Thank you, Angie, for a very informative video today on choosing WC paper. When I started this journey 9 months ago, I had kids WC paper ($2 for 50 sheets) and my results were dismal. I invested in my Canson XL ($11 for 30 sheets) and Strathmore 300 series ($10 for 12 sheets) By price point you would think the last one is best but it always pills on me as soon as it's wet and I HATE the texture. I did pull out both kinds today and did the painting on each - the one here is on Canson XL - the other went straight to the garbage. Some day when I'm feeling rich, I'll see if I can find either the Arches or Fabriano - in the meantime, I'll work with what I've got.
The painting itself was actually quite easy - just blending a few colors for a sunset sky and adding vague mountain shapes with a bit more color for each layer.
Date: Wednesday, February 17, 2021 GMT Views: 862
Favorited:7
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Registered: June 3, 2016 Location: France Posts: 59551
Wed, Feb 17, 2021 @ 11:23 AM
Beautiful result on this one, I cannot judge the other one because it's already in the bin, lol, I love your beautiful mountains and great sentiment, I forgot to mention the paper I use, generally it's cheap water color paper I've got also mixed media paper which I like to use for watercoloring, and I've got newton paper with texture but just like you I hate the texture!!
Registered: July 9, 2008 Location: Stars Fell on Alabama Posts: 74568
Wed, Feb 17, 2021 @ 11:25 AM
Beautiful mountain/sky scene. Great job on the trees and wonderful sentiment. I like your mountain peaks. Super work!
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Registered: October 19, 2007 Location: Packer Country, WI Posts: 71816
Wed, Feb 17, 2021 @ 12:02 PM
Thanks for the comparison of your paper. Lovely creation of the mountain range with it's earthy colors and beautiful sky. Really like the granular appearance of the mountains. Another super painting with this week's challenge. Thanks for playing. Hope all is well with you in Texas. Hugs
Linda, at the current time, I do most of my painting on Canson. As you said, someday....I hope to do all mine on a better quality paper. For now, it works and I especially appreciated Emma telling us WHY some things don't work as well. Now at least as I am painting I know why! Your scene is gorgeous! Such beautiful colors. I love the shapes of your mountains and your trees turned out really well. I did a lousy job on the trees this time.
Registered: July 22, 2007 Location: Carshalton, Surrey. UK Posts: 62437
Wed, Feb 17, 2021 @ 3:53 PM
Linda - I am clueless about some of my watercolour paper - only the weight is quoted but it is definitely not the expensive stuff. Your scene is gorgeous and I love the sentiment you chose to add.
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Registered: January 27, 2010 Location: Southern Ontario, Canada Posts: 51650
Wed, Feb 17, 2021 @ 5:18 PM
This is wonderful Linda - your mountain ridges are fabulous as are your colours. Another beauty. For me, when working on the cheaper papers I had difficulty, especially with blooms. I was throwing out more than I was keeping, hence I switched to Arches. I buy it in the sheets and cut it myself, which saves a lot of money and I can cut in to the sizes I use for classes and for card making.
Registered: March 8, 2005 Location: Halfway between Dallas and Houston Posts: 23966
Thu, Feb 18, 2021 @ 12:44 PM
That's weird, Linda. My Strathmore seems to work better for me that the Canson. But it may just be my personal preference. Not that I have done enough of this to know what my preference is, really. Your sunset turned out beautifully! You got the gradation in the mountain colors just right.
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Registered: January 20, 2016 Location: Freetown, Massachusetts Posts: 31434
Thu, Feb 18, 2021 @ 2:15 PM
You are awesome, my WCW Buddy! Your scene came out amazing and as always, you added the perfect sentiment! Is that why I hate cold press watercolor paper? I have Strathmore and I don't like it.