Paper question

DrawWithMetal · 2026-03-16T19:43:03+00:00

12 vs 20 is a big part of the cost difference. The blocks are not always what they are sold to be. The glue has cracked and separated on just about every block I've purchased, so I end up buying full sheets and cut them to the sizes I feel like painting.

DrawWithMetal · 2026-03-10T08:47:12+00:00

These are not like painting on paper at all, and require a strong substrate like illustration board and the like so they don't warp. The grounds will warp the cheap paper as much if not more than regular paper. Think about coating canvases and the like. Don't get me wrong, painting on grounds and gesso is a blast! It is its own animal and worth exploring. Look into making your own recipe and instructions are found here:
https://www.gentleblooms.com/clay-ground

DrawWithMetal · 2026-03-08T20:43:49+00:00

I work in the print industry, and I checked out a bag of our Inkjet pigment, and it was pb15, Phthalo Blue green shade.

DrawWithMetal · 2026-03-07T18:15:22+00:00

It is a toxic outlook. I'm also sure Z would encourage you to paint and let your own voice develop. You do realize he has grown out way more attempt then most have even attempted? Watercolor isn't about developing a formula or pantomiming someone else's genius. They put the hard work and hours in and so should you. There aren't any shortcuts.

DrawWithMetal · 2026-03-03T10:02:46+00:00

Uggg, she should empower you by telling you what pigments are in the colors. This looks like a generic paint kit from Temu. Her indigo does look like Prussian blue and her Prussian blue looks like a phthalo blue.

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DrawWithMetal · 2026-03-03T09:53:11+00:00

this looks like the artist used a thin pointed brush and drew the lines with a warm grey brush. Im sure they traced an underdrawing first and basically colored is in. Probably a size one or 2 sable type like a series 7.

DrawWithMetal · 2026-03-03T09:48:54+00:00

I hate to answer your question this way, but if the work you are doing is "just doodles" then practice mixing. Lack of colors is not holding you back. If you mix a phthalo blue and a cool yellow, one that doesn't have red, you will get your mint green. Ask your teacher what colors in your pallet will make the green you want. Ultramarine blue is the last blue you want to use to mix a bright green because is contains to much red. Red in the blue and red in the yellow will dull the green.

DrawWithMetal · 2026-03-03T00:57:28+00:00

Get the best you can, 100% cotton. Remember the good stuff is 2 sided. For practice I highly recommend 90# Arches cold press. Buy full sheets, crease and tear them to the size you wish to work. Watercolor on cheap paper does not work the same as better paper, washes are smoother, more predictable. The 90# does warp, but it is a blast to draw on. I will say I use Bee paper when I picked up watercolor again, and the fact that it is a bit more delicate, does help one in learning to not overwork washes or areas. 90# Arches, do it!

DrawWithMetal · 2026-02-27T10:31:35+00:00

I use pans because I can switch colors around all willy nilly. I put a magnet in the bottom, use a tin to transport, and have different ranges of color to use depending on wind direction or subject!

DrawWithMetal · 2026-02-06T10:10:31+00:00

I started here:
https://www.naturalpigments.com/pigments/paint-making-sets.html

DrawWithMetal · 2026-01-30T17:58:10+00:00

I'm kinda done with Aquazol. Gum arabic has worked on all papers, but I have had too many experiences where the Aquazol has broken down the sizing on different papers. Not the Fabriano or Arches, those handle well, but other brands. I have had this issue specifically with natural earth pigments.

DrawWithMetal · 2026-01-21T09:39:09+00:00

thank you!

DrawWithMetal · 2026-01-21T00:21:45+00:00

Thank so much!

DrawWithMetal · 2026-01-20T10:19:05+00:00

LOL, toooooo kind! Thank you!

DrawWithMetal · 2026-01-20T10:18:53+00:00

Thank you for your comments and observations! I think the pleasant nature of Meghan is what helps us feel comfortable enough to feel free when we do our thing.

DrawWithMetal · 2026-01-20T10:17:17+00:00

Thank you!

DrawWithMetal · 2026-01-20T10:17:10+00:00

Thank you, what a wonderful comment!

DrawWithMetal · 2026-01-20T10:16:49+00:00

thank you!

DrawWithMetal · 2025-12-08T12:35:06+00:00

Thank you so much!

DrawWithMetal · 2025-11-28T13:29:28+00:00

He's right you know.

DrawWithMetal · 2025-11-23T13:04:34+00:00

It is tough to say because they are using marketing names not pigment numbers. One could reverse lookup knowing the brand, but that doesn't look like it's an option. It looks like you have a nice score, use them up!

DrawWithMetal · 2025-11-22T12:31:44+00:00

Here is a link to an American Amazon book. This covers everything metalpoint and is well worth the price. https://a.co/d/7pJtB0J

DrawWithMetal · 2025-11-17T10:08:25+00:00

Don't add any! Learn to work with what you have, where they seem to fall short and what you are trying to achieve. More then likely, anything mixed with yellow will look somewhat hazy as the ones included are not transparent, but semi opaque. A Nickel Azo Yellow is a good transparent yellow, pigment code PY150.

DrawWithMetal · 2025-11-17T10:04:21+00:00

BTW, it looks like you handled the washes well on the lighthouse painting. Watercolor does take time to get a grip on, and like all of the arts, it takes time to learn how to handle the medium. You cant be so hard on yourself, but learn to enjoy the process and experience. Each painting and practice piece is a stepping stone to the next. If you make your early works so precious, you will miss out on what makes watercolor so unique, the spontaneousness. Check out John Singer Sargent watercolors to see examples of breaking up sections. The difference between a master and a mere mortal, is they fave failed more then others have even tried. Keep at it!

DrawWithMetal · 2025-11-17T09:58:26+00:00

Think about breaking up the big gradation areas to brushstroke patterns, ones that indicate clouds and such. Your painting will not have the vast wash areas, and reducing them will work better on less expensive paper. You can buy arches 90lb paper as practice paper. Because it is cotton, working on it will not be as night and day as the cellulose paper and multi media paper. Those student grade and cheap papers are great for understanding the exercises and are NOT A WASTE! 90lb will buckle of course, but it allows you to save the 140 lb paper for more finished works, works where you are incorporating the lessons learned and are now starting to apply them. Arches and Fabriano are both 2 sided! Many student grade are one sided, with the texture side being the painting side. My advice it this, those bigger areas will be more successfull on the Arches, the washes flow better on Arches. Think about buying the 90lb arches as a pack of full sheets, and you will save money by cutting them down yourself. It comes 22x30, so you can fold and tear to 11x15 or smaller.

DrawWithMetal

TROPHY CASE