Understand the History of Watercolour Paper
Watercolour paper is as much a canvas as it is a witness to history, bearing the strokes and visions of artists through the ages. The journey of this artistic substrate began in ancient Egypt, where papyrus served as the first known ‘paper’ to accept the brushstrokes of water-based paints—a testament to the innovation of early civilisations.
As we traverse through the annals of watercolour paper’s history, we encounter renowned brands and their storied origins. The United Kingdom has been a bastion of watercolour paper production, with names like Winsor & Newton, Saunders Waterford, Whatman, and Bockingford standing as beacons of British craftsmanship. While Bee Paper Company and St. Armand Herald Canada’s contribution to the medium with their watercolour papers, the Czech Republic boasts its own traditional touch with Velke Losiny’s Moldau watercolour paper.
French finesse is captured in the exquisite sheets from Canson, Moulin de Larroque, and the famed Arches, whose lineage dates back to the early 17th century. Germany’s Zerkall and Hahnemühle reflect the country’s precision in fine art materials, whereas India’s Khadi papers embrace the charm of handcrafted textures. Italy’s crowning glory in this domain is none other than Fabriano, a name synonymous with enduring quality since 1264.
Distinctive paper-making traditions have flourished in the United States as well, with Legion’s Yupo and Stonehenge varieties, and Speedball’s Fluid series adding to the diversity of American-made options. Each brand, with its unique blend of tradition and technology, caters to both the budding student and the discerning professional.
Peeling back the layers of history, we find St. Cuthbert Mill, the esteemed maker behind Saunders Waterford and Bockingford, and learn of the regrettably ceased operations at Hayle Mill, once the pride of the Royal Watercolour Society. Similarly, Zerkall Mill’s unfortunate demise in the floods of 2021 marks a poignant chapter in the chronicle of watercolour paper.
The pioneering spirit of watercolour paper is nowhere more evident than in the innovations introduced by the likes of James Whatman in the 18th century, who revolutionised the medium with his gelatin-sized papers that allowed artists to rework their paintings without the fear of damage.
Among the titans of watercolour paper, Fabriano stands tall with its 750-year legacy, a favourite of Michelangelo himself, and today, it continues to serve artists globally while also leaving its mark on the Euro currency. Arches, too, commands respect with its rich history of serving France’s artistic needs since 1620, even extending its expertise to the realm of currency during tumultuous revolutionary times.
As we explore the rich history of watercolour paper, we also encounter exceptional Chinese watercolour paper brands that have made their mark in the artistic world. Among these brands, Leyton and Baohong have gained recognition for their commitment to quality and their contribution to the realm of watercolour paper.
The art of making watercolour paper is a fusion of the enduring and the ephemeral, of time-honoured techniques and the evolving demands of contemporary artistry. This paper—once just a carrier of pigments—is now embedded in the very fabric of art history, continuing to evolve and inspire the creative journey of artists around the world.