Discovering Hahnemühle paper

Thanks to the generosity of Sketchbook Skool, I recently received a package from Hahnemühle including their famous grey book - an 80-page sketchbook with toned gray pages of 120 GSM paper. I'm curious to see how the colors pop against the toned backgrounds. I'd never used such paper before. The book itself is light and not too thick, making it a great companion when traveling. It is said to be compatible with India ink, fountain pens, and acrylic markers, as well as dry media like colored pencils.

What makes their sketchbooks unique is that they are made according to proven recipes using high quality raw materials. It is a brand with a long history, having been in operation since 1584.

Included were also samples of other Hahnemühle papers that I’m excited to try: the cappucino beige paper (120 gsm) and also their Natural Line, which is made of “environmentally friendly fibers”: a thicker agave watercolor paper (70% agave fiber, 30% cotton, 290 gsm, 135 lbs) and bamboo mixed media paper (90% bamboo fiber, 10% cotton, 265 gsm, 125 lbs), as well as thinner bamboo sketch paper (90% bamboo fiber, 10% cotton, 105 gsm, 50 lbs) and the most delicate hemp sketch paper (60% hemp fiber, 40% cotton, 80 gsm, 40 lbs). All have unique textures and are compatible with different materials.

I'm definitely guilty of focusing too much on drawing tools and neglecting to pay attention to the paper I'm drawing on. That is why I'm grateful to have received such a generous gift from a paper manufacturer who values high-quality products. All it’s paper is age-resistant and vegan. I have yet to put the papers to the test when drawing and painting, but I have a feeling they just got themselves a loyal customer. In fact, I already know what will be my next order from Hahnemühle: their ZigZag book, which is an 18-page watercolor paper sketchbook folded accordion style. Working on wider pieces should be interesting. I've already seen a beautiful video of Koosje Koene putting such a sketchbook to a good use.