Watercolor Paper Comparison: Cellulose vs 100% cotton, Strathmore vs Arches

[@brognaarts3266]

What watercolor paper are you currently using?

[@fidgetyhuman]

Few months ago, I used my savings to get a glued block of Baohong 100% cotton paper from Amazon. It is cheaper than Arches and Fabriano, and performs well. Needless to say I protect it with my life 😅😂

[@brognaarts3266]

@@fidgetyhuman Oooh I’ll look into that brand. And yes! I wish a had a better way to protect but I stash it behind my dresser 😭 it’s the safest place for it.

[@NikkiDraven]

I use Arches CP for my high end pieces, I’m just in love with that paper, colors are amazing and it holds them well. I have tried artistico CP which is simpler to paint on, smoother and not that much dry as Arches looks, Arches literally sucks in water the second you touch it with your brush, I will test fabriano artistico better with more complex and layered work. Thanks so much for the comparison!

[@brognaarts3266]

@@NikkiDraven Oh good to know about the artistico! And I do really like how the arches soaks up the water.

[@raymatthews4319]

I am using Fabriano Artistico and Arches. Artistico is fantastic except when you use the blocks it can tear at the top when you try separating it with a craft knife.

[@NotLatasha]

Thanks for posting!! This helped me purchase

[@Wildgrovehomestead]

Excellent! Thank you for highlighting the differences between the 2 papers.

[@serenityjewel]

If you're doing a lot of wet and wet, and flat washers, Arches is awesome. If you're doing more illustrations, fewer layers, where you want vibrant colors, Arches suck. It all depends on your style of painting.

[@brognaarts3266]

Couldn’t agree more! In my personal painting style I use lots of washes and lots of glazing/ layers.

[@fidgetyhuman]

Nice one! At this moment I can only afford cellulose paper, both due to price and availability. I once got excited when I came to know about handmade cotton paper, which was a fraction of the cost of these big brand papers. But the sizing was so horrible (or probably wasn’t there idk) that the paint literally seeped to the back side even when it was 140 lb paper! My local store is finally stocking up on full sheets of Fabriano artistico so I think I’ll give it a go. Thanks for the comparison.

[@brognaarts3266]

That’s amazing to hear. I’ve always wanted to try making my own paper or using smaller brands but like you said I’m scared about the sizing. And it’s always best to buy the loose sheets in bulk. I find that to be the most economical. I’ve been wanting to try the Fabriano for awhile now. Please tell me how you’re liking it if you do get it! And thank you for watching. 🥰

[@labaccident2010]

If you can check amazon, i use the strathmore 500 precut 100% cotton or the baohong papers for playing around with. Bee paper is also on amazon sometimes. All are great options for budget friendly cotton paper!

[@BertoPutik]

Thank you so much! I need this ❤

[@artbymoniqued6691]

Thank you for this video! I haven’t started using watercolor yet so this is super helpful when I do ♥️

[@brognaarts3266]

Thank you Monique! If you do ever try them out feel free to ask me whatever questions you have. I am more than happy to help! ☺

[@artbymoniqued6691]

Brogna Arts awesome ! Thanks so much Louis I will definitely ask!

[@artsbydebi]

Does the Arches seem to buck more? Just going by the two ending examples, it looks like Arches had wavy areas ….didn’t see any in the Strathmore

[@brognaarts3266]

It doesn’t quite buckle as much curves. It’s hard to describe. It’s more like the edges of the paper curve up? But I didn’t tape the Arches down the same way I taped the strathmore down.

[@raymatthews4319]

I have had good success with both brands although I prefer mould-made paper.

[@brognaarts3266]

I find that each different paper serves me differently. And depending on what I am painting I will teach for a certain paper

[@raymatthews4319]

@@brognaarts3266 Strathmore is great for still life painting.

[@jenthulhu]

Technically cotton paper is also made from cellulose. The difference is mainly the source of the cellulose: wood pulp (tends to have lots of lignans) or cotton (no lignans) BUT everyone says it this way. No worries. :) Interesting tests!

[@brognaarts3266]

Thanks Jennifer! And that’s an interesting fact, thanks for sharing. 😊

[@adele6592]

Thankyou.

[@Fairyrobots]

I am using Arches 140lb hot press, 100% cotton watercolor paper.

[@brognaarts3266]

Wonderful! I hope you like the paper! I’ve found I prefer the cold press over hot press, but that’s just my personal preference.

[@Mr.S65]

Arches can also be a real pain though

[@brognaarts3266]

Completely agree. I hate drawing on this paper because it’s such a rough dry textures. Sometimes I also find the paper eating or absorbing the water a bit too quickly. I make sure to keep everything wet while making large washes.

[@Mochicchino]

♥

[@brognaarts3266]

Thanks for the comment Sam! I hope you found the video helpful ☺

[@fangchick93]

The problem I have with arches is that they use rabbit glue in their sizing. I'm a former rabbit owner so I will never use any products that contain rabbit. I love the Strathmore cotton watercolour paper (500 series) and it's vegan. I'm not vegan, but since I go through paper very quickly, I'd rather animals didn't die to make my paper

[@brognaarts3266]

Thank you for sharing Raeanne! I know other artists have had trouble with the animal sizing in the paper. I have heard some dogs love to snack on it because of the sizing. I have been exploring other cotton papers since I made this video and will look into Strathmores cotton paper.

[@susaninman2072]

I tried Strathmore 100% cotton paper. It came in a package of approximately index sized cards and it was well under $10. I forget how many there were, and I don’t know if this is the same material they use in their other cotton sizes. I’m not sure what the weight was but it didn’t feel flimsy. I was terribly disappointed! It almost felt hot-pressed b/c it had no discernible texture. Absorbance--Nada! Flow-Nothing moved! For a tight color & ink illustration, probably OK. So, a terrible 100% cotton experience for me . I’ve many different weights that I‘be tried thru the yrs. all from S. More. I bought a pad decades ago that had a virtual collection of their papers, at least 8 different types or more-from 140 to 300, hot press, cold, NOT, rough- & I bet the 300lb was cotton. But I was in my 20’s & had NO idea how much I would love to have that today! Anyway, if you can share the StrAthmore 100% c. paper that you like, I will give it a try. I’m just a beginner (still) but retired now and with the internet I may really learn something this time around . I have used S.M. w.c. Paper quite a bit in mixed media-usually chalk pastel over water washes & it can really hold a lot of layers. Very strong. But it is only for those like me who do strive for the velvet appeal of more traditional pastel work. ok,ok--I am seriously out of hear--sorry to bend ears--Learning to create is Such a turn-on! g’day to you..

[@susaninman2072]

@@brognaarts3266 that is ‘do not’ strive above^

[@susaninman2072]

thanks!

[@aremedyproject9569]

Rabbits are slaughtered for meat. If you don’t use the hides for something, they’d go to waste. No nobody has the power to stop people from eating rabbits. No rabbits are ever killed just for their hides. The hides are a byproduct. Therefore, not using rabbit-sourced sizing (basically gelatine) doesn’t save rabbits. You might boycott made-in-China products cuz they still eat dogs in many places there for example. Just saying. Cheers.

[@danielmagal8716]

Arches won easily

[@brognaarts3266]

Yes! 😂I still find myself using the Strathmore quite a bit because I cannot bring myself to use the Arches all the time. Especially for smaller pieces. I defiantly need to explore more mid-grade options for paper.

[@kathyhackney7950]

@@brognaarts3266 hahnemuhle bamboo mixed media. I know I know.. mixed media sounds like a turn off but believe me.. its so beautiful

[@robinfox4440]

There really doesn't seem to be any place for cellulose paper besides "it's cheap" and people keep buying them. It's just so bad.

[@lizadivine3785]

I would love to see vids of how to make cheap watercolor work. After all in joe bidens America I can barely afford food much less expensive watercolor paper.

[@nerdieone1]

🙄