I love using this to do warmup sketches as well as first attempt at new techniques. I have used it with water color, colored pencils. I use the front for sketches and the back for water colors. Once I finish with a sketchbook I make them into hard cover books. I do tape around the paper when I use it for water color.
I love these pads! My local art store has been sold out of the smaller ones for ages now this has reminded me to check again this weekend. The larger 9×12 size also holds the water well and doesn't buckle but not such a friendly size for throwing in a bag. I haven't left a comment in a while so I thought I'd just say I hope you're well and how much I always enjoy your videos :)
I love the stuff. I came across a loose piece of it, and thought that I'd discovered among my junk a loose piece of Arches. It keeps the colors vibrant, and I beat up my papers a lot. It's good stuff for the price.
I love the Montval paper! I have one I’ve used up, one I’m in the process of filling, and a spare one, as well as some of the little blocks! I have some really nice paper too, but this is actually my favorite.
Hi Liron, great video! Hey,... I actually really enjoy the foliage that you painted in the painting with all the gothic arches,... the brushstrokes are fun, free and loose! The final look reminds me of the highly successful "California Style" paining's that were tremendously loose, fun and vastly popular during the 1920's through 1950's. Happy Painting!
I just wanted to tell you this is a fantastic video. Your new paintings are gorgeous! By the way, you have beautiful hands, Liron. Honestly. Another trait of a gifted artist, I think, which you are!👏🏼👍🏼🎨
Liron, this is a sketchbook that I've been interested in so I'm so glad you did a review. And I'm going to give it a try. It's not exactly the kind of texture I like, but it looks fine for sketches and quick studies.
Sounds like the drying time and the glazing issues are related. The top of the paper isn't as absorbant either because of a lower cotton content or a tighter density. Hard to get a good balance between a paper that lifts well and glazes well.
I first used this sketchbook a couple of years on some projects and a few of my earlier videos. Honestly, I've got nothing bad to say about it. Nothing else I've used has lived up to its quality.
Haha so surprising. I really didn’t expect much when I ordered it! Using paper that’s not 100% cotton is risky from my experience, but this one deliver! 😁⭐️🎨
I am so buying this one!! I put off watching the review because I knew I would want it. I have the large WC pad, but love that size book. I really like the paper and hope it's the same. WC Pencil, Marker, WC Pastels, Acrylic and gosh, so many wet media, acrylic mediums... Thanks for making me buy it, Liron And of course, great painting!
Haha, I’m happy you found this useful (and impressed you knew in advance you’d want it 😂😉). I recently found out about Ray Balkwill, who does AMAZING mixed media work. You may want to check out his art if you don’t know him.
I found a 2 for 15 something in Amazon. I have 2, and a new Urban Sketching for beginners book I love! Theo reviewed it. Sketch Now, Think Later! Hope you have time to look, tell me your thoughts! bY mIKE yOSHIAKI dAIKUBARA!
I only got a glimpse of Ray, but SUPERB! I hope to get to the place where I use my most loved mediums communally. He has very gray hair, so it is possible! Thanks for the look, it empowers me, because sometimes I can feel quite negative about being a MM artist, in my first year at that, not fitting into any other category, and feel like it is less to make the MOST of all my paints, that I love so much. I even own artist grade pastels. 300.00 worth! Hahaha! I will stay on my path. I love my new sketchbooks and "Sketch Don't Think Urban Sketching for beginners! It is an integral part of my self training. I need to go back to your older videos in time, too!!!
I picked up one of these years ago, recognized that the art I was making then was no match for the quality of this paper, (the paper deserved better) and I set it aside. Then when watercolor took over my life I got it back out and I've since bought 2 more in different sizes. It's just a delightful quality paper! Now that I see you using both sides, which I have been hesitant to do, I'll get double the pleasure! I'd been wanting to ask you what journal you were painting in, glad to see it's the one I love! (The XL paper, especially the "mixed media" version, is no match! The watercolor version is okay for swatches and limited applications but the mixed media one is terrible for anything I want to do unless you gesso the paper first and then what's the point?? I use that one for sketching, mostly in ink, practice pieces, and once I use it up it will not be missed.)
Haha, that’s a good story! I can imagine the same thing happening to me 😛 I agree about the XL Mixed Media. I found it GREAT for pen and ink, but terrible for paints. In a pinch though, it could be used to very quickly capture the mood, and then be developed on a better paper later.
I have not used the Canson Montval sketchbook. I have used the watercolor paper that comes in tablets. I agree that the paper does not buckle; but, I'm one of those who really likes to build up layers with glazing. I found the paper to be frustrating to work with when it comes to glazing. It did not matter which color was on my brush. If I touched my brush to an area that was already painted with one color, the paint on my brush would dissolve the dry layer. So in stead of glazing over paint, it would mix with the paint. I have not heard a lot of rave reviews from watercolorists regarding the Moleskine journals. But, I imagine that Moleskine is like any other brand of watercolor or multi-media journal. Some people will like it and some won't. I have two journals that I really like. One is a multi-media journal and the other is a watercolor journal. The multi-media journal has 130# paper and the watercolor journal has 140# paper. They both handle ink and watercolor fairly well.
I agree about the glazing, it can be a challenge. I did find that if you allow it time it will settle better, but that’s not always an option (especially when working on location) (:
Did you read this on Canson 's official site : " Canson Montval watercolour paper has a great erasability. The essential key for this high quality watercolour paper is this ability to easily make corrections. This paper allows corrections even using a simple brush stoke."
Thank you for the review. I have been interested in this paper so I thought I would see what I could find out about it here on UA-cam. After watching your review, now I know it has to be good, thank you!
i have the mixed media version of this and it looks pretty similar except maybe the paper weight is 200+ grms but the texture seems pretty similar, the mix media has 30 sheets and it honestly works really well with watercolors, i might have to get this one to really compare the difference
Great review. I love this paper and have this same one in 3 sizes spiral bound, this size included. I have no problems with it, but now I'm on to watercolor paper blocks instead so they will have to wait. lol
This is one of my favorite cellulose papers. I tend to buy the little blocks as they are cheap and easy to toss in a totebag for the beach or park. I am so glad to see you are also having good results with it!
Ya, love the montval...it’s 100% cellulose....only drawback is when u drop colour into another colour on wet on wet, it doesn’t spread much....but I love the vibrancy of clrs on it
I was looking at the different varieties on the canson website and they claim this paper is specifically designed to lift extremely easy. "Canson® Montval® watercolour paper has a great erasability. The essential key for this high quality watercolour paper is this ability to easily make corrections. This paper allows corrections even using a simple brush stoke." They also had another type "aquarelle" which I can't find anywhere that is supposed to be 50% cotton? I'd love to try it. The montval was tied for first place for pulp papers for me when I did a recent test of about twelve different papers I could get my hands on.. the other was the strathmore visual journal watercolor paper which I'm quite confused about... it's better than their 400 but not quite as good as the 500 (which is 100% cotton). I have no idea what it is, unless it's made specifically for the visual journals. I wish it came in a pad, I hate spiral binding since I print on my watercolor paper on a regular basis so I need it loose.
It’s indeed my favorite from the pulp papers! (: And It definitely makes lifting significantly easier. I do find the spiral to be a nuisance rather than adding anything to it
Thanks forsuch a nice review! I find Montval is a kind of smoother cold press paper. Definitely smoother than Arches or Fabriano 5. Reminds me of Britannia from Hahnemühle.
This is the first paper I got when I started on watercolor 😄.. Got it in a pack of 20 sheets😄.. Then found a cheaper brand which had 25% cotton.. So bought it.. But i think i prefer the smoother texture.. So I'll go back to montval after I finish the stash of the other one 😄
Liron Yanconsky it's a brand called brustro.. It says made in Italy.. But i think it's a local brand here😁.. They have lots of cheap supplies.. See if u can find it..
Can you glaze/layer paint well on this paper without lifting the colors below? My watercolor style requires a lot of glazing so that’s the most important thing I look for in paper.
In your case it may not be the first choice then 😉🎨 You can glaze, but you have to be really quick and careful not to “scratch” the previous layer too roughly with the brush. Possible but definitely not ideal.
Liron Yanconsky I bought 2 of these and I haven’t tested them out yet, I’ll try and be careful with glazing on them. I’ll have to finish them before I get a new pad 😅 do u have recommendations for decently-priced paper that can take glazing well??
This is very interesting. I will look into this. Thank you, Liron. Love your work and your channel. Winsor & Newton also has a watercolour sketch book which has recently been reviewed by Marty Owings at Owings Art on UA-cam, which I am also going to look into. Love the idea of a sketch book with really good paper, long overdue :)
what kind of brush are you using? i'm considering myself a beginner in watercolour, and yet, having tried both syntethic and natural hair brushes, i've found that natural (kolinsky, squirel) brushes work better for glazing, since they are not scrubing the first layer, and not lifting paint that much.
Yes, that seems to be accurate. And also the opposite is true. Stronger bristles are great for lifting. My favorites are my Silver Black Velvet brushes. They are great for beginners in my opinion, because they are not super expensive, and of very high quality.
Hi, thanks, i will take a look at them. currently i'm using kolinsky by nevskaya palitra nr 5 and van Gogh 130 nr 6 by royal talens. started with synthetic brush that came with van gogh pocket set, but now don't want to look back. though that brush was very good to work on small surfaces, quite versatile.
If you allow it enough time to dry it won't (: At least not significantly. I usually use the main side (you can see which one it is by the perforation) for the more "major" sketches, and the back sides for quicker pen and pencil sketches, swatching and so on.
I don't know why this doesn't generally get better reviews among Urban Sketchers (say), who use sketchbooks. I have used the Stillman and Birns and like this one a lot better.
hAHA! i JUST DEDICATED MY xl BOOKS TO DRAWING! aBSOLUTELY MY FAVORITE DRAWING PAPER!!! tHEN IT CAME TIME TO PAINT- IT JUST DOES NOT HOLD UP TO MY ABUSIVE NATURE.
MM. Great for drawing but wont take all of the wet in wet I do. I love mixing the colors on the paper, so I almost always need cotton paper, but the Montval will be fine for line and wash technique. ;-) The watercolor XL is useless for me, but many like it. I think those who do not use much water, and it has way too much sizing=streaky and ugly no matter what you do, lol.
You HAD to put your fingers to the keys to make him feel bad? Embarrass him? Why would you do that? Keep that to yourself. God, so rude and stupid. Customer service is your excuse? Makes no sense.
I love using this to do warmup sketches as well as first attempt at new techniques. I have used it with water color, colored pencils. I use the front for sketches and the back for water colors. Once I finish with a sketchbook I make them into hard cover books. I do tape around the paper when I use it for water color.
I'm glad to hear how much you're enjoying UA-cam and Patreon, and it's fun to be on a similar type of path with another YT artist :)
Thank you 🙏🏼😊 I get a lot of inspiration from you work as well 🙏🏼⭐️🎨
I love these pads! My local art store has been sold out of the smaller ones for ages now this has reminded me to check again this weekend. The larger 9×12 size also holds the water well and doesn't buckle but not such a friendly size for throwing in a bag. I haven't left a comment in a while so I thought I'd just say I hope you're well and how much I always enjoy your videos :)
Thank you for your comment 😉🙏🏼 I would imagine it will sell out fast. I may try the larger sizes just as an experiment.
I love the stuff. I came across a loose piece of it, and thought that I'd discovered among my junk a loose piece of Arches. It keeps the colors vibrant, and I beat up my papers a lot. It's good stuff for the price.
Yes! A surprisingly good sketchbook 😁
I love the Montval paper! I have one I’ve used up, one I’m in the process of filling, and a spare one, as well as some of the little blocks! I have some really nice paper too, but this is actually my favorite.
They have their charm 😉
Hi Liron, great video! Hey,... I actually really enjoy the foliage that you painted in the painting with all the gothic arches,... the brushstrokes are fun, free and loose! The final look reminds me of the highly successful "California Style" paining's that were tremendously loose, fun and vastly popular during the 1920's through 1950's. Happy Painting!
Thank you! 🙏🏼🙏🏼 I really like the result too, and I can usually find tons of faults, so I suppose I did a good job 😉
I just wanted to tell you this is a fantastic video. Your new paintings are gorgeous! By the way, you have beautiful hands, Liron. Honestly. Another trait of a gifted artist, I think, which you are!👏🏼👍🏼🎨
Wow, thank you so much 😊🙏🏼
I’m happy you enjoy my vids!
I like to put a bit of detail on grasses in the foreground, and warm them up for sure, but you do you boo, nothing wrong with that!
Liron, this is a sketchbook that I've been interested in so I'm so glad you did a review. And I'm going to give it a try. It's not exactly the kind of texture I like, but it looks fine for sketches and quick studies.
Yes, it isn’t my favorite texture too, if it would be true cold-press it would be even better (:
Have you used Fabriano studio watercolor paper. It's 25 %cotton, and the price range is similar to montval too....
Sounds like the drying time and the glazing issues are related. The top of the paper isn't as absorbant either because of a lower cotton content or a tighter density. Hard to get a good balance between a paper that lifts well and glazes well.
Really enjoyed this review, I forgot to say! Excellent overview. Definitely going to give this one a try. 👌
Haha I agree, that’s probably it (:
Thank you 🙏🏼😊
I first used this sketchbook a couple of years on some projects and a few of my earlier videos. Honestly, I've got nothing bad to say about it. Nothing else I've used has lived up to its quality.
Haha so surprising. I really didn’t expect much when I ordered it! Using paper that’s not 100% cotton is risky from my experience, but this one deliver! 😁⭐️🎨
Just received my order for 2 today. Happy, Happy!!
I’m sure you’ll like it! (:
I am so buying this one!! I put off watching the review because I knew I would want it. I have the large WC pad, but love that size book. I really like the paper and hope it's the same. WC Pencil, Marker, WC Pastels, Acrylic and gosh, so many wet media, acrylic mediums... Thanks for making me buy it, Liron And of course, great painting!
Haha, I’m happy you found this useful (and impressed you knew in advance you’d want it 😂😉).
I recently found out about Ray Balkwill, who does AMAZING mixed media work. You may want to check out his art if you don’t know him.
I found a 2 for 15 something in Amazon. I have 2, and a new Urban Sketching for beginners book I love! Theo reviewed it. Sketch Now, Think Later! Hope you have time to look, tell me your thoughts! bY mIKE yOSHIAKI dAIKUBARA!
I only got a glimpse of Ray, but SUPERB! I hope to get to the place where I use my most loved mediums communally. He has very gray hair, so it is possible! Thanks for the look, it empowers me, because sometimes I can feel quite negative about being a MM artist, in my first year at that, not fitting into any other category, and feel like it is less to make the MOST of all my paints, that I love so much. I even own artist grade pastels. 300.00 worth! Hahaha! I will stay on my path. I love my new sketchbooks and "Sketch Don't Think Urban Sketching for beginners! It is an integral part of my self training. I need to go back to your older videos in time, too!!!
I picked up one of these years ago, recognized that the art I was making then was no match for the quality of this paper, (the paper deserved better) and I set it aside. Then when watercolor took over my life I got it back out and I've since bought 2 more in different sizes. It's just a delightful quality paper! Now that I see you using both sides, which I have been hesitant to do, I'll get double the pleasure! I'd been wanting to ask you what journal you were painting in, glad to see it's the one I love! (The XL paper, especially the "mixed media" version, is no match! The watercolor version is okay for swatches and limited applications but the mixed media one is terrible for anything I want to do unless you gesso the paper first and then what's the point?? I use that one for sketching, mostly in ink, practice pieces, and once I use it up it will not be missed.)
Haha, that’s a good story! I can imagine the same thing happening to me 😛
I agree about the XL Mixed Media. I found it GREAT for pen and ink, but terrible for paints.
In a pinch though, it could be used to very quickly capture the mood, and then be developed on a better paper later.
I have not used the Canson Montval sketchbook. I have used the watercolor paper that comes in tablets. I agree that the paper does not buckle; but, I'm one of those who really likes to build up layers with glazing. I found the paper to be frustrating to work with when it comes to glazing. It did not matter which color was on my brush. If I touched my brush to an area that was already painted with one color, the paint on my brush would dissolve the dry layer. So in stead of glazing over paint, it would mix with the paint.
I have not heard a lot of rave reviews from watercolorists regarding the Moleskine journals. But, I imagine that Moleskine is like any other brand of watercolor or multi-media journal. Some people will like it and some won't. I have two journals that I really like. One is a multi-media journal and the other is a watercolor journal. The multi-media journal has 130# paper and the watercolor journal has 140# paper. They both handle ink and watercolor fairly well.
I agree about the glazing, it can be a challenge. I did find that if you allow it time it will settle better, but that’s not always an option (especially when working on location) (:
Did you read this on Canson 's official site : " Canson Montval watercolour paper has a great erasability. The essential key for this high quality watercolour paper is this ability to easily make corrections. This paper allows corrections even using a simple brush stoke."
Thank you for the review. I have been interested in this paper so I thought I would see what I could find out about it here on UA-cam. After watching your review, now I know it has to be good, thank you!
i have the mixed media version of this and it looks pretty similar except maybe the paper weight is 200+ grms but the texture seems pretty similar, the mix media has 30 sheets and it honestly works really well with watercolors, i might have to get this one to really compare the difference
Interesting! I noticed that most mixed media papers are really problematic for me. But with this one, who knows? Maybe it could work 😁🎨
Agree..I also liked this sketchbook. Had the larger size.need to order another. (i also like this one better than Moleskin).
Yes, the difference is huge, but somehow Moleskine seems to be more common / well-known (:
Great review. I love this paper and have this same one in 3 sizes spiral bound, this size included. I have no problems with it, but now I'm on to watercolor paper blocks instead so they will have to wait. lol
Haha blocks are great. I’m going to get some new ones (it’s been a while since I used them!) (:
This is one of my favorite cellulose papers. I tend to buy the little blocks as they are cheap and easy to toss in a totebag for the beach or park. I am so glad to see you are also having good results with it!
Thank you 😊 Yes - it is great in that sense, and the smaller sizes buckle even less.
Great review, thanks a lot! Really like your channel, love the energy and positive attitude. Very inspiring and helpful. 🌺👍🏽
Thank you 😊🙏🏼
Ya, love the montval...it’s 100% cellulose....only drawback is when u drop colour into another colour on wet on wet, it doesn’t spread much....but I love the vibrancy of clrs on it
I was looking at the different varieties on the canson website and they claim this paper is specifically designed to lift extremely easy. "Canson® Montval® watercolour paper has a great erasability. The essential key for this high quality watercolour paper is this ability to easily make corrections. This paper allows corrections even using a simple brush stoke." They also had another type "aquarelle" which I can't find anywhere that is supposed to be 50% cotton? I'd love to try it. The montval was tied for first place for pulp papers for me when I did a recent test of about twelve different papers I could get my hands on.. the other was the strathmore visual journal watercolor paper which I'm quite confused about... it's better than their 400 but not quite as good as the 500 (which is 100% cotton). I have no idea what it is, unless it's made specifically for the visual journals. I wish it came in a pad, I hate spiral binding since I print on my watercolor paper on a regular basis so I need it loose.
It’s indeed my favorite from the pulp papers! (: And It definitely makes lifting significantly easier. I do find the spiral to be a nuisance rather than adding anything to it
Thanks forsuch a nice review! I find Montval is a kind of smoother cold press paper. Definitely smoother than Arches or Fabriano 5. Reminds me of Britannia from Hahnemühle.
It is quite smooth for a “cold press” paper (: I’m going to get some new Hahnemuhle blocks soon to try out!
This is the first paper I got when I started on watercolor 😄.. Got it in a pack of 20 sheets😄.. Then found a cheaper brand which had 25% cotton.. So bought it.. But i think i prefer the smoother texture.. So I'll go back to montval after I finish the stash of the other one 😄
Haha I always paint on what I have until I run out too (:
What is the other paper?
Liron Yanconsky it's a brand called brustro.. It says made in Italy.. But i think it's a local brand here😁.. They have lots of cheap supplies.. See if u can find it..
your work is amazing.. I don't know why ppl say this paper is bad, maybe they don't know how to paint.
Hi.👋 Canson Montval is great paper. You should also try out Canson Moulin du Roy. Happy painting...☺
Thank you, several people have recommended it in the past. I hope to give it a try soon (: 🙏🏼
Thanks for the info on Canson!
My pleasure (:
Can you glaze/layer paint well on this paper without lifting the colors below? My watercolor style requires a lot of glazing so that’s the most important thing I look for in paper.
In your case it may not be the first choice then 😉🎨
You can glaze, but you have to be really quick and careful not to “scratch” the previous layer too roughly with the brush. Possible but definitely not ideal.
Liron Yanconsky I bought 2 of these and I haven’t tested them out yet, I’ll try and be careful with glazing on them. I’ll have to finish them before I get a new pad 😅 do u have recommendations for decently-priced paper that can take glazing well??
This is very interesting. I will look into this. Thank you, Liron. Love your work and your channel. Winsor & Newton also has a watercolour sketch book which has recently been reviewed by Marty Owings at Owings Art on UA-cam, which I am also going to look into. Love the idea of a sketch book with really good paper, long overdue :)
Thank you 😊 I’ll also check out W&N’s, haven’t heard about it
what kind of brush are you using? i'm considering myself a beginner in watercolour, and yet, having tried both syntethic and natural hair brushes, i've found that natural (kolinsky, squirel) brushes work better for glazing, since they are not scrubing the first layer, and not lifting paint that much.
Yes, that seems to be accurate. And also the opposite is true. Stronger bristles are great for lifting.
My favorites are my Silver Black Velvet brushes. They are great for beginners in my opinion, because they are not super expensive, and of very high quality.
Hi, thanks, i will take a look at them. currently i'm using kolinsky by nevskaya palitra nr 5 and van Gogh 130 nr 6 by royal talens. started with synthetic brush that came with van gogh pocket set, but now don't want to look back. though that brush was very good to work on small surfaces, quite versatile.
Thanks Liron, I appreciate your review. 💞💫
My pleasure, thank you! 😊⭐️🙏🏼
I thought we should not use the back side of the paper?
Hey I have a question. When you draw on both sides like that, does the color smudge in between the pages?
If you allow it enough time to dry it won't (:
At least not significantly.
I usually use the main side (you can see which one it is by the perforation) for the more "major" sketches, and the back sides for quicker pen and pencil sketches, swatching and so on.
Ah I see! Thank you for replying :)
Greetings from Utah 🤗. Very helpful. Subbed!
Welcome aboard- thank you so much 😊🙏🏼
I don't know why this doesn't generally get better reviews among Urban Sketchers (say), who use sketchbooks. I have used the Stillman and Birns and like this one a lot better.
interesting, is it cotton? thanks for the video
Cellulose (:
Still great though!
Ist white or off white
Do u still like it now ?
You deserve more subs
They are on their way 😉
Thank you - I really appreciate that 🙏🏼
Where do I buy it if I live in Israel?
As far as I know you can’t. I got this from Amazon, and it was probably still cheaper than some other local options.
Nice! I'll pick one up asap. :3
Thank you 😊 Happy this helped!
Finally got around to buying one. Can't wait to try it out. :3
hAHA! i JUST DEDICATED MY xl BOOKS TO DRAWING! aBSOLUTELY MY FAVORITE DRAWING PAPER!!! tHEN IT CAME TIME TO PAINT- IT JUST DOES NOT HOLD UP TO MY ABUSIVE NATURE.
Haha, yes - I had some issues with the XL mixed media too 😂 Is yours the watercolor type? Or mixed?
MM. Great for drawing but wont take all of the wet in wet I do. I love mixing the colors on the paper, so I almost always need cotton paper, but the Montval will be fine for line and wash technique. ;-) The watercolor XL is useless for me, but many like it. I think those who do not use much water, and it has way too much sizing=streaky and ugly no matter what you do, lol.
its not fabricated in France like you said, but in the United States.
Nice video! I love sketchbook and I need this so much!
#BRAZIL
the one time i tried water color but did'nt know any better 🤦♀️
its really cheap and really good
No offense but you sound like a mlp pony legend pony voice actor
You say ummm a lot. Sorry I noticed it. I work in customer service. I had a colleague who did it also. 💕
You HAD to put your fingers to the keys to make him feel bad? Embarrass him? Why would you do that? Keep that to yourself. God, so rude and stupid. Customer service is your excuse? Makes no sense.