St Cuthberts Mill | Millford Watercolor Paper Review

  As we gain sponsors for Eric En Plein Air, I am proud to work with businesses whose products I've used for years.  With that, I have used papers from St Cuthberts Mill for years.  I had previously used Saunders Waterford and Bockingford, both of which served me well.  But I had my eye on a paper which I was very excited to try.  The only problem was that it wasn't widely available in the US... until NOW!
  This opportunity was made possibly by Dixon Ticonderoga, who are St Cuthberts Mill’s distributor in the US and sister company.  My team at Eric En Plein Air and I connected with these companies and I am happy to share my experience of using Millford Watercolor Paper.

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  St Cuthberts Mill created Millford to recreate a paper which was produced by a company called Whatman.  Now, I have never tried the legendary Whatman paper because it stopped being produced in 2002.  So, I don't want to create a comparison game, but all I can tell you is that Millford is top notch and I like it.
  It also gives a brushstroke effect which I have observed in many Sargent watercolors (see below); the effect is a dry-brush, almost cage-like impression of color.  It's difficult to describe, but I see it in many Sargents.
  Sargent was a fan of Whatman papers, but please don't get the impression that you'll somehow paint like Sargent by using a specific paper.  I personally can't stand articles, videos or any content that says things like, "Sargent's Real Secrets Revealed" or "Paint like Sargent!";  I think that is a misguided way to capitalize on the ever-growing interested Sargent's work.  I love Sargent's work and I'm very inspired by him, but I would never want to emulate his style or methods.  My point is simply that it doesn't hurt to use high-quality products!

I saw this stunning watercolor at the Montclair Museum of Art and the paper texture reminds me of Millford.

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   Back to Millford: I tested out the paper today with a quick plein air study and it responded very well.  With watercolor, the paper makes a huge difference so getting a paper that suits you is crucial.  
​  What is it that I look for in watercolor paper?  For me, I prefer cold-pressed paper with a surface that isn't too rough.  I like being able to lift color off and work in layers without the paper becoming soft and spongey.  This paper checks all of those boxes and I look forward to painting on it again soon!