Two Rivers Handmade Watercolor Paper

Imported from England. Made in the 400 year old Pitt Mill which is dedicated to maintaining the English tradition of making the finest hand-made watercolour paper for artists.

All the papers are produced to archival standards using pure Exmoor water from the mill’s own well and specialty fibers. These are principally cotton and linen flax but other materials such as hemp, esparto, seeds, flower petals and recycled rag are used to impart special characteristics. These fibers are then beaten in water for up to four hours to develop the strength of the fiber, and are internally sized using pH neutral ‘Aquapel’.

The surface of the paper is very hard sized, this means it is incredibly tough, allowing the artist to work the surface much longer than with more absorbent papers like Arches and Fabriano. Because the paint is not drawn into the paper the pigment dries to a sharp and brilliant finish. The inclusion of linen in its make-up results in an unusually tough surface which will resist much lifting out, scrubbing and re-working. Two River Watercolor Paper has a unique random surface texture unlike the mechanically even weave of most other branded papers. This also means that there is not a right or wrong side as both sides are identical. We offer three weights 140 lb, 200 lb and 300 lb in 11 x 14 inch sheets with beautiful deckle edges on all 4 sides.

Melissa Mihalyov, our staff watercolorist extraordinaire discovered Two Rivers Watercolor paper for us several months ago.  We introduced the 11 x 14 sheets and our customers have fallen in love with it  and asked for bigger sheets. Jim Patterson, life-long papermaker and owner of Pitt Paper Mill created an Imperial Size 300 lb Watercolor Paper for Rochester Art Supply. The Imperial size is approximately 16-1/2 x 20-1/2 inches with an incredible deckle edge on all 4 sides.