Testing 4 Hot Pressed Watercolour Papers | Mini Horse Chestnut Conker Tutorial

Join me as I test out 4 different hot pressed watercolour papers for drawing with coloured pencils. In this video I complete 4 studies of the same horse chestnut / conker and even show you exactly how to draw it step-by-step in a mini-tutorial.
I give my verdict at the end as to which papers I like and which I don't.
For exclusive in-depth tutorials on drawing animals in coloured pencil, head over to my Patreon:
/ shannonmullin
Supplies mentioned in this video:
Paper:
Canson Moulin Du Roy Hot Pressed Watercolour Paper -
tinyurl.com/mr3...
Winsor & Newton Professional Hot Pressed Watercolour Paper -
tinyurl.com/y47...
Baohong Master's Pure Cotton Hot Pressed Watercolour Paper -
tinyurl.com/39d...
Bockingford Hot Pressed Watercolour Paper -
tinyurl.com/4up...
Arches Aquarelle Hot Pressed Watercolour Paper - tinyurl.com/279...
Strathmore Bristol Vellum - amzn.to/44EQHKB
Horse Chestnut / Conker Reference - tinyurl.com/2sc...
Coloured Pencils:
Faber Castel Polychromos Pencils - tinyurl.com/25...
Colours Used in Tutorial:
Burnt Umber - 280 (or just use Walnut Brown)
Burnt Ochre - 187
Burnt Sienna - 283
Warm Grey - 270
Blue Violet - 137
Light Magenta - 119
Derwent Drawing - Chinese White
Caput Mortuum Violet - 263
Deep Scarlet Red - 219
Dark Sepia - 175
Black - 199
May Green - 170
Earth Green Yellowish - 168
Cold Grey I - 230
Cold Grey II - 231
Warm Grey II - 271
Nougat 178
Additional Tools:
Derwent Superpoint Manual Pencil Sharpener - amzn.to/3NPasII
Putty Eraser - amzn.to/43l5MQx
Tombow Mono Zero Eraser - amzn.to/44ER1Jj
Slice Manual Pen Cutter - amzn.to/3pBSrpg
Where else to find me:
Instagram - bit.ly/30sPI1t...
Facebook - bit.ly/3ljICob...
Website - bit.ly/37aPaQP
Etsy - etsy.me/3yXojmA
Music:
Some of the music in this video is written and produced by Chris Dixon, my lovely subscriber!
The rest is from Epidemic Sound - tinyurl.com/4t...

[@hollyneal453]

Derwent lightfast paper is the closet you will get to the older Fabriano paper

[@nicola.p]

I still have 3 unopened pads of the old skool Fabriano. Maybe I should put them up in an auction 😂

[@maireturunen]

Thank you so much! Maire from Finland.

[@shannonmullin]

You’re very welcome Maire!! ☺️

[@maireturunen]

Kiitos=thank you. @@shannonmullin

[@artobsessionbybarbara2953]

That was very interesting Shannon, thank you.🦋xx

[@ThePencilist0101]

I don't know if I said this to you before or not, but I found a new paper designed specifically for colored pencils. I went to Amazon web sight and typed in colored pencil paper it came up with a Strathmore that is not a Bristol and not a vellum. it has a picture of a little girl holding a small animal on its cover. I am shocked at how well it works for me.

[@RobertFinger-e8f]

Great information Shannon! I’ve been enjoying the Strathmore Bristol vellum we discussed on Instagram. Thank you! Bob

[@shannonmullin]

Thank you Bob I’m glad you’re enjoying it! Such a fab paper, very close to hot pressed watercolour paper for me 😍

[@janehardcastle9602]

Loved this - thank you!

[@shannonmullin]

Thank you Jane! ☺️

[@peacefulheartstudio5998]

Thank you so much for this. I’m currently doing your yellow lab tutorial on sanders Waterford and I quite like it. I did a similar test in some different papers and I also like strathmore but in smooth rather than vellum. Polydraw drafting film is also great. Have you tried Stonehenge HP? I’ve not got through all your videos yet so maybe you have. I was recommended that one too and just bought a sheet. Lots of colour pencil artists love pastel Matt too but think that would be a nightmare to blend. Love your videos 😊

[@shannonmullin]

You’re most welcome! I’m glad you’re liking the Saunders, I find it’s a lovely paper but as soon as you start trying to draw something with lots of darks like a black dog it just goes all funny and bitty. Little flecks of paper start peeling off it’s so weird!🥲 I haven’t tried drafting full or Stonehenge! I’ve heard it’s quite rough and textured but I know some artists love it! I’ve only ever tried pastelmat for pastels so maybe I need to give that one a go next 😍 Aw thank you so much 🤍

[@peacefulheartstudio5998]

@@shannonmullin drafting film is amazing for detailed stuff and the slice tool works brilliantly but i am not sure if your clients for commissions would prefer actual paper. The stonehenge feels really smooth so hopefully its ok. Once i get through your free videos i will be signing up to your patreon. I love your style of videos. I have learnt so much already and I cannot believe i managed to do a dog tongue following your tutorial. I have been putting that off for ages haha. Looking forward to taking on more challenges :)

[@rebelmaven0613]

The Fabriano debacle began around 2017 and has been a very unfortunate and costly experience for so many of us. As botanical artists we have gone out of our minds testing other papers. I personally have spent a ridiculous amount of money and now own so many papers that it borders on insanity. One thing that people need to understand is that paper is manufactured and sold in such large lots that it can literally take years until stock is exhausted. I have heard now that some better Fabriano is starting to show up in some markets but it could take a while until it shows up more globally and you don't know what you will get once you have ordered until it arrives and you try it. As I needed a hot press paper that could take a lot of watercolor, colored pencil, and erasing I found the Saunders Waterford 638gsm to be the most suitable as it is highly durable once you get used to the "sponge". Unfortunately I cannot get it in high white here so I am still looking. As with all hot press papers there is a huge difference in surface between weights and significant differences in the same weights between the blocks and the sheets. Thus you end up with so many papers when trying to find a suitable alternative. If you are up for one more paper I would also give the Hahnemühle: "The Collection" a try. It is a lovely paper and it's only drawback is cost.

[@shannonmullin]

The search feels never ending doesn’t it! Thank you for the extra information and for the recommendation, I hope you find something you love working on soon 🤞🏼

[@cirstoforoainsworth8264]

Promo sm