The Paper I Paint On

Amalfi watercolour paper has become an important part of my studio practice. Handmade in Italy by Amatruda, the paper follows a centuries-old Amalfi papermaking tradition. Its 100% cotton-rag fibre comes from a history of making paper from textile offcuts rather than wood pulp, while the mill itself is associated with the water-powered papermaking culture of the Canneto valley.

The surface is sized with natural gelatin rather than a modern synthetic sizing agent, a method that supports water control and archival longevity while preserving the character of the traditional material.

Because natural gelatin is used in the sizing process, the paper is not vegan.

How It Behaves With Watercolour

With a generous wash, the surface gives me more time before the water settles. Pigments can move, merge and soften gradually, making it easier to build even wet-in-wet passages without forcing the paint.

What I value most is the sense of light it gives to transparent colour. Washes can remain clear and gentle, with a soft luminosity rather than a flat or heavy finish, while subtle transitions have time to develop naturally.

That slower, more responsive surface is one reason I return to the paper for both small studies and the quieter language of the Inner Light works.