Paper advice
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So, I live in a tiny fishing village 300 miles south of Anchorage, in Alaska. Needless to say, my access to art supplies is minimal. What I'm looking for is a watercolor paper that doesn't wrinkle the minute you get it wet. And, I would prefer if it didn't rip when I pull tape off of it too. I don't know if there is something better than the 140lb cold press that I have. I can order things but it gets confusing, especially when I can't see it and feel it before I buy. Also, I have no idea about cold press and the other "mechanical" things in the description. Someone told me Bristol Board (I know Tony Diterlizzy uses it) but it's wicked expensive.
Suggestions? Especially wondering what @Lee-White uses. -
@Pamela-Fraley I had this same issue. I started using Arches 300lb water paper board or paper cold press, and the tape does not rip the board or paper. Huge diffeence when I made the change,
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@Eric-Castleman Thank you so much!! I'll go look online right now. Also, do you use masking tape or something else?
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@Pamela-Fraley yes, I use Winsor Newton colorless masking fluid. Just make sure you do not use a good brush with that stuff. Maybe order a bunch of throwaways.
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@Eric-Castleman this is so helpful! Seriously, thank you. Next time I visit my sister in San Diego I need to plan a day to go to some art supply stores.
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@Pamela-Fraley make sure you check out Blick art supplies in San Diego. They are the best place to go. Other places are almost double the price.
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@Eric-Castleman I will! Thanks.
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I use a few different papers. As always, the thicker the better. I don't use 140 lb. paper for anything except sketches anymore. I really hate when paper buckles and I don't like stretching it. So I use 300 lb paper or board for almost everything.
Cheap Joes has a paper called Kilaminjaro. It's really a great paper and holds up well to many techniques. I've been favoring Canson Montval watercolor board lately. It has more surface sizing so it's good for texture. Much harder to control though. Washes will lift if you go over them. Arches 300lb. bright white coldpress is a good ol' standby and one that I really like.
There is no one perfect paper (at least I haven't found it). But the ones I mentioned above will work for almost anything you need. : )
SVS Faculty Instructor
www.leewhiteillustration.com -
@Lee-White thank you! I also just started your watercolor class and there's quite a bit of info in there too. Taking many notes!
