How to choose watercolour paper to suit your style
Watercolour artists often have their own favourite type of paper (mine is Arches 300gsm cold pressed) but what do all the types mean and what are they used for?
Each type of watercolor paper has its unique texture and characteristics that affect how the paint interacts with it. There are three types of watercolour paper that you can use:
Rough - best for expressive and loose watercolor techniques
Cold Pressed - the most versatile and suitable for a wide range of watercolor techniques
Hot Pressed - hot-pressed watercolor paper is ideal for highly detailed and precise watercolor paintings.
Trial and error is the best way to discover which type of paper best suits your style and provides the effects you are looking for. To practice and get a feel for the paper, I suggest buying the same brand of paper and weight of paper across the three different types and experimenting using similar studies and techniques. This will give you a better idea as to how each type of texture performs under the same application.
There are a number of brands all at different price points. If you are a beginner, I suggest you at least start with a 300gsm weight otherwise you won’t be getting the best from the paint because the paper simply can’t absorb the water and pigment. Here are some of the best uses for each type of watercolor paper:
Rough Watercolor Paper: Rough watercolor paper has a coarse surface texture that creates a granulated effect in the paint when applied. This type of paper is best suited for loose and expressive watercolor techniques, such as wet-on-wet painting and granulation techniques. Rough watercolor paper is ideal for landscapes, seascapes, and other natural subjects.
Cold-Pressed Watercolor Paper: Cold-pressed watercolor paper has a medium-textured surface that is slightly rough but not as rough as rough watercolor paper. This type of paper is the most versatile and can be used for a wide range of watercolor techniques. Cold-pressed watercolor paper is ideal for botanical art, portraits, and other detailed paintings.
Hot-Pressed Watercolor Paper: Hot-pressed watercolor paper has a smooth surface texture that is ideal for highly detailed watercolor paintings. This type of paper is excellent for fine line work, glazing techniques, and intricate details. Hot-pressed watercolor paper is perfect for botanical art, still-life paintings, and highly detailed portraits.
Good luck!
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