Why Watercolour Paper Makes a Meaningful Gift

 

At first glance, giving paper might seem simple, but to a watercolour artist, it’s one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give. Fine watercolour paper is the foundation of every painting; a trusted companion that supports creativity, experimentation, and expression. Artists can never have too much of it, and the quality of the sheet beneath the brush can transform the entire painting experience. Beautiful, practical, and enduring, it’s a gift that shows a genuine understanding of an artist’s craft.

Looking for an experienced artist or to inspire a friend?

Paper is a valuable commodity for both experienced artists, or as a necessary inspiration for a friend.
 
• Artists can never have enough: Paper is a fundamental and consumable supply that artists use frequently, making it a consistently useful gift.
• Impacts art quality: The quality of watercolour paper directly affects how colours appear and blend, and without a good surface, the painting process can be frustrating and lead to poor results.
• A consumable they'll use: Unlike paints that can last a long time, paper is a material that gets used up, ensuring the gift will be put to good use.
• Can be a luxury item: High-quality paper, especially 100% cotton paper, can be expensive. Giving it as a gift allows an artist to use a superior material they might not buy for themselves. 
If you don’t know the recipient's favourites, opting for a CP (NOT) surface is a safe bet. This surface is suitable for a wide range of artworks. And a 300gsm (140lb) weight is a practical weight for artists to use.

At St Cuthberts Mill, we only make high quality watercolour papers, so everything in our range will help assist a watercolourist in their artistic journey.

Bockingford® is an excellent choice, offering a great all-round painting performance at a more economical price. Not to be confused with amateur papers, this sheet gives all the high performance of a MOULD MADE paper with archival properties and a great painting performance. This paper contains no animal ingredients, so a great choice for those who avoid animal products.

This small pad is 260x180mm (10x7”) with 12 sheets inside. A nice starter to experiment with using a high quality paper.

Saunders Waterford® is a gold standard for a high-quality 100% cotton watercolour paper.  Its painting performance is second to none, and will guarantee absolute pleasure to those painting with it. A very strong paper, that will withstand very rough treatment. A true professional grade paper made with MOULD MADE technology to an archival standard.

This is a 230x310mm (9x12”) pad with 12 sheets inside. A great introduction to a professional level watercolour paper, where they can experience the sumptuous joy of watching pigments blend beautifully on the sheet.

For something a little different, Millford is a great choice for experimentation. It is usual, as it is designed to stay in its wettest state for longer, allowing artists more time to manipulate pigments in the wash. Again, a paper created with MOULD MADE technology to archival standards. It also contains no animal ingredients, so attractive to those wishing to avoid animal products.
 
This is a 310x230mm (12x9”) block with 20 sheets. It is glued on all 4 edges to aid the paper to dry flat. A great choice for someone who loves experimenting.

Watercolour paper is more than just a thoughtful gift, it’s an invitation to create. Whether it sparks a beginner’s first brushstroke or supports the mastery of an experienced artist, high-quality paper gives confidence, control and joy in every mark made. At St Cuthberts Mill, each sheet is crafted to bring out the best in the artist and their materials. When you give the gift of watercolour paper, you’re not just offering supplies; you’re giving someone the chance to explore and express their creativity.