TESTING NEW PAPER! BOCKINGFORD Watercolor Landscape Painting Simple Beginners Watercolour Tutorial

[@nancydavidson4899]

I always use cotton paper but someone gifted me some Bockingford and I also find it lovely to use. I find that when I wet it, it dries quite quickly so I have to work faster, but that being said, I was impressed with it.

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

Thanks for sharing 😊

[@roxym.3933]

Before I even watch the video, I want to say something I did try this paper it’s not my favorite, but I don’t hate it either but one thing I love about this paper is the ability to lift pigment like no other you don’t even have to scrub it nothing you just swipe your wet brush and it’s gone gone is white again

[@EdoHannema-Watercolour-Art]

Lois!!! Thank you so much for mentioning me. So friendly from you. 😊😊 And indeed , I love Bockingford. I use it at least for 30 years or longer. Lately I used the 535 grams cp. Soo good! As you say it need a other approach. If people always use Arches they have a problem when they try the same technique on Bockingford as they use on Arches. And that does not work. Very often you hear that Bockingford is not a good paper. But its really the other way around. The artist need other and different techniques to paint on Bockingford. As you say, if Wesson and James Fletcher Watson could paint masterpieces on it. Why wouldn't we give it a try. 😊 And Arches is ofcourse great paper too.

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

Agreed! Like anything, we need to take time to learn about the character of the paper. The first time I tried Arches, I hated it! After painting on pulp paper when I began to learn, it was a shock when the Arches seemed to absorb all my washes leaving me with bland mid tones and nothing else 😂😂😂

[@EdoHannema-Watercolour-Art]

@@LoisDavidsonArt Very true, Millford and Saunders are also pigment lovers. you can go heavy on them, but it stays good. How much you put on, it doesn't matter. My first Arches was that I painted, and when it dried it looked like I made it with a powdergun. So smooth. And at that time Arches smelled like poo when you made it wet. I miss that these days! Kept the viewers away! 😂😂

[@ladyhollman9534]

I mainly do urban sketching and the Bockingford spirals (12 sheets in the US) are a favorite of mine. I have several packs of them. I really like the paper for what I do. Plus I can use my watercolor markers on it since the liquid doesn’t disappear into the paper in a hot second. Thanks for the review. 😊

[@sarahstevenson2384]

I use a lot of Bockingford as well as Arches, and always use the 200lb paper. It’s beautifully thick and absorbs water and the paint really well. Some of my best paintings are on Bockingford. It’s really good value too.

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

Thanks for sharing!😊

[@MrDs131]

Thanks for that Lois. I have used Bockingford and Saunders but have never seen the difference so clearly.

[@paulineshelley4421]

I used to use Bockingford many years ago and didn’t really know anything else. It was then a good paper, recommended by artists. I think there has been a mini revolution with the cotton papers, but Bockingford has always remained a very nice paper. I am impressed with your tests. The clarity of the colour and evenness of the washes, makes me want to try it again. Thanks for sharing.

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

You are welcome! 😊

[@docsavagefan2795]

Haven’t tried Bockingford paper yet, will have to order some. Thanks

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

It’s different from cotton but worth getting used to!😊

[@pollybeach9372]

I’m so happy to see your demo using Bockingford paper! I’ve been using the Bockingford FatPads for sketchbooks and practice for a couple of years now and I really like the versatility of the paper.

[@marionbik2022]

Thanks for testing this paper. I’ve avoided using anything that is not 100% cotton. There’s always something to be learned in the watercolour journey. 🎨✨🙏🏼💕

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lindyashford7744]

I came here to find out more about Bockingford as I recently used a forty year old sheet to do a quick paint out of a new set of watercolours, and to my surprise loved how it looked! They do not make the same weight now as that sheet, only a heavier one. The colours looked very vibrant and fresh, the paper dried well and unlike some old Arches paper I have had not deteriorated except an almost imperceptible yellowing . If the Bockingford of today is as nice I want to see more of it. Your review seems to show that it does. I do not paint a lot of layers anyway. I shall be trying this, I have no pretensions of my work lasting far into the future though it would be nice if it did! I normally do my swatching on heavy khadi paper, I really cannot afford Arches, I had been looking at seawhite eco w/c paper but I think I will like this better. Maybe I will try both. Thanks for an interesting review. It really does look as though this is an interesting option.

[@elizabethwatering2257]

I have been subscribed to Edo's KZbin channel and really enjoy his style of painting, as I do yours. I saw in some of his comments that you had left a message for him😊. I have wondered if you have used the same watercolour paints as he has. I can't remember what they are called off hand, but he rates them as being single pigments in preventing muddying.

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

Thanks, Edo uses Maimarieblu paints, I use mostly Cotman, Winsor and Newton and Jackson’s paint

[@mlarks28]

Thanks for this Lois, this is a good exercise for me as I'm looking to replace my plein air Seawhite 350gsm spiral pad, which takes paint very well but just can't handle masking fluid, masking tape or, more importantly, even fairly light lifting techniques without tearing or being reduced to wet 'tissue'. It's a shame as I really like all their other products I have. I've been using the 140lb Bockingford for ages now and I love it for my general work and practice pieces. I believe It behaves pretty much as my 100% cotton papers in most circumstances, holds, blends and allows lifting really well. On another note, I didn't realise that Edo was frontman for St Cuthberts Mill. Very good choice, excellent watercolour artist.

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

Thanks so much, I’m glad it was helpful! 😊

[@UJB123]

Great demo! I’ve had one of the 7x5 (300gsm) spiral pads and I find the vibrancy of my paint to be quite strong. Also, lifts like a champ. As a hobbiest, (urban sketching) painting for myself and fun … This paper is very very good. It’s cost effective to boot.

[@nancysteffen7902]

Thank you Lois! I really enjoyed that. I haven’t tried Bockingford but have tried other 300gsm watercolor papers that are not 100% cotton. I’m not a seasoned watercolor artist as I’m more of a mixed media artist but I just have a lot of trouble with the paper drying so fast if it isn’t cotton. I feel that I need to practice more and use a lot more water!!! And keep watching you😉

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

You are so welcome!🎨👍

[@beverlydevriesburrows3097]

Thank you.

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

You're welcome!😊

[@joantenenbaum1738]

Thank you for this, Lois. I have to say I was very surprised that it worked so well for you. I have always shied away from pulp papers. Perhaps the plant fibers they found make the difference relative to wood fibers. Bravo for trying it out!!

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

I was surprised too 😊

[@lado6718]

I have been using this paper for a few years, but I also use Saunders Waterford. Love them both!

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

Good to know!

[@trishippolito4881]

I had gotten a Bockingford once and really enjoyed it. I’ve been thinking about getting another one.

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

Thanks! 🎨💐

[@delphinewood7519]

A thorough review-interesting and helpful. Please do a demo on the rough paper. I’d love to see it.

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

Will do at some point soon, thanks for your feedback! 😊

[@pattycyr8662]

Beautiful!

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

Thank you!

[@adeade2477]

hi Lois , i enjoy your videos, I have used to bockingford 140lb for many years and have found it to be very versatile for wet into wet,and as you say it lifts out well. thanks again

[@cinhill22]

I picked up some Bockingford about 2 years ago and was quite shocked at how well it performed, especially lifting, there is a learning curve, some of my best paintings have been painted on Bockingford, but I still seem to go back to my Saunders and Milford, even though I love Bockingford... It depends on what I'm painting whether I use it or not, but it is a very lovely paper... Would love to see your style of paintings on it!

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

Thanks, I’ll be posting some at some point!

[@suel4269]

I would love to try the 250lb rough. Paul Clark uses it. Not available in the USA tho. I feel I was born in the wrong country to be be an artist.🫣

[@jennymurray2873]

I always use Bockingford 12x9, although I have bought some Arches, but I haven't bitten the bullet yet. It's easily obtainable at the Range and Hobbycraft. Are you going to review the 12x9 pad?

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

I don’t think so, I’ll be painting on quarter imperial sheets as usual 😊

[@Martycycleman]

Hi Lois, I did use Bockingford. I'm not sure why I moved away from it. I now use Arch, which is cotton paper. I would like to see you try out the 1/4 plate paper we sore at the beginning of the video.

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

Thanks Marty, I especially like the 200lb weight😊

[@loisbrennan3967]

I’d always kind of assumed most people (in uk at least) would use this at least as their practice paper! Though I do have quite a selection of cotton papers I usually use Bockingford for everything because it is so affordable and gives great results, certainly far better than any other pulp paper.😊 But I’ve never tried the heavier weight paper, must go and order some!!

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

Thanks for sharing. I only use cotton paper for practice as I use cotton paper for my finished paintings; it would be unhelpful for me to practice on pulp paper as it behaves in a completely different way to cotton paper. I always recommend practicing on the same paper you work with for finished pieces otherwise the practice doesn’t carry forward into the work! When I use Bockingford in the future, I will practice on a similar pulp paper

[@sonyaoart]

Thanks for this review! I’ve been meaning to try Bockingford paper for a while, it’s reassuring to know it performs well.

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

It may not suit everyone, but we’ll worth trying to see what you think!

[@gilltraynor9538]

I love these little fat pads.

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

Thanks!

[@tattyfowl]

I use Bockingford. What size Perla are you using and how long is the whole brush? Thank you

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

Thanks, It’s a size 14, no idea how long 😊

[@ladygwarth]

I bought some Bockingford 200lb recently, I also use Arches, and Saunders Waterford. Personally it is not my favourite. Masking fluid tore it and layering didn’t work well for me, but I will persevere and practice some more with it and try some simpler paintings that don’t need any masking.

[@david111davies]

maybe it is the brand of fluid, im sure there is an artist on youtube who uses bockingford and uses masking fluid quite a lot

[@ladygwarth]

@@david111davies Maybe, I have read on other review sites that masking fluid can be an issue on it. I use Pebeo at the moment and it is fine on Arches. Others may work better on it.

[@david111davies]

@@ladygwarth is it the pebeo latex or latex free version that you have. There are two formulas of pebeo masking fluid

[@ladygwarth]

@@david111davies Just looked, it is definitely latex.

[@kendataylor6386]

Hi Lois - I forgot to ask you what brand of palette knife you use - many thanks! ❤

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

No idea I’m afraid, I’ve had it for years

[@kendataylor6386]

@@LoisDavidsonArt no probs - looks like Windsor & Newton do a similar fine/small bladed palette knife 🙂

[@litylu]

Hey Lois, great review. Might I ask what is the brand and size rigger brush you’re using? It seems to perform quite well. Thanks!

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

It a size 2 by Pro Arte 😊

[@annevickers3307]

Very interesting information. Excuse my ignorance, I always thought pulp paper was made out of wood (trees). But what is cellulose paper?

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

I’m afraid I don’t know. Cellulose is made from wood and other plant fibres so some paper is made from wood pulp cellulose, whereas Bockingford says theirs is made from non-wood cellulose so I assume some other plant based cellulose

[@greenbananas12378]

My watercolour art dries really flat, I would like it to dry how I placed the paint on- what could be the issue? Some paper allows for it to show all the layers of colour and makes it look how it did when it was wet but others make it look like flat acrylic, please help

[@wimotten8353]

I have a lot of pulp paper 😂😂. Fabriano and bockingford. And I must say that the bockingford paper is MUCH better than the fabriano. However both pulp papers dry very quickly so you are always stressed out because you have to work so quick. And putting layers on top of an underpainting.is not very good.

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

Thanks for sharing, I agree, the drying time needs close monitoring closely when using pulp paper, I’m looking forward to trying a full painting where I’ll get a better understanding of the paper 🎨

[@EdoHannema-Watercolour-Art]

The first layer has too be thin and translucent, then you can go heavier over it on Bockingford. I have made 5 layered skies on Bock.

[@LoisDavidsonArt]

Thanks Edo, good advice! 👍💐🎨