@@BlackStarASMR Gelatine, one of many sizing materials, is used mainly to controle the absobtion level of the paper. I guess it also makes paper stronger. If I'm not wrong this gelatine mentioned here is animal hide.
Thanks for the review. My provider Artemiranda from Salamanca, Spain ensures me that Baohong Artists' Watercolour and Baohong Artist Watercolour Masters' Choice are the same paper.
The "Masters Choice" is my all time favourite watercolour paper, I use the other side sometimes as it's not quite as grainy and love it, its such hardwearing paper, scrubs without pilling, lifts off well, masking tape won't damage this surface and is great value for money
I'm using mainly their 'academy' series papers, which have no gelatine sizing. Still very good paper but lifting color off can be problematic specifically with staining colors. Academy series paper can take at least 5 washes for background, provided these are light at the beginning.
I have only started watercolor or any kind of painting for only 2 months. I have only used Academy. It’s almost impossible to lift colours. It also dries quite quickly based on my limited experience.
i will have to try this, i live in a very hot climate & i need to have air movement on me to not feel like i am in a sauna, my paper always dries out too fast unless i turn off my air which makes me so miserable i give up. long drying time sounds like a dream come true for me. tfs! have a wonderful day!
Great review thank you. I have both the Baohong Academy CP and the Baohong Masters choice CP and both are lovely papers to paint on. My academy cp blocks are all a slightly off white colour, while my blocks of masters choice cp are much more yellowy cream. The Masters choice cold press texture is much more rough than the academy cold press blocks equivalent and although they are listed as the same 300gsm, the Masters paper seems more robust and dense. I'm curious to try the Masters hot press to see if the texture would equal that of the academy cold press? As lovely as the Masters paper is, I think I prefer the academy one overall.
I have a pad of this. I haven't REALLY tested it out yet. Just some swatches. I did notice it takes longer to dry as you said. My favorite papers are Arches and Hahnemule. Although Canson Watercolor or Multi Media is great for like...Not so serious projects.
@@paintingandchocolate Honestly it's probably just that I don't really know much about paper. I've only been painting with watercolor since March of last year so I'm still a mega noob with it. I was told to always buy the best paper you can and the paints don't have to be amazing because it's all in the paper so Arches was the first brand I ever tried. Hahnemule cold pressed was the second. Maybe that's why I like it because it was one of the first I've used so I'm used to how it works, also I haven't really stretched into other brands besides those two and cheaper paper here and there to test out like Baohong and Canson
@@AbraCassandraCrafts we all like different things too. I know people who love the Hahnemuhle cotton sketchbook and even this didn't work for me 😅 but I'm sure it will be good for some things..
I've just completed a study of multi-layered portraits on various 12x16 watercolor blocks: Saunders, Arches, Meeden, New York Central, Fabriano, Baohong (student) and Legion, as well as others at different times. Side by side over the past few months. So, my head-to-head competition of real-world portrait painting is finally done, and the winner is...: Baohong. I thought it was going to be Saunders, but it wasn't. Arches is, of course, right there with Baohong, but at 3 times the price. 2nd was Meeden, which some think is the same thing as Baohong, but I don't think so. I have not tried Baohong Artist because my availability is only the course paper, and that texture is not ideal for most portrait paintings. The reason Baohong wins is as follows: 1) Layer after layer after layer, no peeling at all. For someone who layers, lifts, plays with the paper a lot, this is a big deal. 2) Smooth application and the paint stays workable a good while. Going over an edge with a slightly damp brush blends the edge effortlessly and in one stroke. Super special. 3) Perfect bleeds and no surprises. 4) I was sold on this paper after 30 seconds of painting on it. Obviously great, right out of the gate on a 10-hour painting, and through the whole 10 hours, nothing to convince me otherwise. Your review seems to be of a very highly textured paper (likely the coarse version of their cold press). I know that most of the Artist level paper they sell is coarse. Try the plain old lowly Student paper. I think the only difference is the Student grade has a texture almost identical to Arches standard cold press.
As a beginner started w the cellulose kind & truly thought it was me! Then got the Baohong 100% cotton & while never used Arches find this paper does very well & was able to glaze (several layers) & so far one I got has less texture on paper. Ty for showing that it does perform well!
@@paintingandchocolate Never had even heard about a paper that was 100% cotton (65 now)! Then when started this new water color “path” wondered why all the ppl were raving & using 100% cotton water color paper (never to old to learn something new) cept computers lol! Will take one sheet & use tape to make smaller squares (so can try mini paintings) but will use the cotton paper any day over that Canson XL 😳 as felt like they added a thin film of plastic over paper & paint just sat on top of paper!
I wonder if that fuzziness you got on the mountains would cause bleeding outside the edges of a more detailed wet-n-wet painting, like botanicals or even a portrait? Probably not that important since you probably wouldn’t use rough paper for botanicals or portraits…?
Yes, I would go with cold press without too rough of a texture since this paper here is on the rough side, i would use Arches or Saunders Waterford for example, i would also do it later in the wet in wet process so it spreads out even less. But then it depends on style too. I'm sure some would paint incredible florals and portraits that are a bit fuzzy. I personally prefer smooth for these subjects.
I believe the Masters might be slightly different to the regular Baohong. I know they kind of make different versions for different clients. A spaniard company has their very own collection of Baohong papers made for them and they call them Plus and Artist. As for the heavier texture, I noticed this is actually a common feature of Chinese papers, their cold press papers like Paul Rubens and Baohong have a lot more texture in their cold press than others. Their rough grains are almost like sandpaper in some cases. Wonderful review!
If the price is about the same as Arches I'm not even going to try it. China dominates almost every manufacturing industry. I always jump for joy when I can buy a good item NOT made in China to balance trade and assist another country's economy in my small way.
Definitely with you on the China monopoly comment! On paper: I found Arches too soft for my work. My go-to papers are Saunders Waterford and Fabriano. I've sampled others over the years, but always gone back to those, though I am having a few issues with Fabriano's use of different sizing, and may have to look for a change. I hope not - I like SW cold pressed, but not its rough, and vice versa with Fabriano!
@@paintingandchocolate I do, too! I haven't tried Baohong, and for this reason, I don't think I will, It's bad enough seeing so many of our paper makers and art suppliers being gobbled up into a big group (FILA Group), but at least it isn't Chinese.
What’s with the hate? China should dominate … because China has 2 billion people , most who don’t mind working labor jobs. Who wants a Country with hundreds of millions unemployed? Those are humans too you know. Also when it comes to cotton paper, Europe has to import the cotton as it doesn’t grow there. Cotton grows in China. Baohong is great cotton paper.
Have you tried the Masters Choice or other Baohong watercolor papers?
What's the gelatine for?
@@BlackStarASMR Gelatine, one of many sizing materials, is used mainly to controle the absobtion level of the paper. I guess it also makes paper stronger. If I'm not wrong this gelatine mentioned here is animal hide.
Thanks for the review. My provider Artemiranda from Salamanca, Spain ensures me that Baohong Artists' Watercolour and Baohong Artist Watercolour Masters' Choice are the same paper.
Nice to know, thank you!
The "Masters Choice" is my all time favourite watercolour paper, I use the other side sometimes as it's not quite as grainy and love it, its such hardwearing paper, scrubs without pilling, lifts off well, masking tape won't damage this surface and is great value for money
I have kept using it after the video and really enjoy it so much too!
I will have to try it. Thank you for the interesting review. As usual a beautiful painting.
Thank you 🙂
I'm using mainly their 'academy' series papers, which have no gelatine sizing. Still very good paper but lifting color off can be problematic specifically with staining colors. Academy series paper can take at least 5 washes for background, provided these are light at the beginning.
Thank you for this interesting feedback, much appreciated!
@@paintingandchocolate No problem, Baohong made 100% cotton paper available for me because of low price. Glad to see this review!
I have only started watercolor or any kind of painting for only 2 months. I have only used Academy. It’s almost impossible to lift colours. It also dries quite quickly based on my limited experience.
Thanks very much for your comparison of baohong papers. I have been asking the same questions.
You're welcome
i will have to try this, i live in a very hot climate & i need to have air movement on me to not feel like i am in a sauna, my paper always dries out too fast unless i turn off my air which makes me so miserable i give up. long drying time sounds like a dream come true for me. tfs! have a wonderful day!
I imagine it must be difficult in such climate!
Great review thank you.
I have both the Baohong Academy CP and the Baohong Masters choice CP and both are lovely papers to paint on.
My academy cp blocks are all a slightly off white colour, while my blocks of masters choice cp are much more yellowy cream. The Masters choice cold press texture is much more rough than the academy cold press blocks equivalent and although they are listed as the same 300gsm, the Masters paper seems more robust and dense. I'm curious to try the Masters hot press to see if the texture would equal that of the academy cold press?
As lovely as the Masters paper is, I think I prefer the academy one overall.
Thank you so much for all this info, now I can imagine the differences better 👍🙂
Thank you I was wondering about this paper. I will purchase some and give it a try
I'll be happy to use mine again, have fun with yours!
I have a pad of this. I haven't REALLY tested it out yet. Just some swatches. I did notice it takes longer to dry as you said. My favorite papers are Arches and Hahnemule. Although Canson Watercolor or Multi Media is great for like...Not so serious projects.
It's interesting you noticed the same about paper drying. I love Arches but Hahnemuelhe for some reason I can't. Maybe for watercolor pencil.
@@paintingandchocolate Honestly it's probably just that I don't really know much about paper. I've only been painting with watercolor since March of last year so I'm still a mega noob with it. I was told to always buy the best paper you can and the paints don't have to be amazing because it's all in the paper so Arches was the first brand I ever tried. Hahnemule cold pressed was the second. Maybe that's why I like it because it was one of the first I've used so I'm used to how it works, also I haven't really stretched into other brands besides those two and cheaper paper here and there to test out like Baohong and Canson
@@AbraCassandraCrafts we all like different things too. I know people who love the Hahnemuhle cotton sketchbook and even this didn't work for me 😅 but I'm sure it will be good for some things..
Never found the Master's but I have the others and love them.
I have yet to try them out🙂
I've just completed a study of multi-layered portraits on various 12x16 watercolor blocks: Saunders, Arches, Meeden, New York Central, Fabriano, Baohong (student) and Legion, as well as others at different times. Side by side over the past few months. So, my head-to-head competition of real-world portrait painting is finally done, and the winner is...: Baohong. I thought it was going to be Saunders, but it wasn't. Arches is, of course, right there with Baohong, but at 3 times the price. 2nd was Meeden, which some think is the same thing as Baohong, but I don't think so. I have not tried Baohong Artist because my availability is only the course paper, and that texture is not ideal for most portrait paintings.
The reason Baohong wins is as follows: 1) Layer after layer after layer, no peeling at all. For someone who layers, lifts, plays with the paper a lot, this is a big deal. 2) Smooth application and the paint stays workable a good while. Going over an edge with a slightly damp brush blends the edge effortlessly and in one stroke. Super special. 3) Perfect bleeds and no surprises. 4) I was sold on this paper after 30 seconds of painting on it. Obviously great, right out of the gate on a 10-hour painting, and through the whole 10 hours, nothing to convince me otherwise.
Your review seems to be of a very highly textured paper (likely the coarse version of their cold press). I know that most of the Artist level paper they sell is coarse. Try the plain old lowly Student paper. I think the only difference is the Student grade has a texture almost identical to Arches standard cold press.
Thank you for this valuable insight ! 🙏
I like it. It’s my go to paper. Good performance, nice price.
I agree
Thanks very much for a great video.
You're welcome !
I really want to try this paper. 🤔
I'm glad this was helpful then🙂
As a beginner started w the cellulose kind & truly thought it was me!
Then got the Baohong 100% cotton & while never used Arches find this paper does very well & was able to glaze (several layers) & so far one I got has less texture on paper. Ty for showing that it does perform well!
100% cotton does change everything 🙂
@@paintingandchocolate Never had even heard about a paper that was 100% cotton (65 now)!
Then when started this new water color “path” wondered why all the ppl were raving & using 100% cotton water color paper (never to old to learn something new) cept computers lol!
Will take one sheet & use tape to make smaller squares (so can try mini paintings) but will use the cotton paper any day over that Canson XL 😳 as felt like they added a thin film of plastic over paper & paint just sat on top of paper!
I wonder if that fuzziness you got on the mountains would cause bleeding outside the edges of a more detailed wet-n-wet painting, like botanicals or even a portrait? Probably not that important since you probably wouldn’t use rough paper for botanicals or portraits…?
Yes, I would go with cold press without too rough of a texture since this paper here is on the rough side, i would use Arches or Saunders Waterford for example, i would also do it later in the wet in wet process so it spreads out even less. But then it depends on style too. I'm sure some would paint incredible florals and portraits that are a bit fuzzy. I personally prefer smooth for these subjects.
I believe the Masters might be slightly different to the regular Baohong. I know they kind of make different versions for different clients. A spaniard company has their very own collection of Baohong papers made for them and they call them Plus and Artist. As for the heavier texture, I noticed this is actually a common feature of Chinese papers, their cold press papers like Paul Rubens and Baohong have a lot more texture in their cold press than others. Their rough grains are almost like sandpaper in some cases. Wonderful review!
This was interesting thank you for sharing!
I'm pretty sure it's pronounced as Bow-hong, not Ba-o-hong
If the price is about the same as Arches I'm not even going to try it.
China dominates almost every manufacturing industry. I always jump for joy when I can buy a good item NOT made in China to balance trade and assist another country's economy in my small way.
I get your point!
Definitely with you on the China monopoly comment! On paper: I found Arches too soft for my work. My go-to papers are Saunders Waterford and Fabriano. I've sampled others over the years, but always gone back to those, though I am having a few issues with Fabriano's use of different sizing, and may have to look for a change. I hope not - I like SW cold pressed, but not its rough, and vice versa with Fabriano!
@@paintingandchocolate I do, too! I haven't tried Baohong, and for this reason, I don't think I will, It's bad enough seeing so many of our paper makers and art suppliers being gobbled up into a big group (FILA Group), but at least it isn't Chinese.
@@MrsBarnabas they all have such different textures too!
What’s with the hate? China should dominate … because China has 2 billion people , most who don’t mind working labor jobs. Who wants a Country with hundreds of millions unemployed? Those are humans too you know.
Also when it comes to cotton paper, Europe has to import the cotton as it doesn’t grow there. Cotton grows in China. Baohong is great cotton paper.
You’re supposed to leave the paper on the block until you’re completely done with the piece
Most times yes it's convenient especially if the block is the size of the painting.