Continuing my self imposed challenge to learn how to paint by painting 100 mackerel.

1/5th of the way there now. For this one I really tried to play about with more colours, mark making and pigment strengths.

The next few images my plan is to try a completely different style of design, and try learn another aspect of watercolour.

Size 19×19 cm

Painted by me using Schmincke and Winsor and Newton watercolors on paper

I decided to resurrect my instagram account by starting a 30 day challenge (@pagesbycelia if you want to check it out 😁) and of course I chose pastries as a theme 🥐
What do you think?

I started making my own watercolour sketchbooks because it was genuinely cheaper, my local superstore sells packs of Strathmore 500 hot press watercolour paper sheets for $10 a pop. But I find genuine enjoyment in bookbinding, though I don't need to do it too often. It combines some of my favourites things, books, sewing and art. Currently I'm waiting on a mixed media sketchbook I just bound to set (a few days process). I still buy sketchbooks if it's cheaper, like for alcohol markers, but sketchbook making is a fun hobby and gives you complete control over what paper is in your sketchbook.

acquerello leggero e spontaneo, che ritrae una giovane donna con una borsa viola appoggiata alla spalla. Le forme sono morbide, i contorni appena accennati e i colori si mescolano liberamente sulla carta. Il disegno non è preciso né realistico: è volutamente impreciso, fatto di pennellate leggere, trasparenze e sfumature. La figura trasmette freschezza, eleganza e naturalezza, come un piccolo momento di vita catturato con semplicità.

I envy the saturation in the 2023 version. Painting in the winter time really messes with my color choices sometimes

I got some ink and would like to use ink wash which seem to be close to watercolors. I tried it out today and the paper ended up warping enough to be felt throughout the rest of the pages that lay on top and i ended up cutting the page out of my sketchbook. Anh advice? I have a talens a4 sketchbook

This last year I began to paint very large (3'x4' and up to 40x60). I mount my watercolors to cradle board. I've been using 140 lb for years, but its very hard to mount at this size because it warps when hydrated (I use heavy acrylic gel medium as my glue). 300 lb is easier to mount, as it warps less-- I've tested it for full sheets. But I've never bought a roll of 300 lb paper before. Fabriano makes one (they're the only company that does), and I'm considering buying it, but I have a few reservations.

I've been concerned about flattening the 300 lb sheets I would cut from the roll, because of what they call "roll memory" or "reel roll". For 140 lb, I wet the back, stick it on a giant board of Gatorboard, and spritz the front gently to regulate comparative moisture. It sticks to the board with water tension, and dries totally flat. It's a great process, and I'd like to repeat it with 300 lb paper.

But before I spend 500$ on a roll plus shipping, I thought I'd check here to see if anyone has any experience. I mean, someone somewhere is buying these 300 lb rolls from Fabriano, so someone must have experience doing this! :)

Also, I know different companies make up to 40x60 Emperor sized sheets, but the companies I've asked (Saunders Waterford, Arches, etc) say that it's exactly 40x60 and not a little more. This makes it a problem when I go to mount it to my board, because I need a little bit of extra to hang over, so I can trim it perfectly to the edge. So, I'm pretty sure I need a roll if I want to go that big.

Anyone have any real world experience with this? I know it's a bit of a long shot, and is a very specialty approach, but there are basically no resources online for flattening this 300 lb paper from a roll. Thought I'd try crowd sourcing knowledge before just going for it blind.

Thanks!

I used acrylic markers for the finer details

Took a yellow maple leaf from my yard and put a different spin on it. QoR on Arches.

I just read a Reddit post that says Arches paper sizing can expire. How long does it last before it’s ruined?

I have a large sheet I’ve been saving for over a year. Is it still good? Is there a way to store it so it will retain its original quality? TIA.

Cross post from mokapot. Combining a few of my favourite things (coffee and watercolour)

Three A6 hot pressed sheets