Breaking waves - dreaming of summer

The big breaking waves and the white foam coming close to our feed while walking on the seaside are reminding us of the lovely summer days and vacation! During the previous week workshop I introduced the masking fluid usage to the workshop group, and what better choice to show how to save the white of the paper than with the white of the waves foam. These two are the examples I had ready before the workshop, to give an idea of what we are aiming at (I have another 2 in work, which I partially did during the workshop). Both are 10x7 inches in size, and are done with my usual watercolor palette.

Sailing - small seascape study

This small seascape study was intended as a test of a new student quality paper I found to one of the library stores in the city, namely Hahnemuhle Britania (300 gr) watercolor paper. I have been asked by the ladies following the workshop at the community center about a good enough paper for them to practice at home, but keeping it at an affordable price and easy for them to find. I have used Cotman watercolor paper, and I know it is quite good, but the Hahnemuhle paper is even cheaper.
I did cut the paper in small size to also give it to the ladies to test by themselves to decide, and also did a test myself on a card-size piece of paper (~4x6 inches).

The paper takes well a few washes and has a good absorbancy. The colors moves quite ok, but still it get dry faster than artist quality papers I have used so far. Also it gets very buckled when wet, so any larger size has to be stretched on a board. However, it is a good choice for students and beginners, who do not afford artist quality watercolor paper.