Unpopular opinion: those expensive watercolor blocks aren't worth the hype

I used to think high-end watercolor blocks were a total waste since I could just stretch paper myself for free. After ruining 3 paintings in a row from bad buckling on a cheap pad, I caved and tried a 20-sheet Arches block last month. Has anyone else found that the convenience actually saves material in the long run, or am I just bad at stretching paper?

2 comments

2 Comments

robinson.holly1mo agoProlific Poster

Oh totally, I bought an Arches block last month and haven't looked back since, it's a total game changer.

blair_green861mo ago

The secret's in the sizing on those blocks, right? I learned the hard way that you have to give it a good stretch before you even think about laying down color (wasted so much paper before figuring that out). Once you get the tension right though, the watercolor just sits exactly where you want it. Pair it with a good synthetic brush and you're basically cheating at art.