I love to get my details in the form of textures, so its almost always cold press for me. I ordered a roll of the Arches 156 lb for the first time just a few days ago. I can't wait for it to come in. I plan to make some sketchbooks with it and see what I can do with some extra large 51" sheets.
I have the hot pressed Etchr sketchbook and my experience was similar to yours. In particular the uneven gradients and washes. I think the paper just dries very fast (same for Arches hot pressed paper). I also tend to get hard edges, even when I think I only applied clear water... However, I have found that I can rewet the paint and smoothen everything out. This has helped a lot, but also brings the challenge that I find it hard to layer the paint to get dark shadows without disturbing my previous layer. It's a decent paper, but you really need to get used to it and adapt your technique. Great video, as always!
I find both sketchbooks very good. People seem to think hot press paper is harder to use than cold press but I would argue it's a matter of techniques and subjects. I use it specifically for portraits, the result is much cleaner than when I use cold press for that.
@@teohyc this is exactly why I prefer cold press. Hot press just doesn't give the vibe I want, great when I want detailed realistic solutions though just doesn't feel loose enough
I’ve used the Etchr Perfect Sketchbook A5 (only comes in cold press), Etchr Everyday Sketchbook hot press A5 & A6. Just my opinion but the hot press Everyday is underwhelming and not worth the cost. The Perfect is really good BUT so pricey that I still find it more worthwhile to just make my own sketchbooks at a fraction of the cost.
@@elitper994 So far I’ve made sketchbooks out of Arches cold press and Fabriano soft press. I plan to make a Saunders Waterford after my next Blick order. After initial book binding supply purchase (which is inexpensive), the cost per sketchbook is only $9-$12 for a 48page/24 sheet book.
@@barb865 hey Barb, I don’t but I learned how to do it from Sea Lemon’s 12/30/2011 post titled “How to Make a Sketchbook | DIY Coptic Stitch Bookbinding Tutorial”. I follow it almost to the letter but use watercolor paper in place of drawing paper and alter the number of stitch holes based on my sketchbook size.
Theo, thank you very much! I was just about to buy three of these. However the results of your blending tests, and your comparison with Etchr’s Perfect Sketchbook have convinced me to hold off. The differences were quite startling. I already have Fabriano paper, so it’s worth the effort to make my own. As they say, seeing is believing, and I really appreciate the exceptional quality of your reviews! 🙏🏼😊
You'll have to get the really good cotton paper to be able to use actual wet on wet techniques. The good sketchbooks, expensive ones, are The Perfect Sketchbook and Koval sketchbooks.
@@teohyc Thanks - the Etchr site directed me to a Canadian company that carries the Perfect Sketchbook, so I think I’m going to give one a try. I hadn’t heard about Kaval - thanks for bringing them to my attention!
Thank you, Teoh!! Your UA-cam channel has fast become one of my favorite channels over the years. Because of you, I’ve been going out more and drawing!! My thoughts on etchr: A bit pricey for me but sometimes I like to splurge on the etchr sketchbooks. They also make great presents for my artists friends (and for me). Honestly, the thing I like the most from it is how vibrant the colors look against the white paper. It feels high quality. Also the watercolor lifts easily enough by scrubbing with a paintbrush after it dries (if you’re trying to remove paint from the page). I like removing paint from areas for highlights or fixing mistakes so this was an important feature for me. I’ve used watercolor sketchbooks in the past that stain when you paint on them so removing color is almost impossible. I will always recommend trying an etchr sketchbook at least once! 😊
When I started doing art seriously, I was splitting my time between fine art studio and drafting courses. I got into the habit of painting on bristol board and I never got out of it. Cotton paper was something I had to work into using and the learning curve was so real. I still throw everything mixed media at my surface so I like that cotton holds it all. But, at heart, I am still hot press all the way.
I have yet to try any of the Etchr sketchbooks but I’m looking forward to seeing how the Perfect Sketchbook in cold press works when my sketchbook arrives soon! Thanks for sharing this wonderful information with us! ❤
i really love the hot-press sketchbook; i think i actually might even prefer the Etchr hot-press to Arches hot-press... i've seen a lot of people speculating that the Etchr hot-press is actually Fabriano Artistico, but the answer i recieved from one of their customer service representatives is that it's "...manufactured in China, and it is produced without a specific brand name. It is typically available in large quantities suitable for bulk orders." just in case anyone was curious like me!
I have been enjoying a trio of A5 premium Cold Press ETCHR Perfect Sketchbooks for the past couple years. I love what the paper does for the watercolor- lots of vibrant color and blending, but it is super challenging to sketch in pen and ink freely and smoothly. I use a Signo 207 medium Gel Pen and have found that to be the best solution for the drawing- but still not smooth. So I agree with the first comment above. I am also working in an A4 ETCHR Perfect Sketchbook that has Fabriano cold press in it. This paper is even harder to draw in, but beautiful for blending water color. Like Teoh, I believe I may be headed on to Hot Press paper after these. I am eager to draw more freely and crisply, and I know to expect something different from the paint on that paper.
I tried watercolor flowers on hot press , they looked a bit flat and I switched to cold press for more texture , I guess I need to practice more with hot press paper , thank you for the review , very helpful 😊
I bought small hot pressed sketchbook and quite liked it, it was my first cotton paper I think. But I wanted to try another surface too, so bought A5 cold pressed - and never used it, not even tested because surface looks too grainy and regular, I don’t like that. So I’ll probably give it away. Generally, I think I wasn’t too much into hot pressed surface because cheap hot pressed is awfully sleek, only markers feel good on it. But now I know how expensive hot pressed paper feels, it still has grain and it’s like velvet. And this is my favorite now. I paint as a hobby and it’s important for me that it feels as good as possible
For sketching the pen must move freely/effortlessly so the sketcher can have a natural expression of what they see. Hot press offers that freedom and cold press not as much.
I just cut sheet paper to 1/8 or 1/16 side and clip them together with a bulldog clip Much much cheaper I use Fabriano Artistico 200g HP as it is so soft and responsive And Saunders 200g rough as it is much harder and therefore slower and granulated wonderfully
I love the Perfect Sketchbooks from etchr and have used the mixed-media (white covers) sketchbooks as well. I still prefer cold pressed paper as I really like the texture it lends to the artwork.
Thank you for this video on hot and cold pressed paper, I like the cold pressed when using lots of water and painting, as you said depends on what mediums you want to use, drawing id use the hot pressed paper smooth surface, Iam intrigued by cold pressed texture surfaces,
My one complaint about the etcher books are those ridiculous covers. They're so spongy and really pick up dirt and grime. I wish they were firmer and came with a darker cover. Other than that I do like the paper inside.
Those sketchbooks are €30 a single A5 here in Ireland ( where everything is expensive ). The box it came in doesn't specify it as being watercolour, but " mixed media ". Still the watercolour test is a tad dissapointing given the price.
I love the etchr sketchbooks. For me they are cost effective and decent and they help with the fear of wasting art supplies on bad art. That they are portable and hardcover is a bonus
Another great Video Teoh!! Thanks! This seems like a great entry for a watercolor tools basics video playlist. REALLY informative and would've loved this when I first got into watercolors years ago. ❤
I just bought the etcher book like u have in coldpress. I really enjoy using it! The paper in it is best I've had in a bought sketchbook! I like coldpress cause of the way the color moves on it. I think its reasonably priced for the quality! ❤️
I've been thinking about these for a while but not sure on the hot or cold press... I usually go for hot press for my art journalling and cold for my sketching-only adventures so may need to get both! Great video as always :)
Thanks for this comparison- very helpful. I would like to know does watercolor paper expire? If there is a USE BY date…how do I know I have passed that date?
Watercolour paper can deteriorate with time so it's best not to keep them for too long. If you have to keep them long, keep them inside air-tight containers or zipped bags to prevent the paper from absorbing moisture. If you stay in a dry area, it's not so much of an issue. If you live in humid climate, paper can absorb moisture from the air and affect the sizing, which affects how paint behaves on paper. You can identify bad watercolour paper by looking at how paint behaves on paper. Does the paint look patchy? When the paper surface is wet and you add paint, is the paint able to move out and blend? When you paint on dry surface, does the colour look dull (because the paint went inside the paper due to deteriorated sizing instead of staying on top)
Hi Theo, thank you for sharing your detailed review. I am definitely considering these sketchbook very interesting, both cold press and hotpress one, and the prices you showed in this video for the 3 bundles would be actually quite good I'd say. If only they were the same here in Europe, too, as they are in the USA and Singapore! At least in Italy, sadly, they are waaay more pricey than that. An A6 sketchbook from Etchr, as of today still only available at Amazon, can cost up to 69 EUR, which is crazy. Still waiting to find an affordable alternative here :(
@@teohyc Thanks! I will check. I know about Koval sketchbooks and they have very good reputation, but I thought they were only available in Russia and western EU countries. I don't think I can find Arkademie here but you never know, I may be lucky! :)
Teoh, this was a great informative explanation not only of watercolor paper but also the behavior of watercolor paint (blending, gradients, etc). Excellent video quality & lighting. Question: What is “granulating watercolor paint”? Do some watercolor paints differ in “type “? 👍🙏💙 [EDIT: I’m googling the “granulating” question. 😁]
Granulation is texture created by pigment particles. You can read more here www.jacksonsart.com/blog/2019/10/31/watercolour-granulation/ Generally speaking, it's rare to find yellow and red paint that granulates. Blue has more granulating paint and earth colours have plenty. Also check out this video on the various types of watercolour products ua-cam.com/video/y9NWC1hzvfA/v-deo.html
I’m new to watercolor painting but would your blending tests work out differently if the blank paper was pre-wetted to hopefully allow continued movement? I saw someone pre-Wet the paper once when painting.
I had to pre-wet the paper to get the paint to move. Paint won't move if you paint wet on dry. With top quality watercolour paper, the colour blending will be easier.
Yes but it's not the best paper for markers. The markers will get used up real quick because the watercolour paper will soak the ink. For markers, it's best to use marker paper.
My Neocolor II aqua-crayons arrived at the store today. This afternoon I'm going to pick them up and try them out. Do you have any Neocolor II crayons? Haven't seen you doing a review on them.
Yes, actually better since the point will not go into the tooth of some coldpress paper, and just like liquid ink pens it is easier to draw lines with solid edges. Ballpoint doesn’t work well, at least for me, on sandy surface coldpress paper
I will always come here for reviews. Thank you!
I love to get my details in the form of textures, so its almost always cold press for me. I ordered a roll of the Arches 156 lb for the first time just a few days ago. I can't wait for it to come in. I plan to make some sketchbooks with it and see what I can do with some extra large 51" sheets.
Ooohhhh exciting
I have the hot pressed Etchr sketchbook and my experience was similar to yours. In particular the uneven gradients and washes. I think the paper just dries very fast (same for Arches hot pressed paper). I also tend to get hard edges, even when I think I only applied clear water...
However, I have found that I can rewet the paint and smoothen everything out. This has helped a lot, but also brings the challenge that I find it hard to layer the paint to get dark shadows without disturbing my previous layer. It's a decent paper, but you really need to get used to it and adapt your technique.
Great video, as always!
I also started out with cold pressed paper but am now leaning towards hot pressed
I have both, but I still prefer cold pressed. Much better mixing of pigments. The rougher surface is harder to draw on, tho.
I find both sketchbooks very good. People seem to think hot press paper is harder to use than cold press but I would argue it's a matter of techniques and subjects. I use it specifically for portraits, the result is much cleaner than when I use cold press for that.
Most people just prefer coldpress texture for the classic watercolour look
@@teohyc this is exactly why I prefer cold press. Hot press just doesn't give the vibe I want, great when I want detailed realistic solutions though just doesn't feel loose enough
@@teohyc I like cold press to paint nature in general, I've just heard "hot press is difficult" a lot 😂
I’ve used the Etchr Perfect Sketchbook A5 (only comes in cold press), Etchr Everyday Sketchbook hot press A5 & A6. Just my opinion but the hot press Everyday is underwhelming and not worth the cost. The Perfect is really good BUT so pricey that I still find it more worthwhile to just make my own sketchbooks at a fraction of the cost.
What paper do you use?
@@elitper994 So far I’ve made sketchbooks out of Arches cold press and Fabriano soft press. I plan to make a Saunders Waterford after my next Blick order. After initial book binding supply purchase (which is inexpensive), the cost per sketchbook is only $9-$12 for a 48page/24 sheet book.
@@litylu OOh I'm very interested...do you have a youtube demo of this? I'd love to se one!
@@barb865 hey Barb, I don’t but I learned how to do it from Sea Lemon’s 12/30/2011 post titled “How to Make a Sketchbook | DIY Coptic Stitch Bookbinding Tutorial”. I follow it almost to the letter but use watercolor paper in place of drawing paper and alter the number of stitch holes based on my sketchbook size.
Theo, thank you very much! I was just about to buy three of these. However the results of your blending tests, and your comparison with Etchr’s Perfect Sketchbook have convinced me to hold off. The differences were quite startling. I already have Fabriano paper, so it’s worth the effort to make my own. As they say, seeing is believing, and I really appreciate the exceptional quality of your reviews! 🙏🏼😊
You'll have to get the really good cotton paper to be able to use actual wet on wet techniques. The good sketchbooks, expensive ones, are The Perfect Sketchbook and Koval sketchbooks.
@@teohyc Thanks - the Etchr site directed me to a Canadian company that carries the Perfect Sketchbook, so I think I’m going to give one a try. I hadn’t heard about Kaval - thanks for bringing them to my attention!
Thank you, Teoh!! Your UA-cam channel has fast become one of my favorite channels over the years. Because of you, I’ve been going out more and drawing!!
My thoughts on etchr:
A bit pricey for me but sometimes I like to splurge on the etchr sketchbooks. They also make great presents for my artists friends (and for me). Honestly, the thing I like the most from it is how vibrant the colors look against the white paper. It feels high quality. Also the watercolor lifts easily enough by scrubbing with a paintbrush after it dries (if you’re trying to remove paint from the page). I like removing paint from areas for highlights or fixing mistakes so this was an important feature for me. I’ve used watercolor sketchbooks in the past that stain when you paint on them so removing color is almost impossible. I will always recommend trying an etchr sketchbook at least once! 😊
When I started doing art seriously, I was splitting my time between fine art studio and drafting courses. I got into the habit of painting on bristol board and I never got out of it. Cotton paper was something I had to work into using and the learning curve was so real. I still throw everything mixed media at my surface so I like that cotton holds it all. But, at heart, I am still hot press all the way.
When i get a notification from this channel,i feel alive, love you ❤😊
I have yet to try any of the Etchr sketchbooks but I’m looking forward to seeing how the Perfect Sketchbook in cold press works when my sketchbook arrives soon! Thanks for sharing this wonderful information with us! ❤
Thank you! I always enjoy your reviews. I prefer hot press BTW.
i really love the hot-press sketchbook; i think i actually might even prefer the Etchr hot-press to Arches hot-press...
i've seen a lot of people speculating that the Etchr hot-press is actually Fabriano Artistico, but the answer i recieved from one of their customer service representatives is that it's "...manufactured in China, and it is produced without a specific brand name. It is typically available in large quantities suitable for bulk orders." just in case anyone was curious like me!
I have been enjoying a trio of A5 premium Cold Press ETCHR Perfect Sketchbooks for the past couple years. I love what the paper does for the watercolor- lots of vibrant color and blending, but it is super challenging to sketch in pen and ink freely and smoothly. I use a Signo 207 medium Gel Pen and have found that to be the best solution for the drawing- but still not smooth. So I agree with the first comment above. I am also working in an A4 ETCHR Perfect Sketchbook that has Fabriano cold press in it. This paper is even harder to draw in, but beautiful for blending water color. Like Teoh, I believe I may be headed on to Hot Press paper after these. I am eager to draw more freely and crisply, and I know to expect something different from the paint on that paper.
I tried watercolor flowers on hot press , they looked a bit flat and I switched to cold press for more texture , I guess I need to practice more with hot press paper , thank you for the review , very helpful 😊
I bought small hot pressed sketchbook and quite liked it, it was my first cotton paper I think. But I wanted to try another surface too, so bought A5 cold pressed - and never used it, not even tested because surface looks too grainy and regular, I don’t like that. So I’ll probably give it away. Generally, I think I wasn’t too much into hot pressed surface because cheap hot pressed is awfully sleek, only markers feel good on it. But now I know how expensive hot pressed paper feels, it still has grain and it’s like velvet. And this is my favorite now. I paint as a hobby and it’s important for me that it feels as good as possible
Same here. Working with first cotton watercolor paper (small book, hot pressed).
For sketching the pen must move freely/effortlessly so the sketcher can have a natural expression of what they see. Hot press offers that freedom and cold press not as much.
I just cut sheet paper to 1/8 or 1/16 side and clip them together with a bulldog clip
Much much cheaper
I use Fabriano Artistico 200g HP as it is so soft and responsive
And Saunders 200g rough as it is much harder and therefore slower and granulated wonderfully
I love the Perfect Sketchbooks from etchr and have used the mixed-media (white covers) sketchbooks as well. I still prefer cold pressed paper as I really like the texture it lends to the artwork.
Thank you for this video on hot and cold pressed paper, I like the cold pressed when using lots of water and painting, as you said depends on what mediums you want to use, drawing id use the hot pressed paper smooth surface, Iam intrigued by cold pressed texture surfaces,
My one complaint about the etcher books are those ridiculous covers. They're so spongy and really pick up dirt and grime. I wish they were firmer and came with a darker cover. Other than that I do like the paper inside.
I kinda like how my black cat's fuzz sticks to it. Call me crazy.
@@Captain_MonsterFart Crazy. 🤣🤣🐈⬛
Those sketchbooks are €30 a single A5 here in Ireland ( where everything is expensive ). The box it came in doesn't specify it as being watercolour, but " mixed media ". Still the watercolour test is a tad dissapointing given the price.
I love the etchr sketchbooks. For me they are cost effective and decent and they help with the fear of wasting art supplies on bad art. That they are portable and hardcover is a bonus
Another great Video Teoh!! Thanks! This seems like a great entry for a watercolor tools basics video playlist. REALLY informative and would've loved this when I first got into watercolors years ago. ❤
I just bought the etcher book like u have in coldpress. I really enjoy using it! The paper in it is best I've had in a bought sketchbook! I like coldpress cause of the way the color moves on it. I think its reasonably priced for the quality! ❤️
I've been thinking about these for a while but not sure on the hot or cold press... I usually go for hot press for my art journalling and cold for my sketching-only adventures so may need to get both! Great video as always :)
Thanks for this comparison- very helpful.
I would like to know does watercolor paper expire? If there is a USE BY date…how do I know I have passed that date?
Watercolour paper can deteriorate with time so it's best not to keep them for too long. If you have to keep them long, keep them inside air-tight containers or zipped bags to prevent the paper from absorbing moisture.
If you stay in a dry area, it's not so much of an issue.
If you live in humid climate, paper can absorb moisture from the air and affect the sizing, which affects how paint behaves on paper.
You can identify bad watercolour paper by looking at how paint behaves on paper. Does the paint look patchy? When the paper surface is wet and you add paint, is the paint able to move out and blend? When you paint on dry surface, does the colour look dull (because the paint went inside the paper due to deteriorated sizing instead of staying on top)
the repelling part might be a fingerprint/ natural oils in the finger.
Hi Theo, thank you for sharing your detailed review.
I am definitely considering these sketchbook very interesting, both cold press and hotpress one, and the prices you showed in this video for the 3 bundles would be actually quite good I'd say.
If only they were the same here in Europe, too, as they are in the USA and Singapore!
At least in Italy, sadly, they are waaay more pricey than that. An A6 sketchbook from Etchr, as of today still only available at Amazon, can cost up to 69 EUR, which is crazy.
Still waiting to find an affordable alternative here :(
Check out Koval (Italy) and Arkademie (Singapore) sketchbooks too
@@teohyc Thanks! I will check. I know about Koval sketchbooks and they have very good reputation, but I thought they were only available in Russia and western EU countries. I don't think I can find Arkademie here but you never know, I may be lucky! :)
Teoh, this was a great informative explanation not only of watercolor paper but also the behavior of watercolor paint (blending, gradients, etc). Excellent video quality & lighting. Question: What is “granulating watercolor paint”? Do some watercolor paints differ in “type “? 👍🙏💙 [EDIT: I’m googling the “granulating” question. 😁]
Granulation is texture created by pigment particles. You can read more here
www.jacksonsart.com/blog/2019/10/31/watercolour-granulation/
Generally speaking, it's rare to find yellow and red paint that granulates. Blue has more granulating paint and earth colours have plenty.
Also check out this video on the various types of watercolour products
ua-cam.com/video/y9NWC1hzvfA/v-deo.html
I’m new to watercolor painting but would your blending tests work out differently if the blank paper was pre-wetted to hopefully allow continued movement? I saw someone pre-Wet the paper once when painting.
I had to pre-wet the paper to get the paint to move. Paint won't move if you paint wet on dry. With top quality watercolour paper, the colour blending will be easier.
Great video! Does the hot pressed paper work with alchocol based markers?
Yes but it's not the best paper for markers. The markers will get used up real quick because the watercolour paper will soak the ink. For markers, it's best to use marker paper.
My Neocolor II aqua-crayons arrived at the store today. This afternoon I'm going to pick them up and try them out. Do you have any Neocolor II crayons? Haven't seen you doing a review on them.
I have Neocolor but I've not reviewed them yet. Those are good crayons.
Hello Teoh. May I know where can I get the pocket size sketchbooks from in Singapore? And which brand would you recommend?
There are many pocket sized (A6) watercolour sketchbooks at ArtFriend shop. Not sure about Overjoyed art store.
@@teohyc Thank you! And yes your channel is very helpful for a beginner like me!
@@mahakranga7093 Oh. For brand, there's Hahnemuhle, Baohong. These are the better ones at ArtFriend.
love how he pronounces ‘paper’
Does ballpoint pen works well on hotpress? 🤔
Yes, actually better since the point will not go into the tooth of some coldpress paper, and just like liquid ink pens it is easier to draw lines with solid edges.
Ballpoint doesn’t work well, at least for me, on sandy surface coldpress paper
Yes!! Dip pen is wonderful too.
Y no lo puedo oir en castellsno
Que pena. No se lo que esplicas 😢
First!