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Hahnemühle Fine Art Papers for painting, drawing, and printmaking.

Date: 08-06-2023
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In 1584, the Hahnemühle paper mill was founded in Lower Saxony, Germany, at a special freshwater spring that provides the all-important water for their high-quality papers.


The oldest paper manufacturer in Germany, Hahnemühle still produces traditional artist papers at the same location, based on traditional recipes using the finest fibres and pure spring water. Their paper technologists are also constantly refining the processes when it comes to new applications in artist trends around the world. Their motto always has been ‘Quality instead of Quantity’.


Artist papers differ according to the raw materials and the production method. At Hahnemühle, a distinction is made between genuine mould-made papers, produced on the cylinder mould paper machine, and Akademie papers, which are made on the fourdrinier paper machine.

 

Mould-made Paper

Traditional cylinder mould machines are old and rare, yet make the best painting and printmaking papers.

Hahnemühle is one of only a few paper manufacturers worldwide still producing real mould-made papers using the traditional cylinder mould method. By using different mould structures, Hahnemühle can produce various paper surfaces and sizes with the four deckled edges characteristic of hand-made paper.


First, a highly diluted mixture of first-class cellulose pulp or cotton fibres and pure spring water is added to the vat. The fibres then deposit themselves unstructured on the cylinder mould and form a fibrous web. The water flows through the cylinder mould back into the vat. At the crown of the cylinder, the paper mat is moved onto a felt to be transported into the machine.
Watermarks and metal studs for limiting the paper format are stitched with copper wire onto the perforated cylinder by hand. Only a few paper fibres deposit themselves on this part of the paper mash. The still moist paper can be “torn” at the predetermined thinner line. Only paper edges made this way may be called a real deckle edge.

A sure sign of the highest quality – genuine deckle edged papers made on a cylinder machine.


Real wool felts transport the paper within the papermaking machine and while doing that, mark the paper with a unique surface and create the handcrafted feel of real artist paper. At only 4 – 15 m/min the machine speed is comparatively low, but absolutely necessary due to the highest quality requirements for genuine artist paper. The large weight per unit area ranges from 80 up to 640 gsm, allowing a broad range of different mould-made paper grades for Hahnemühle´s Traditional Fine Art Papers.


Hahnemühle Mould-made Papers include:
The Collection, William Turner, Leonardo, 1584 printmaking paper, Etching paper, 300gsm Watercolour.

 

Fourdrinier Papers
Papers made on the fourdrinier paper machine offer a professional surface to work on at a more affordable price. In this machine, all the fibres are deposited in the machine’s running direction, giving the paper its grain direction and making the flow behaviour of watercolour paints easy to predict and influence.


The heart of the fourdrinier paper machine is a continuously rotating, flat plastic mould. The mixture of spring water and paper fibres flows evenly onto it. The water runs off through the mould, while the paper fibres are deposited in the machine’s running direction and bond to the paper on the mould. Felts then further transports this web of fibres through the machine, where it runs over steam-heated cylinders between two felts. The paper web is dried and pressed. Hahnemühle felts, which are made
of wool or mixed fabrics comprising synthetic fibres and wool, mark the paper’s surface with their characteristic texture. This is consistent, so that you’re always getting your favourite paper with the same texture.

Highest quality alpha cellulose pulp (left) is made into paper using a fourdrinier machine (right).


It's important to note that at Hahnemühle, the papers are felt-marked during the production process. Always look out for this feature of real artist papers as it guarantees the handcrafted character. Cheaper watercolour papers are often embossed once production is complete, and are inferior in appearance and performance.


All papers from the fourdrinier paper machine are gently dried and smoothed, continuously checked and then wound. The paper machine runs at a speed of up to 105 m/min, enabling high quality artist papers to be produced at a very affordable price.
Papers produced on the Fourdrinier machine include:
Natural Line, Harmony, Britannia, Andalusia.


Cotton/Rags
All Hahnemühle cotton papers are marked with a small logo symbolising a cotton plant. The Terms ‘100% rags’ or ‘100% Cotton’ also appear on the label. The word ‘rags’ is the old term for the textile fibres that paper used to be made from, before pulp (wood fibres) was discovered as a raw material for paper in 1843. Consequently, it was usual to grind old textiles into fibres – which were known as ‘rags’. Nowadays, however, linters have replaced rags. Linters are short, valuable fibres of cotton seeds. Hahnemühle processes these fibres, which are by-products of the textile and oil industry. No extra cotton is planted for their papers.

The cover of this Collection Watercolour block gives us important information for matching it to our intended painting style, such as the production method, sizing, surface structure, paper composition, and weight.


Cotton gives paper its wet-strength (note that so called “wet strength cartridge” has no cotton content), as its fibres lock to form a durable construction; during application of wet colours the paper does not move as much as a wood-free pulp paper. Cotton is expensive, so used only for the highest quality papers.


Pulp
Pulp used for Hahnemühle artist papers is high-purity alpha-cellulose. The fibres come from deciduous and coniferous species of trees. All raw materials come from certified and sustainable sources and are gently bleached. Bleaching is necessary so that the wood pigment, lignin, does not cause the paper to yellow. These raw materials carry the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) seal, the TCF seal or the ECF seal for chlorine-free bleaching, which works without environmentally harmful chlorine compounds.
Hahnemühle papers made from pulp are as archival as cotton papers, but don’t possess the same wet strength.


Water
Since the paper mill was established in 1584, Hahnemühle has been using pure spring water from the Solling mountains to produce their high-quality papers. More than four centuries ago, the availability of water was the most important factor in Hahnemühle choosing to settle there and, because the papers require the pure, soft spring water, they still produce at this very same location. This spring water from artesian wells always has a consistent quality, so unlike river water, it doesn’t have to be chemically treated. Most of the water is collected in the production cycle and reused. Their wastewater is not contaminated with pollutants and is returned to the water cycle.


Sizing
Size is an additive that controls the absorption of paint into a paper. There are two types of sizing: material (or internal) sizing, and surface sizing. During material sizing, the size enters the paper as an ‘ingredient’, and all painting papers are sized this way to ensure an even and relatively slow absorption of colour.

 

Surface sizing combined with a smooth surface makes working back into gouache and watercolour with a damp brush so much easier, as demonstrated on this Harmony Hot Press paper.


In the case of surface sizing, size is applied to the already dried paper surface. This creates a much more durable surface. You can lift paints more easily from surface-sized papers with a damp, clean cloth or brush. Surface sized paper is more resistant to repeated erasure, and adhesive tape is more easy to peel off without damaging the paper.


Unsized or very lightly sized papers are used in printmaking, so they absorb colour rapidly to avoid smudging.


Surface texture
Paper surface is has a strong influence on the look of an artwork. There are three main categories: Rough (self-evident); Cold Press, also called Matte or NOT (as in not rough), which has visible tooth but not to the degree of Rough; and Smooth or Hot Press (pressed with hot rollers as the paper emerges still wet from the machine), which has very little discernible tooth. These surfaces will vary between various paper types, and with the different felts used.
Each surface reacts differently to your media. Rough papers tend to add an illusion of depth to painting, as varied thicknesses of pigment lay thinly on the raised part and deeper in the trough of the surface. They’re especially favoured by landscape painters. Smooth papers produce flat, delicate areas of paint and allow for fine detail and line work. They are often chosen for portraiture, botanical work, lithography, and screenprinting. Cold Press papers are most popular, as they fall somewhere in between these extremes and so are suitable for many applications and techniques.

 

German quality blends tradition and technology at Hahnemühle, owned by the same family for over 400 years!


GSM
The weight of the paper is expressed in Grams per Square Metre (GSM). This often coincides with the thickness, but a loosely formed paper may feel thicker than a highly calendared paper of the same weight. Usually, a thick paper of 250 - 300gsm is more appropriate for painting, as it does not distort as it absorbs moisture as much as a thinner paper. 600gsm papers hardly move at all, even with very wet paint. Thinner papers are suited to dry media techniques and hand-rubbing when print making.


Acid-free and Archival
Non-archival paper degrades quickly when exposed to UV and moisture. Old newspapers grow brittle and yellow when left in the sun. As well as suiting your technique, a good art paper should resist the damaging effects of UV light and humidity. All Hahnemühle papers are acid-free, archival and highly resistant to ageing.


We have been bringing many exciting Hahnemühle papers direct into Aotearoa New Zealand since 1991. Every paper has its own characteristics, so let’s take a look at some of our favourites.


Hahnemühle Natural Line
Three fast growing, sustainable fibres are used by Hahnemühle in their eco-friendly Natural Line papers: bamboo, hemp, and agave. These are easily renewed resources that require less processing. All are blended with lesser proportions of cotton for strength, and each paper has unique surface qualities due to their composition.


Natural Line Hemp Sketch

Hemp has a fine surface texture reminiscent of parchment, and is sturdy enough for studies in mixed media.


Made from 60% hemp fibre with 40% cotton, 80gsm Hemp Sketch is a very durable paper for dry media and pen & ink. Hemp Sketch handles plenty of work with an eraser without “pilling” the surface, and ink lines remain crisp and defined. Despite its light weight, the tough surface and fine grain also make this a very attractive paper for rough sketching in watercolour, gouache, and acrylic. Hemp Sketch is acid-free and archival.


Natural Line Agave Watercolour

Agave paper can be used with any water-based paint, and the unique surface is especially responsive to granulating colours.
From 70% agave fibre with 30% cotton, 290gsm Agave Watercolour has a unique surface effect for watercolour painting, especially for glazing. The special surface has a smooth feel under the brush, while its unusual grain becomes apparent when colour is applied, as the absorbency favours a textural appearance of the watercolour. This is especially visible with granulating colours, which are highly emphasised.


The surface sizing offers the ability to lift colours and use masking fluid, tape and erasing without damaging the surface.

 

Natural Line Bamboo Mixed Media


The particular absorbency and surface texture of Bamboo lends it to most techniques, from dry media and ink to painting and printmaking.

Due to its unique surface, this natural-white 265gsm artist paper is very well suited for different drawing and painting techniques, as well as mixed media techniques. The colour flows beautifully, with high contrasts and excellent colour intensity can be achieved with every technique. Bamboo is particularly well suited for watercolour, acrylic and pastel-painting techniques, as well as sketching, and even printmaking.

 

The Collection Watercolour Paper


All class: the Collection Watercolour block is protected by a tracing paper dust cover, and the break in the black edging indicates where to slice the sheet from the block once your painting is complete. In contrast to a pad, a block has all four sides glued to ensures maximum stability while working. Any movement in the paper due to water will flatten out when left “blocked” to dry, then the finished painting can be sliced off with a palette knife to reveal a fresh sheet underneath.


The Collection sets new standards for high-quality watercolour papers. A carefully chosen blend of cotton offers extremely strong fibres and incomparable purity, and the special surface sizing provides a very durable surface particularly suited for demanding watercolour techniques. The fibres do not lift, rub off or loosen, even when applying multiple layers of colour, or when using masking fluids and tapes. The colours remain brilliant, and the surface offers excellent control, especially for wet-on-wet paintings.


The Collection Watercolour Paper is available in 300gsm and 640gsm weights, and in Hot Press, Cold Press, and Rough surfaces.

Harmony


Harmony offers students a high performance paper for watercolour painting in three surfaces, all surface sized to give you brighter colours, easy lifting of colour, and extra durable for erasing, masking fluids and tapes.


In order to offer a high performing watercolour paper at a very affordable price, Hahnemühle developed the Harmony range of 300gsm papers in Hot Press, Cold Press, and Rough surfaces, with a special addition. Usually reserved for cotton papers, they decided to make Harmony surface sized, allowing for very specific control of watercolour.

Wet colours can be easily corrected or taken off, and colour stands out excellently on the paper. Masking fluids and masking tapes can be used and removed residue-free, and the surface is very eraser resistant.

Harmony’s very reasonable price makes it ideal for students of watercolour, offering a much more nuanced surface than papers of a comparable price, while being noticeably more affordable than pure rag papers.


Hahnemühle 1584

Hahnemühle 1584 is a smooth, unsized paper for many printmaking techniques, providing superb detail even with many layers, as seen in this monotype.


Named for the year the paper mill began, this paper symbolises the company’s tradition to produce the perfect artist paper. A premium printmaking paper, 1584 is made of pure cotton and is unsized, making it extremely absorbent. The 300gsm paper has a particularly satin-smooth surface, is firm and hard-wearing, while the cotton fibres provide flexibility at the same time. Four deckle edges and a watermark complete this high-quality paper.
Hahnemühle 1584 is particularly well suited for woodcut and silkscreen, offset and uncoated/treated digital printing processes. Even in the case of multi-layer applications, colours are absorbed extremely well.

The problem with paper
Paper is the most versatile, cost-effective surface for drawing, painting, and printmaking. You can buy a couple of 140gsm A1 sheet of D&S Drawing Paper for less than the price of a coffee; you can paint a few coats of gesso onto a sheet of 300gsm Britannia for an excellent oilpainting support. If you want to paint big, we have giant sheets as well as rolls; if you want small, cut it down. Artwork didn’t work out? Just turn the sheet over and start again – two sides for the one price!
So what’s the problem with paper? It all looks very similar. We stock around 100 papers, each sheet with its own set of specific characteristics, and you won’t know how well it matches your requirements until you try it. Asking our staff or buying a single sheet is a good way to experiment; or for the more expensive papers, you can try the Hahnemühle Watercolour Selection Pad.

The Watercolour Selection Pad contains a wide selection of high-quality Hahnemühle papers with a variety of surfaces and grammages. From exquisite 100% cotton papers to examples of resource-saving natural fibres and papers made from pure alpha-cellulose, your new favourite paper is bound to be in there!


https://www.gordonharris.co.nz/product/30330-hahnemuhle-watercolour-selection-pad-17-x-24cm

 

 

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