Second in quality comes mold-made paper. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. All these factors make watercolor paper ideal for watercolor painting because it means the paper will be less likely to warp or tear. If you run a hand across it, it almost feels completely smooth. It also will provide useful information about this material in general. Take the following into account: As with everything, its important to look at the quality of the different products out there. Secondly, the texture of the watercolor paper is different. I find the best watercolor paper for my methods is chosen for a number of specific reasons. Required fields are marked *. It presents fewer imperfections than its hand-made counterpart. (as well as numerous other free painting articles I have written). I like it, but its good for some things and less suitable for others. Once again these are not as ideal for my painting methods as the Arches hot pressed 140lbs paper that I love to use. Finally, the materials used to make watercolor paper are different than those used to make regular paper. If I go ahead with the tip of the brush and you will see a smooth line. Some artists might also find that the absorbency of this paper is a bit too much for their liking, as it can quickly soak up all the moisture and make it difficult to continue working on your painting. This art block is very solid and stable. And for me, coming from using a really lame paper and comparison, this was like a really nice thing to go into. I can also paint in a very painterly manner surrounding my main focus. That being said, its also important to keep in mind that this type of watercolor block is not meant for beginners. You can also find information stretching paper here: Like the great majority of artists' watercolor paper out there, the product by Winsor & Newton is cold-pressed, resulting in a semi-rough texture that creates slight but interesting visual and even tactile patterns. But in general I think I like the pads over the sheets better because I often worry about how the sizing underneath could be affected if youd like to work in a lot of heavy washes. Because it is made on a traditional cylinder mold, this art supply product features interwoven fibers that result in greater durability and resistance to tearing. At the end of the day, though, its up to you to decide which one is right for your particular needs. The paper feels all fancy and I opened it up. That is a hefty price to pay for some paper but I would imagine the quality is a lot better. I do not receive any financial benefit from any manufacturer and for this reason I am free to give an unbiased and genuine appraisal of the products I have chosen to use. There are different surfaces available in watercolor paper. Hot press watercolor paper is a paper designed for watercolor painting with a smoother texture. It is interesting to note that Arches 90lb and Arches 300lbs Hot Pressed has much less size on the surface so the paint and water is absorbed much more readily than it is when using 140lbs Hot Pressed. Despite not being the heaviest type of paper out there, the product is resistant, durable and resilient. Considering that they are 300-GSM and of very high quality, that price no longer seems unreasonable. So you can see here if you follow along the lines, the texture really gets into. If you ask me, I can say that the best thing about this Canson pad is how tough and resistant it is. As a result, the sheets that make this block may peel off accidentally with some level of ease. Hot-pressed and mold-made, the Arches Watercolor Paper Pad is remarkably smooth and imperfection-free. This one has 10 sheets in it. all in a mission to find the most suitable products available. Often, paper pads are tape-bound, making it easy to pull out individual sheets at any moment. Firstly I will begin by saying the products I use and recommend are chosen because they are the most suitable I can find for their properties and applications. You can skim across the top of the paper with your brush held on its side clipping the surface and leaving the indentations to remain white. And in order to get to the next page, you actually have to peel it off. But dont even know how to define the character that it gives to your artwork. Each color of the package basically represents a different level of or a different type of paper. Before you paint on watercolor paper, it first needs to be stretched. Lets get into some of the specific specifications to this paper. Join my email list to receive the latest news and updates on upcoming exhibitions, workshops, DVD/download releases, promotions, art tours, painting hints and tips and more. (in excess of 25,000 DVDs sold around the world). There are three main things that set it apart from regular paper. Let the paper dry overnight, and then cut it away from the board. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. This watercolor paper is of high quality and works well for both experienced artists as well as those who are just beginning. It has a really nice absorbency rate which means you can use different kinds of techniques without any repercussions whatsoever. It just soaks paint up and really well, and it doesnt get warped or crumpled because its glued. Click on any of the DVD images below to find more in-depth information on the contents of each of the DVDs and Video Downloads. So now were looking up close and you can see the texture is quite rough. A watercolor paper block is a pile of sheets. Regarding watercolor paper specifically, there are three main types of texture: hot-pressed, cold-pressed and rough. I am used to using Canson but I am no longer a beginner so maybe I should upgrade to a new kind of paper? Some of the claims on this paper is that its natural white cylinder mold, the same French paper mill since 1492 its acid free. One of the first things that you will notice about the Winsor & Newton Paper is that, despite its opaque tint, it reflects the light very well. Last updated: December 9, 2021 by Mel Stabin. Unfortunately, due to its texture, Arches paper does not handle glue very well. This, combined with its affordability, makes this pad the best cheap watercolor paper for beginners. I have so often asked the following questions: I am sure the answers to these and many more of your questions regarding watercolor paper will be of interest to many : I have spent an enormous amount of time and dollars trialling papers, paint, brushes, tapes (you should see the huge pile of tapes I have sitting in my studio!) The more size used the harder the surface and the slower the absorbency of our water. It is capable of resisting several edits and added washes. Their cold press has a nice texture, and it really accepts the paint very well and allows you to layer the paint and glaze pretty much indefinitely. It has more bumps on the page than regular paper, which is smoother, less bumpy. Made from long, tough fibers of the purest cotton, the Arches Hot Press Watercolor Paper does not warp or bend whenever it comes in contact with water. Its sheets are carefully and precisely glued together at just the right spot, preventing accidental shedding that could ruin a work in progress. I felt like I could not get as many layers on this paper as I could on their traditional cold press paper. For that reason, it works wonderfully with watercolor pencils. Compare those to the undulating leaves and suggested leaves emerging from the soft watery background. The first and most important one is the surface of the paper. Despite not being hot-pressed, the sheets in this block are remarkably strong and resilient. How do you keep watercolor paper from warping? Producing long and thick fibers when dry, this base material is perfectly conducive to the type of colors and details that can be achieved using watercolors. (Unless you use too much water of course). I still felt like I got hard lines and, thats not typical for me. The notable texture that someone may be doesn't like. The fact that it has almost no tooth allows it to produce fine detail, making this a great choice for portraits and smooth washes alike. How to prepare the watercolor paper for painting? Susan Harrison-Tustain. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. However, be aware that these types of papers have less tooth so they arent as good at holding on to your pigment without rushing into them. If you are an enthusiast of painting scenery or you simply love the idea of outdoor painting, a watercolor paper pad may be a good choice. Best Hot Press Watercolor Paper Arches Hot Press Watercolor Paper Block, 4. I find all paper does require stretching if you are using water on your painting. The color saturation also seems much better than other types (cold-pressed) but still; allowing plenty of time before turning them over to make sure the painting is completely finished. The paper begins to roll and develop troughs and highs. Efficient, durable and beautiful without being prohibitively-priced, the Canson Montval Watercolor Pad is a great example of what makes the brand great. Best Paper for Watercolor Pencils Arches Watercolor Paper Pad (12 Pack), 3. The materials light-reflecting properties also help conserve the pigments brightness and vividness for a long time. Like said blocks, boards offer enough solidity and resistance for you to work directly on them without stretching the paper. Best Cold Press Watercolor Paper Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolor Paper Block, 5. Floral Dance watercolor painting Susan Harrison-Tustain. To me, the drying looked a little bit more like a student grade kind of wood pulp or a cellulose fiber paper. This is another excellent paper but it performs very differently from Hot Pressed paper. Normally, this tint is a creamy white but this can vary according to the design of the material. For that reason, this block can be a good choice for serious artists who enjoy a textured, rich material to work on. Depending on its method of production, the quality of a paper will vary. As you can probably imagine, students quality paper is more affordable but less high-quality than artists quality paper. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The paper is ideal for watercolor wash, ink, acrylics, drawing, and printmaking strong enough to handle multiple washes of color, mask fluid, scrubbing and artists tape without damage. Any type of paper can be treated or prepped to be used with watercolor paints; however, it will be best if you use actual watercolor paper designed for watercolor paints. The texture is exactly how pain works on the surface, how the texture affects the lines that you do. This type of material is affordable and lightweight but it is still textured and high-quality enough to handle watercolor paint with no problems. It can also help the material reflect the light in a pleasant manner. In fact, I learned that it will resist various washes without showing signs of deterioration. If we are talking about Artists quality paper, normally, its not possible to purchase it in individual sheets but it can be bought in rolls. Which are the point where the paper starts to buckle a little bit and that will happen with 140 pound paper. Many people will like the hot press because theres nothing like seeing how clean your painting looks once its dry! The paper that I have in front of me is Arches Watercolor Paper Block, which means that it is bound on all four edges with just a small slit in the top that you can slip a palette knife in and slice off the top sheet. This is actually a technique for getting the texture of the paper to show. Due to its size, this block makes a good choice for practicing techniques without wasting too much material or time on small details that may be difficult to manage at first. The characteristics of each method are the following: Achieving a great deal of pressure, a hot press produces very smooth and imperfection-free paper. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Its just amazing. Surface withstands scraping, erasing and repeated washes, Produces a slightly unpleasant smell when wet. Because its heavy and cold-pressed, it is capable of withstanding prolonged use. Thick, slightly textured, and very high in quality, this product is durable and reliable. It is also remarkably tough and durable for not being hand-made. Its important to understand that the amount of pressure applied during the manufactury process determines a papers surface type. Being one of the most well-known art supply manufacturers in the world, Arches produces a wide range of watercolor paper types. As a result, paper boards are a good alternative to the more expensive paper blocks. One of my favourite watercolor floral pieces. The undulations on the surface of Rough paper are very apparent. High-quality and efficient, its 300-pound block is one of the most popular and successful. Essentially, there are three main methods by which this material is manufactured: by hand, by mold and by machine. Cold pressed paper is wonderful for very painterly works. Its light-grain texture helps retain water without creating blotches of pigment. And I always recommend it for the serious artists. My DVDs are dedicated to sharing all the skills and knowledge that have allowed me to reach way beyond my dreams. Enjoy this magical journey! Applying paint to a smooth surface means our paint has no undulations to contend with therefore our paint is controlled and dries evenly. The Arches Watercolor Paper Pad is up there with the best. A wonderful way to create the sparkling sunlight on a rippled sea. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Hopefully my experience will enable you to save your time and money and keep your energy for the creation of your fabulous paintings! Time for reflection watercolor painting I remember so very clearly, the time when I was frustrated and felt I was stuck on a plateau and yearned for the knowledge that would help me lift my work so much higher to know how to paint all I wanted to paint, capture what I was passionate about, express the feeling a subject brought to me and speak to the viewers of my work. Then stretch it using water activated watercolor stretching tape. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I felt like I couldnt get enough layers around the shadowed areas, even though I used proper technique and I wet out the area first and then added some of the shadows in. These little bumps make all the different in the world when it comes to holding your paint. Sizing treated for added durability and resilience, Allows continuous edits without becoming warped, Helps preserve the natural transparency of watercolor paints, Prevents blotches of pigment from forming. These cookies do not store any personal information. At first, it can be difficult for you to get used to the sheet's color dispersal and flow properties. The more GSM a paper has, the heavier and thicker it is. Hot Pressed paper is also perfect for reproduction purposes for books, art magazines, and images. And its actually good because it guides you on how to use it. I have never tried Arches watercolor paper. And I have to say that Ive never produced a piece of artwork with this paper for its intended purpose of watercolor that Ive been truly happy with. Because the paper is so nice and thick it takes some time for the color to be absorbed. This is a 140 pound or 300 GSM, and it is 100% pure cotton, which is excellent. Another great option is the wire-bound pad as it allows you to flip over an existing painting in order to work on another one. As a result, the sheets are nice and straight when you pull them out of the block. These sheets are very lightweight and, as a result, they require some stretching before use in order to prevent them from warping or buckling after the paint is applied to them. Canson is one of the most renowned and well-liked paper manufacturers in the world. This presentation provides enough thickness and support to allow you to work directly on the top sheet without it buckling or wrinkling. Due to its quick-dry and high-absorption capabilities, it is very useful for quick sketching. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This process enables the paper to resist scratches and rough techniques without tearing or linting. My issue with this paper was that I found that it seemed to gum up quite a bit, that I could only get very limited layers before I noticed that it was sitting on the surface of the paper in somewhat of a chalky like way. My choice is Arches Hot Pressed 140lbs (300gsm) paper. Consequently, this block is great for artists who paint quickly and enjoy continuously editing their work. When we are finished our washes our paper dries as tight as a drum once again totally flat, with an even tension, ready for your subsequent washes or if finished ready for your frame! When painting a line I do not want to contend with indentations that cause a line to appear erratic or less straight. The products material qualities allow you to really go hard on it, painting and repainting until you reach the desired results. I personally prefer to use Hot Pressed because I then have the best of all worlds: I can paint in fine detail where I want the viewers eye to focus and engage with my subject. Your email address will not be published. A painting where hot pressed paper allowed me to create the smoothness of young skin and the soft folds of fabric and gentle nuances of reflected and seamless color in her skirt.