Filming at St Cuthberts Mill

Yesterday we were filming with Parker Harris, in collaboration with The Sunday Times Watercolour Competition, at St Cuthberts Mill. We invited three fabulous artists, David A Parfitt, Varsha Bhatia - Watercolour Artist, and Nathaniel Hornsby to come and see how we make paper. All three were also filmed for the launch of The Sunday Times Watercolour Competition. Cameraman/filmmaker Steve Gammond, along with Iona Rowland Art from Parker Harris, were filming and directing. All were in awe of our papermaking processes, and didn't realise what goes into creating our papers. A fabulous day, a big thank you to everyone involved. Here are a few photos from the day!

St Cuthberts Mill's Catherine Frood (Marketing Executive)

Artist David A Parfitt

Iona Rowland (Parker Harris), and Filmmaker Steve Gammond

Filmmaker Steve Gammond

Artists Nathaniel Hornsby, Varsha Bhatia, and David Parfitt

https://sundaytimeswatercolour.org/

Filming with Parker Harris and 

The Sunday Times Watercolour Comp

Tomorrow brings an exciting day of filming in collaboration with Parker Harris and The Sunday Times Watercolour Competition. We'll be having 3 amazing artists coming for a day of art and papermaking at St Cuthberts Mill, and all will be captured on film.

Make sure to check in for some amazing updates!

https://sundaytimeswatercolour.org/

Why does a paper buckle?

When applying water to paper it moves and buckles (known as cockling by papermakers) because the application of the wash to the sheet causes one side to expand slightly.

However, the other side remains dry, and due to the sizing contained within the sheet, it does not expand. To counteract this expansion on the wetted side, the paper does the only thing it can, and bows and buckles. This is very unsightly for the finished painting, and difficult to work with, because the paint will pool in the waves of the paper.

Buckling mainly affects paper weighing 300g/m² and below.

To stop the paper buckling in the first instance, soak and stretch the paper prior to use, use a heavy weight paper that doesn't move much, or use a block glued on all 4 edges. 

Alexandra Buckle printing 'Daisy Delights' on Somerset Satin paper

Totally fascinating to watch! Alexandra Buckle printing Daisy Delights. 

Linocut with water based inks on Somerset Satin paper. 

Rainy September afternoon, by Jem Bowden

Rainy September afternoon, by Jem Bowden. Watercolour on Bockingford paper.