Story of Baohong Masters' Watercolour Paper

Meeting of Minds

The story unfolds with a pivotal meeting between renowned Australian watercolour artists Ross Patterson and David Taylor with the owner of a small, family-run paper mill in Northeast China. This mill, steeped in a long tradition of papermaking, had a vision to craft a world-class watercolour paper. To bring this vision to life, Patterson and Taylor, alongside Luke Senior, Australian distributor for Daniel Smith Watercolors, embarked on an intensive three-year journey of trial, error, and refinement. As the project progressed, the expertise of the world-famous watercolour artist Joseph Zbukvic was sought to further perfect the paper’s quality, particularly the delicate balance of gelatine used in its production.

Crafting a Masterpiece

The artists provided invaluable input, guiding the mill in developing a paper that met the exacting demands of professional watercolourists. Key considerations included: 

• Raw Materials: 100% cotton was chosen for its strength, absorbency, and longevity. 
• Manufacturing Process: Traditional methods were combined with modern technology to ensure consistent quality and evenness. 
• Sizing: A meticulous sizing process, both internal and external, using traditional gelatine, was crucial for controlling paint flow and for preventing buckling. 
• Surface Texture: A range of textures was developed to cater to different painting styles, from the smooth, hot pressed surface for fine detail to the more textured cold pressed and rough surfaces suitable for expressive washes.

Paper that Performs 

The culmination of this collaborative effort was the birth of Baohong Masters’ Watercolour Paper, which key characteristics include: 

• Exceptional Watercolour Performance: The paper readily accepts multiple washes without buckling or pilling, allowing for seamless blending and lifting techniques. 
• Longevity: The Acid-free and pH neutral paper is designed to withstand the test of time, preserving artwork for generations.
• Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of watercolour techniques, from delicate washes to bold impasto.
• Affordability: It’s competitive price point makes high-quality watercolour painting accessible. 

Working Characteristics 

Baohong Masters’ Watercolour Paper has exceptional wet strength, allowing artists to work with multiple layers of wet media without paper deterioration. This strength comes from the careful fibre selection and processing, resulting in a paper that can withstand demanding techniques like scrubbing and lifting.