Buying guide for Best watercolor paper
Written by Ariel Lynch
Updated November 2022
Painting is a fun and relaxing form of creativity, accessible to everyone from young children and enthusiastic hobbyists to masterful professional artists. For a successful result, having the proper supplies is essential, and this means using the right kind of watercolor paper, which is arguably the most important part of watercolor painting.
There are a multitude of watercolor papers to choose from, and when you’re first starting out, it isn’t surprising that you might get lost in your options. However, it’s important to take the time to learn about various watercolor papers since they’re a non-negotiable tool.
There are differences in watercolor papers that range from the paper surface types to their thickness, material, and quality. Once you tackle these vital factors, you can explore useful tips on using watercolor papers in order to make your painting experience the very best it can be.
How to buy the best watercolor paper
What is watercolor paper?
Watercolor paper is a specifically formulated artist’s paper that’s made with either 100% cotton or wood pulp. It may also be made using recycled wood shavings that are intertwined with small amounts of cotton. These materials are widely available and inexpensive, making them the most popular pick for making all sorts of papers. Watercolor paper is designed to be light and flexible while also being porous and thick enough to absorb watercolor paints.
Why you shouldn’t use normal paper
Standard white printer paper or other sketch papers aren’t designed for use with wet materials like watercolors. The surface is too thin and absorbent, leading the paper to become soggy and even rip or tear. For successful watercolor painting, users require a surface that’s absorbent but thick enough that the watercolors won’t damage it.
How much watercolor paper do you need?
Take into account the volume of watercolor paper that you realistically need. You may be working on a single project, or you might be an avid artist who regularly requires large amounts of watercolor paper. It’s commonly available in single sheets, pads, or rolls and blocks.
If you’re working on a small project, a single sheet or small pad of watercolor paper at a specific size might be all you need. Blocks and rolls of watercolor paper are more suitable for those who are more experienced and use it frequently, like teachers and artists. Rolls are especially versatile because they can be custom-cut to different sizes.
DID YOU KNOW?
To avoid pilling, practice gentle brushstrokes. It’s also possible to stretch your watercolor paper for a second time, but this risks interfering with any of the paint you’ve already applied. You may want to invest in a higher-quality watercolor paper if you find that the one you’re using is continuing to pill.
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Features of watercolor paper
Surface
There are three types of surfaces for watercolor paper:
- Rough (R): This type of watercolor paper surface has the most prominent “tooth,” meaning that it’s the most textured. This creates a unique “lumpy” or “speckled” effect once the watercolors are applied. Rough watercolor papers are used by experienced artists or those with a looser painting style, since controlling brushstrokes can be difficult on a more raised surface.
- Hot-pressed (HP): Hot-pressed watercolor paper is the smoothest option. It has very little “tooth” and is the easiest on which to control brushstrokes. Hot-pressed watercolor paper is best suited to those with a more precise style of painting. It’s ideal for fine detail work and allows irregularities in the paints to be more visible. Hot-pressed watercolor paper is an excellent choice for layering multiple watercolor washes.
- Cold-pressed (CP): Cold-pressed is the most popular choice for watercolor paper. It’s a perfect medium between rough and hot-pressed, with a mid-range tooth and texture that’s easier to work with. Cold-pressed watercolor paper is more absorbent, which gives painters less time to make changes as they work. It still provides the textured effect while allowing for multiple washes and more detailed work than rough watercolor paper.
Quality grade
There are two main quality grades for watercolor paper: student and artist. These are stated on the packaging of the watercolor paper and make a difference in how long your artwork will last. Student-grade watercolor paper contains acid and is easier to paint on but isn’t built to endure. Artist-grade watercolor paper is acid-free and designed to last for a long time. Artist-grade is more expensive due to its better quality.
Sizing
Sizing refers to the additives that allow watercolor paper to absorb moisture in the intended way. Some watercolor papers have sizing that’s applied to only one side, while others have sizing throughout the entire core of the paper. Sizing ensures that the watercolor paper retains the watercolor paints and is an important part of how the paper behaves.
Weight and thickness
The weight of watercolor paper is measured by “grams per square meter” or “gsm.” The most standard watercolor paper weights are 190 gsm, 300 gsm, and 638 gsm. Some watercolor papers also state their weight in pounds, for example, “140 lbs,” meaning that 500 sheets of the paper weighs 140 pounds.
300 gsm at 140 lbs is a great thickness and weight to start with. This watercolor paper is easy to work with and is relatively absorbent. The higher the weight, the thicker the paper, which also means it costs more.
If you don’t have a sponge, you can use paper towels to apply water to stretch your watercolor paper.
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What to use with watercolor paper
Watercolor paints
A solid set of watercolor paints is an important complement for use with your watercolor paper. Investing in a high-quality set of paints is a necessity, no matter your level of expertise.
Paintbrushes
It’s helpful to have a nice variety of watercolor paintbrushes on hand for the various types of detailing and coloring that watercolor painting calls for.
Watercolor pencils
Watercolor pencils are an excellent tool to use while watercolor painting, as they can be easier to use than paint and brushes and are helpful for finer detail work and adding depth.
How much does watercolor paper cost?
Pricing for watercolor paper varies depending on the number of sheets per pad or block and the length and width of the sheet roll. The weight and texture also play a part in pricing.
Inexpensive
The most affordable watercolor paper is found for $5 to $20. These include individual sheets or small pads, often with lighter weights and varying textures.
Mid-range
Mid-range watercolor paper costs $20 to $45. These are larger blocks of 50 to 100 sheets with varying weights and surface textures. The weight of watercolor papers in this range tends to be the standard 140 lb, 300 gsm.
Expensive
The most expensive watercolor paper is $50 to $90. These are the highest in quality and are typically cold-pressed or rough surface watercolor papers. They’re often made using 100% cotton and include large rolls.
DID YOU KNOW?
Pilling is a common occurrence for watercolor painting. It’s when the surface of the paper becomes too moist and develops small balls of paper that gather on the page and may stick to your brush.
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Tips
- Stretch your watercolor paper before beginning. Stretching is a helpful practice in which the artist saturates the front and back surfaces of their watercolor paper in order to expand the cotton fibers. This prevents any wrinkling, warping, or buckling as watercolor paints are applied. This simple process only takes 15 to 30 minutes.
- Use masking tape to secure the edges of your watercolor paper. Masking tape is stronger than Scotch tape and more resistant to moisture, making it a top choice for use with watercolors. Secure the corners of your watercolor paper with sizable strips of masking tape, allowing enough space along the edges so you can fully complete your painting.
- Reuse failed watercolor paintings by painting on the back. If you aren’t satisfied with the result of your watercolor painting, make use of the reverse side of the paper to try again. This is a cost-efficient way of conserving paper and ensures that your first attempt doesn’t go completely to waste.
FAQ
Q. Is stretching my watercolor paper completely necessary?
A. While stretching your watercolor paper isn’t totally necessary for beginners, it does make a big difference for experienced painters and those planning to paint using a lot of water. Warping and buckling of the watercolor paper is nearly irreversible and can ruin the appearance of your artwork. Since stretching is such a straightforward process, it’s usually recommended to do, even though it’s optional. Thicker watercolor papers are less likely to require stretching.
Q. Does it matter which side of the watercolor paper you use?
A. It’s common practice that you paint on the side of the watercolor paper where any watermark might be legible. However, it doesn’t really make a difference which side you choose, as both are identical.
Q. When should I stretch my watercolor paper?
A. You can stretch your watercolor paper up to a few days before painting. As long as you allow the watercolor paper to fully dry before you apply the paints, you can begin painting as soon as it’s been stretched. Most artists like to do it the day before and allow the paper to dry overnight.
