Pigeon Cove and some new paper
Posted: July 23, 2025 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: cape ann, millford paper, pigeon cove, st cuthberts mill, watercolour 5 CommentsEach time I go to Cape Ann, I return to my favourite painting spots. I don’t always have time to sketch but I take lots of photos so that I can continue painting when I get home. This time, besides returning to Pigeon Cove, I also returned home with some new paper: a block of Millford watercolour paper from St. Cuthberts Mill.
I’ve been reading about this paper and seen a few people using it online. One of my favourite watercolour sheets is Saunders Waterford paper, and this one is from the same mill. What makes it a little different from their other papers is that it is hard-sized, meaning it is made to stay wet for longer. It’s a block of paper so I couldn’t wet the paper on both sides but it seems to perform as advertised: both the initial sky wash and the first glaze on the foreground rocks stayed moist and glistening for a longer time than I am used to. This test was done in the controlled environment of my studio. It will be interesting to take it outside where wind and heat usually dry the paper too quickly.
Shari…
Always interesting to hear about papers and how others like them. Have you ever worked on Khadi paper? I have a small (4×6) little book and actually like it enough to maybe try larger. It seems to be a cross between cold and rough, and if it has any sizing, it’s very little…yet paint stays wet on it a bit longer than on cold press.
Your updates and paintings are always so enjoyable!
Looks nice Shari!
Great negative painting for the rocks. I’ll have to study what you did. I’m enjoying your paintings from up there. The paper you bought sounds interesting.
Thank you, Shari, for sharing this information about this watercolor paper.
Here’s a little suggestion I’ll share with you. I use glycerin combined with distilled water to slow down the drying time outdoors on my paper and watercolor pigment pans. Distilled water prevents mold growth on fresh pigments.
Enjoy the summer season.
Thanks so much Jocelyne. I’ve never tried that but that is a fantastic tip for all of us! Much appreciated!