Does watercolor paper expire? - WetCanvas: Online Living for Artists (2024)

wet rat

I have a few pads of Strathmore. 140 lb cold press. Two 18×24 and one 9×12. I think I got them at an auction some 10 years ago. The original price tag has a date of 06/03/93 so they just turned 24 years old. Haven’t tried using them yet. Would they be worth trying? Or should I save them for other projects.

The original price for the 9×12 was $8.95.

Failure is an opinion. Doing is not.

virgil carter

Well…I suppose it depends on what you mean by “expire”. Watercolor paper, as far as I know, never expires in the sense of disappearing or death!

What can happen is that the sizing may go bad, turning the watercolor paper into blotter paper where the paint runs and spreads uncontrollably throughout the paper fibers in areas where it is applied.

The only way to know is to try the paper and see what happens. Nothing ventured nothing gained! Good luck!

Sling paint,
Virgil

Sling paint,
Virgil Carter
http://www.virgilcarterfineart.com/

D’Lady

I’d guess they’re just fine.

If not, I’m in trouble, as I have lots of paper at least that old hangin’ ’round in the closets and such.

briantmeyer

Yes it can, depends on how you store it, as they can last forever under the right conditions. But the sizing can have issues if it’s not protected.

But if you leave them in a car trunk for example and let them cook, or where it’s really humid, or get them wet like when you stretch them, and not paint on them until weeks after, then you’ll find the sizing has gone bad. If you keep them inside, and keep the temperature comfortable, don’t have humidity issues, they will last just about forever.

I only stretch my paper right before I need it.
I keep the paper in a sealed drawer, often inside the plastic the paper came in which keeps it further protected from the air.

Strathmore does not usually have the best sizing, unless what you have is one of their higher end lines of watercolor paper. I’d say you just have to try it, if your washes look all splotchy and uneven, or it sucks up all your color, then you just have bad sizing.

Bill

If properly stored watercolor paper will not expire. Keep proper humidity and store it flat. I have Arches thirty years old and in excellent condition. it should outlive you. In which case….
Bill

Be kinder than necessary

wet rat

Thanks folks. It was on a shelf under boxes. In the leaky side of the basem*nt. If it wasn’t for finally clearing out things I’d of never found them. Totally forgot they were there. No mold and doesn’t appear to be discolored. I’ll splash around a bit and see what happens.

If the sizing is gelatin and it’s bad. I could paint with Jell-O. Add sizing and color at the same time. : ) If the watercolor proves to be a mess I’m really thinking about trying Jell-O. Because there’s always room for Jell-O. Ya, I just got home from work. Probably not thinking with a clear head. But it does sound like fun. Got plenty of cheap brushes.

So now the question is, should I limit my palette to Cherry, Blueberry and Lemon. Or add Orange, Grape and Lime. I’m going to have to google this. Find out if there’s pictures or if anyone has ever painted with Jell-O.

Failure is an opinion. Doing is not.

D’Lady

Thanks folks. It was on a shelf under boxes. In the leaky side of the basem*nt. If it wasn’t for finally clearing out things I’d of never found them. Totally forgot they were there. No mold and doesn’t appear to be discolored. I’ll splash around a bit and see what happens.

If the sizing is gelatin and it’s bad. I could paint with Jell-O. Add sizing and color at the same time. : ) If the watercolor proves to be a mess I’m really thinking about trying Jell-O. Because there’s always room for Jell-O. Ya, I just got home from work. Probably not thinking with a clear head. But it does sound like fun. Got plenty of cheap brushes.

So now the question is, should I limit my palette to Cherry, Blueberry and Lemon. Or add Orange, Grape and Lime. I’m going to have to google this. Find out if there’s pictures or if anyone has ever painted with Jell-O.

I’ve heard of people dying their hair with Kool-Aid, so why not try painting with Jell-O? It might work out great -just be sure to post pics.

wet rat

Well there’s a whole new set of colors I can use! Kool Aid! : )

Yes i plan on taking pics. If it turns out half way decent I might even do a video. Because it’s to crazy of an idea not to fully share it.

I do have a newer Strathmore pad of 9×12 140 cold press. It has a UPC code. But it’s all in English. The picture on the front is different from the ones sold now. No idea the age.

Update on the paper. It’s important to note. I’m not an experienced watercolorist. So my basis for this observation is from a limited skill level. Also the only other paper I’ve ever used is Arches. I chose to use Ultramarine Blue. Because the paint grains. Thought it would be easier to see flaws. Observing and comparing the dried granulation patterning. Used a Black Velvet size 8 on all three papers.

Of the three and calling Arches white. The newer Strathmore is a shaded yellow. The oldest is twice the yellow shade darker.

Water seems to float on top. Puddles. Not as easy to make a gradient compared to Arches. But possible. This is both the newer and oldest Strathmore.

Where the biggest differences is is lifting. The oldest Strathmore damages quickly when trying to scrub paint up. Using the same Cosmotop brush the newer lifts easy. Without the clumpy toilet paper effect. Also there is damage along the bottom edge of the oldest. Possibly stored upright at one time. The graining flows heavy toward the outer 1/4 inch of the paper.

In conclusion I would say the three oldest pads of Strathmore are damaged. I don’t think they would handle multiple glazing without falling apart. Time to buy some Jell-O! : )

Failure is an opinion. Doing is not.

wet rat

Should have added this to the above post. I’ll start a new thread when posting about the Jell-O painting.

Failure is an opinion. Doing is not.

Que Sera

It’s a shame about the paper, but you’re not alone. Some people at my art group, way more experienced than me, were having trouble with their paintings. The tutor looked at them and said it was because the paper was old. I had no idea the sizing could go off. I’m storing my paper flat under the sofa in the front room.

In all these things we are more than conquerors.

wet rat

Well unfortunately there’s no need to make a new thread for jello painting. Colors are really washed out. Barely see yellow on this badly yellowed paper. Did take a few pics. Who wouldn’t be proud of a brand new palette and six brand new colors! : ).

First is the setup. Second is the results for red and blue. They mix to a muddy mauve color. Third is the still usable but old pad.

I will find a use for the three old pads. Anything from boiling them down to use in mache or home made polymer clay. To making Christmas Putz houses. They wont go to waste.

Thanks everyone for your help!

paul

Failure is an opinion. Doing is not.

star fisher

I found some old paper of unknown make (portions of single sheets) stashed away that have yellowed. I used it for quick paintings for practice. It worked fine. I didn’t try lifting or scrubbing, however. Old paper could be used for value sketches, trying color mixes and such things.

Paper should be able to stand up to aging. After we have painted on it, it should retain its quality.

Regarding Jell-O, I am a fly tier and many people who tie flies use Jell-O to dye the fly tying materials, such as animal hair and feathers. It is apparently permanent and does not fade when fished in water. I would think that Jell-O would dye your brushes and possibly stain a palette.

July 1, 2017 at 6:54 pm#1270879

wet rat

Thank you Star Fisher! Good to know about jell-o’s permanence. Actually was thinking of using it to color my hair orange for the coming steampunk fest. That would have been interesting. : ) The brushes are a cheap set I got from walmarts. My new palette is the 18 hole egg carton in the first picture. Was concerned about the sugar and wasn’t going to use any good brush with it.

Had thought about value studies. But it’s faster for me to do it with pencil and paper. Way to yellowed for color mixing. The picture is a good representation of it’s condition and color. This paper wont go to waste. But more than likely not be used for any watercolor projects.

The paper itself is no financial loss. I know it came in a box from an auction. I don’t spend any more than $5 for a box of stuff. Usually $1 to $2. Probably something in the box I wanted. The paper just happened to be there too. Then ended up stored and forgotten.

The jell-o wont go to waste either. 4th of July is just around the corner. I’ll mix it all together. Whip in a few tubes of cool whip. Chill it in a big bowel and call it something inappropriate. Family will get a kick out of it. : )

paul

Failure is an opinion. Doing is not.

July 3, 2017 at 2:23 pm#1270880

Neonkiss

I live where it’s very humid and I do notice a difference with the paper. It slightly looks warped if it’s on its own too so, I now store them all in an air tight container.

El Paso Mark

[FONT=&quot]Greetings all. I got here kinda late to post in this topic but here goes- What are your thoughts on, and on using, old (20 – 60 years) acid free, archival, 100% cotton English watercolor paper? Sure, I know, modern paper like Arches is great so why bother, right? I think it might be interesting to buy-try-collect some old paper so just wondering. Seems like the consensus is if properly stored and cared for old paper should be good to use, right? Thanks.[/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot]Regards,[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Mark
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