Watercolor Paper Comparison - Arches, Fabriano and Canson - Beginners Which Paper to Choose?

[@sharonbayger5387]

I think you did an awesome job of making all those comparisons. Thanks for doing that. I was taken aback by a couple of criticisms of the video

[@SandraJSchultz]

Thanks Sharon.

[@canalterraincognita]

Thanks for the video! The best comparison should be between Fabriano Artistico, Arches and Canson Heritage, all of them are artist's paper, 100% cotton. Canson XL is a student paper, 100% cellulose, only for quick sketches or begginers. Regards!

[@nextspring9916]

Thank you for sharing this helpful comparison. I have Arches CP, was hesitating if it is not as nice as Fabriano CP due to the hard edges. What you mentioned about stretching could help. Thanks

[@LironYan]

Thank you, great comparison, really helpful! I really love cold press over hot press. For some reason I have a big aversion to paper that has the color stay on the surface. Been working a lot with Arches and will now try the Fabriano as well (: Thanks again! - Liron

[@SandraJSchultz]

Liron, I am a cold-press fan too. I had bought the Fabriano just before making the video, and had not tried it before that. Since then, I have found that I am not very fond of it. It seems thin and has a "mushyness" to it that I don't find appealing. I saw that when making the video, but it has become more apparent since then. I would love to hear how you like it! A lot of people seem to use it as their primary paper. Thanks, Sandy

[@LironYan]

Awesome, I'll let you know in a week or two (: I'm super-curious as well! - Liron

[@LulluNatic]

@@LironYan 3 years after, which one do you prefer between Arches and Fabriano Artistico ?

[@marshahostetler]

I think you did a wonderful job like you I am self taught came from sketching with pencil I thought I wanted a hot press too. I am working with canson right now but find like you I tried to stay tight like in my drawings I have to let go but so hard for me.

[@SandraJSchultz]

Hello Crystal. Yes, habits are hard to change. I have found that I'm most comfortable when I indulge my meticulous drawing side a bit in my loose watercolor paintings. Best of both worlds for me! Thank you for watching!

[@faroshscale]

I don't know what kind of arches paper you're using but mine NEVER repels like that. it almost looks like you put down a layer of masking fluid before you painted on it (not that you did).

[@SandraJSchultz]

Hi Jamie. This is Arches 140# cold pressed paper. I buy my paper in sheets. It has been a long time since I used Arches paper from pads, but it may be that pad paper does not do this as much.

[@hansendesigns]

the expectation is that when you buy it in sheets that you would stretch it first wet with the brown butchers tape so it dries taught before painting. this solves the sizing and buckling issues :)

[@Biolupus]

I suppose, by what she said, that it is Arches grain fin (cold pressed). It always repels water exactly like this in my experience, but only in the first wash, and only if it's not previously wet and dried (as she explains in the video). Several other brands like Canson Moulin du Roy do that also, and there are various watercolor artists here on youtube explaining that the papers must always be fixed, wet and then let to dry, and only then are they ready to receive washes. This is because there is a glue in the paper that is part of the manufacture and it needs to be diluted to accept the moisture better. Nevertheless, some brands and/or types (as Fabriano Artistico or 50%, Canson Montval, Canson XL, Arches Satiné, Hahnemühle Cezanne grain fin and others), accept extremely well the first wash even when the paper is not previously wet and dry.

[@joesurfer9754]

I just bought some fabriano artistico and started drooling when I seen that archs repel that paint. The dry brush effects would be endless with that. I am glad it go's away after wetting so I don't feel bad about not buying archs.

[@dyannj1306]

since all these are at the stores side by side, and for myself I don't want to experiment with money by buying online without experience so thank you for this

[@SandraJSchultz]

I'm glad the video helped Dyann J. Happy painting!

[@gwensimmons_gigi1629]

Sandra: Can you also include the comparable Strathmore brand in your watercolor paper comparison demos?

[@joesurfer9754]

I would love to see that in Strathmore 400.

[@cashiefrank351]

Thanks for this helpful demo. I agree with others who have said your sheet of Arches must have come from a bad batch, which I have heard of happening recently more than once. I have never experienced that kind of resist with Arches over the several years that I have used it

[@SandraJSchultz]

Hello Cashie. Thanks for your comment. I know lots of artists love Arches, and I have seen a lot of beautiful work on the paper. Whether is was my particular batch of Arches or not, I have fallen out of love with it. You can see my process of falling out of love in my later videos of paper and paint testing. However, everyone has their own unique style, and material selection is and should be a personal choice. I'm glad you are happy with Arches!

[@cashiefrank351]

Hi Sandra, Thank you so much for your reply. I am really enjoying your videos and will be continuing to watch. It is exciting to learn about different papers to try for watercolor and I could not agree with you more about personal choice. We change as artists and paper qualities can change over time as well.

[@Kyomiibrown]

I prefer the Fabriano, and looking at just the stripes on each sheet, the Fabriano wins hands down for me though this test is flawed. I am not keen on Arches, I bought one pad to try out and have only used one sheet. Fabriano artistico hot press and Canson Mulin du Roy cold press are my faves.

[@SandraJSchultz]

Hi Kyomii. I'm glad you have found papers that you like. At the time I made this video, Arches was my go-to paper. Now I am searching for replacements. If you watch my newer paper and paint comparison videos you will see why. Ii agree with you. Arches has qualities that don't go well with my painting style. I especially am not fond of the hot press. I finished a painting on arches hot press yesterday. My first comment was "stodgy". I finished a painting the day before on Arches cold press board, and even though the board was difficult to work on, the response from commenters has been all positive. Paper makes a huge difference!

[@Kyomiibrown]

Sandra J Schultz Thanks Sandra, I will check out your new comparison soon. Hot press is more difficult to paint on than cold pressed, I like it for detailed work and colour pencils. It has taken me a while to find my cold press favourite Mulin du Roy, there is something about the paper that brings a crispness to colours, and it can withstand quite a lot of abuse. I also love the texture. I do want to try the new Canson Heritage, as the reviews are excellent, but my budget can't justify buying more paper right now. Paper does make a difference, I agree!

[@sandsinmyboots1640]

Which type of Fabriano paper did you use? They have professional & student grades. Thanks!! btw, I got some of Michael's store brand "artist loft" 140 lb (with a red cover on the pad). Would love to see a side-by-side comparison of that against something already in your arseno :)

[@SandraJSchultz]

Hi Sands. The paper is Fabriano Artistico Extra White, 140# cold pressed in sheets. Thank you for asking the question. I should have made that information clear in the video. I may do another watercolor paper comparison video. I have to think about that. Thanks again, Sandy

[@joesurfer9754]

I was curious what Canson you used because canson makes many kind of watercolor paper including archs itself.

[@picklesdill9138]

Joe surfer she included all that information in the video

[@denisestover8768]

I have used Arches paper for over 20 years and I have never had it do what you're showing it to do in reference to the beading up. I have bought hundreds of sheets of 140CP, 300CP and 400CP. I have used them mostly non-stretched but I have stretched some. In all of these cases I have never had that paper do what your paper on the example has shown to do and what you're saying happens to you often. I'm thinking maybe you got a bad batch or something else but it's hard for me to believe that a paper of that caliber could act like that and still be that popular.

[@SandraJSchultz]

Yes Denise, I may have an odd batch - I bought a big stack. I have gotten used to its behavior, and I don't think that it is a bad thing that it does that. I have used that characteristic to my advantage with good success. I think that the art of being an artist is to be flexible. If my paper gives me lemons I make lemonade!

[@denisestover8768]

I agree! And what good lemonade you do make! 😉 Thank you for sharing your beautiful gifts and generously giving these gifts free to people who are lucky enough to find your videos! I am now a silk painter and all of my years of watercolor have made silk a breeze! I'll be posting videos on my channel regarding silk painting and hand-painted silk... Watching your videos have helped me very much. Thank you for that! God Bless!!! ~Denise 😃

[@SandraJSchultz]

Thanks Denise. Feel free to post a link to your channel! I'm sure some (including me) will want to see your silk videos! Thanks for watching, and I'm glad my videos helped. Sandy

[@denisestover8768]

Sandra J Schultz ... Thank you! I'll be sure to remember to do that. Funny side note: I'm named after my mother. My first name is Sandra! My mother's nickname...? Sandy! Just thought that was funny! Thank you, again, for all! God Bless!!!

[@sandrajschultz7204]

Small world!

[@karenduffy1842]

Thank you! I've been using Arches for most of my painting life! Having lived in France for 20 years ( I'm from the UK!). I started my art journey like you, detailed and now love wet in wet! An age thing maybe😃. Even so I wanted to see if I've been doing the right thing, sticking with Arches! YES! THANK YOU SO MUCH! I have Fabriano and Canson, but always go to Arches 1st! I was taught Fabriano is good for atmosphere?! Xxx

[@SandraJSchultz]

Hi Karen Duffy, I'm glad the video helped. In later paper comparison videos, I continue my journey to find my paper. Like you I listened carefully to people's opinions, and I found that in the end, it's what works best for the individual artist. There are so many papers out there! It's quite an accomplishment to have found your true love! Happy painting! S

[@MaryDraws]

Great video! As for the sound the camera makes, try setting the focus on the paper manually and that should take care of it. The camera will keep trying to refocus when it detects your hand if it's left on auto-focus. Thank you for your hard work and putting this together for us!

[@SandraJSchultz]

Hi Mary. Yes, the bad behavior of the camera in this video bothers me too. I made that video pretty early on in my video making learning curve. Excellent advice and thanks for watching and putting up with my wet-behind-the-ears video. Sandy

[@ShaunakDe]

This has been my observation also. I know that everybody raves about Arches all the time, but I find it too hard sized for my preference. Its important to note that Arches might not be the 'holy grail' for everybody. Great to see your analysis of the blending and buckling. And to be honest, you make the canson look pretty good :) PS: Dissolving some of the sizing in the stretching helps a lot. PPS: Hulloalice (another channel) also found this to be the case.

[@SandraJSchultz]

Hi Shaunak, thanks for your comment. Yes, I realize that Canson came out pretty well in those tests. Actually better than I had expected! Based on the tests, and using Fabriano after that, I think that I actually prefer Canson to Fabriano. Surprise!

[@ShaunakDe]

+Sandra J Schultz Haha. as a hobbyist its heartening to hear that the cheap paper is not all that bad. :) I love your KZbin channel and watching you paint is very instructional. In fact I recently painted my first sunflower inspired by your videos. :)

[@SandraJSchultz]

That makes me happy!

[@joesurfer9754]

I was wondering if that might have accidentally not been canson cause it seemed it performed too good to be canson.

[@melindastroup1844]

Thank you! It is very helpful to see how different papers behave.

[@mmmmlllljohn]

Thanks so much - this was very helpful. Your drawings are so freaking amazing!!

[@SandraJSchultz]

Thanks for watching ml! Happy painting!

[@diegogval]

I find that when I size my paper with PVA glue (50/50 water and glue) it does the same as your arches sample.

[@rolfolmsted6549]

The author compares apples to oranges in this video. Comparing Arches cold press professional level paper to XL student paper is a false equivalency. Why didn't she use Canson Montval or Canson Heritage for comparison? I've never seen Arches resist like that and suspect contamination or a bad batch. Arches is made by Canson.

[@88feji]

I don't know why this video is attracting deluded smart alecs like you ... where is there a rule that says that you cannot compare artist grade vs student grade art materials ? Its by comparing how they behave that the learners who watches this video know why some papers are more highly regarded than other papers ... you are misusing the term "false equivalency", there is no assumption of any "equivalency" in this video to begin with, she's in fact demonstrating that these papers are not "equal" dear ...

[@emiliyaveitch]

I use Fabriano Artistico, it's 100% cotton and I love it!

[@SandraJSchultz]

Thanks for the comment Emiliya. I'm glad you have found a paper that suits you. It's more of a challenge that one would think to do that! I still haven't found "my" paper.

[@msbiba401]

Very informative, great tutorial, thank you! I like you too, you're natural and real.

[@SandraJSchultz]

You are very nice ms biba. I'm glad you liked the video.

[@2lmdi]

Thank you so very, very, much for this!

[@SandraJSchultz]

Hi Pat, Thanks for your comment! For some reason, our personal message link seems to be broken, so I cannot respond to your last message that way. Have you considered using pan paints - or putting your tube paints into one or more palettes? Many watercolor artists choose to do that.

[@SkySweetie]

Extremely helpful! Thank you for being an artist, not a salesperson!

[@SandraJSchultz]

I'm glad the video helped. Thank you for watching!

[@astrid4328]

Great comparison! Question: how must i use the watercolours without getting the hard edges? Sorry for my language i am dutch, and don't know all the translations

[@SandraJSchultz]

Hi Astrid. Good question. In watercolor, soft edges are achieved with water. You can either paint on the paper when it is wet, which will allow the paint to spread, or you can paint onto dry paper and then wet the edges before the paint dries. I will be posting a new video on painting with soft edges very soon. If you watch that, it may become more clear. Thanks! And happy painting! And by the way, your translation is perfect.

[@kathyhackney7950]

@@SandraJSchultz or sometimes I just work hard edges into my paintings and it actually looks really cool! However I know most people probably don't want that just thought it was worth saying 🤷

[@bodulica3]

I don't have those problems with Fabriano artistico at all. I tried all the others and coming back to Fabriano. Suppose I've learned well how it works. I wet both sides of the paper and place it on the towel. This way it stays flat.

[@daruleos]

bodulica3 can you give more detail about what you do with the paper to prevent from warping?

[@zuheyr1]

Thank you for the attempt bur you should stretch your paper wet unless you use 300 GSM but you don't tell us the weight.

[@joesurfer9754]

I agree. I never use tape though and paintings always dry flat.

[@picklesdill9138]

she did tell the weight. 140lbs each

[@jimpowell1802]

Thanks for the video. It was very informative. I have been using Arches hot press and cold press 300 lb. My subjects tend to be more detailed so the hot press works well but the color resists lifting even with non-staining paints. Repelling paint seems to be an issue on all the papers I buy primarily within 2 inches of the edge. I wonder if this could be caused by the seller handling the paper and their skin oil is being transferred to the paper? I don't see any finger prints but something is keeping the paint off even if I scrub it. I buy my paper over the internet and at local art stores.

[@SandraJSchultz]

Hi Jim Powell, I'm glad you found the video helpful. The resist on some Arches papers is a mystery. Some say they have never experienced that, and ALL of my 140# cold press is like that. I never thought of the resist as a huge problem though. I used it to my advantage.

[@charlottepringle2634]

Interesting video! I have never experienced the resist when purchasing loose papers from Blick arts in New York but I have got it with a Fabriano watercolour pad I bought off the internet - I didn't like it at first but I am going to use it to my advantage now like you suggest!

[@daliaklein1212]

It is very helpful video. Thank you very much.

[@TittsMagee]

Arches is my go to paper. 140# cold pressed and 300# cold pressed. The sizing in that piece you have seems extreme as I have never had that much difficulty on wet on dry. But watercolor is a challenge for me. I am a detail artist and watercolor is a challenge because of the water manipulation. I am getting it though I am self taught.

[@SandraJSchultz]

Hi Sunshines' Shadow. Others have commented on the water repellency of my paper, and perhaps there is some variation in batches. I bought a big stack of paper all at one time, and all if it has been like that. In my experience, it is difficult to get good detail on cold pressed paper. Have you tried hot pressed? On that paper you can get good detail, but the paint doesn't penetrate the paper well so you definitely need to pre-wet and allow the water to soak in before painting so that it has an opportunity to soak in. Otherwise, subsequent layers will tend to lift previous layers. Sandy

[@TittsMagee]

Sandra Schultz. I have not tried HP yet as i'm new to wet in wet watercolor. I am notorious for manipulating too much, making mud, lol. Is HP helpful in wet on wet? From the videos I've watched, you have to be quick and precise. I have used Yupo but it is so thin it buckles but I am up to trying HP paper especially if you can remove misplaced color, lol. Thanks for the info. I'll give it a go.

[@LulluNatic]

Is this Fabriano or Fabriano Artistico ? I'm asking because they're not the same.

[@SandraJSchultz]

Hello LulluNatic. Thank you for the question. Yes, I neglected to say in this video that I was using Fabriano Artistico. Thanks for watching!

[@LulluNatic]

@@SandraJSchultz And thank you for answering. Greetings from France !

[@SandraJSchultz]

Hellooooo!

[@iangarratley8750]

very helpful and interesting

[@a.n.3761]

thanks for the video. and you used canson xl aquarelle or canson xl mix media?

[@SandraJSchultz]

Thank you for watching Nastya, and also thank you for the question. The Canson was aquarelle. Sandy

[@a.n.3761]

thank you very much!

[@picklesdill9138]

i have the canson mixed.media and (maybe i lay washes too heavy) but i find it doesnt like too much water... what do you think?

[@SandraJSchultz]

Hi Nastya, I haven't tried the Canson mixed media paper. I did a quick check on the internet and read that the mixed media paper is good for experimenting with a variety of wet and dry mediums. I think the key word is "experimenting". If you are trying to create finished pieces of art, I think you might be happier with their watercolor paper if you can get your hands on some, or watercolor paper made by another company. Please let us know how your search for paper goes! Sandy

[@eung-keunlee7845]

very interesting. thank you

[@stevesidare2493]

Strange. Never had that much resistance from Arches 140# CP.

[@diannevagg2960]

I can easily see the difference of the paper colour.

[@nerdieone1]

That Arches is a bad batch. I've never seen paint repel on it like that. D:

[@TheSpinDoctor]

Arches does seem to repel paint sometimes - depends on the amount of oxgall etc in your paint/water and on the brush you're using tbh. It's a funny paper though - wetting both sides under the tap then letting it dry somewhat seems to help - it's a strange one though. Some paints just don't work well with it.

[@joesurfer9754]

Every time you scrubbed extra paint on the archs, I wanted to throw a beer bottle through my screen and I don't drink.

[@jasperkroehne8549]

Joe surfer why

[@joesurfer9754]

Jasper Jasper because then the comparison is no longer a comparison.

[@nathanmeier9971]

The auto focus feature on your camera makes this video almost unwatchable. Also, Arches is pronounced "arsh". I appreciate the information however.

[@UrraSergio]

There are better channels on youtube to display your neurosis.

[@nathanmeier9971]

SergioUrra, thank you for pointing out my embarrassing blunder. Can you please suggest a channel where my neurosis will be welcomed?

[@UrraSergio]

I was not going to answer, but the question (obviating the elegant sarcasm***) is interesting. So, do you want to exercise your collection of neurosis or do you want to overcome them? Anyway, you know that, in both cases, you can find the right channels by yourself. *** I hope it's a sarcasm. If it is not, it would lose the elegance. (Yep, I'm highly neurotic)

[@Drumaier]

I respect the time and care you took to do this. But by saying just "Fabiano paper" (without specifying which one) you are kinda defeating the whole purpose of the video. I say kinda because we can still use the info related to the other 3 papers.

[@LulluNatic]

I was wondering which Fabriano it was as well. My Guess is it's Artistico cold pressed extra white...

[@bozmundarts2614]

She says Wich it is in the description...

[@LulluNatic]

@@bozmundarts2614 Thanks Captain Obvious but she edited her description after many of us asked her about the exact brand.

[@LulluNatic]

And she still hasn't mentionned whether it's extra-white or not, by the way.

[@bozmundarts2614]

@@LulluNatic hey, nowadays common sense is the less common thing, saying the "obvious" it's sometimes worth it, Wich I couldn't have known before it was obvious so I simply mentioned it... And well, that thing is too white, so probably it is the extra white fabriano artistico...

[@bitobito6366]

a see a used canson is work good and everything

[@bardotte5757]

I only ever use Arches and have done for over 5 years and NEVER had any problems and certainly not what you are showing here with your sheet. You generally get those kind of effects on any paper if you get the paper dirty or greasy. Keep your paper clean and make sure your hands are clean and not greasy. Any artist will tell you, Arches is one of the best papers you can use. So I take no notice of this study.

[@88feji]

Sorry but you sound really arrogant and probably ignorant ... firstly its well known that there are occasionally uneven production qualities when it comes to watercolor papers, even the most well known brands like Arches have received complains during recent years for their uneven qualities (some articles mention that the company have acquired various sub-par paper mills which causes some stocks of papers to be less than desirable) ... maybe you have not painted enough to have used a lot of (different types of) papers or tried out enough to come across difficult papers ... but my main criticism of you is that you assume the video uploader is not as professional as you in your tone of speaking, you don't know the specific reason why that paper is so heavily sized so you assume she is mishandling it ... don't be silly, why would a seasoned artist like her be handling papers with unclean greasy hands ?? Even if she accidentally handled it with greasy hand, the problematic area would show up as small thumb sized areas during painting, NOT as big vast patches like in the video .. a bit of thoughtfulness would have told you the rejection of fluid is not due to mishandling with greasy hands ... It could be due to the way the manufacturer has sized the paper, there are indeed very heavily sized papers being sold in shops where you need to load your brush more heavily in order to register on the paper or it could be due to the paper being stored in bad atmospheric conditions before being sold to consumers... you probably have not painted enough to have come across such papers ... sorry but you really sound deluded and too full of yourself ...

[@yukishiroi8064]

I don’t know why you seem to be run out of breathe. But thanks for some info

[@LulluNatic]

Maybe because she does run out of breath... 😏