Jackson’s Eco Watercolour Paper – Our very own eco-friendly 100% cotton, internally & externally sized, deckle edged handmade paper from India.
The machinery normally used to make paper uses a lot of energy, turning paper pulp into a giant roll of perfectly dry paper in barely a minute. Our handmade papers however are made from recycled cotton, individually set into the moulds and then dried slowly in the Indian sun. The water used in the production is then run off to irrigate the field neighbouring the factory. This paper is also at an unbeatable price.
Available in three weights: 140, 200 and 560lb and in three surface textures: smooth/medium, medium/rough and extra rough.
An extra special feature: because this paper is made in special small moulds the 1/4 and 1/2 sheets are deckled on all four sides – they are only available in the 140lb & 200lb papers.
Thank you .
Hi Elva
Smooth/Medium texture compared to Hot Press- it is very different. The handmaking process and drying in the sun rather than pressed between hot rollers give this paper more texture. The smooth to medium texture is similar to a NOT paper, it is not like a hot pressed paper.
I recently purchased your introductory pack of Eco Paper and have been trying it out. I have also read some of the comments others have made about it and agree that it is a demanding paper to work on. That is not to say unrewarding but it does mean you can’t take liberties with it. I agree that it is difficult to do liftout techniques and have found that it doesn’t take kindly to the erasing of pencil lines from any preliminary sketch you may make. Trying to erase tends to lift the surface and spoils the finish. I would think too that it would be virtually impossible to use masking fluid although I have not yet tried it. It is not a method I use much anyway. I don’t think it is likely to entice me away from my beloved Arches papers in all surfaces but I will probably continue to experiment. In that vein I was interested in someone else’s comment that it might suit flower painting as I have tried just that and am fairly well pleased with the
result.
Thinking you might be interested in my experiments so far here is a link to the three I have produced to date.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7iszpkpga5njii8/iE5LYGE2wn I shall be interested to know if you have any observations to make.
Best regards
Alan W Shelley
Hi Alan.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with using the Eco paper.
I have sent you an email.
I would like to give you an update of my opinion of this paper- I have used the Jacksons extra rough Eco paper on a number of occasions. If you want to see the results, please see my website, particularly paintings in the ‘wildlife’ section entitled ‘Tian tian’, ‘Watchful’ and in the ‘floral’ section one called ‘poppies’, and in the ‘feathers’ section, ‘Proud’ and ‘Red flight’. My style is quite loose and expressive, and I find the extra rough surface a unique paper that suits my work. As stated above, it does not like masking fluid or erasers, but not normally using either, this is no problem to me. It has been commented on numerous occasions that using this paper gives my work an individual feel, and in fact, my giant Panda painting ‘Tian tian’ won an award at the National Exhibition of Wildlife Art, because they felt it was different to other watercolours, in no small part to the unique surface of the Eco paper itself, so thank you Jacksons! Yes it does take getting used to, as it is so much rougher than the rough surfaces found on other brands, but for me it is worth it!
That is a glowing recommendation, Jenny. Thank you 🙂
Looking at the paintings on your website will help others to see what the texture looks like when it’s painted on. They are lovely, expressive paintings.