To develop this paper, David travelled across the Atlantic, to a paper mill with over 250 years of experience. He supplied the mill with the ideal specifications for an artist-quality paper, and the mill was able to produce this paper for us.

Our new paper is made using a cylinder mould machine, which forms the sheets by means of a roll slowly rotating in a vat of pulp. As the water drains from the roll's mesh surface a slight vacuum is formed, causing the wet and fragile web of fibres to cling to the surface of the roll. Since a cylinder mould machine does not agitate the pulp as it forms a sheet, fibres are more randomly distributed than they are with a fourdrinier machine. Papers made with a cylinder mould machine combine the uniformity and speed of machine production with the individuality and quality of handmade papers.

Our new Opus European Watercolour paper is a 200lb (400gsm) paper with a cold-pressed (medium) surface, four deckles and a natural white colour. It is made of 100% cotton, is tub-sized and available in 22"x30" size sheets. In producing a 200lb (400gsm) watercolour paper, we can now offer an Opus paper which does not require stretching. Many lighter weight watercolour papers often buckle and warp when not stretched. A cold-pressed surface is more dimensionally stable than rough paper when wet and will tolerate a certain amount of corrections and lifting. This surface is also somewhat less absorbent than the rough finish, which helps make it congenial to a wide range of painting styles.

As this paper does not absolutely require stretching the deckles can be retained, which is advantageous for artists who like to float their works in a frame. The less pronounced grain means that imitation deckles can be torn easily when tearing smaller sizes from the whole sheets. The one hundred percent cotton content means that the paper is fully archival, when properly framed or stored. The sizing helps slow the absorption of paint into the surface and makes the paper strong, which further enables corrections, scraping back, lifting and other paint manipulations.

In the short time that this paper has been available, it has impressed our most discerning watercolour customers with its excellent working properties. Try some yourself and let us know what you think!