Arches Watercolor Block, Cold Press 10X14

good

More experienced artists often told me what a great paper this is. Things I like most: it doesnt require taping, doesnt buckle and takes paint better than cheaper paper. Also, you can scrub out errors without disturbing the paper. Its worth the price!

Recently I began using Derwents Inktense pencils. You activate them with water and they change into the most intense ink colors. I used to work with paint instead of pencils. I had always preferred Arches ROUGH version when I worked in paint. Changing to the Inktense Pencils changed that preference. They do not like the rough version. So I bought one block in the cold press (this one) and another in the hot press. So far, out of the three, this one emerges as the winner. When the pencils are activated by water, they bloom nicely and the work becomes a very vivid watercolor. I had less success with the hot press. The colors do not bloom and run at all. They stay exactly where you put them when you activate them with water. The colors simply become vivid. I like the way watercolor blurs and blooms--all the distinctive markings we associate with watercolor. In sum, this paper is the best choice if you switch to water soluble pencils instead of paint. I never even considered switching from Arches watercolor block to another product. Ive used it for decades and it is the best. I had to switch from paint to pencils because of health problems with mobility (age 68). I am next going to try water soluble oil pastels on the paper. I am expecting this one will also be the winner but I could be wrong. The key thing to remember is that the materials you choose as your paint will affect the paper choice. If you switched painting materials, like I did, there seems little choice but to try all three types, just like I did.

Arches is a wonderful watercolor paper. It takes a lot of abuse without pilling. I highly recommend it.

Just what the artist in the family wanted and could not get elsewhere in the time frame needed.

Terrific size of a great paper

Great product!

good paper

Id get more of Arches if it wasnt so expensive. I just wait for sales and deals. Arches is my favorite paper!

Love the way this paper absorbs watercolor. I am very pleased with it, even though the size is a bit small for my taste.