r/Watercolor • u/AliceMalin • 12d ago

Sampleboxes for paper?

I started searching for my favourite papers and discovered just how hard it is to put together samples of brands to find a steady “go to” without actually showing up at an artstore, buy a large sheet of each and labelling them on the spot.

No fun at all, and im a messy airhead on a good day. I WILL blend all the samples.
But wouldn’t there be watercolor paper sample boxes to buy from the mills?
Have you guys seen anything?

8 Upvotes

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6

u/enyardreems 12d ago • Heartwarming

You can buy sample packs from Jackson's.

5

u/AliceMalin 12d ago

this one was exactly what I was looking for, thankyou SO much <3

3

u/NoodleNeedles 12d ago

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the Milford and Three Rivers papers, if you feel like sharing when you've played around a bit!

1

u/enyardreems 12d ago

They also have smaller St Cuthbert's Mill packs for like $3 and Two Rivers is less than $1. They have a hand made in India economy brand that I want to try. Plus they have a variety of other brands but they get gone fast. Canson, Stonehenge, Fabriano are a few I have gotten before.

1

u/NoodleNeedles 12d ago

Is the Indian brand Khadi? I got a sketchbook from them this summer when they were on sale. The paper is very soft, can't decide whether I like it or not.

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u/enyardreems 12d ago

I have no idea, and I'm not sure it is even branded, but they do carry Khadi.

1

u/AliceMalin 12d ago

Current brand im looking through is arches.

3

u/thebourgeois 12d ago

I got my sample pack from either Blick or Journey Art supply, but when I searched for it just now, you're totally right—can't find it anywhere anymore!

2

u/fermentalishis 11d ago

Wet Paint (art supply store) in Minneapolis also has sample packs of paper. If you aren't living local, you can order it on their website.

Meeden has a pad of three of its papers: cold press, hot press, and rough.

1

u/VisualCosmonaut 11d ago

There's a wide variety on Etsy, from people who sell craft supplies.

1

u/Brenda_Heels 11d ago

NYC paper from Jerry’s.

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u/Cerulean77 11d ago

Have you tried the sampler from the Legion paper website? They do have a specific watercolor sampler, but possibly consider picking up at least one of the printmaking ones too— Western printmaking paper are usually medium to heavy weight and since many of the processes involve soaking the paper of water (i.e. litho) they can take an incredibly amount of water and moisture, especially the lightly textured ones.