What Do You Do When Your Watercolor Paper Goes Bad? (Bad Sizing Tips)

[@CeruleanCzarina]

9:54 - I really appreciated this remark! This is a major incentive to shop with intention and avoid stockpiling or the “too precious to use” mentality that I know many of us struggle with. Thank you so much for sharing your insight on this topic and for the tips on using paper when the sizing has expired.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Well said!

[@emeraldt94]

Absolutely this made me think of shoot I need to go look at the paper I've had since college I felt I couldn't use!

[@oleoh2o]

Just remember I bought watercolor papers the big sheets 26 yrs ago, moved to a different state, help my husband in setting up a small business, no time for painting at all, if they lost their sizing, ill follow your suggestion and viola more fun!!!! Thank you Lindsay!😊

[@dao8805]

Great topic. I was not aware of this problem until I ran across one other video about it some months ago More watercolor content creators should be talking about this to warn artists against "saving" their best paper. Holbein sizing liquid is the other option mentioned in Teoh Yi Chie's videos posted four years ago if anyone is interested in an alternative to the DS w/c ground. Neither restores the paper to it's original fully-sized condition but are still an improvement. Some commenters discussed applying plain gelatin as a third option. Bottom line is it's best to not let our paper get old so thank you for this reminder! My other comment is about Fluid 100. I tried the HP looking for an alternative to Arches and never imagined a paper could perform so badly (my paper was fresh, straight from Blick). I have always used painters tape to preserve white edges and never had a problem until I applied it to Fluid 100. The tape was on for less than three hours and huge scabs of paper came up with the tape when I removed it from the edges of the painting. The same thing happened when I removed my reliable Schmincke mask that has never been a problem with any other paper. My painting was absolutely ruined. I messaged the content creator who had recommended Fluid 100 as a good HP paper and she messaged back that since her original video she had also noticed increasing quality control problems with Fluid 100. I would not recommend it to anyone. It's better to pay a tiny bit more for Arches or Fabriano Artistico and get a paper that performs well (although some people say that Arches is less reliable than it used to be, but still it's not nearly as bad as Fluid 100).

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Wow! I haven't used tape of making fluid on it but my first paintings were fine. Keep in mine I paint on anything and everything. Boahong/meden do an afforble got press and my favorite hot press is Paul rubens but I'm not sure how long it will last. You annevergo wrong with Arches but even that is not lasting like it used to.

[@dao8805]

@@thefrugalcrafter I've been planning to try Boahong HP but didn't realize you also recommend Paul Rubens HP so I'll have to try that one as well. Thank you.

[@gertietheduck]

Holbein make sizing liquid. I have not had a chance to try it yet on paper with degraded sizing but I have used it to increase the sizing on paper with very light sizing, and it works!

[@gertietheduck]

also, cotton paper is gorgeous for *everything* - not just watercolour. Once you realise that, it's really freeing. Cotton paper will never go to waste! Hot pressed WC paper is my fave for colouring pencils. Also it's fab for mono printing. Something about it just sparks joy in me, whether used for wet media or dry, whether CP, HP or rough. It's *never* a waste.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks for the recommendation 😀

[@gertietheduck]

@@thefrugalcrafter the bottles are tiny but you can dilute it by quite a bit (I almost said "to taste" 😂 yuck) and do several applications until you are happy with the level of sizing!

[@Lulis56]

@@gertietheduck what do you dilute it with?

[@gertietheduck]

@@Lulis56 water!

[@KJayPlays]

I wonder if the next page is also bad or if it's only affected the first layer, so to speak. Maybe an update in the next Sat Chat? thank you 🤍

[@windywednesday4166]

Right. That's a good idea. I wonder if there's any way to test watercolor paper before you put anything on it?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Hmm, when I've had a sketchbook go bad it's been the rest of the sheets. It's worth a try tho!

[@windywednesday4166]

@@thefrugalcrafter LOL, hope springs eternal. 🤣 it's probably better to just admit the truth and move forward. ❤️

[@drbettyschueler3235]

I have a lot of paper that was ruined during a flood of my lower level. The sizing is either gone or splotchy. Thanks for the tips on how to salvage this paper without having to use the expensive stuff just for daily warmup painting exercises.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad it was helpful!

[@brendacollinsdeeks7268]

I’ve had paper lose its sizing so I really appreciate your advice on how to address that problem! As always you are a wealth of information, Lindsay!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@jengolo7]

Wow! That turned out so amazing! I always love to hear what frugal things you’ve got in store for us

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks!

[@JoAnneSmith-di8ok]

It's good to know we can save and use damaged paper. Thank you.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

I have always wanted to know & wondered if you could still used old paper without sizing or if there was a way to make it usable again. Thanks for explaining this issue to paper, how the sizing is added to the papers when made originally, & the various ways to make the paper work if bad sizing is a issue. I need to get to using my Arches Watercolor Block that I got then, very soon! 💕Very helpful & informational video.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks!

[@susansacco7583]

Thanks so much Lindsay! You’re right! Good paper that has gone bad has lots of uses. Clear and white gesso works great for acrylics and oil pastels! Also lots of paper to experiment with. Silver lining 💕

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Great tip!

[@lorrainebrown6364]

You are a such a wealth of information and how to work around a bad situation. As a beginner watercolorist I purchased some sheets of paper in Saunders Waterford a few years ago. I had no idea they could go bad. I’m almost afraid to try them. But you’ve given me some good advice about how to use them if they have. Thanks for an awesome video.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@jessbutterfly1934]

I’ve had this happened to me too. One thing I found though as someone who likes to double in lots of different mediums and mixed media as well as Watercolor is that at least you can use it for other mediums and paint if it’s gone past the point of being able to use water colours were interferes with your work.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Exactly!

[@frenchgrama]

I'm sooo glad you mentioned that you are finding more and more watercolour paper is off because I thought it was just me being so unlucky... I cannot tell you how fed up I am of buying expensive watercolour paper - sheets, blocks and pads where the sizing is off!!! I order my watercolour paper from a variety of suppliers to try and avoid this but it really is pot luck IF you now get watercolour paper where sizing hasn't gone off... Watercolour supplies here in Australia are eye-wateringly expensive as it is so it's a double whammy if the paper is off... I only paint in watercolours, so I suppose the only thing I can do for my off paper is to put surface on it....

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I hear holbein makes a watercolor size, I haven't tried it tho.

[@deb.e.mixedmedia]

This turned out so cool! Thanks for the info, it was really interesting!

[@FannaTurano]

This is why I stay connected to your channel, Lindsay, because you took this paper & painting to the brink, & through intuition & mixed media bravery, made it into a brilliant masterpiece. I'm gobsmacked with how much you threw at this piece! Gorgeous! Another one I plan to do. Thanks so much for how hard you worked to complete this for all of us. Rich with depth & texture! :)

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you so much!

[@heathernolan902]

What a precious little crab 🦀 Thanks for another great example of how to pivot when things don’t go as planned.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks 😊

[@starshinesoldier]

Oh wow! This crab looks gorgeous! I love the textures! Thank you for all the tips!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks!

[@JC-il4or]

A true "Frugal" save!! Well done! Cute crab, too😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you! 😊

[@mikepolo2887]

I had some cellulose watercolor paper that I wasn’t going to use for watercolor, got the liquitex gesso and turned it into an amazing paper for pastels. Thank you for this tip in one of the previous videos

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Wonderful!

[@gertietheduck]

well done on getting that little crabby on there! Awesome work despite the struggle! 🦀 Great lesson in showing people how to work with the unexpected and persevere!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@michemman]

I've never thought to use a clear gesso over a picture, so I can add pencil over it. Great tips in this video, Lindsay, thanks so much! In kindred spirit, Eliza Australia xx

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@monica-NJ-123]

Great topic , love the crab 🤭 thank you 😊

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You’re welcome 😊

[@mostlyvoid.partiallystars]

That crab is presh!!! 😊

[@1orielle2]

I was taught that watercolor paper needs to be properly prepped…soaked 5 minutes in a clean bath to allow the paper to stretch and remove some of that “starch, then secured to whatever with tape or staples to prevent warping that may happen with uneven drying. And since I seldom get results I expect when working on a block or in a notebook…I am curious if you would get the same results if you prepared your paper first.

[@dao8805]

Soaking the paper first would not help. The condition of the sizing itself is deteriorated and cannot be restored with water. If anything, soaking would make the situation even worse.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

That removes sizing. I used to stretch my paper especially when I was young and broke and buying thinner paper or working large but I don't bother now since I paint smaller. I often use block which are meant Tobe used as is. I think maybe brands skimp in sizing since few people still soak and stretch their paper. You could tub size the paperif you were going to soak it but that might b an expensive option.

[@jessbutterfly1934]

I love the crab he’s so cute and colourful and I’m normally terrified of them because they’re so close to spiders

[@sablemoreno5095]

Had some reminants of an arches sheet i just found that i think went bad (at least in some areas) i knew it went bad but wasnt sure what to do with it since i have just enough for a decently large piece or 2 relatively small pieces + the scrap edges and didnt want to toss it. Ill definitely think about going mixed media instead of solely watercolor on it. (The scrap bit i had tested was splotchy after water was added with a discolored area from the water on both sides both by brush and spray bottle.)

[@KevieG]

Really enjoy your process, never give up!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks!

[@mjpete27]

Hullo Lindsay, thanks for sharing your thoughts and ideas about getting the most out of your watercolor paper! I have used Liz Chaderton’s recipe for watercolor ground and I think it is better than the Dan Smith version and equal to QoR’s! I have used it on Masonite to create a watercolor surface. I have also used Pumice mixed with a very cheap clear gesso to make a soft pastel surface. I got a 1Lb bag from Amazon for around $10.00 I have made several batches and still have quite a bit left! It works great on older watercolor paper! I got a bunch of weird patterned watercolor paper from a yard sale, I have no idea if the sizing was bad/gone or just horribly weak! I coated it and it works just fine for pastels and color pencils! Yep, even gouache and other mixed media artworks. I believe that you must have good paper to create lasting artwork. Even bad sized paper is great for mediums other than pure watercolor and ok for watercolor if you work around the sizing issues! You showed us a wonderful way to do so, thanks!

[@dao8805]

I am not familiar with Liz Chaderton or her recipes. Can you share what it is?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jX-sdZ6uqL5mh5Isi=_Ss5fP58lYmvz-Gd Liz's tutorial on ground

[@mymindness]

Your channel is truly the first time I’ve come across someone talking about paper sizing going bad or just being poor quality to begin with. It explains some experiences I’ve had in the past where I thought, “what the heck is going on with this watercolor / paper!?” I like this video because it shows that the paper is still perfectly usable with different supplies. That crab is so beautiful and vibrant!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks!

[@MariaDeesy]

Great information as usual Lindsay! Thank you 🩷

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@FaerieDust]

I really like Holbein's Multi-Sizing Medium, but it's so expensive to get where I live that I'm not sure it'd be worth using on any larger scale. I mostly use it to add extra sizing to kind of lightly sized paper, because I often prefer heavily sized paper.

[@nadeaner.cowley513]

Beautiful painting!!! Thanks for sharing❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@firdyk]

Lovely art and tips Lindsay

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@geriprior751]

Mixed media to the rescue. That was useful info as I did stock up on Arches pads of paper a few years ago. Keeping fingers crossed it is still ok. Thanks for the video.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Good luck!

[@128titanic]

Hi, Lindsay. Thank you for your video. ❤

[@thefrugalcrafter]

You are so welcome!

[@GingahSnapsArt]

Oh noo! I had an *experience* losing watercolor paper at our last apartment due to my art space turning into a hot bog in the summer time. 😅 My Fluid 100 paper was my first paper to be lost! I didn't think it held a canary status but it seems it might be! I'm so sorry. You do an amazing job with this though! I didn't even bother trying to save most of my shot paper (it was disheartening, hundreds of dollars, gone... I then followed your example and stored the good paper in my bedroom!)

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It was a teachable moment. Sorry you lost so much paper:(

[@GingahSnapsArt]

@@thefrugalcrafter It was yes a learning opportunity indeed! And great reminder about supply shelf life, and why hoarding miiight not be the best idea. I'm happy to keep a smaller amount on hand now. 😄

[@jimflack9462]

Nice to know this info. Thanks!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Firefly-tf8gu]

Wow! Thanks for the tips!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

No problem!

[@MrShunarr]

That is such a beautiful painting! I love the way you did the backround, the colour scheme and the layers upon layers which built up to that complex and rich picture. Did you plan the procedure and colours exactly or was it more intuitive?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Everything was intuitive once I realized the sizing was bad and I had to abandon my first idea 😆

[@jillbartos8893]

Great information Lindsay! I hope I never have this problem with my cotton paper pads, but if I do I'll know what to do. This reminds me of my Arteza watercolor sketchbook which has spots that don't take watercolor very well, maybe I'll try the clear gesso on that and see if that improves it. Thanks!

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Ahh yes, I have a few of those (they are great for gouache and colored pencils)

[@dianeensminger38]

Thanks for this information. I have some watercolor paper that has gone bad. I didn't realize it could go bad. I was confused because I thought I was doing something wrong. I'm sure there is a lot I don't know about art supplies. It's good that you and others are giving us this information. I want to use the paper so thanks for telling what it can be used with.

[@dianeensminger38]

I was confused . Can you use any watercolor pencil with the paper or just ink tense pencils or sticks?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Watercolor pencil will not do well on poorly sized paper, it's needs the barrier because it is a thin medium. Inktense is thicker and so is gouache and acrylics so both will work well. Any dt media will work well too.

[@dianeensminger38]

@@thefrugalcrafter Thanks for the answer. What is dt media? Also, would permanent alcohol markers work on that paper?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

@dianeensminger38 that should read dry media. Alcohol markers are not good on cotton paper but if it's wood pulp it can work

[@dao8805]

If you want to use the paper you can also try Holbein liquid sizing to somewhat restore the paper. It will not bring it back to the original condition but it will help. Some people use regular unflavored colorless gelatin applied to their paper to improve its condition. I have never used either of these methods myself but if I had enough quantity of expensive paper to justify the cost of the Holbein Multi-Sizing Liquid ($10-12 for 60ml) I would try it.

[@dee-ellencook763]

Thrilled you did this example, I have been wondering what the symptoms of “lost it’s sizing” was!! I tend to hoard my “good Stuff” , no more. Does this apply to sketch books also? How can you tell if papers have even been sized? Makes me wonder how I will ever use up all 18 of those sketch books not to mention all of the premium paper pads. No judgement!!! I am now joining Critque Club…think I am going to need it 😅.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

We would be thrilled to have you:) Most paper has some sizing to help keep it together and prevent ink from feathering. Even notebook and copy paper has sizing. If you ever got fuzzy edges writing with a felt tip pen on a notebook it had less sizing. A paper towel or blotting paper would have little to no sizing because it's meant to absorb. Watercolor paper has the most sizing because it has a lot of water to deal with and the paper would fall apart without it.

[@dao8805]

@@thefrugalcrafter This is actually one of the best explanations I have ever read about sizing.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

@@dao8805 thanks!

[@ElizabethMayoleth]

Great tips! Last year I bought 2 watercolor sketchbooks from Arteza and just finished one this weekend and it had sizing issues. Throughout the whole book all of the edges of the paper had bad sizing and unsized splotches on some of the beginning pages. Really weird. I will find out soon if the 2nd book has this problem as well (I got a deal on Amazon last year on them). Now, after this video, I am worried about a few Fluid blocks I bought about 2 years ago, but you have given me some insight with materials.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Use those blocks asap!

[@jennw6809]

Too bad about that Ohuhu pen, it looks nice! I'm gutted Ohuhu discontinued their cellulose watercolor blocks. I was using it with clear gesso for cheap homemade pastel paper (can do watercolor underpaintings too!) But they do tell me they will come out with some new watercolor paper soon.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I don't remember ohuhu having watercolor blocks. You might be able to find it from another brand because it's probable a white label product.

[@jennw6809]

@@thefrugalcrafter You make a great point, but Amazon has nothing similar to suggest... They were made in 2021 ad 2022, they came with 2 blocks of 36 sheets for 18.99, and were excellent for cellulose paper. Amazon still has the listing up "Ohuhu Watercolor Paper Pad Sketchbooks 2 Pack 9x12IN 140 LB/300 GSM." If you wanted to use your sleuthing skills to figure out if it's still around I'd be thrilled ❤

[@lozantoninocreations]

Thanks for the info on clear gesso. I've got Mont Marte which is a discount Australian brand and I wasn't sure if I should get Liquitex (who is my goal acrylic brand for paints and mediums), but I think based on what you mentioned about grit, I should be ok with what I have. Mine seems to have that texture too and works nicely with pencil. I've mostly been using it as a base but have some lesser quality papers too, which I find impossible to use without the gesso. The only thing I don't like, I find I can't erase graphite easily from it.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

The liquatex is grittier than Mont Marte, but if it works with your pencils, that's great!

[@lozantoninocreations]

@@thefrugalcrafter you convinced me. Well I've wanted it for a long time anyway. Annoyingly it was on sale on Amazon and I didn't get it, a few hours later the sale was gone. It was only on the smaller 2 sizes though. I ended up with the one a little larger that's still better value than the others had been. The Mont Marte has worked well for some things, but it's not great for everything I have.

[@sanctityjohnson289]

Well, this is good to know! Wish I knew this 3 years ago. I'm saving this for future reference anyway. I ordered a bunch of cheaper/worse quality paper (Fluid 100 & Stonehenge) when I first started, and I don't like them as much, so I haven't used them up yet. I've been hoarding better paper when they've been on sale (yikes!) so I will definitely stop doing that. Because these papers are costly! 💸 (I'm trying the Kilimanjaro and New York Central paper from Cheap Joe's and Jerry's and they're both better than Fluid 100 and Stonehenge, so far.)

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Nice! Everyone has different needs, thete is a paper for everyone!

[@dao8805]

I think pretty all the brands are better than Fluid 100 :(

[@wildflower1397]

I really wish I could buy or concoct a good watercolor paper sizing. The paper manufacturers can charge so much because we can't make it at home ti use on less expensive paper. It's not magic they are doing at the paper factory, it's just a secret recipe, probably of everyday ingredients. Artists should be able to change the sizing according to their needs, and not have to import paper from far away, as it is expensive and bad for the environment. It's like the watercolor blocks that are far more expensive than a pad of the exact same paper. So glad I found padding compound from bookmakers so I can make my own blocks. Any number of sheets at any size I want, and I don't waste the borders by taping it down. Knowing it is acid free and archival gives a lot of peace of mind.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

There are recipes for gelatin size on theconvince. I have not tried them tho. Blocks have more sheets than pads and you are paying for convience.

[@wildflower1397]

@thefrugalcrafter I calculated the prices for blocks, pads, sheets, and giant rolls of Arches, by square inch. The giant rolls were almost half the price of the blocks, which were the most expensive per square inch. True a block is definitely more convenient than a massive $400 roll, lol. The book padding is so inexpensive that it will pay for itself in savings pretty quickly, and the bottle is really big. I wish I knew other people who watercolor, because dividing up a giant roll is definitely the way to go. Thanks for the info about the sizing, I will check it out. :)

[@PaintSplash5]

I wonder if sketchbooks and paper blocks are more prone to degraded sizing, as the pages under the current project get wet over and over again. Much as I love blocks, I've gone away from them. As for my sketchbooks, I try and put a sheet of paper between my current page and the one under it. When I use tablets, I tear out the page before painting. I think attempting to keep the paper away from constant moisture is a good strategy (and of course, constant weather extremes). Whether it works, I dunno. Off to go use some paper before it expires, ha.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I never thought of that, but it makes sence!

[@NelaDunato]

The papers I've had that expired were never used before, and likely went bad before I even bought them. On the other hand I never had issues with sizing going bad over time on a pad I've already used. So my experience doesn't confirm the theory that moisture from regular use would cause it. I think some brands just have shoddy sizing that goes bad faster than that of other brands.

[@After40Art]

Good to know that the Inktense work so great on "dead" paper. I have had some pads of Fabriano actually have weird spots and such on them even brand new. I have had luck with making sizing. 3 TBSP of gelatin to 1 gallon of water and add a bit of water with a TBSP of Alum boiled in it. Been using this recipe on huge A3 and A2 sheets as well as Rice paper (cause I bought the wrong one). Just spread it on with a Hake Brush and hang them with some clothes pins lol its the only thing my laundry line in the basement gets used for anymore.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

How long does the mixture keep? Do you store it in the fridge?

[@After40Art]

@@thefrugalcrafter i am not sure, I havnt had any go bad1. The original recipe I had written down was from wet canvas. I always make about a 4th, use it warm. Whatevers left over i put in the fridge. I just rewarm it a bit over the stove to finish it off. Just don't boil it. I am covering huge sheets so it uses it up pretty fast. It's been great. I got huge sheets of paper for cheap, because the art store was getting rid of old stock.

[@joykruczay]

A master class in creativity! The only downside to this video is that now we will all be losing sleep worried about the sizing on our collection of papers. 😉 How you managed to think of all of these techniques is mind blowing. The finished product looks just as if you planned it that way. When I was out running today, I was thinking how mesmerizing it was to watch it unfold. So when I got back, I sped up the play to double time, muted the audio and put on some "Alice in Chains". Wonderful video! I have tried several pieces with Derwent Graphitint and Inktense, and CP seems so labor intense and does not give as good results as watercolor. Not sure why they are so popular, but perhaps I need more practice with them. How does one decide which media to use for a subject? That would make a great topic.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I am impatient so I usually use an underpinning when doing colored pencil work. Colored pencils are great at refining other media. It's the main topic of the class I'm working on. We have technique lessons then 4 real time full colored pencil paintings and 6 mixed media minis to show how to use colored pencils with other supplies to speed them up. I like that you can use them as tools to improve other media.

[@joykruczay]

@@thefrugalcrafter Great advice, thanks! Your knowledge is greatly appreciated.

[@brendawalsh8254]

Love this

[@Mimilou-]

Ty

[@kinnokitsune]

Oh! This really was a very good learning opportunity -- I didn't really think that the sizing could break down, but this makes sense! Question: Is sizing also washed out when you stretch your paper? I know in block format, stretching paper is usually pointless, but I wonder if that's another way to salvage the rest of the pad...

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Yes, stretching removes some sizing. I wonder if brands skimp on sizing nowadays because few people still stretch paper.

[@ChantelleArts]

this is fascinating ☺☺

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Hope it's helpful 😌

[@ArtandDiamondsWithEskies]

Your tips about what to do with pages in my sketchbook that I've accidentally dropped the drop of coffee on are amazing! Thank you so much because I tend to just leave them there but I won't anymore. I use fabriano artistico extra white hot press 300 GSM paper and I'm wondering do you have any idea how long that lasts in good climate controlled no light situations?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I have not had any issue with any of my fabriano watercolor papers. If they are climate controlled, they should be fine.

[@joymiller9668]

The monte marte clear gesso has a great grit to it and its half the price

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It's not as good, I've tried it.

[@joymiller9668]

@@thefrugalcrafter thank you I’ve been wondering if it was but didn’t want to spend the 20 dollars to be disappointed, I appreciate the feedback very much!

[@Art_by_Nicole]

Hi Lindsay, 9:05 You talk about ‘cleared gesso’ to get some tooth for coloured pencils. I once bought ‘white gesso’. I thought it was the same because ‘cleared gesso’ also is white, but my gesso stayed white unlike your gesso. Is there a difference and if not, what did I do wrong? 😭

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Clear gesso dries clear, regular gesso dries white. The liquatex clear gesso also is sandy and the grit is great for pencil and pastel. The white gesso is not gritty.

[@Art_by_Nicole]

@@thefrugalcrafter ah, thank you! I will give it another try, but first I will purchase the right gesso 🥲

[@NelaDunato]

I had some cotton paper go bad and the company confirmed to me that this batch had known sizing issues. It was likely already bad the moment I got it. I reported it to the store where I bought it a year earlier (didn't ask for a refund since it was so long ago), and they decided to keep selling the faulty paper at a discount 🙄 I hope they're warning buyers it's no good for watercolor! I don't know if I can use it without gesso because it has a "snowy" kind of surface, not a lot of grit to it. That was the first 100% cotton paper I ever bought so I'm still not totally over it! 💔

[@thefrugalcrafter]

The brand should have offered you a replacement and replaced the stores stock. That's unethical.

[@NelaDunato]

@@thefrugalcrafter You're right! They did neither. I always thought that when a bad product batch is identified, the manufacturer pulls it from all the stores. This brand didn't even notify the distributors about the issue. They sent me tiny test packs of their range for my trouble (A5 size with one side printed on).

[@thefrugalcrafter]

@@NelaDunato That's so sketchy, would you mind sharing the manufacturer?

[@dao8805]

@@NelaDunato That is a very poor business practice on the part of that manufacturer. They should have recalled the paper and made good with the customers who had already purchased it. Which manufacturer was it ?

[@NelaDunato]

@@thefrugalcrafter Magnani 1404. Their new cotton paper is actually quite nice, and the price in my country is half of Arches', so I wouldn't mind getting it again. But I'm not thrilled with how they handled this issue.

[@Pearl-Slug]

I had this happen to one of those watercolor books made for swatching that Jerry's sells, after only just over a year after having bought it. It was very strange, because the day I noticed it, the first two or three new swatches I made came out fine, then it was as if the sizing just very suddenly went bad. Any idea why that might have happened?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Oh no! Maybe it was poorly sized or the sizing gave out. I'd it humid where you live?

[@cindybohl9593]

So I have been stocking up on good watercolor paper when it’s on sale and have quite a bit. Does that mean the sizing will be bad? I keep it upstairs in a dry spare bedroom. Some of it is several years old. I had no idea it could go bad😩😩😩

[@dao8805]

It keeps better if it is stored in sealed containers like Rubbermaid or Sterlite; anything that protects it from humidity and environmental fluctuations.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It should be OK if it doesn't fluxuate much in humidity levels.

[@AafkeVultink]

Micron has brush pens as well wich I prefer over pentel

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Isn't the micron a felt brush tip and the pentel has real bristles?

[@AafkeVultink]

@@thefrugalcrafter the micron has both; or had mine is like ages old, they have the fine liner point, but the colored series has micron brush pens as well; my favorite is the sepia; for some reason they refuse to call it an umber, so sepia it is; and I use the memento markers dual tip; mainly the desert sand bc it blends with each color i want to use it on outline; and for my highlights either bleedproof white or a white gel pen.

[@AafkeVultink]

@@thefrugalcrafter as for it being real; for that price I very much doubt that; but it feels like my langnickel brush so Id say not real hair:P

[@AafkeVultink]

@@thefrugalcrafter I misread the question; so two answers; am not gonna delete it as Im sure someone somewhere will get use out of it :P

[@thefrugalcrafter]

@@AafkeVultink I meant bristles or felt tip. I'm sure it's synthetic either way:)

[@hubbysswee]

QUESTION (maybe a dumb one! 😊): Can the sizing go bad after you’ve completed a painting? If it can, how do you protect your artwork?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It won't affect your painting if it goes bad later. It's only important before you paint.

[@hubbysswee]

@@thefrugalcrafter Thank you! 🎨❤️

[@thesunseekeer]

Hey Lindsay What ink did you use for the brush pen? I'm looking for an ink to refill my brush pen.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

It's fountain pen safe India ink by "pen &ink" it says on the label. I think it's an art alternatives brand. I really like it. I'm on my 2nd bottle!

[@thesunseekeer]

​@@thefrugalcrafter Thank you! Sorry for the late reply

[@Ms1lonewolf]

How can you tell if the sizing of a watercolor paper is expired?? Do they have an expiration date on the pad???

[@dao8805]

Paint will really sink in because the sizing barrier is gone or it will look splotchy because the sizing deteriorated in some areas more than others. It might also have a spotted appearance where the paper seems resistant to the paint in pin-sized areas.

[@nicolethompson3782]

Sorry if this is a bit off topic but is it my area or is it getting harder to find hot press watercolor paper especially in smaller sizes and in stores?

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I've never seen hot press paper in stores, Ive always had to order it so I'm not sure.

[@Ms1lonewolf]

Does paper lose the sizing on a block??

[@dao8805]

Yes; she was using a block of Fluid 100 HP in this video.

[@Lulis56]

Wow! I did not know that paper can go bad……that’s really bad news for me 😬😟

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Better get painting;)

[@wanderingstar5673]

🙂

[@21kittensArtStudio]

Not quite related, but has anyone else noticed the smell of the Arches has changed? I opened a new batch for class the other day, and I swear it smells of wet dog 🤢. Usually Arches has a smell once wet, but never this strong.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

I have quite a stock on hand so I haven't bought it lately. Gross.

[@theresapalmer7892]

Way to rescue paper

[@thefrugalcrafter]

Thanks!

[@janetramon7087]

Flip your hot press paper over. Sometimes it's mounted wrong front to back in the pad. There is a right and wrong side to all watercolor paper. Both sides are smooth. The wrong side looks a little fuzzy and will give bad results.

[@thefrugalcrafter]

This is a block so the right side should face up. I'll try it on the next sheet, tho

[@shadowguard3578]

Don’t flame me I’m only the bearer of the information 😅. I copied this from the FAQs from the Derwent website: ‘How would you describe the Derwent Inktense products? Inktense is a pigment-based product that is extremely soluble in water, but has a transparent ink-like wash unlike a traditional watercolour. Inktense is also permanent when dry.’ 🫣😳😀

[@thefrugalcrafter]

That's interesting, because they do work as a fabric die. The nomenclature is weird because brusho watercolor pigment powders are dye based and some pigments are technically dyes but fairly lightfast. I think k it has more to do with weather they are organic (carbon based either natural from.plants or synthetic organic made in a lab) or inorganic (natural rock/mineral or synthetic inorganic) it's kind of convoluted and I was talking to a manufacturer that said pigment and dye us often used interchangeably for colorant.

[@shadowguard3578]

@@thefrugalcrafter thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.