RUSCOMBE HANDMADE PAPERS, for Conservation, Book Binding, Artists & Alternative Photography

Historic Watercolour

The mill has endeavoured to manufacture a range of art papers to meet most painting and drawing needs. In particular the characteristics of some historic water colour papers have been researched to produce a collection of papers made in the strictest traditional fashion including loft drying and tub gelatine sizing.

The object has been to produce close reproductions of historic watercolour papers chosen by a few of the most eminent of British watercolour artists of the 18th & 19th centuries. These include Joshua Cristall, David Cox, Thomas Girtin.

Cotton fibres are used, together with increased quantities of fibres of flax and hemp, which, complemented by vigorous beating and blending of the fibres, natural loft drying and tub gelatine sizing, produce a tough durable sheet, not readily matched by mould made papers.

LOFT DRYING allows the longer fibres of each sheet to contract naturally and combine in the open air to adopt the felt mark character of the eventual surface finish. The sheets are therefore generally not flat and some shrinkage takes place which renders the sheet slightly smaller than the nominal dimensions of the mould.

GELATINE SIZING is the second key component. Each sheet absorbs the gelatine in a hot bath of the liquid and is then allowed to dry slowly over a few days. The gelatine hardens gently and continues to improve as it ages over a few months. This process provides a surface which ensures smooth brushwork and is suitable for pen and ink. Other techniques such as scratching out and wash lift off are attainable with confidence.

PREPARING YOUR PAPER

Most papers will need to be prepared by soaking and drying taped to a board to stretch them and to provide a drum tight surface on which to work. We can supply details of this process together with sufficient gummed tape for quarter imperial sheets for the whole order.

CUT SHEETS

We can supply these papers cut into half or quarter sheets at no extra cost. If you require this service please ask us when you place the order.

Joshua Cristall, white wove paper

Joshua Cristall, (1768 -1847) was brought up in London where he began his career

as a china painter; he trained at the Royal Academy and he became a professional

artist soon after, concentrating mainly on water-colours and sketches of figures and landscapes.

He jointly founded the Society of Painters in Water-colours with the Varleys in

1805 and subsequently became its President on several occasions. The naming

of these warm white papers after him, is a small tribute to his achievements.

Joshua Cristall, 200 g/m², 95lb imperial 090G

090G

Nominal size 56 x 76 cm 22" x 30" NOT surface finish when stretched

Joshua Cristall, 200 g/m², HP, 95lb imperial 090hp

090hp

Nominal size 56 x 76 cm 22" x 30" Cold glazed smooth surface

Joshua Cristall, 300 g/m², 140lb imperial 091G

091G

Nominal size 56 x 76 cm 22" x 30 " NOT surface finish when stretched

Joshua Cristall, 240 g/m² - Neutral Sized 122

122

Nominal size 38 x 52 cm 15" x 22"

David Cox water-colour & drawing papers

David Cox, (1783-1859) was an influential drawing teacher and a theorist

of landscape, as well as a practising artist. He made numerous informal

sketches of life along the banks of the Thames as well as street scenes

in England and abroad.

Many of his works were produced on wrapping papers of the period. The papers below are two versions of the many off-white tone styles which characterised David Cox's choice since he began as an artist.

David Cox, gelatine sized, 200 g/m², 95lb Imperial 077G

077G

Nominal size 56 x 76 cm "22 x 30"

NOT surface finish when stretched

The picture clearly illustrates the beige toned, hemp rich nature of the paper, with its fibrous inclusions.

David Cox, neutral sized, 220 g/m², 105lb imperial 077

077

Nominal size 56 x 76 cm "22 x 30"

Restraint dried with NOT surface, mid-beige tone, contains multi-coloured fibre inclusions typical of many of the various machine made David Cox drawing papers.

David Cox, neutral sized, 240 g/m², 110lb Imperial 123

123

Nominal size 38 x 52 cm 15" x 20"

Restraint dried with NOT surface, mid-beige tone, contains multi-coloured fibre inclusions typical of many of the various machine made David Cox drawing papers.