Review: Fabriano Artistico Coldpress Watercolour Paper (300GSM) - Traditional White
My previous experience with Fabriano was their Studio 200GSM watercolour paper. That's a decent paper but the Fabriano Artistico is much better.
This review covers the Fabriano Artistico Traditional White watercolor paper (300GSM)
Fabriano Artistico watercolour comes in Traditional White and Extra White, only available at 300GSM. They are 100% cotton made, double-sized and acid-free. For surfaces, there are coldpress, hotpress and rough.
I'm very pleased with the whiteness of the Traditional White. It does not dull down the intensity of the watercolours. The traditional warm white shade is created without the use of optical brighteners. I'll definitely be getting the Extra White to try in the future.
The watercolour pads are gummed on four sides so they don't warp even when you apply heavy washes. Usually, I would tear out a few pieces to bring outdoors instead of bring the whole pad. Even when it's a single sheet clipped at two points to board backing, it does not warp when a wash is applied.
The quality of the paper is fantastic. I like the even fine grainy texture of the coldpress surface. The quality is good enough to withstand glazing. I usually use pencils for drafts and they erase off well from the surface, even multiple times.
I've read several reviews saying that it's good for coloured pencils as well, and others use it for mixed media. It's quite pricey as coloured pencil paper though.
Below are the watercolour sketches drawn on the paper.
Winsor & Newton (WN)
You can create sharp edges easily on the surface.
WN
The granulation of the Ultramarine is quite even.
The granulation is stronger from the Cobalt Blue Deep of Kremer Pigments (KP).
KP
This is watersoluble graphite from Viarco's ArtGraf. I layered a few washes for the darker shades.
This is watersoluble graphite again. Check out the amazing granulation of the graphite.
KP
KP
KP
KP
WN
Conclusion
I really love using this paper especially because of the even grainy surface. It's quite durable and can withstand layering, erasing. Granulation looks wonderful but it also depends on the watercolour pigment.
Definitely will be buying it again, and also going to try the hotpress and Extra White.
Highly recommended.
Availability
Find more reviews at Dick Blick Art Materials (US) | Jackson's Art (UK)
Comments
I read that the standard of
I read that the standard of this paper has dropped drastically since they made changes to the press in 2016. Can you review this paper again to see what you think of the new batch? Thank you!
@Victoria Chan
In reply to I read that the standard of by Victoria Chan (not verified)
@Victoria Chan
I've heard or read about that too but I can't confirm. I haven't use the new batch yet.
Really, really enjoyed seeing
Really, really enjoyed seeing your work here. Somehow it's a totally different experience this large from seeing them on YouTube.
This paper used to be my
In reply to I read that the standard of by Victoria Chan (not verified)
This paper used to be my favourite, but not anymore. Do not but it. The present quality is really bad.
@Anneli
In reply to This paper used to be my by Anneli (not verified)
@Anneli
What do you mean by bad?
I'm using a new pad that I just bought and it works fine. I didn't notice anything wrong. I actually prefer the texture of this paper compared to Arches.
Would be great to see a
Would be great to see a review of the new batch! This was my first try at 100% watercolor paper, i bought it in 2019 and i don´t like it at all. I thought, well maybe 100% cotton is not what i thought. But then i got a block of Saunders Waterford and i love it! I will never in my life will be buying anything Fabriano makes. And i think i will stick with Saunders since works great. The thing with Fabriano is that absorbs water too fast and buckles a lot, you can't do wet on wet on this thing. Anyhow, thanks for all the reviews you make Teoh! cheers.
I recently bought Fabriano
I recently bought Fabriano NOT 280gsm paper but can't get along with it. I work wet in wet and it just "cauliflowers". Anyone else have this problem?
There is no 280gsm Fabriano
There is no 280gsm Fabriano Artistico. You used another paper, propably Fabriano Rusticus- not cotton paper (cellulose pulp) which is in 280gsm. Fabriano Rusticus is verry good paper and propably on of best of cellulose papers, but definitely it is no this kind of papers as cotton ones. Best regards.
Hi Teoh,
Hi Teoh,
Normaly I use Arches CP 300g for my illustrations : the line with waterproof black ink or acrylic ink - and color with watercolor.
I tried the same with Fabriano CP. Watercolor works very well, acrylic ink too. But black ink, for drawing, tends to diffuse on paper. Have you got an idea why? I use the Platinum Carbon ink, i tried a different black ink and the same happened on the fabriano.
Best wishes for 2020!
@Baptiste Amsallem
In reply to Hi Teoh, by Baptiste Amsallem (not verified)
@Baptiste Amsallem
Not sure what happened.
If you have tried other inks on the Fabriano and the problem still exists, maybe there's something wrong with the paper. My guess is the sizing of the paper may have been affected.
If the paper still works for painting, maybe you should just paint and not use ink on it.
If you want to use ink on it, maybe you can try treating the surface with Daniel Smith Watercolor Ground. It's supposed to add sizing to the surface so that ink and water can stay on the surface better.
Hi- I started using the CP
Hi- I started using the CP a few months ago after decades with the HP due to switching from Gouache to Watercolour for illustration:
I find the CP fabulous - forgiving of erasing, quick drying and if I need to tickle in a detail with W/C mixed with white gouache it works fine. Layers of Neutral tint for base layer or background work fine with no blotching - if you let it dry properly:
I don't have any worries about repro- the originals look fabulous- wish I'd found it a couple of years ago!
Hi Teoh, love all your
Hi Teoh, love all your reviews! Have you thought about reviewing the recent batches Fabriano Artistico paper? I see numerous reviews as of late indicating a change in formula and unfortunately not for the better. You are a definitive source of opinion on watercolors for me, so wanted to make the suggestion for a more current (re-)review. I can even offer to send you a sample, if you'd like. Thanks!
@Michelle
In reply to Hi Teoh, love all your by Michelle (not verified)
@Michelle
Thanks for your offer but I can't review more paper as I have too much paper currently that I can't finish using.
That issue was with their HP
In reply to I read that the standard of by Victoria Chan (not verified)
That issue was with their HP paper not their CP. I've since heard they have rectified the problem as the botanical painters were up in arms over it. But then again. I tried the HP before this apparent change and didn't like it anyway. Their CP however I love.
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