News update:
Fabriano 5 paper has had a slight texture change.
This will be of interest to artists who choose it for its ultra smooth surface.
Fabriano 5 paper is designed for watercolour painting and lithography printing, but can also be used for tempera, charcoal, graphite, wax, pastel and calligraphy. It is immensely popular product with watercolour artists and printmakers alike.
Recently there has been a slight change to the texture of Fabriano 5 paper that might be noticed by artists who choose it for its exceptionally smooth surface, notably botanical watercolour painters. It is now slightly less smooth. Most artists will still find the surface texture very good for their work. The colour and composition has not changed.
The Fabriano paper mill in Italy uses the same machine to produce other papers. We have been told that the texture change of Fabriano 5 is the result of some changes to the machine, designed to make the production of a variety of papers more efficient.
Click on the underlined link to go to the current offer on Fabriano 5 paper on the Jackson’s Art Supplies website.
Postage on orders shipped standard to mainland UK addresses is free for orders of £39.
I used to work in a papermill and, to be honest, that’s bull, the difference between currency paper and watercolour paper is vast and would require entirely different machines and processes
Hi John.
That’s the explanation we’ve been given by the importer, from the paper mill.
We will work on sourcing an alternative.
Eu não gostei dessa mudança, como Ilustradora Botânica dificultou o uso das técnicas: Aquarela e Grafite. Não ficou bom para a maioria dos profissionais que conheço, muitos relatam que também não gostaram. Cheguei a pensar que seria apenas alguma remessa do papel, que teria passado despercebido pelo controle de qualidade, infelizmente, não foi isso que aconteceu. Foi uma mudança que não me deixou feliz. Penso em mudar e passar a usar outra marca.
Hi Cassia
I am sorry you don’t like the paper for your artwork.
We will work on sourcing an alternative paper.
This paper is also much loved and used by calligraphers. Hope you can source an equally good paper at a similar price.
Hi Lynda.
Yes it is a good paper for any precise work. Thanks for mentioning calligraphy.
We will work on sourcing an alternative paper at a similar price.
I used to use this paper for colored pencil work as recommended by Ann Swan. Apparently ST Cuthberts Mill has released a new paper called Botanical Ultra Smooth paper. Would it be possible to get that in stock?
Hi Sarosna
We will have it in stock very soon!
Sadly, Fabriano Artistico also is now textured. I’ve read that the new version of Saunders Waterford Hot Press Paper was developed as an alternative but isn’t a great substitute. What do you recommend for botanical artists who require the Artistico qualities?
Hi Janice
We are not aware of the issue. I have asked the importer about it and they asked me to find out which weight of Artistico you are using.
And if you bought a pack of 10 sheets it will have a making number printed on it. This takes the form of 1234/14 not the longer barcode or product number. If you have this information, it would be very helpful.
My most recent Artistico purchase was a block of 140lb paper, which I returned because it was textured.
More info:
http://makingamark.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/fabriano-r-k-burt-and-st-cuthberts-mill.html
http://diannesutherland.blogspot.com/2016/04/paper-matters-st-cuthbert-mill-vs.html
P.S. Just to clarify, I’m talking about the hot pressed Artistico.
One more reference:
http://www.botanicalartandartists.com/news/news-about-fabriano-artistico-and-classico-5-and-two-new-papers
Thanks Janice. I have passed on your links and info to the importer. They say the change is far less pronounced with the Artistico than the Fab 5. And they are meeting with the manufacturer to see if they can help sort out the problem. It is a shame as my favourite paper is the Artistico HP, though I am still using my old stash so I haven’t experienced the change yet. I think I might hoard what I have left to use for just special work now!
I will update you when I hear more. As far as an alternative the best I can suggest is the Saunders Waterford HP, which many botanical artists favour.
The artistico blocks I bought recently are not glued at one corner. I work with layers of watercolour and some precise small details .I find the paper buckles as it did not previously [I have used it for years]. I shall go back to Arches HP as more suitable for my work.
Hi Susan
The corner is not glued as it is the access point for the dull-edged knife to run it under the paper and around the edge to remove the finished and dried sheet of paper. It is a small gap. A glued paper block is only a semi-stretched paper. You may find stretching paper onto a board suits your type of work better, it helps a lot with work that includes fine detail and needs to be very flat.
It is not hard to do and you can prepare a few boards at one time for lots of super flat paper to work on. This post might help Stretching Watercolour Paper for a Better Painting Experience.
It buckles quite badly. It has to be
stretched. I was so tempted to return
them but I’ve decided to keep them
and see how it behaves after the
stretching.
Hi Silvia
Do you mean it buckles more than it did 5 years ago? Or more than other brands of paper?
Stretching is a good idea for most watercolour paper, as most will buckle if you get them wet.
It sounds like you already know how to stretch but this post might be interesting to you: STRETCHING WATERCOLOUR PAPER FOR A BETTER PAINTING EXPERIENCE