New York Central Watercolor Paper Sheets, 11x14 Inch, 140lb Hot Press, Pack of 10 - Professional Grade, Acid-Free, Archival - for Wet and Dry Media

I am an artist who has used a lot of different watercolor papers. I tend to avoid hot press because I like the settling and texture of cold press paper- until now.HOW THIS COMESThis comes in a zipper topped envelope that protects the paper sheets. There is some moisture protection in the package, but I would not keep it in a damp area.TEXTUREThe one side of the paper is smoother than the other. The other side is my favorite paper. It has a small texture to it. I took some paints and did some experiments with it and was thrilled at the pooling and granulation I got out of this HOT PRESS paper.WARPINGI tape down my paper when using it. This does buckle when wet, but when it dries, it dries flat again as long as it is taped down on all sides or stapled to gatorboard.COLORThis paper does seem to maintain brilliant color.LIFTINGLike most cotton papers I have used, there is some lifting ability (depending on the staining quality of each pigment), but this will not life as cleanly as the yellow pad paper from Strathmore which has a release on it that is great for my paintings I want to have some lifting on. This does allow for some lifting however so it still is nice.THE BOTTOM LINEI LOVE this paper compared to my usual reaction to hot press. It has enough texture to create interest on the one side, but is smooth enough for detail work also.MY RATINGFIVE STARS. I will DEFINITELY buy this again. I really like it. A Lot. Yes, if I did not get to try this out first, I probably would not have looked twice at it to purchase it.PHOTOI took a photo of the paper with some granulating paint on it. I tried to get a good close up with my temperamental camera so you can see the detailing.

This watercolor paper is a good clear white, and it absorbs a lot of water. The surface is described as hot press, which is typically smooth, but I found the paper to be much more textured than other hot-press papers I have worked with. The paint, rather than sitting on the surface, soaked in nicely. I’ve included a photo of a watercolor sketch (paint and pencil) using this paper, which shows how the wash was absorbed and the interaction of the paint with the paper surface.Because these are loose sheets, they will usually need to be stretched or taped to a board before painting. Even a light wash buckles the paper and will take a while to dry completely -- longer than I expected. (Some artists believe that this weight of paper – 140 lb. or 300 gsm – doesn’t need to be stretched, but I found the paper absorbed so much water that it did warp unless it was secured to a board.) I made the mistake of removing the tape around the edges before the paper was completely dry, and then I had difficulty getting the paper completely flat. The individual sheets are precisely 11 x 14”, which makes cutting them to a smaller size easy to measure.I find this paper most useful for watercolor sketches, mixed media, and loose, gestural painting in which I want to incorporate the white of the paper into the work. If I wanted my painting to be very detailed, to incorporate fine lines of ink, or to completely cover the surface with paint, I would probably look for a paper that was closer to the traditional smooth texture generally associated with a hot-press finish.I like the resealable packaging to protect the paper (my studio can get very dusty, so being able to protect the paper is valuable). I also like the back story for this art supply company, which is printed on the bag.

This is a large cut of watercolor paper with a non-standard, lighter gsm weight. I ordered hot press, but it has a little more tooth to it than other brands I’ve tried. Not quite the scumbly pebble of cold press, but not satin finish of say, Arches watercolor paper, either.It’s interesting.I haven’t run into any problems with the sizing or washes of color causing pilling, however it does tend to buckle a bit more than I’d like.I’m going to try ordering a smaller batch to see how it compares with higher loads of water.This is paper is good to use with projects that do not require much layering, or for those looking to use small amounts of mixed media that will be mounted to a sturdier surface.Users who want a heavy duty paper for more strenuous techniques may want to stick to their usual brands.

I enjoyed using this bright white, hot pressed watercolor paper. The 140 lb weight is thicker than I am use to using and I loved it. Of course the paper made with 100% cotton. The paper held up to lifting watercolor and erasing. I have never worked with hot pressed watercolor paper and I like the smooth blending of colors.

I have tried a few different watercolor papers and generally lean towards Arches brand for consistent quality and availability. However, in looking for a larger format hot press, I decided to try this brand and was happily pleased. It has a beautiful smooth finish, colors blend well and glazing looks great. As with all hot press, it is great for detailed work. Pricing is appropriate for quality of paper and it comes in a resealable package. You can be assured you will be happy with this paper and your artwork show it.

I am really enjoying painting on this all cotton paper. I feel it has more tooth than a typical hot press, which I don't mind at all.I had no issues with pilling even after erasing pencil lines and scrubbing with a stiff brush to lift paint. I enjoy the way paint flows on it, and did not find that it buckled too much from the water despite not being fully taped down.I think it's a solid value compared to the bigger brands and definitely recommend it. I hope they come out with a cold press, too.

This watercolor paper is easy to work with. Great variety of sizes, too, and reasonably priced. I find I prefer their watercolor blocks to the free paper, but they both certainly have their uses.