3 Types of Watercolor Paper and When to Use Them
Throughout my watercolor journey, I’ve come to find that paper is THE supply that you absolutely cannot skimp on. Paper will make or break your artwork. And if you don’t use the right paper, you will surely be disappointed in the results you see from your efforts. In this week’s YouTube video, I dive into paper and talk about which ones are best for what kind of paintings. Feel free to check out what I write below, as well, to get more info.
When I first started painting with watercolors, I made cheaper and lower cost papers work, but when I decided to make the switch to more professional paper, it changed the game for me and my artwork. This is especially true in creating washes and painting landscapes.
If you want to learn more about the paper I recommend buying, you can download my free Watercolor Supply Guide.
Here are the most important things to know about watercolor paper:
Composition
100% Cotton (Art Quality Paper): When purchasing watercolor paper, ensure you are purchasing 100% cotton acid-free paper. This is the only paper that will enable you to create the beautiful watercolors you so desire. If the paper is NOT 100% Cotton, it will not say it on the paper or cover of your watercolor paper pad or block.
Other (Student-Grade Paper): Watercolor papers that are not 100% Cotton Rag are made with a mixture of wood pulp, cellulose fibers and sometimes cotton. These are cheap papers and will not give you the results you want. I cannot emphasize enough that you should avoid these papers at all costs and spend the money on 100% Cotton papers.
Weight
I recommend that you use a paper that is a minimum of 140 lb/300 gsm paper. The heavier the paper, the less likely you’ll experience warping and buckling of the paper when you use a lot of water and paint. The heavier papers tend to require less stretching or flattening.
Texture
Watercolor paper comes in three types of texture: Hot-Pressed (HP), Cold-Pressed (NOT) and Rough. Here are samples of the three watercolor papers. So when should you use these?
Hot-Pressed: is extremely smooth and works well for artwork that requires less water and a lot of detail. I love to use Hot-Pressed when painting birds and animals that have a lot of fur or detail. Since there is less texture to the paper, it is easier to get the details in without any issues of bumpy lines caused by the texture of the paper.
Cold-Pressed (NOT): is the most popular and very versatile. It has a slight texture (“tooth”) and I use this with landscapes and looser animal paintings. Cold Pressed – also known as NOT (which literally stands for Not Hot) – is probably the most popular paper texture watercolor artists use.
Rough paper: as you might expect, has the most texture or the most “tooth.” I never use this paper. It is too difficult for me to get the level of detail that I want in my paintings, and it is harder on brushes. However, for those interested in trying it, rough paper is well-suited for a looser watercolor style. If you like a very textured look to your watercolors, you might want to try Rough paper to see if you like it.
For most people, cold-pressed is going to provide the best texture for painting. If you are just starting out, especially, I suggest you work with Cold-Pressed because of its versatility.
If you’re still unsure, take this short quiz to find out what watercolor paper is perfect for you.
I hope that this explanation was helpful and you’ll now have a better understanding of what kind of paint will work best for you.
If you are just starting out with watercolors and would like a more comprehensive guide on Watercolor Supplies, download my free Watercolor Supply Guide.
Keep Calm and Watercolor on,
