Painting With Watercolors - How To Choose The Right Watercolor Paper

Helen Aldoroty
Sep 10, 2019
3 min read

Updated: Feb 10, 2020

Does the Type of Paper You Use Really Matter?

Absolutely! If you try to paint on copy paper, sketch paper, or any other paper not specifically meant for Watercolors you will be very unhappy with the results. Using the right materials is the key to successful Painting with Watercolors. Watercolor Paper comes in various weights and textures. It is completely up to you which one you choose. The best way to decide is to have a good understanding about the result each type will produce. Let’s review the textures and weights available so you can decide what kind of Watercolor Paper will work best for you.

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Textures

Hot-Press has a smooth surface and is best used for fine detailed watercolor paintings, pen-and-ink, and colored pencils.

Cold-Press has some texture and is the most commonly used Watercolor paper. It’s versatile surface holds up well to most watercolor techniques. I recommend this type of paper and texture to my students and they achieve great results with it.

Rough has a bumpy texture. It’s rough surface is used mostly for larger paintings. Not the type of paper that beginners would find easy to use.

Is There a Right side or Wrong side to Watercolor Paper?

There really is no “right” or “wrong” side to Watercolor paper. However, there is a difference between the two sides with one side being slightly smoother than the other. Choosing which side to use really depends on what your requirements are for your painting. The smoother side is good if you are painting a lot of detail. While the textured side is better if you want to build up color and intend on using a lot of glazes.

Weights

The weight of Watercolor paper is extremely important.

90lb (200g) – This is a lightweight paper and doesn’t hold up well to scrubbing. It can cause many problems during the painting process because it tends to buckle.

140lb (300gsm) – A popular choice among Watercolorists. It can be stretched to avoid buckling when wet, dries rather quickly, and is moderately priced.

300lb (620gsm) – This weight of paper does not require stretching and holds up well if you plan on using heavy washes. However, it takes longer to dry and is more expensive.

Size and Format

When buying Watercolor paper there are some other things to consider. First the size of the paper and then how you plan on using it.

Pads – With Pads the paper comes either glued on one side or is spiral bound. Pads usually have between 12-50 sheets and come in a range of sizes.

Blocks – This type of paper comes glued on all four sides. One of the advantages is you are less likely to have the paper buckle while you are painting. Blocked paper is stable and easy to hold on your lap while you work, which is ideal for plein air painting.

Sheets – If you do not want to commit to buying an entire pad or block of Watercolor paper then sheets are certainly an option. I would also recommend using sheets if your work is larger than 18” x 24” or you require a heavier weight of paper.

Rolls – Consider buying rolls if you use one type of Watercolor paper frequently or paint larger than 22”x 30” it will be more economical. Rolls are usually 10 yards long and run 44"- 66” wide.