I bought this paper to try and initially did not like it. I have both sable and sable synthetic brushes and the quality/feel of the paper is about the same for me, no matter which brush I use. I do consider this a professional quality paper, but it is at the bottom end of that range and is priced that way too. In Australia it's 30% cheaper than other professional level papers. It has a known gritty feel under brush that most artists comment on which is why I didn't initially like it. But after finishing a full pad with it I've adjusted my technique to get the best from this paper and for the price am quite happy to use it.
It is a paper that suits wet in wet technique better than wet in dry. What I like about it is that it does take a heck of a lot of scrubbing without surface damage. I've been known to scrub an entire layer of paint off with a toothbrush without ill effects. I do paint detail in my paintings, I'm tight not expressive. But I never use fine brushes for detail anyway. I combine ink lines and watercolour so my fine detail is always crisp.
Would I recommend this paper? Over and above any off-brand or store brand product absolutely. It overall performs better than many other papers out there. Do I think it's the best paper? No. I much prefer Fabriano Artistico over this one but it's 30% dearer. I use this paper for master studies as I can get good results for learning purposes without using my first choice paper. The colour does not bother me, I use natural and muted palettes most of the time so vibrancy of the pigment is not that big a deal for me. Although I've not noticed any dulling per se anyway. I use DS paints.
I bought this paper to try and initially did not like it. I have both sable and sable synthetic brushes and the quality/feel of the paper is about the same for me, no matter which brush I use. I do consider this a professional quality paper, but it is at the bottom end of that range and is priced that way too. In Australia it's 30% cheaper than other professional level papers. It has a known gritty feel under brush that most artists comment on which is why I didn't initially like it. But after finishing a full pad with it I've adjusted my technique to get the best from this paper and for the price am quite happy to use it.
It is a paper that suits wet in wet technique better than wet in dry. What I like about it is that it does take a heck of a lot of scrubbing without surface damage. I've been known to scrub an entire layer of paint off with a toothbrush without ill effects. I do paint detail in my paintings, I'm tight not expressive. But I never use fine brushes for detail anyway. I combine ink lines and watercolour so my fine detail is always crisp.
Would I recommend this paper? Over and above any off-brand or store brand product absolutely. It overall performs better than many other papers out there. Do I think it's the best paper? No. I much prefer Fabriano Artistico over this one but it's 30% dearer. I use this paper for master studies as I can get good results for learning purposes without using my first choice paper. The colour does not bother me, I use natural and muted palettes most of the time so vibrancy of the pigment is not that big a deal for me. Although I've not noticed any dulling per se anyway. I use DS paints.