Oh no--Fabriano Artistico cold pressed watercolor paper has changed...
...and not for the better!
Ah, this is too bad. I finally received a reply from Fabriano...they have indeed changed the surface of Artistico cold pressed watercolor paper, for by far the worse, in my opinion. Their, lovely subtle linen texture was just sublime--I've used it for nearly 40 years, always my hands-down favorite. I've recommended it in my books and articles for as long as I've been writing, as well as to my workshop students.
No more. The new texture is pebbly and unpleasant, to me--too rough, and it won't take mixed media well. I like to use ink, pencil, colored pencil, etc. with watercolor washes sometimes, and the lines want to skip on the new surface. It's acceptable with straight watercolor, but so is Strathmore 400, which will take ink and colored pencil. The new surface reminds me of cheap, pebble-textured paper I used to use when first starting out.
If you too were fond of the original Artistico CP, I got my response from Guiseppe Prezioso, at prezioso@cartieremilianifabriano.com. I don't know that writing would make a difference, but it certainly can't hurt.
I've yet to figure out why the need to "fix" what isn't broken.