The Basics to Watercolor Paper 101

01/09/2020

   Watercolor Paper is one of the main key concepts of watercolor. If you don't know much about it, it can be tough to choose a good brand. Ever have that feeling where you just walk into a store, looking for watercolor paper, and you just feel totally overwhelmed? I did too when I was first starting out. However, hopefully after this easy to read blog post, you will have a better understanding of what to look for in watercolor paper, and how to find the perfect brand.


Cotton Vs. Non-cotton watercolor paper

   The first thing you need to know is that different brands of watercolor papers act differently compared to other brands of watercolor paper.  Take Arches watercolor paper and Strathmore watercolor paper, for example. You can clearly see that the watercolors applied to the Arches watercolor paper look more vibrant than the watercolors applied to the Strathmore watercolor paper.

   This is because the Strathmore paper is a non-cotton watercolor paper and the Arches is a 100% cotton watercolor paper. You may have noticed that the paints dried faster on the Arches watercolor paper than the Strathmore. This is because 100% cotton paper absorb paints into it, and it doesn't just let them puddle on top. Also, paints look more vibrant on 100% cotton paper. This is because the paints are attracted more to the fibres in 100% cotton paper, which makes the color stand out more. You can tell if a paper is 100% cotton or not by checking to see if it says 100% cotton right on the cover or the inside flap of the sketchbook. 

Textures of the Papers

   There are also different textures of watercolor paper. These certain textures are named hot-pressed, cold-pressed, and rough paper. Hot-pressed paper is the least textured and smoothest out of the three groups. It is best for smooth washes of color and small details. However, it is not the number one spot for layering. There is also rough paper. Rough paper is the, as its name, roughest and most textured out of the three textures and is great for layering and large washes of paint. Lastly, there is cold-pressed paper. 

   Cold-pressed paper is in between hot-pressed and rough paper, so it is not too smooth, but not too textured. Cold-pressed paper is good with small details, smooth and large washes of paint, and layering. Cold-pressed paper is the best for beginners because you can really get a feel for all the techniques on one paper before choosing which "side" you want to be on.

Weights of Watercolor Paper

  Ever see those crazy numbers on the front of a watercolor sketchbook? What are they? What do they mean? Well, those crazy numbers are actually the weights of the watercolor paper. The most common weights for watercolor papers are 140 lbs. and 300 lbs. The weight of your everyday sketchbook paper is 90 lbs. which is just a bit heavier than printer paper.  The way it works is simple. The higher the number of the weight, the thicker the paper is. The weight of watercolor paper matters because the thicker the paper, the more likely it is to prevent buckling, (warping), of the paper.  If you add squirts of water to a piece of card stock, you will see that it slowly starts to curve up (which is called buckling). 

   The same thing happens with watercolor paper. Watercolors are part water, so when it is applied to watercolor paper, the paper buckles up. However, the thicker the paper, the less likely it is to buckle. This is because thicker paper has more density in it to stay in place. If you used 90 lbs. watercolor paper, it would most likely start buckling right away, making it look all curved and unprofessional. However, using thicker paper makes your painting less warped and more professional.  

Stretching Watercolor Paper

  Besides the weight, there is another way to prevent buckling of watercolor paper. This way is called stretching watercolor paper. The way you do this is quite simple. All you have to do is before you start your painting, take some form of painters tape, (I like to use washi tape because it doesn't rip the paper and it is very affordable.) and tape the sides and edges of your watercolor paper down to a flat surface like a clipboard or a table.  

   When adding your watercolors, your paper does not buckle up because the sides are taped down tightly to another surface, making it hard for the paper to fold up when something is holding it down. Stretching watercolor paper before starting is a lightsaber for artists because it gives them a chance to have a nice, flat, paper without having to do any terribly hard work at all.  

Might as Well be a Pro!

   Now that you know the Basics to Watercolor Paper, I hope you will continue to share it amongst other beginner artists when the time comes around. Watercolor paper is one of the hardest parts to watercolors and it has struggled amongst many. However, after reading this post, I hope you are not one of those who are struggling. With a bit of practice, you might as well be a pro!  I hope you have a better understanding of watercolor paper and you enjoy your future painting fiascos knowing the proper watercolor paper techniques. Make sure to share this blog post, and I hope you found it useful! 

© 2019 Hannah Chase. All rights reserved.
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