How Two Rivers Paper Mill make Handmade Rag Paper (On Location)

Two Rivers specialise in the centuries-old tradition of making handmade rag paper. They have been making paper at the mill since 1988, though the mill itself is over 400 years old. The watermill powers a Hollander beater, a machine used to break down cotton and linen rag and is the only mill in the UK to use hydro-power to process textile rag for papermaking.

We visited their water-powered mill, located among the rolling hills of West Somerset, to see how they make their paper, and find out what sets handmade rag paper apart from machine-made papers.

From September 2021, Two Rivers relocated to the new East Quay Art Centre in the coastal town of Watchet, Somerset. The move ensures that this traditional practice can be sustainably maintained for future generations of artists.

0:00 Introduction
0:33 A first look at the Two Rivers Watermill, which powers the Hollander Beater used to break down cotton and linen rag
0:53 Jim from Two Rivers putting the rag into the Hollander Beater, adding calcium carbonate and AKD
1:18 Kieran from Two Rivers hand mixing the pulp
1:23 Jim forming a sheet with a mould and deckle
1:47 Sheets are couched between wet woollen felts
2:05 Sheets are pressed with a hydraulic press to remove more water
2:19 Kieran tub sizing sheets by hand
2:30 The paper is taken upstairs to the drying loft to air dry

Read the full article on our blog: https://www.jacksonsart.com/blog/2021...

View Two Rivers Watercolour Paper on our website: https://www.jacksonsart.com/brands/ja...

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