A review of Lana Aquarelle paper by Nilofer Rehman

Choosing or adapting to another paper other than Arches for your painting?

Skeptical right?

After much deliberation, I decided to give it a try. Last year, Art Lounge introduced me to a new paper called Lana Aquarelle. Since then, I have been working with it as a certified Lana artist to educate others on its properties and for my personal use as well.

Here is my journey of testing this amazing and unique block of paper.

For Watercolours, Lana Aquarelle (aquarelle is French for 'Watercolours') comes in 3 variants- Cold pressed, hot pressed and rough.

Today, I will be showcasing cold pressed and rough.

After a good set of trials and  errors I can tell you a couple of things about this paper that would want you to give it a try.

About the Paper:

Lanaaquarelle paper is a mould made paper, this paper has been around since the 16th century as old as our Arches block, though this was not easily accessible before. Earlier this paper was handmade and then shifted to mould made.

Texture:

The texture of the paper has a very unique “fabric” like quality surface. It has a lighter gelatin sizing, allowing the colours to flow into the fibers of the paper rather than sitting on the top.

As the colours follow into the fibers, edges are soft and diffused when painting wet on wet. Painting on Lanaquarelle gives you an experience of painting on a fabric where the colour seeps in and meld. I personally am fond of rough texture in Lanaquarelle, I feel it's just a perfect amount of texture that you need to create your art.

(Lanaaquarelle mixing on rough and CP)

Techniques on paper:

Since the paper gives you the feel of the fabric, the blending is seamless in both cold-press and rough.  As the colour diffuses into the paper, you get a good background wash with no hard edges. Rewetting and picking up the colours off the paper is very easy and smooth.

Paper also supports all mediums well .

You can use different mediums smoothly, I have tested a few.

Finally, I would say I do prefer the quality of the work that can be done on a Lanaaquarelle, though these paintings take longer to execute, it has to be worked layer upon layer to get the final results.

If you have tried Lanaaquarelle paper, do share your experience on the paper with us. I would be happy to know  your perspective.

Nilofer Rehman is a watercolour artist and a co-founder of the teaching art studio- Me with a Pencil, residing in Mumbai. She is also an Art Lounge Brand Tutor and a part of Lanaquarelle Artist team. nilofersajidarehman@gmail.com  | Instagram: @mewithapencil.