Well, the cheap art supply lady is back and I've found another one---Let me know if I'm annoying with these things I find and I'll stop. I'm not starting a new thread with this because maybe that wouldn't be appropriate and might cross the line into really annoying. I do like to share these things because I know it can be hard to find decent art supplies for reasonable prices and especially for people just starting out, it can be hard to find a way to afford it.
Having just stocked up on paper and sketchbooks, I definitely didn't need anything more, BUT----I couldn't resist trying this paper out so I bought 200 sheets of the 7"X10" size. I first carefully considered the reviews and since they were mostly good. I just went for it.
This particular paper compares favorably to Bee paper. It came today and I tried it so I could review it. One Amazon review complained of rippling when wet, and it does do that. I've even used a block of other brands of paper that also rippled, though, but if left on the block till dry, they're usually not too bad. This paper flattens right back out. I couldn't get it to pill. And even though I use just run-of-the-mill bright blue masking tape like you'd use when painting a wall, it didn't tear the surface of the paper. I forgot to check how it is with lifting, but if that's a question anyone has, I'll try it. It's textured on both sides the same.
Anyway, here's the link:
Coming back to add that I'm self-taught and have only been using watercolors for about 5 years, so I speak from that position. I'm not any great shakes as a professional artist. I used to paint in oils and I've sold paintings in oil when I was raising kids as a single parent. With watercolors, I do care about using good materials and am a decent judge of their quality, so I think I can give reliable information but I'm not the last word on the subject by any means.
