📄 Watercolor Paper Guide: What Works Best for You

🖼️ Watercolor Paper Basics: What You Need to Know

Choosing watercolor paper can feel overwhelming at first — but don’t worry, it’s easier than it seems. Whether you're just starting out or wanting to upgrade, the right paper makes a big difference in your painting experience. Let’s break it down together!

🌱 Pulp vs. 100% Cotton Paper

• Wood Pulp (Cellulose): More affordable, great for practice. Doesn’t handle water as well, and colors may lift or smear more easily.
• 100% Cotton: Absorbs water beautifully, holds vibrant color, and lasts longer. Costs more, but ideal for serious painting.

📄 Paper Textures: Hot Press, Cold Press, and Rough

• Hot Press: Very smooth surface — great for detailed work and ink lines. Paint may dry faster and sit on top more.
• Cold Press: A gentle texture that works for most painting styles. It’s the most beginner-friendly and versatile option.
• Rough: Highly textured, perfect for expressive styles and granulating pigments.

⚖️ Paper Weight: 140 lb vs. 300 lb

• 140 lb (300 gsm): Most common weight. Can buckle if very wet — taping or stretching helps.
• 300 lb (640 gsm): Thick and sturdy. Doesn’t need stretching and rarely warps. More expensive but super forgiving.

📚 Formats: Sheets, Pads, and Blocks

• Loose Sheets: Great for custom sizes. Need to be taped or stretched.
• Pads: Glued on one edge. Convenient, but the paper might buckle if very wet.
• Blocks: Glued on all four sides. Keeps paper flat while painting — no warping, no stretching. Very beginner-friendly and travel-friendly too!

✅ So, What Should You Choose?

Here’s a quick cheat sheet:

• Just starting out? Try a cold press pulp pad for practice.
• Looking for better results? Go for 100% cotton cold press paper.
• Want something easy and sturdy? A cotton block is your best friend.

🛒 Recommended Watercolor Blocks

These are three great cold press watercolor blocks to explore:

• Baohong 100% Cotton Cold Press Watercolor Block (140 lb)#ad
• Arches Cold Press Watercolor Block (140 lb)#ad
• Fabriano Artistico Cold Press Block (140 lb)#ad

🎨 No matter what you choose, watercolor paper makes a huge difference in your painting journey. Test a few, see what you enjoy — and most importantly, keep painting!