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The Mystery of Moulin du Roy: Where Did Canson's Beloved Watercolour Paper Go (And Where Is It Now)?

7/6/2025

If you're a watercolour artist who loves the beautiful texture and performance of Canson Moulin du Roy paper, you might have felt a pang of frustration recently. You've likely searched the official Canson website, expecting to find detailed product information, only to come up empty-handed.

You're not alone in your confusion, and it's a completely valid frustration. So, what exactly is the story behind Canson Moulin du Roy, and why is it so elusive on the official brand site?

Old Canson Moulin du Roy watercolour paper, showing pads and sheets with textured, naturally torn deckled edges.

A nostalgic glimpse at the original design of Moulin du Roy paper pads and sheets, featuring those beautiful deckled edges.

Moulin du Roy has a storied history, long celebrated for its 100% cotton composition and cylinder mould-made quality, offering a feel akin to handmade paper. It became a firm favourite among artists for its excellent absorbency, strength, and ability to allow for lifting and reworking.

However, the paper faced a period of uncertainty. While Canson initially produced it, at one point it was discontinued and replaced by other Canson lines. To the relief of many artists, production was thankfully resumed a few years ago.

Crucially, the manufacturing of Moulin du Roy was transferred to the renowned English paper mill, St. Cuthberts Mill. Yes, the same mill that produces other beloved papers like Saunders Waterford and Bockingford! Despite this change in production, the paper is still sold under the Canson Moulin du Roy brand name.

Screenshot of the home page of St Cuthberts Mill in England, UK

Click to visit the website of St Cuthberts Mill

Why Isn't It on Canson's Website (Or St. Cuthberts Mill's)?

This is where the confusion truly sets in, and it's a very common question for artists:

Canson's Strategy: As a large paper conglomerate, Canson has an immense range of products. They likely choose to highlight products they produce entirely in-house or newer lines they are actively promoting on their main website. Moulin du Roy, while a classic, might be considered a heritage product with its distribution handled primarily by retailers. Their website might simply not be structured to showcase every single paper they offer, especially those with external manufacturing arrangements.
Manufacturing vs. Branding: St. Cuthberts Mill produces the paper for Canson under a licensing agreement. Their own website focuses on their proprietary brands (Saunders Waterford, Bockingford, etc.). They aren't typically going to promote another company's brand, even if they are the ones making it.
Reliance on Retailers: Both Canson and St. Cuthberts Mill likely rely heavily on specialist art supply retailers to carry and describe Moulin du Roy. These retailers often include the key details, such as "now produced at St. Cuthberts Mill," in their product listings.

This creates a frustrating information gap for artists seeking details directly from the source. You're left navigating various retailer sites, hoping to piece together the full picture.

The Information You're Looking For (And Where to Find It)

Despite its elusive nature on official brand sites, you can still find comprehensive details about Canson Moulin du Roy:

Manufacturing Method: It's 100% cotton and mould-made on a traditional cylinder machine, giving it a texture similar to handmade paper.
Sizing: Moulin du Roy is internally and surface-sized with synthetic (AKD) or plant-based sizing. This means it's vegan-friendly and does not contain animal derivatives like gelatin, which is common in many other watercolour papers. This also contributes to its excellent lifting properties.
Surfaces and Weight: It's available in Hot Pressed (smooth) and NOT (cold pressed/medium texture) surfaces, typically in 300gsm (140lb) weight.
Availability: You'll primarily find it at reputable online and brick-and-mortar art supply stores. These are the best resources for current stock.
Reputation for Quality: It garnered a reputation as a high-quality, 100% cotton, mould-made paper with excellent working properties, including good absorbency and the ability to handle lifting and reworking. Its smooth (Hot Pressed) surface was particularly favoured by botanical and detailed artists.
Artist Disappointment at Discontinuation: The strong reaction and disappointment from artists when Canson initially discontinued it (before St. Cuthberts Mill resumed production) is a clear indicator of its popularity and the loyalty it commanded. Artists actively lamented its absence and called for its return.

The Case of the Missing Deckled Edges: Why Moulin du Roy Looks Different

A detailed view of the original Moulin du Roy watercolour paper, highlighting its classic deckled edge and the unique watermark: "Moulin Du Roy Canson France.

Deckled edges, the beautifully feathery, untrimmed edges characteristic of traditionally made, mould-made papers, were a feature of the original Canson-made Moulin du Roy. However, the current paper produced by St. Cuthberts Mill no longer has them; instead, sheets now have four straight, machine-cut sides. This shift doesn't signify a decline in quality – many high-quality, mould-made papers are sold with trimmed edges. For Moulin du Roy specifically, this change was likely part of Canson's specifications to St. Cuthberts Mill when production resumed. This decision would align with strategic goals: enhancing manufacturing efficiency by optimising yield from paper rolls and streamlining cutting for standard sizes.

Is Canson Moulin du Roy Watercolour Paper Available Internationally?

A common question artists have about Canson Moulin du Roy watercolour paper, especially given its unique manufacturing story, is its international availability. Acquiring Moulin du Roy outside the UK may involve looking at UK-based retailers who offer international shipping. While its roots are in France (via Canson) and its current manufacturing in the UK (at St. Cuthberts Mill), this high-quality paper is distributed through some art supply networks across the globe, but it's not currently extensively available.

The UK remains the most reliable hub for purchasing Canson Moulin du Roy, thanks to its proximity to the St. Cuthberts Mill production. You'll have the most success finding it at these well-known, dedicated art supply stores:

If you're outside the UK, looking to acquire Canson Moulin du Roy paper, you'll find reliable worldwide shipping options available from both Jackson's Art Supplies and Bromleys Art Supplies.

Screenshot from www.jacksonsart.com - dated 07.06.2025 - Click to visit the product page.

The Canson Moulin Du Roy watercolor paper made by St Cuthberts Mill in the UK and sold online at www.jacksonsart.com

Screenshot from www.jacksonsart.com - Date: 7th of June 2025 - Click the image to visit the product page.

Canson Moulin du Roy at www.artsupplies.co.uk

Screenshot from www.artsupplies.co.uk - 7th June 2025 - Click the image to visit the product page.

For artists avoiding animal derivatives, Canson Moulin du Roy is internally and surface-sized using synthetic (AKD) or plant-based agents, making it entirely vegan-friendly with no animal derivatives. This also contributes to its reliable lifting properties.

Share Your Experience!

We hope this deep dive has helped clarify the mystery surrounding Canson Moulin du Roy watercolour paper. Its unique journey from factory to studio is fascinating!

Now, we'd love to hear from you:

Have you had a chance to work with Canson Moulin du Roy paper?
If you've tried both the original Canson-made version and the current St. Cuthberts Mill production, what differences (if any!) have you noticed in its handling, texture, or performance?
Do you have a preference between the old and new, or any tips for working with this paper?
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below – your insights are incredibly valuable to fellow artists!

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Exploring the Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor Profi-Plus Pencils

6/6/2025

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The Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor Pencils are a specialised set of oil-based coloured pencils designed for artists, designers, and enthusiasts seeking high-quality tools for detailed and expressive work. Manufactured by Lyra, a German company with a rich history dating back to 1806, the Profi-Plus grey tones pencils are part of the broader Rembrandt Polycolor range, known for their vibrant pigmentation, smooth application, and versatility. The grey tones set, specifically a tin of 12 tones, is tailored for monochrome work, shadow underpainting, and detailed graphic art. In this article, we’ll dive into the features, performance, pros and cons, and ideal use cases of these pencils, drawing from various artist reviews and product specifications.

The Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor Profi-plus set, also marketed as 'grey tones', is a compact collection of 12 coloured pencils focusing on shades of grey, including shades of white, black, and both warm and cool greys. These pencils are oil-based, distinguishing them from wax-based alternatives like Prismacolor Premier, and are designed to offer excellent blending, layering, and lightfastness.

Notably, six of the colours in this set are unique and not included in the standard 72-colour Polycolor range: Light Grey Warm (195), Silver Grey Warm (196), Medium Grey Warm (197), Dark Grey Warm (198), Black Soft (199), and Black Hard (299).

They come housed in a sturdy, hinged metal tin, a hallmark of premium coloured pencil brands, which ensures portability and protection. The set is marketed as an ideal supplement to the broader Polycolor range, particularly for artists who specialise in monochromatic illustrations or need nuanced greys for underpainting in coloured works.

Set Contents: The tin contains the following 12 pencils:

1 White (001)
1 Black (099)
1 Black Hard (299)
1 Black Soft (199)

1 Light Grey (195)
1 Silver Grey (096)
1 Medium Grey (097)
1 Dark Grey (098)

1 Light Grey Warm (195)
1 Silver Grey Warm (196)
1 Medium Grey Warm (197)
1 Dark Grey Warm (198)

"Profi" is a common German term for "professional," often used in product branding to denote high-quality, professional-grade tools (e.g., Bosch’s "Profi" tool line).
"Plus" implies an upgraded or specialised version, suggesting the set is a premium subset of the Polycolor range, tailored for specific applications like monochrome work.
The name "Profi-Plus" is consistent with Lyra’s branding for other products, such as the Lyra Graduate Profi-Plus watercolor pencils, indicating a broader use of the term within their professional-grade lines.

Key Features

Oil-Based Core: The 4mm oil-based lead provides a smooth, creamy application without the wax bloom common in wax-based pencils.
Lightfastness: Lyra claims high lightfastness, though independent tests by the Colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA) indicate mixed results, with some colours rating lower than others.
Break-Resistant: The pencils are made with high-quality cedarwood casings, ensuring durability and resistance to breakage during sharpening.
Versatility: Suitable for use on various surfaces, including paper, cardboard, plastic, wood, and textiles, making them ideal for mixed-media projects.
Packaging: Presented in a metal tin with a cardboard sleeve featuring a colour chart, though some users note the lack of product information on the tin itself as a minor drawback.

A hand-made colour chart depicting the colours of the Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor Profi-plus grey tone set of 12

Performance and Application

Application & Texture

The Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor grey tones pencils are praised for their smooth laydown and ability to blend effortlessly, particularly when used with the Lyra Splender blender or odourless mineral spirits (OMS). The oil-based core strikes a balance between firmness and softness, being slightly softer than Faber-Castell Polychromos but harder than Prismacolor Premier. This makes them suitable for both detailed work and broader coverage, though some may note they require more pressure to achieve full opacity compared to softer pencils.
The grey tones set are particularly effective for creating subtle gradients and shadow effects. On black paper, the white pencil performs adequately but isn’t as opaque as competitors like Derwent Lightfast, requiring multiple layers for strong highlights. The black pencils, especially the hard black, are excellent for fine details, while the soft and regular blacks blend well for deeper shading.

Blending & Layering

Blending is a standout feature of these pencils. The oil-based core allows for seamless colour transitions, whether using a blender pencil, OMS (mineral spirits), or the pencils themselves. Some note that the pencils can be applied loosely without leaving visible pencil lines, which blend out smoothly for soft, blurry backgrounds or gradients. However, layering is where some users find limitations. Compared to Polychromos or Caran d’Ache Luminance, the Polycolor pencils fill paper more quickly, limiting the number of layers that can be applied before the surface becomes saturated. This can be a drawback for artists who rely on extensive layering to build depth.

Lightfastness

Lightfastness is a critical factor for professional artists, and the Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor pencils have a mixed reputation in this regard. Lyra’s own ratings (marked as *, **, or *** for satisfying, good, or extremely good) suggest high lightfastness, but independent tests by the CPSA reveal that less than 50% of the broader Polycolor range (72 colours tested) scored above 5.4 on an 8-point scale, with 11 of 24 colours in one set rated as inferior. For the Grey Tones set, each colour is marked as *** meaning these colours are all highly lightfast.

Lightfast ratings and pencil colours found in the Lyra Polycolor Profi-plus grey tones tin of 12

The lightfastness ratings and colour names of the Polycolor grey tones set of 12, as indicated on the inside of the tin lid.

Colour Accuracy & Range

The Profi-Plus set focuses exclusively on grey tones, offering a balanced selection of warm and cool greys alongside white and black. This makes it an excellent choice for monochromatic studies, portrait shading, or underdrawings. However, some artists have criticised the broader Polycolor range for inaccurate colour labeling on the pencil barrels, where the end cap colour doesn’t always match the core. For the Profi-Plus set, swatching is recommended to ensure accurate colour selection, as the grey tones can vary subtly in warmth or coolness.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Smooth Blending: The oil-based core excels at creating seamless blends, ideal for gradients and soft effects.
Durability: Break-resistant cores and sturdy cedarwood casings ensure longevity, even with frequent sharpening.
Affordability: Priced lower than premium competitors like Caran d’Ache or Faber-Castell, the Profi-Plus set (around £25 GBP for 12) offers good value for professional-grade pencils.
Versatile Application: Suitable for multiple surfaces, expanding their use beyond traditional paper-based art.

Cons

Limited Layering: The pencils fill paper quickly, limiting the number of layers compared to Polychromos or Luminance.
Mixed Lightfastness: Some colours in the broader Polycolor range have lower lightfast ratings, (although the colours in the grey tones set are all 3 stars), requiring caution for archival work.
Colour Labeling Issues: Inaccurate color caps can slow down workflow, necessitating swatching.
Opacity Challenges: The white pencil is less opaque than competitors, requiring additional layers or alternative tools (e.g., Brush and Pencil Titanium White) for bright highlights.
Small Set Size: With only 12 pencils, the set is limited for complex projects unless supplemented with other Polycolor sets or brands.

Comparing oil-based coloured pencil brands

Vs. Faber-Castell Polychromos
The Polycolor Profi-Plus pencils share similarities with Faber-Castell Polychromos, both being oil-based and German-made. However, Polychromos are slightly harder, allowing for more layers and finer details, while Polycolors are softer and fill paper faster. Polychromos also have a broader colour range (120 vs. 78) and generally better lightfast ratings. The Polychromos range has 13 grey tones, plus a standard white and black.

Vs. Prismacolor Premier
Unlike the wax-based Prismacolor Premier, the Polycolor’s oil-based core avoids wax bloom and feels firmer. Prismacolors are softer and more vibrant but prone to breakage and less lightfast in some colours. The Polycolor Profi-Plus set is more specialised, focusing on greys. In contrast, Prismacolor Premier offers a broader tonal spectrum, with 19 grey shades, plus a standard white and black.

Vs. Derwent Lightfast
Derwent Lightfast pencils, also oil-based, outperform Polycolors in opacity. They also offer superior lightfast ratings, ensuring excellent longevity for archival artwork. However, their grey selection is limited, consisting of six light grey shades, one medium grey, one metallic grey, and three black tones (including warm and cool variants), which restricts their versatility for monochrome or shadow-focused projects. Additionally, Derwent Lightfast pencils come at a higher cost, while the Polycolor Profi-Plus set offers a more budget-friendly option for grey-focused work.

Conclusion

The Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor Profi-Plus Pencils are a niche but valuable addition to an artist’s toolkit, particularly for those specialising in monochrome or shadow work. Their smooth blending, durable construction, and affordability make them a compelling choice for both professional and beginner artists. However, limitations in layering, mixed lightfastness, and less opaque whites mean they may not fully replace top-tier brands like Faber-Castell or Derwent for all applications. Many other brands offer a better selection of greys, but this is a great option as an added addition to the 72-colour set. For artists seeking a specialised set of grey tones at a reasonable price, the Profi-Plus set delivers solid performance with a few caveats. Whether you’re sketching detailed portraits or laying down underpainting for vibrant coloured pencil pieces, these pencils offer versatility and quality that punch above their price point.

A coloured pencil tutorial of a 3 dimensional glass jar using only 5 pencils in the Lyra Polycolor Profi-plus range

Try our Coloured pencil Tutorial

Why not try our coloured pencil tutorial and create a striking 3D glass jar using just five grey colours from the Lyra Polycolor Profi-Plus set (or any grey pencils you have)

This quick, beginner-friendly tutorial is perfect for honing your shading skills.
Click the image to visit the tutorial.

WE CANNOT CONFIRM IF THIS PRODUCT IS FREE OF ANIMAL DERIVATIVES
The absence of explicit vegan certification or a cruelty-free statement from Lyra suggests they cannot guarantee that their raw materials or supply chain are 100% free of animal derivatives or testing, which is a common issue with art supplies due to complex supply chains.

Do you own this set of Lyra Polycolor Profi-Plus pencils?
We’d love to hear your take!
How do you find this set or the broader Polycolor range?
Are they your preferred choice, or do you swear by another brand?

Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comment section below.

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The Mystery of Moulin du Roy: Where Did Canson's Beloved Watercolour Paper Go (And Where Is It Now)?

Why Isn't It on Canson's Website (Or St. Cuthberts Mill's)?

The Information You're Looking For (And Where to Find It)

The Case of the Missing Deckled Edges: Why Moulin du Roy Looks Different

Is Canson Moulin du Roy Watercolour Paper Available Internationally?

Exploring the Lyra Rembrandt Polycolor Profi-Plus Pencils

Key Features

Performance and Application

Application & Texture

Blending & Layering

Lightfastness

Colour Accuracy & Range

Pros and Cons

Comparing oil-based coloured pencil brands

Conclusion

Try our Coloured pencil Tutorial

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