What A Difference Paper Makes!

It’s Strawberry Time ’round these parts! Yummy fresh strawberries right from the farm…there’s nothin’ better! But the paper you choose to paint them on…it makes such a difference!!!

I’m actually showing you these in reverse order of having created them.  They are both watercolor sketches of some of the berries we got recently from a local farm. The ABOVE watercolor was made in my lovely book of handmade watercolor papers.  I really don’t know where I got this book, except that I think my mom gave it to me. 🙂  She generously gives me all kinds of art supplies, and this paper is to die for!!! There’s no label or any indication of where this watercolor paper book was made, or else I’d share it with you so you could get one too. I love how the paint sits on top of the paper for a bit before it sinks in.  This allows the colors to mingle in wonderful ways…  that oozling and wazzling I love so much!

This is worked in my trusty, everyday Aquabee Sketchbook.  I do love this 9″ x 9″ square book for everything from pen and ink to watercolor to oil pastels to…well, really anything.

And I like the Aquabee paper “look” too.  It’s less oozly and gives the watercolor strokes a carved look, as the paper absorbs the paint much more quickly and dries quicker too.  Both are fun to work on/with.  As are the many other watercolor papers available, of which I have SO many.

Too many papers…not enough time, I’d say!  I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s Drawing Your Life Mini Lesson…I hope you’ll stop by!

0 thoughts on “What A Difference Paper Makes!

  1. winloseordraw says:

    I can’t stop looking at those strawberries! What a brilliant painting, they look good enough to eat! The paper looks similar to Khadi rag paper that I’ve used before in some paintings. Have a look on their website, though you might be like a kid in a candy store 🙂 http://khadi.com/

  2. jenpedwards says:

    Ooh…a kid in a candy shop indeed!! The watercolor paper (khadi paper) looks so similar, but the outer cover is not the same. Even so…thanks for the link! And, as always…thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment!

  3. nancy t says:

    Both of these are just wonderful and make me wish it were strawberry time here! I might want to give your Aquabee Sketchbook a try sometime after reading your glowing comments about it! nancy

  4. Kathleen Walker says:

    I think I prefer the top painting, a bit looser, but as you say paper can make a lot of difference, If your watercolor paper is smooth it might be a hot press paper, I love to paint on hot press paper. I use a large (17 x14) Aquabee Sketchbook for my figure drawings, it is a great surface for graphite also, nice to know I can apply some water color if I ever desire to.

  5. Lynn says:

    I love the luscious colours. I’m a fan if the Aquabee sketchbooks, too. They are just great for basic sketching and very portable.

    • jenpedwards says:

      Thank you Cathy! It’s the best compliment ever when someone says it has made them want to get out their drawing/painting goodies and make art!

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