Thank you very much for this! I bought the Grumbacher (before this video), with plans to use it for swatches and practice strokes. ETA: I noticed a big difference in the saturation levels between Grumbacher (better) and any Canson I’ve used. OTOH, Canson is super for mixed media journaling.
I bought grambacker way back and you’re right, it has a large regular texture. First thing I did was a wet on wert sky for a landscape and what I got was this pattern all across the sky from the texture. I also notice now (using it as cheap practice paper) is that it soaks up the water no matter how much I put on it so I never get a good wet on wet…but it may be because the sizing is expired. thanks to your hubby for buying it and you for testing it!❤️
I am with you on the pick of papers from Walmart. The bee inspired is the best. I have also gotten another brand (kor maybe?) and tried the kid options and the watercolor books in the notebook isle. If you have a Dollar General close, you might try their watercolor paper. You will probably hate the texture, but wet on wet spreading is insane on it. You can’t scrub at all, but I love to use my QoR Red on it because of the explosion. Great for just drop in color paintings like layered sunsets or layered rocks.
I appreciate the detail you provide about the textures - I get what you are saying. I have been trying to convince myself to like Arches and I couldn't figure out what bugged me. And that it...the texture. I tried Legion and really did like the feel of it, but I have so many issues with masking tape pulling up the Legion paper. I'm on the hunt for something in between Arches and Legion.
Thank you for this! I also use the Amazon Bee paper and wanted to know how the Walmart stuff holds up! It might just be the painting but I actually love how the grumbacher painting turned out. The highlight on the flowers
I wonder how the canson graduate paper would work for chalk pastels, colored pencils,and watercolor pencils since they might not require as heavy a paper? Might be worth trying. I would also like to see the hobby lobby brand compared. I have used the later and for not bring cotton, it did well for me. Thanks for all of your work and hope you feel better soon. I also often need to stay home due to IBS flare ups.
Thanks! The Graduate (not so textured version) is what I would use for watercolor pencils and watercolor markers; maybe. Grumbacher I have only seen in Blick stores, well, at least my local one. Paper of that texture is made more for wet on wet and granulating paint. I've wondered about that bee inspired pad at Walmart. (I have the cotton one from Amazon.) Thanks again
I too purchased the Bee Inspired Watercolor paper pad from Walmart and was curious myself about if this was 100 percent so I emailed the company and sadly it isn't it. That would be (hehe) BEE-1153 Series. Both sides are usable and may have different finishes. 😊
It’s pronounce Grum-bacher think of Crumb..and Bach(classical composer), not sure if that helps LOL I’ve used Grumbacher art supplies since I was in grade school, I’m almost 51 so I’m Gen X. Grumbachers Academy Watercolours are better than Windsor and Newton Cotman line for student grade paints. Their brushes also used to be amazing. I’m still using mine.
I was very surprised about Grumbacher too. I used their Academy watercolors for a decade and liked them (better than Cotman) but their paper was the single worst watercolor paper i have ever used.
I love how pigmented your watercolors are, what kind are they? Also, thank you for sharing this because I'm looking for a cheap paper that can take a beating 😂 & this video definitely helped.
I tried the Bee Inspired as my scratch paper and regreted it. It can’t handle water beyond testing color swatches. It soaks right through. I’ll stick with Canson XL next time.
Very interesting, and disappointing. I just bought the Grumbacher, hoping it would be a little better quality. I haven't actually tried it, though. I have the exact same three papers so I think I'll do some playing around with them. Thank you for the review.
The Bee inspired is 100% cotton? the little tag on your video is unclear? I recently purchased some of the Bee inspired, curious what it is made out of thanks for the video
No I do not believe the bee inspired is cotton. It does not say so. Bee company paper does make a cotton paper, but this is not it. I have been told that Walmart sells the 100% bee paper, but I have not seen it in stores.
Thank you for clearing this up. I have learned to paint on both types of paper, cellulose and cotton. I also use some very cheap watercolor paint with good results. I feel like its good to practice with cheaper materials.....it frees you up, I don't fell like I'm wasting materials @@opalmint
There are lots of people who teach which is great. What I would like to see is selling your paintings. I have worked perfecting my art work. I need to sell some. I get lots of comments, “ Your work is great. Such detail. Etc.” All those wonderful comments make you feel good but I’m still drowning in paintings. I think it is hard for me to know what general public wanting their art work for their homes,, office etc. Do you have any helpful suggestions. It would make a good subject matter for videos. This would help all of the spear bedroom artist. Thanks I look forward to seeing your sage advice.
Awwww, hubby is so sweet! That’s awesome! I may have to try those! ❤️ Although I need more lessons ❤️
Aww your husband is so sweet ❤ I hope you're feeling better & I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season.
Thank you!!
@@opalmint you're welcome 😊
Thank you very much for this! I bought the Grumbacher (before this video), with plans to use it for swatches and practice strokes. ETA: I noticed a big difference in the saturation levels between Grumbacher (better) and any Canson I’ve used. OTOH, Canson is super for mixed media journaling.
I bought grambacker way back and you’re right, it has a large regular texture. First thing I did was a wet on wert sky for a landscape and what I got was this pattern all across the sky from the texture. I also notice now (using it as cheap practice paper) is that it soaks up the water no matter how much I put on it so I never get a good wet on wet…but it may be because the sizing is expired. thanks to your hubby for buying it and you for testing it!❤️
I am with you on the pick of papers from Walmart. The bee inspired is the best. I have also gotten another brand (kor maybe?) and tried the kid options and the watercolor books in the notebook isle. If you have a Dollar General close, you might try their watercolor paper. You will probably hate the texture, but wet on wet spreading is insane on it. You can’t scrub at all, but I love to use my QoR Red on it because of the explosion. Great for just drop in color paintings like layered sunsets or layered rocks.
I appreciate the detail you provide about the textures - I get what you are saying. I have been trying to convince myself to like Arches and I couldn't figure out what bugged me. And that it...the texture. I tried Legion and really did like the feel of it, but I have so many issues with masking tape pulling up the Legion paper. I'm on the hunt for something in between Arches and Legion.
Have you tried Saunders? I have heard it's good. I need to try it next.
@@LavishGracePhotographyI haven't, but I have also heard good things about Saunders. I'll add that to my list to try.
Glad I got the bee paper ❤ ty
Thank you for this! I also use the Amazon Bee paper and wanted to know how the Walmart stuff holds up! It might just be the painting but I actually love how the grumbacher painting turned out. The highlight on the flowers
I wonder how the canson graduate paper would work for chalk pastels, colored pencils,and watercolor pencils since they might not require as heavy a paper? Might be worth trying. I would also like to see the hobby lobby brand compared. I have used the later and for not bring cotton, it did well for me. Thanks for all of your work and hope you feel better soon. I also often need to stay home due to IBS flare ups.
Thanks! The Graduate (not so textured version) is what I would use for watercolor pencils and watercolor markers; maybe. Grumbacher I have only seen in Blick stores, well, at least my local one. Paper of that texture is made more for wet on wet and granulating paint. I've wondered about that bee inspired pad at Walmart. (I have the cotton one from Amazon.) Thanks again
I too purchased the Bee Inspired Watercolor paper pad from Walmart and was curious myself about if this was 100 percent so I emailed the company and sadly it isn't it. That would be (hehe) BEE-1153 Series. Both sides are usable and may have different finishes. 😊
Thanks for the review. Very informative
Yes, that is how you pronounce Grumbacher, a brand of art supplies that's been around forever,
It’s pronounce Grum-bacher think of Crumb..and Bach(classical composer), not sure if that helps LOL I’ve used Grumbacher art supplies since I was in grade school, I’m almost 51 so I’m Gen X. Grumbachers Academy Watercolours are better than Windsor and Newton Cotman line for student grade paints. Their brushes also used to be amazing. I’m still using mine.
I was very surprised about Grumbacher too. I used their Academy watercolors for a decade and liked them (better than Cotman) but their paper was the single worst watercolor paper i have ever used.
I love how pigmented your watercolors are, what kind are they? Also, thank you for sharing this because I'm looking for a cheap paper that can take a beating 😂 & this video definitely helped.
Those are Daniel Smith watercolors! They are my favorite!
I tried the Bee Inspired as my scratch paper and regreted it. It can’t handle water beyond testing color swatches. It soaks right through. I’ll stick with Canson XL next time.
Very interesting, and disappointing. I just bought the Grumbacher, hoping it would be a little better quality. I haven't actually tried it, though. I have the exact same three papers so I think I'll do some playing around with them. Thank you for the review.
The Bee inspired is 100% cotton? the little tag on your video is unclear? I recently purchased some of the Bee inspired, curious what it is made out of thanks for the video
No I do not believe the bee inspired is cotton. It does not say so. Bee company paper does make a cotton paper, but this is not it. I have been told that Walmart sells the 100% bee paper, but I have not seen it in stores.
Thank you for clearing this up. I have learned to paint on both types of paper, cellulose and cotton. I also use some very cheap watercolor paint with good results. I feel like its good to practice with cheaper materials.....it frees you up, I don't fell like I'm wasting materials
@@opalmint
There are lots of people who teach which is great. What I would like to see is selling your paintings. I have worked perfecting my art work. I need to sell some. I get lots of comments, “ Your work is great. Such detail. Etc.” All those wonderful comments make you feel good but I’m still drowning in paintings. I think it is hard for me to know what general public wanting their art work for their homes,, office etc. Do you have any helpful suggestions. It would make a good subject matter for videos. This would help all of the spear bedroom artist. Thanks I look forward to seeing your sage advice.
Please show how to do leaves.
250 gsm, i would have stretched it first, it will be interesting to how it reacts.
I haven't tried stretching watercolor paper yet. Any tips??
I would like to see some flowers, in a simple way of painting. Not to fussy.
I have a simple watercolor flowers video!
I liked grumbacher before they changed the texture in the end of 2023