When you start painting with watercolors, the kind of paper you use can really change how your art turns out. Watercolor paper is special for a few reasons, and these reasons can affect your artwork in big ways. Let's look at what makes watercolor paper so important.
Material Matters: Watercolor paper is usually made from either 100% cotton or wood pulp, or a mix of both. Cotton paper is the best because it soaks up water really well. This means your paint stays nice on the surface without causing the paper to bend or get ruined. I love using 100% cotton paper because it feels amazing when I paint!
Different Textures: The surface of the paper has different textures, which also matters a lot. There are three main types of watercolor paper:
Absorbency Levels: Watercolor paper is made to handle a lot of water without falling apart. Good watercolor paper can soak up water well, which lets you blend and layer colors beautifully. If you use paper that doesn’t soak up water well, the colors might come off too easily, which can be annoying.
Weight Considerations: The weight of the paper is also important. Watercolor paper usually weighs between 190gsm (grams per square meter) and 800gsm. Lighter paper is nice for quick sketches, while heavier paper can take on a lot of water and big washes. When I first used heavier paper, I was amazed! I could paint big washes without worrying about ruining the paper.
Control Over Your Work: With the right watercolor paper, your brushes and paints will feel easier to handle. Good paper helps your brush strokes go smoother and lets you apply colors more accurately. You’ll find less pooling of water and more control over your washes.
Final Appearance: The type of paper you choose changes how your finished artwork looks. Rough paper can add texture and depth, while smooth paper can make colors look bright and clean. Trying out different papers has shown me how even small changes can lead to very different results in my art.
In the end, every artist has their own favorite type of watercolor paper. It's kind of like picking the right pair of shoes—comfort is important, but style matters too. So, try out different types of paper, make mistakes, and figure out what you like best. Since I started paying more attention to the paper I use, my watercolor paintings have become brighter and more expressive. Trust me, using the right watercolor paper can really boost your art and make your painting journey even more fun!
When you start painting with watercolors, the kind of paper you use can really change how your art turns out. Watercolor paper is special for a few reasons, and these reasons can affect your artwork in big ways. Let's look at what makes watercolor paper so important.
Material Matters: Watercolor paper is usually made from either 100% cotton or wood pulp, or a mix of both. Cotton paper is the best because it soaks up water really well. This means your paint stays nice on the surface without causing the paper to bend or get ruined. I love using 100% cotton paper because it feels amazing when I paint!
Different Textures: The surface of the paper has different textures, which also matters a lot. There are three main types of watercolor paper:
Absorbency Levels: Watercolor paper is made to handle a lot of water without falling apart. Good watercolor paper can soak up water well, which lets you blend and layer colors beautifully. If you use paper that doesn’t soak up water well, the colors might come off too easily, which can be annoying.
Weight Considerations: The weight of the paper is also important. Watercolor paper usually weighs between 190gsm (grams per square meter) and 800gsm. Lighter paper is nice for quick sketches, while heavier paper can take on a lot of water and big washes. When I first used heavier paper, I was amazed! I could paint big washes without worrying about ruining the paper.
Control Over Your Work: With the right watercolor paper, your brushes and paints will feel easier to handle. Good paper helps your brush strokes go smoother and lets you apply colors more accurately. You’ll find less pooling of water and more control over your washes.
Final Appearance: The type of paper you choose changes how your finished artwork looks. Rough paper can add texture and depth, while smooth paper can make colors look bright and clean. Trying out different papers has shown me how even small changes can lead to very different results in my art.
In the end, every artist has their own favorite type of watercolor paper. It's kind of like picking the right pair of shoes—comfort is important, but style matters too. So, try out different types of paper, make mistakes, and figure out what you like best. Since I started paying more attention to the paper I use, my watercolor paintings have become brighter and more expressive. Trust me, using the right watercolor paper can really boost your art and make your painting journey even more fun!