper. There aren't many cotton watercolour sketchbooks in the market. Khadi Paper sketchbook is still one I would recommend despite the downsides. Review's here kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3e4iYyHbqZ8hcU

[@Yorky222]

Surface sizing makes a difference.

[@celestialjunipers6829]

Staler & Rowney doesn't look so good... Anyone ever tried Canson paper?

[@teohyc]

Canson paper is not too good either.

[@celestialjunipers6829]

How much was the Fabriano and the Arches?

[@kuvira44]

There are many canson varieties, moulin du roy is 100% cotton is pretty good. XL and motval are not good

[@teohyc]

Thanks for adding that. I'm not that familiar with Canson and the ones I've tried aren't so good.

[@teohyc]

You can check Fabriano and Arches prices online, at Amazon, Blick, Jackson's Art or other art stores. The Rosaspina paper featured is from a sketchbook called Arkademie. www.parkablogs.com/content/review-arkademie-artists-sketchbook-220gsm-fabriano-rosaspina-paper

[@tulipgirl_]

Fabriano is just perfect... italians do it better 😎

[@shogrran]

dude... try canson the cheapest out there

[@Shiruvan]

I haven't got the chance to try arches, but be it 100% cellulose - 100% cotton, the sizing is, as you said, matters, and imo, kind of more than the cotton content itself, but it's a bit shame that these qualities can only be reviewed verbally for most, since it doesn't seem to always appear very well on videos It's a bit bummer to see that sometimes the (cheap) paper that my favorite watercolorists use, are actually rather difficult to use or renders applied paint slightly lifeless in real life, although with certain workaround on how I apply the paint, I still can get satisfactory result from them, but still, being unreliable on that matter, is quite disappointing. I'm quite happy with budget Fabriano(25%Cotton) and Canson Montval, had 100% cotton of another brand, renders colors and wet-in-wet/charging well, but very difficult to lift, decided that 100% cotton isn't for me :'D

[@teohyc]

Ultimately when it comes to paper, one really has to try it for oneself to see. It's such a personal choice.

[@davidtrujillo993]

Fabriano was best. And that fabriano was not even the Fabriano artistico

[@hotmonkeyfilms]

Sizing Matters.Ha.

[@milosmihajlovic1867]

If you have the mastered of technique and i see that you have not, Fabriano hot pressed with 25% cotton is pefect an artist, who does not with watercolors and Arches paper will not mean anything to him.

[@suzalasuzala1135]

PS: Fluid 100% cotton. is also "rubbish" ugh.

[@teohyc]

Oops. I got that I haven't tried it yet.

[@picassoboy52]

Arches 140 pound sheets in 22x30 size is all you need to know. Most celebrated and highest quality paper for watercolor ever made. I've been using it daily as a full time professional and teacher for 25 years. It's the worldwide accepted best brand ever. No reason to even try another. You can believe that. If you use so called "student grade " brands you'll be sorry. And don't use strathmore pads with the yellow or brown covers. Avoid them like a tumor. Worst paper on the market.

[@Shesvii]

Mystery Painter I have to agree with you. Those specific lines of Strathmore watercolour paper are an abomination. I once got the yellow pad and it was the worst painting experience I had: colours stained badly, puddles everywhere, paint sitting there doing nothing not even spreading, layering was impossible...

[@recoveringsoul755]

oh dear, here I am with Strathmore 300 mixed media (yellow cover) and Prang paints. It's OK but I really need a larger brush and cotton paper to learn more. I suppose it's ok for practice, but apparently not to actually learn how watercolor acts on proper paper that is cotton. Can I paint on money? lol

[@Shelsight]

Recovering Soul - are you in the UK or USA? I have 2 or 3 good sketchbooks and some paints I’m happy to send you. Given we’re all in lockdown I just figure you deserve to try the good stuff :)