Product Review 13 - Millford, Saunders Waterford and Bockingford Watercolour Papers

In this video I review 3 types of watercolour paper from St Cuthbert's Mill. This is mainly a review of Millford paper, which replaces the old Whatman watercolour papers discontinued in the 1980s, but as I'm comparing it to Bockingford and Saunders Waterford, I've kind of ended up reviewing all of them together. St Cuthberts Mill gave me small sample pieces of each paper to try them out and I opted to review them. These are my own opinions - I have been given nothing for this video by the manufacturers and they have not endorsed or paid for this review in any way - all views are entirely my own, good or bad.
I test:
1) How dye and mineral pigment watercolours appear.
2) How well dye/mineral paints lift after 1h and 24h.
3) How well masking tape lifts.
4) How well masking fluid lifts 1) After drying for 1h [Winsor & Newton Masking Fluid] and 2) After drying for 30 mins, painting over and then drying for a few hours [Art Gum Masking Fluid]
5) I also look at general brightness of dye based colours and the textures they achieve on the different papers.
You can buy Millford paper here - which only comes in 300gsm (140lb) and in loose sheets:
UK: Full Imperial (22 x 30" sheets) amzn.to/2alvlJp
USA: Quarter Imperial (11 x 15" sheets) amzn.to/2acpiHT
UK viewers can buy Bockingford and Saunders Waterford papers from this page on my website: www.the-spin-do...
DISCLAIMER: All product links to Amazon UK or Amazon USA are affiliate links and I am paid a small percentage of any sales, which I use 100% of to allow me to produce more videos - I don't take a personal profit from it. You pay exactly the same as you would pay if you went to their website and found the items yourself - the price is in no way inflated etc etc.

[@5yarcottages397]

Just wanted to say thank you for introducing me to Millford paper. After I watched your review I was intrigued and so I bought an Imperial sheet from Jacksons to try and absolutely loved it. My previous experience has been mainly with Bockingford and Arches but now I am hooked on Millford. I love the vibrancy of the colours and the way it handles water. Thank you again for your excellent review.

[@TheSpinDoctor]

You can get blocks now too!

[@5yarcottages397]

Brilliant ! I'll have to track some down. Thanks

[@CarolReidCA]

This is wonderful! Thank you! Love watching reviews of paints, craft products! Saves a lot of money & is fun to watch too! I found this from Lindsay's video, The Frugral Crafter! A new channel for me to watch!

[@TheSpinDoctor]

Carol Reid You're welcome - make sure you subscribe and if you visit my website (linked at end of most recent videos) and subscribe there too in the email alerts box, you'll get a digest of any new posts and won't miss anything!

[@erins.5420]

Just bought 25 pack of fabriano artistico 300lb 640 gsm hot press for 97.88 pounds from jacksons. That's a pretty damn good deal right?! Oh and shipped it to the Us for $12 that came in three days. That's faster than any of the art supply store in the states. And they have a larger selection. Pretty damn impressed with jacksons but they were sold out of schmincke phthalo sapphire blue......at least I know shipping only takes 3-4 days.

[@TheSpinDoctor]

Erin S. If you go to my website, and dig through the last 5-10 posts, I did link to everywhere that stocked Phthalo Sapphire as so many people wanted it and couldn't get it - may help you find a stockist. Jackson's are generally v good.

[@marjoriebader5754]

You provide such a service with your videos. And your chemistry (?) background adds extra insight. If you have any experience with painting over the removed frisket, especially on Millford, that would also be helpful. Thank you for this thorough comparison.

[@TheSpinDoctor]

once you have removed the masking fluid the papers behave exactly as they normally do. Absolutely zero difference.

[@SeanTWright]

Thanks for such an in-depth and informative comparison. I have conducted comparisons with Millford and Whatman papers, looking at transparency, graded washes, granulation, glazing and wet in wet. . The results are very interesting, and in some instances surprising. . I will be posting them soon.

[@emmamontonen]

Great and thorough review, thank you! And I learned something new - not to leave masking fluid on for more than three hours normally (that's where I've gone wrong, haha)

[@TheSpinDoctor]

The Pēbēo Drawing Gum That goes grey when dry is my new favourite - much more forgiving!

[@So_salty]

Would like to see it in a painting

[@TheSpinDoctor]

If you want to see Millford in other weights and finishes, let the nice people at St Cuthberts Mill know - the more people who ask, the more likely it will be.

[@inkynerdart8203]

Spiffy! I only use artificially sized (vegan/vegetarian friendly) watercolor paper, and I known Bockingford is, however, not easy to find where I am- so yay for clicky links! Really appreciate your thorough review.

[@TheSpinDoctor]

Inky Nerd Art Hope the links help. Have you seen the tinted Bockingford? There is a video on it in the same playlist.

[@inkynerdart8203]

The Spin Doctor I shall check it out now. I know Blick carries the tinted Bockingford, so I might pick some up when I'm in Portland this weekend to give it a whirl.

[@inkynerdart8203]

The Spin Doctor according to the st cuthberts mill blog, Bockingford, millford and somerset papers do not contain animal derivatives. I wonder what the hard sizing actually is.

[@vintagepaperco345]

Aquapel maybe?

[@morrisminor56]

@@vintagepaperco345 correct. What do they use for 'wet strength'?

[@ohbli_oh]

I struggled with which side was supposed to be painted on on these samples (I always get a pack with an order at Jackson’s). I’ve always painted on the side with words but it would be nice if they said ‘paint this side’ as the cannon samples do. 😅

[@janisvogt1079]

Just ordered some. Can't wait to try it.

[@janisvogt1079]

Hello again. What does the (NOT) mean in the upper right hand corner? I've seen this before, but never asked. Thank you.

[@TheSpinDoctor]

Janis Vogt Cold pressed (I.e. Not hot pressed).

[@janisvogt1079]

Ah. Ok. Thank you.

[@marcoflaviomarinucci9843]

I e not had that experience with the Millford. I bought 5 pads from UK to California, and the colors are very flat and dull. Not even. Lose to Arches, Strathmore or Bockinford St. Cuthbert. I’m having better luck using the back, but the front is awful. Any thoughts? Thanks

[@TheSpinDoctor]

Check with the manufacturer - sounds like a faulty batch as polar opposite of how it normally performs. Could also be your weather making it dry too fast - add 1 tsp to 1 tbsp glycerine to 1 pint water (both for clean and dirty pots) and see if that helps - usually slows the evaporation down. Normally (in U.K. weather that isn’t a 40°C heatwave) Millford takes 12+ hours to dry.

[@marcoflaviomarinucci9843]

It’s quite cool here, in the 15 Celsius and humid. Never have a problem. A 7” circle of paper dries from a soaking in a few minutes. It may have a sizing problem.

[@SHAM-in3hr]

@@TheSpinDoctor I'm having just the same experience, in a room with 18 C and 65% humidity the paper is drying fast, as fast or even faster than Saunders Waterford, Fabriano Artistico, Arches. Colors are bright when used saturated but dullish/paler when diluted, granulation and color blended on paper ( instead of on the palette ) is hard because almost everything dry uniform and hard edged/haloed. When colors are used diluted, the texture pattern is a lot visible, in combination with the dull effect is not the most pleasing paper to look at. I'm not sure if all this is normal. I'm waiting an answer from St. Cuthberts mill

[@deathcraze22]

Very useful, thanks! What sort of paper would you recommend for transparent acrylic inks?

[@TheSpinDoctor]

I would suggest a cold-press paper so they don't just pour straight back off, and probably a thicker paper so you can use a lot of water easily - a 200-300lb cold-press or even rough should do it. Bockingford is very economical as loose Imperial (or half or quarter) sheets.

[@marjoriebader5754]

Do you have a review or comment somewhere about why some watercolor dye-based pigments are listed as lightfast? I thought all dyes were impermanent.

[@TheSpinDoctor]

Watercolours are not dyes. They are pigments (dyes are water soluble, pigments are not). Some of those pigments are made from dyes by laking into an insoluble form. Some pigments are organic (Phthalocyanines, quinacridones etc etc) some are inorganic (ultramarine, iron oxides etc etc). Generally the latter are more lightfast than the former. The only really low-lightfastness paints are ones like Opera Rose and the Schmincke ones with “Brilliant” in the name, all of which use a fluorescent dye mixed into the vehicle to add “fire” to the colour. All fluorescent substances are very light-labile and don’t last. Opera Rose will lose its “fire” but will stay pink as the main pigment is a relatively lightfast Quinacridone Red - it is only the Rhodamine dye that fades out, but those paints are really a special case, as no other watercolours use dyes whatsoever.

[@dragorsi]

I only have access to Bockingford. I tried it last Christmas and it was a joy to paint on. But when I bought it again, a month ago, it was a completely different experience. The surface has these little fiber blobs, it feels like the paper was stretched for too long, or rubbed with something. I know it's just my luck that the 2nd time the paper was like this, and maybe it never happens to anyone else, but it's quite sad that I now have 3 sheets of paper I'm reluctant to use. :/ I'd love to try the milford too, but ordering from the UK takes some time of saving up :D But thank you for the review, at least I know Bockingford should be good.

[@TheSpinDoctor]

+Orsi Dirda Contact St Cuthbert's Mill (Twitter or email) and show them how it looks and they will usually replace it gratis. I've never had issues with Bockingford in 10+ years.

[@dragorsi]

Thanks for the advice! Not sure if they can do anything since I live in Hungary, but I'll try.

[@TheSpinDoctor]

Orsi Dirda Try contacting them on Twitter and say i suggested it (@spin_doctor_art) as I talk to their social media team every week or so. They are usually very helpful and will just ship you some replacement paper.

[@TheSpinDoctor]

Orsi Dirda Btw which weight of paper are having issues with and which finish is it? HP, CP or Rough?

[@dragorsi]

300msg, CP. But since I commented, I went back to re-test the paper and now I'm not sure if it's actually the paper and not just me :D I didn't comment to be rude previously, but because I felt really sad and I happened to watch this video where the topic was relevant. I still think the paint dries too weirdly for me, I tried 3 brands, but it might be just my technique or taste. I'll look up paintings with this paper to see if it's common. This is how it dries: instagram.com/p/BT9k1GggNeQ/?taken-by=dragorsi

[@Irisphotojournal]

I'll be trying this.!

[@TheSpinDoctor]

If you ask the nice people at St Cuthberts Mill via Twitter, they might be willing to ship you a pack of free samples too, they're very helpful folk! (twitter.com/StCuthbertsMill)

[@Joe_Maysky]

Very cool comparison Rich! I love the liftability of the Millford and will consider ordering some from Amazon shipped over from your great country. This also reinforced my wanting to try Bockingford as an alternative to Arches-- I think I can 10 full imperial shees of 200lb (I think 450gsm) Bockingford for less than $60.

[@TheSpinDoctor]

You can order it from US Amazon - link in the description - so no need to get it from the UK ;) I'll add full Imperial pack links tomorrow for Bockingford and Waterford. Arches is about 3x the cost of Bockingford in terms of price per blocked pad. Bockingford is a good robust day to day paper but I prefer 100% cotton for anything I plan to gift or sell. Did you find the link on the Tinted Bockingford video's description to buy the c.$10-15 trial pack of all of the colours btw? If not I'll put that into this video as well tomorrow for you, so it is all in one place.

[@Joe_Maysky]

I did! The vendor in the U.S. link is still UK based, so it'll take awhile to ship but it is free shipping eligible.

[@TheSpinDoctor]

Btw some company I don't remember do an (expensive!) 12x12 journal of Saunders Waterford with deckle edges and a lovely hard cover. Pink Pigs do sketchpads filled with Bockingford paper and a little pink pig did whisper in my ear that my next giveaway will be one of those very pads. They have handsome covers in recycled silk and banana skin.

[@TheSpinDoctor]

Hi Joe - I found this product you might find helpful in trying out some different papers economically - a pack of 16 different papers from all sorts of brands, in various finishes so you can try out all sorts of different papers at minimal cost - it's 16x Quarter Imperial sheets (11" by 15") it includes Millford, Bockingford and Saunders Waterford, as well as Arches, Moulin de Roy, Fabriano, Clairefontaine and the Society for All Artists' practice papers - it is $22.90 at the moment - again, it ships from the UK but at $1.43 per sheet, that's fantastic value in my view - I am going to order it myself actually! amzn.to/2a2ywTO [the UK Amazon price is identical to USA Amazon price so you're not getting screwed over because it's an import!]

[@TheSpinDoctor]

Joe Maysky Did you every try Millford, Mister Maysky?

[@azzuparis]

This was a really nice and useful review/comparison with plenty of informations. I would love to try Millford paper, it does look to be great. I will have a look at the links. Thank you :)

[@TheSpinDoctor]

Azzu Paris It only comes as full, half and quarter Imperial sheets and in cold press 140lb but it is a beautiful paper especially with the more transparent colours.

[@vintagepaperco345]

I have 140lb cold pressed sheets from Whatman made in the 1880s. I bet you it's nothing like Milford because the 1980/90s Whatman was not that similar to the original Whatmans. In fact I have 700 sheets of old Whatman and none of it is white white, it's all off white. Nice vids, thanks!

[@TheSpinDoctor]

Vintage Paper Co It is made using Whatman's recipe, equipment and procedures - it's the exact same paper just under a different name.

[@vintagepaperco345]

The 80s papers were not the same as those made in the 50s. Many people who used the original Whatman didn't like the 'new' Whatman, It may be that the original used cotton rag whereas the newer ones would be made with linters. There's a guy on eBay who has stock of the 80s Whatman, it'd be interesting to do a side by side comparison of these.

[@TheSpinDoctor]

Vintage Paper Co Doesn't really matter given no one is likely to start working on a paper they can't guarantee supply of - nice as a novelty but not something that'll make people change supplier and the majority of my viewers won't have interest in trying out papers they can't get regular, affordable, fast supply of.

[@waymire01]

Arches began production in 1620.

[@TheSpinDoctor]

Yes the packaging says that.

[@margaretblackmore6384]

Very useful

[@TheSpinDoctor]

Thanks. Bockingford is my day-to-day paper, Waterford is my commissions/"nice work" paper and Millford I keep back for very special work with transparent colours - mostly experimental pieces.

[@etienne7774]

What paper did Turner use?

[@TheSpinDoctor]

Several different ones were made for him. Their recipes still exist and Ruscombe Mill and Hahnemühle stock mimics of them.

[@etienne7774]

@@TheSpinDoctor You have solved the riddle for me. I wondered if he ever painted on pure white paper. Maybe you know what paint he used. I know he used w@n. Also, brushes.

[@TheSpinDoctor]

Wallace-Seymour in the U.K. make a good set of round watercolours based on what Turner used (Turner made his own). Sold by Turner’s Art in Stockport but they have closed down which is rather sad. Art Req stock them too. His brushes were probably also made by himself or small artisanal workshops as was typical at the time. He used badger hair as well as sable and horse and there are good records of what he used.

[@etienne7774]

@@TheSpinDoctor Can you with your expertise find out what colors Turner used and where to purchase them. The paper, the paints these days won't cut it. I think Turner was the only true watercolor artist to have ever lived. The paper, the paints are all non definite, luminous, mysterious. True art dances between the physical and spiritual.... and most do not understand.

[@TheSpinDoctor]

Wallace-Seymour sell a set called the Turner Set which is paints made to his recipe using the same pigments he used. They are rounds of paint with dips in the middle. You add a bit of hot water and wait 10 mins and then you can use them. If you look up the Four Humours set on my Product Reviews playlist, they are the same formulation and shape but only 4 of the pigments from the larger set. They are beautiful paints.