Paper

Recommended links:
http://www.wikihow.com/Choose-Artists'-Watercolor-Paper
http://www.bigcityart.com/tutorial/makingwatercolors/howto/paper.html
http://www.how-to-draw-and-paint.com/watercolor-paper.html
http://www.arttalk.com/archives/vol-15/artv1501-1.htm

The first paper that I bought was a Strahtmore 300 series paper.

However, I like the Strahtmore 400 series paper better.

Then, I realized that as much as I have things to learn about my paints, I also need to be educated when it comes to my watercolor paper. 

I learned that watercolor papers have weight such as  60 lb., 80 lb., 140 lb., 150 lb., 200 lb., 300 lb., 600 lb., and 1200 lb. Weights are important so you'll know when to stretch or not to stretch your paper. Thus, this would determine whether your paper would buckle or not especially when you are painting on wet on wet technique. Honestly, I never tried stretching my 90 lb paper as I was too ignorant to know that I have to. (This site offers a guide on how to stretch your paper. http://www.watercolorpainting.com/stretchingpaper.htm) However, based on professional tips, if you're too lazy to stretch your paper, you can use papers that weighs 300 lbs or more.

I also learned that there are three main types of watercolor paper, cold pressed (most commonly used paper), hot-pressed and rough paper. The site that I recommended above http://www.how-to-draw-and-paint.com/watercolor-paper.html could further explain the differences between these types of paper.

Canson Watercolor Greeting Cards

While waiting for my Kilimanjaro, I decided to make watercolor greeting cards when I found  Canson Watercolor Cards at Blickart. At first I bought a package of 6 then a package of 30 when I finally decided to sell greeting cards in the future. However, I wasted some of them when I made an unforgivable mistake (not a happy accident for me) in my painting and had to start all over again. And since they're only 140 lb. paper, they still buckle a bit.

My First Watercolor Block

Finally I received my Kilimanjaro Original 300lb. Watercolor Block from Cheap Joe. I have to say, I like the way they packed it in a brown envelope. It also came with a Tiny gift from Cheap Joe's - a pencil and a sharpener.

Greetings from Cheap Joe's

Together with my package came a white envelope containing an order form, Cheap Joe's workshop listings magazine, my invoice with a return form at the back just in case I'm not satisfied with my purchase. Plus, I have 365 days to decide as to whether I'd like to return my purchase or not. 


Also, it came with a welcome flyer and a tiny greeting card from Joe Miller. Although I am a Dick Blick Art Fan, I have to say, I find Cheap Joe's welcome package for new customers nice and warm. :)