I think my paper is good, good catch though been there done that!
I do the “moving a blob of paint around” on a slightly leaning paper to get that flat look.
When you say wash, how do you do it, like washing around?
A wash, just being a separate, distinct layer of color or colors which is allowed to dry before a second wash may be applied.
I must have misunderstood when you said “flat”, just getting that even coat of color. Sounds like you’re using a bead to get an even wash, slowly working down the incline of your surface which is how I do it. On good paper using that method has always given me the most even wash if that’s what I’m going for.
Good is kinda relative. I like Arches cold pressed ($$$) or Baohong academy ($$). Any 100% cotton 140lb paper is probably good. Pulp paper is cheap enough I use it for watercolor sketches or studies which means I paint more but the quality is all over the place. Pulp paper is harder to paint on, it’s less forgiving of moisture control. Jackson’s has some good cheap blocks I recommend.
