Illustration Friday: “Layer” (and musings about hot press vs. cold press watercolor papers)
I thought this process is fitting for this week’s Illustration Friday word “layers.” I am in the preliminary stages of drawing a somewhat complex illustration, and above are studies from the larger illo I did to help me decide my approach. The study on the left is created with hot press watercolor paper, and the one on the right is cold press.
I create many of my illustrations and fine art work using cold press. I like the ease of color blending and the richness of color you can achieve. However, the texture sometimes can be a distraction, especially if the illustration is on the small side–the peaks and valleys in the paper are even more apparent. With hot press paper, it is much easier to add details, either with pen, pencil, or finely brushed ink, and there is no texture to distract from the image. However, it is more difficult to work with (for me), as blooms and uneveness in washes are more difficult to avoid. In fact, the study above is probably the most success I’ve had using hot press paper!
I would enjoy feedback and opinions on which is the better way to go with this piece. Thanks for looking!
hot press. you hit it on the money. the texture in cold can distract from various images. yours is case in point. and if you hadn’t said anything about your challenges with hp, i’d have thought you an old pro.
Thankyou for the feedback, Juggergnat! It definitely helps!
I like both. I like the edges on the hotpress, but i may like the cold press better. tough choice though
I see the differences, but I don’t prefer one over the other.
I tend to like the cold press but I am just a beginner at it all. I love the illustration tho. Great take on the subject!
Sweet!
Nice colours ! i prefer the cold press one ! i myself work on cold press quite often and like it alot more .
I love your images and I think they are both wonderful.
I work with both HP and CP and each has their advantages and challenges. I like hot press for sharp edges and if you want to go in with color pencil or ink you will get those cleaner elements. Washes are a challenge and it’s more of a layering of paint instead of blending and the paper buckles more. Cold press does allow for those awesome blended colors and the paper is a bit tougher for lifting, scrubbing and getting wet over and over.
In your above examples I think you handled the HP really well. Choices…… ???