How to Choose the Right Watercolor Paper

What Types of Watercolor Paper Are There?

There is a wide range of papers made for watercolor painting, known as watercolor papers. They are made from linen fibers, cotton fibers, or wood pulp. Watercolor paper is less absorbent and holds the brushstroke on its surface for longer. Watercolor paper is also sized. Lightly sized papers are best stretched to prevent them from warping as they dry.

The paper you use affects the finished painting. Cold-pressed paper has a fine grain and texture. It is the most popular choice among artists because it is versatile and easy to work with. It creates smooth, evenly graduated washes. It is also suitable for more detailed brushwork.

Hot-Pressed vs. Cold-Pressed vs. Rough Paper

Hot-pressed paper has a completely smooth surface. It is ideal for detailed work but less suitable for beginners. The paint sits on the surface rather than soaking in, which creates sharp edges.

Rough paper is more challenging to work with and best suited to experienced watercolorists. However, it is one of the highest-quality watercolor papers and is suitable for experimentation. Its surface is heavily textured and grainy, so the paint may skip over the grain and leave tiny white specks.

Recommended Paper: Arches 100% Cotton

We offer Arches rough paper, traditionally made from 100% cotton. It is ideal for wet-on-wet techniques. The pads are available in hot-pressed, cold-pressed, and rough finishes. The cotton fibers are evenly distributed, making the paper more stable and preventing it from warping. A distinctive feature is its gelatin-based surface treatment, which prevents the paint from soaking in too much, allows corrections, and preserves luminosity, natural transparency, and rich color.

How to Stretch Watercolor Paper Before Painting

If you're working on loose sheets rather than a watercolor block, it's a good idea to stretch the paper before you start. Ideally, attach it to a wooden board using gummed paper tape.

The tape around the paper creates a clean border that looks elegant once removed and also prevents the wet paper from buckling.

If you haven't tried watercolor yet, now is the perfect time to start.

Happy painting! Sabína