Artist Loft Watercolor Paper Review, Not Expecting This!

Today I will be reviewing and comparing the new artist loft watercolor paper. Surprisingly this paper is 100% cotton paper. This is a cold pressed watercolor paper, I have not seen a hot pressed version of this. I compare this paper not only to arches watercolor paper, but paul rubens watercolor paper and academy baohong watercolor paper. I also go over some of my most recent artworks created using this paper and I give my honest opinion if it's really worth the purchase or not.

Supplies Mentioned
Artist loft 100% cotton cold pressed paper
-I got this paper from my local Michaels in Canada, prices mentioned were also in Canadian so please convert to your currency.

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My favorite supplies

Watercolor Brushes
Silver Black Velvet Brushes
Princeton Neptune Brushes

Watercolor paper
Arches Cold & Hot-pressed
Academy Watercolor Blocks
Strathmore 500 series cold & hot-pressed

Watercolors
Winsor & Newton Cotman watercolors
Winsor and Newton professional watercolors
DANIEL SMITH Watercolors
M Graham Watercolors

Opaque Whites
M Graham permanent white gouache
PH Martins bleed proof white
Brush & Pencil Touchup Texture and Titanium White

Palette
MEEDEN Airtight Leakproof Watercolor Palette

Sketchbooks
Etchr Hot and Cold pressed 100% cotton sketchbooks
Paul Rubens Watercolor Journal, 100% Cotton hot pressed

Music by
Epidemic Sound

Some links are Amazon affiliate links of all my supplies that I use. By using these links, I receive a small commission of every purchase (AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU). Thank you so much for all of

[ladyflimflam]

I found it on Michaels site in the US. Even if you get it at the BOGO price it’s still more expensive per sheet than the same size Arches pad at Blick. I know there are fewer Blick locations than Michaels locations so it may be more available without shipping charges for more people.

[CPAndy-xx]

I have been using AL in a smaller tablet and love it. I can't afford Arches. For where I am skill-wise right now, it's great.

[creeksidehomeschoolers]

This, was very helpful! I brought this paper on sale with a coupon last year, being new to high end watercolor papers and felt it was better than canson xl. But now, a year later, I was feeling like what wrong with this paper why can't I get it to work well! Yes, it not just me it does dry way to fast! Last year I wasn't doing a ton of wet in wet but lately I have been. Of course, we save a high end paper for an actual painting and I now realize why I was having such a stressful struggle!! Sadly, I have 2 barely used blocks and 1 that 3/4 used. Last year I used it to make holiday post cards. I used the 9x12 and just washi tapes down the center both way and make 4 card with still on the block. I guess I will go back to that style for this paper. Thanks for the troubleshooting help!

[OhJodi]

My young nephew gave me a small pad of Master's Touch (Hobby Lobby) cellulose 140 CP paper for my birthday. (It was SO sweet of him to pick that out for me ). I started just swatching some paints on it, not expecting it to be any good, but I was REALLY surprised with it. It was slightly more textured than typical CP cellulose. But it didn't pill (but I didn't try scrubbing, or more than 2-3 layers), it didn't soak up too quickly, nor did the paint just sit on top. You can often get them for half price. I'm going to get another, larger one, but so far it's certainly a better "cheap" paper than Canson XL (which doesn't say much, lol)
So check out the cheaper "store brand" quality seems to have improved over years past.

[WeblightDreams]

Very nice review, it's been a while since I have used Artist Loft paper. Might have to try it out their watercolor blocks.

[AlexisCassandraArt]

You’re so talented at watercolor techniques, especially that snowflake effect! I would have a tough time with this paper, I already have a tough time with wet on wet in general lol

[shadowguard]

I’m always on the lookout for alternatives to Arches. One paper I’m currently using is Canson Moulin du Roy 100% cotton cold pressed watercolor paper 300gsm/140 lb. It was recommended by another artist on YT and I recommend it too. I purchased it from Jackson’s. I paid $10 US for a pad of ten A4 size sheets. However I’ve also seen it for half price when Jackson’s had paper sale.

[art-alchemy]

Hi Naomi, I just bought this block the 9x12 size for $43 dollars(US) for 2 because it was buy one get one free. It was this video that I decide to give it a try. I am happy that this block is at my Michaels and they also have this bigger size. I am a little impatient with waiting for Bahong although it is a little less expensive..I do not like the waiting for it. I do wish this paper would be offer as a bulk offer but they do not. OH well buy one get one free is also nice!

[EAlabbasy]

I'm really happy to see more and more cheaper but with great quality watercolor paper 😍 unfortunately this brand is not available where I live but I found Jackson's watercolor block really good and very cheap.

[tynaheadrick-phipps]

I purchased 2 blocks of this paper about a month ago. I usually use Fabriano or Arches, thought I would try this paper to compare. I was fortunate to buy it during a sale, so if you purchase 1, the 2nd was half price. That made it worth my while. I did a wet on dry sunflower and it was just fine. Today I did a wet on wet, boy, you are correct I that it dries so quick. I also had to wait for a layer to dry and then re-wet the entire paper. I thought it was just me, glad to know you experienced the same thing.

[fuzzydragons]

def see the tonal difference between the papers, so def something too look out for when doing say like botanical drawings

[BeckyTregear]

Your paintings look so lovely! I enjoy learning about international paper brands which aren't available in Australia, for future reference if I go travelling. Hopefully we'll get to visit Canada one day - it's on our wishlist of places to go!

[DenaTollefson]

Hi Naomi! Excellent and super informative video! I haven't tried Artist's Loft paper but do a lot of wet on wet. Your cardinal in snow is stunning. Our prices here in Iowa USA are about half what you have to pay. What if you make a trip to the States to stock up on watercolor paper- the Customs official would likely get a kick out of someone bringing in a horde of paper :) Take care and have a great week

[ArtistChic-scxy]

I agree! This paper isn't ideal for wet-on-wet painting. It seems to have more texture than Arches, and it dries faster, causing issues with my technique. Realizing the problem was the paper, not just me, has been enlightening.

[cmeblu]

I’m blown away by the prices you pay in Canada!!! You can get 25 sheets of 640gsm Fabriano (full sheets) for $168 from Jackson’s which works out to about $8/per FULL SHEET of the highest quality watercolor paper. Even w/shipping it’s far cheaper to buy in bulk from the UK.

[monikasturm]

The sizing of this paper leaves a lot to be desired. Improper sizing on a watercolor affects the vibrancy of the finished piece. I found some of their level 2 watercolor paper on sale a while back and it was like painting on a paper towel or a cardboard packing insert. 😝

[mulekicker]

BOGO 12"x16" $60 clams today! Cut in half 80 sheets, 75 cents per! Whoo-hoo!