Royal Watercolour Society – Watercolour Paper

På Svenska

The Royal Watercolour Society is the world’s oldest watercolour society. It was founded in 1804.
From 1895, Hayle Mill produced a handmade watercolour paper exclusively for the Society. Production, however, ceased in 1985 when Hayle Mill – then England’s oldest commercial fine paper mill still in operation – finally closed.

Production was later revived under the name Royal Watercolour Society (RWS). This time, not handmade but mould made. The new paper, launched in 2002, was developed by John Purcell Paper in collaboration with the RWS. Manufacturing takes place at St Cuthberts Mill, which describes the paper as follows:

The paper had to be different from other available watercolour papers. It needed to be extremely high quality to reflect the ethos of the RWS. They were very keen to have their own watermarks and embossed marks on the paper, to prove its authenticity as ‘the RWS paper’.

The watercolour paper is available in two sheet sizes: 76 × 56 cm – 22 × 30 inches (Imperial) and 50 × 65 cm – 19 × 24 inches (Royal). It comes in three surfaces – hot-pressed, cold-pressed, and rough.
Available weights are 300 g/m² (140lb) and 425 g/m² (200lb). At present, it is not produced in pads or rolls, although John Purcell Paper’s website suggests that pads may be in development.

The paper is made from cotton and linen, in a composition of 80% cotton and 20% linen. The sheets have natural deckle edges all around, a watermark, and an embossed RWS logo.

The version I purchased and am reviewing here is the rough surface. Strangely, there is very little information about this paper online. I could not find a single review or even a mention by another artist.

I find that rather surprising – a high-quality paper bearing the name Royal Watercolour Society should naturally attract the attention of many watercolour artists. The paper is stocked by several retailers, particularly in the UK, but can also be found elsewhere. For artists outside the UK, Jackson’s Art is probably the most convenient source.

The price of RWS watercolour paper is slightly higher than other top-quality brands. At Jackson’s, a pack of 10 sheets of 300 gsm RWS costs £69. For comparison, 10 sheets of Arches with the same weight cost £63 at the same shop.

RWS watercolour paper is relatively softly sized with gelatin. The slightly absorbent surface causes the paint to adhere quite strongly to the sheet. This makes it particularly suitable for layering techniques, as underlying washes do not easily lift. However, lifting colour is more challenging than on a harder-sized paper.

Light washes adhere firmly – it is almost impossible to remove them once dry. Darker colors can be lifted with persistence. The paper is therefore excellent for layering, as dried paint bonds very securely with the surface.

The RWS paper is also remarkably durable. You can scrape and rub without damaging the surface. The addition of linen fibres likely contributes to its strength. All types of masking fluid work perfectly, and it also tolerates sandpaper or a sharp blade for removing paint afterward.

It performs beautifully in wet-on-wet painting. Colours behave exactly as one would hope – no surprises, no irregularities. The paper also stays moist for a long time, making it ideal for sensitive wet-on-wet techniques.

The surface has a natural and attractive texture. I personally dislike the artificial feel some rough papers have – Fabriano and Magnani, for example, can sometimes seem too artificial. The RWS paper, by contrast, has a natural, organic grain that creates lovely textures as the wash dries.

If you prefer a paper that allows you to rework, lift, or move pigment after drying, this may not be the right choice for you. Dried paint adheres extremely well and is difficult to alter.
However, for all other techniques, this is a fantastic watercolour paper – stable, responsive, and reliable.

Summary

RWS watercolour paper is a versatile and professional-grade paper that handles all watercolour techniques extremely well. It is slightly more expensive than other papers of similar quality but worth every penny. One possible drawback is the difficulty of lifting dried paint, but this is also what makes it so good for layering and wet-on-wet work. Washes and gradations flow smoothly.
In short, it is an outstanding watercolour paper that deserves much wider recognition than it currently has.

Specifications

Name: Royal Watercolour Society
Manufacturer: St Cuthberts Mill
Manufacturing method: Mould made
Composition: 80% cotton, 20% linen
Sizing: Internal and surface sized with gelatin
Surface: Hot-pressed, cold-pressed, and rough
Formats: Sheets 76 × 56 cm – 22 × 30 inches (Imperial) and 50 × 65 cm – 19 × 24 inches (Royal)
Weights: 300 gsm (140lb) and 425 gsm (200lb)
Colour: Natural white