Watercolor painting is a popular medium for artists of all skill levels, and the type of paper used can greatly impact the final result. Let’s delve into the history of watercolor paper, what makes for a good watercolor paper, factors to consider when selecting a paper, and specific examples of good watercolor paper brands.
History Of Watercolor Paper
Watercolor painting has been around for centuries, but the paper used for the medium has evolved over time. Early watercolorists used papers made from natural fibers such as cotton, linen, and hemp. These papers were durable and absorbent, but they were also expensive and difficult to produce.
In the 19th century, machine-made paper was introduced. This paper was cheaper and more widely available than traditional handmade papers, making it more accessible to artists. However, machine-made papers often lacked the texture and absorbency of handmade papers, making them less suitable for some picky watercolor painters.
Today, watercolor paper is available in a wide variety of types and brands, with a range of textures, weights, and absorbencies to suit different painting styles and preferences.
What Makes A Good Watercolor Paper?
When selecting a watercolor paper, there are a few key factors to consider.
Weight
The most important of these is the paper's weight because it affects the durability and sturdiness of the paper, as well as the way the paint is absorbed. Heavier-weight paper is more durable and can handle multiple washes and layering.
Paper weight is typically measured in pounds (lb) or grams per square meter (gsm). Watercolor paper is most commonly available in two weights: 140 lb (300 gsm) and 300 lb (640 gsm).
The higher the weight, the thicker and more durable the paper will be. They can handle multiple washes and layering without buckling or warping, which is important in watercolor painting, where multiple layers are applied. Heavier-weight papers also tend to be more resistant to damage and wear and tear, making them a good choice for finished paintings that will be framed or displayed.
Lighter-weight papers, on the other hand, are more flexible and can be useful for sketching and preliminary studies but may not be as suitable for finished paintings.
Texture
Texture matters in watercolor painting because it affects how the paint is absorbed into the paper and how the final painting looks. Watercolor paper is available in three textures: hot press (smooth), cold press (medium texture), and rough (coarse texture).
Different textures of paper can create different effects in the final painting. For example, a hot press paper will have a very smooth surface, which causes the paint to spread evenly and creates a very even, flat wash. This can be useful for achieving smooth gradations of color or fine details.
On the other hand, cold press paper has a slightly textured surface, which will cause the paint to bead up and create a more textured look. This can be useful for creating a more natural look or adding a sense of depth to the painting.
Rough paper has a coarse and very textured surface, which causes the paint to bead up, creating more texture and granulation. This can be useful for creating a more abstract or loose look in your painting.
Absorbency
Absorbency is also an important factor when selecting a watercolor paper as it affects how the paint is absorbed and how the final painting looks.
A paper with high absorbency will absorb the paint quickly, allowing the colors to spread and blend easily. This can create a softer, more diffused look to the painting. However, if the paper is too absorbent, the paint may spread too quickly and be difficult to control, making it harder to achieve fine details or sharp edges.
On the other hand, paper with low absorbency will not absorb the paint as quickly, causing it to bead up on the surface. This can create a more textured, granulated look to the painting but can also make it harder to achieve smooth washes and blends.
Archival
Acid-free or archival paper is used in fine art because it is more resistant to yellowing and deterioration over time. Traditional papers, particularly those made before the 20th century, often contained high levels of acid, which caused the paper to yellow and become brittle over time.
Acid-free paper, on the other hand, has a neutral pH level and is made with a process that removes the acid from the paper fibers. This means that it will not yellow or deteriorate as quickly as traditional papers, making it a better choice for the long-term preservation of artwork.
Using acid-free paper for watercolor paintings also helps to ensure that the colors of the painting will remain vibrant and true to the artist's original intent. The acid in traditional papers can cause the pigments in the paint to fade or change over time, leading to a loss of color and a change in the overall appearance of the painting.
Sizing
Watercolor paper sizing is a process in which gelatin or a starch-based solution is applied to the fibers of the paper to make it more resistant to water and to improve its ability to hold pigments. Sizing is an important step in producing watercolor paper because it affects the absorbency and texture of the paper, as well as the final look of the painting.
There are two different methods of preparing watercolor paper for painting: surface sizing and internal sizing.
Surface Sizing
This is a method in which a medium is applied to the surface of the paper, usually in the form of a gelatin or starch-based solution. This creates a protective barrier on the surface that helps to prevent water from penetrating too deeply into the fibers. Surface sizing can also improve the paper's ability to hold pigments and create a slight texture on the surface that can be useful in creating certain effects.
Internal Sizing
On the other hand, internal sizing is a method in which the medium is added to the fibers of the paper during the papermaking process. This creates a more uniform distribution throughout the paper, which can improve the paper's ability to hold pigments and make the paper more resistant to water. Internal sizing can also help to create a smoother surface, which can be useful for achieving fine details and smooth gradations of color.
Is Sizing Vegan?
It's worth noting that not all sizing is vegan, as some traditional methods use animal-derived products like gelatin. However, there are also vegan alternatives such as plant-based starches and synthetic resins. Due to this variation, it's important to check the product information or ask the manufacturer if you're looking for a vegan option. We included a few details about this in the brand bullets below.
Brand
Different brands may offer different qualities of paper at different prices. Offering a wide range of options allows everyone, from students to professional artists, the ability to choose the best product they can afford within their respective budgets. Further, some may prove more suitable for certain types of watercolor painting.
What Are The Best Watercolor Paper Brands?
Some specific examples of high-quality watercolor papers include:
Arches Watercolor Paper
This is a 100% cotton, acid-free paper that is available in a variety of textures, weights, and sizes.
It is considered one of the best papers for watercolor painting due to its durability and ability to hold a lot of water without warping.
Arches watercolor paper is internally sized with gelatin but also has a surface sizing, allowing more flexibility and durability during the art creation process. This is not a vegan option.
Arches cold-pressed variety is my favorite due to its very high level of absorbency for wet-on-wet painting and for how well it holds up to multiple layers of paint.
Fabriano Artistico Watercolor Paper
Made in Italy from 100% cotton, and is also available in a wide range of weights, textures, and sizes.
It allows for easy blending of colors and a good amount of tooth for lifting and layering paint.
Like Arches, Fabriano uses a combination of internal and surface sizing methods, all of which are plant-based and, thus, vegan.
Saunders Waterford Watercolor Paper
This is a high-quality, acid-free, 100% cotton paper from England that is available in hot press (smooth), cold press (medium texture), and rough textures.
It is ideal for both traditional and experimental watercolor techniques.
Similar to Arches and Fabriano, Saunders uses a combination of internal and surface sizing but is all gelatin-based and not vegan.
Canson Watercolor Paper
Made from a blend of cellulose and cotton, and comes in a variety of textures and weights.
They use a combination of internal and surface sizing. Most Canson papers are vegan, except for Canson Mi-Teintes and Canson Ingres, which still contain gelatin sizing.
Their XL Watercolor paper is among my favorite for experimentation and play, as it is inexpensive yet holds up relatively well to a good amount of water and layering.
Strathmore Watercolor Paper
Strathmore is a well-known brand of watercolor and other art papers, offering a wide range of options for artists of all skill levels, including various textures and weights.
They offer both student and artist-grade products, fitting your needs and budget.
Gemini Watercolor paper is the only one that still uses gelatin. All other Strathmore watercolor papers are vegan-friendly. Whether a Strathmore paper is surface or internally sized depends on the weight and texture of the paper, so be sure to check if this is important to you.
What’s The Best Watercolor Paper For Beginners?
The best watercolor paper for beginners is 140 lb (300 gsm) cold press (medium texture).
Cold press paper is lightly textured, which can be helpful for beginners. It allows for more control over the paint, making it easier to achieve smooth washes and blends.
A weight of 140 lb (300 gsm) is also a good choice for beginners as it is a good balance between durability and flexibility. It is thicker and more durable than lighter-weight papers, making it suitable for finished paintings. It can also handle layers and multiple washes without warping. At the same time, it is more flexible than heavier-weight papers, making it easier to handle and work with.
Some examples of good watercolor paper brands for beginners are Arches, Fabriano, and Canson Watercolor Paper, all of which offer good quality cold press paper in the 140 lb weight.
Ultimately, your choice of watercolor paper will depend on your individual artistic preferences and the specific effects you are trying to achieve in your work.
