Watercolor Paper: Get to Know Your Supplies Series

Watercolor paper is not just thick art paper or cardstock.

It is a specialty paper designed specifically to handle water. The difference lies in both its weight and its sizing. High-quality paper makes watercolor easier and far more enjoyable to work with. Let's get into it...

Paper Textures

Watercolor paper comes in several surface textures, each suited to different styles of painting.

Cold press has a lightly textured surface and is the most versatile option. It works well for both loose washes and detailed work, making it a popular all-purpose choice.

Hot press is smooth and firm, allowing for crisp edges and fine detail. It’s commonly used for botanical, illustrative, or technical painting where precision matters.

Rough paper has a highly textured surface that creates broken, expressive marks. It’s ideal for loose, atmospheric, or highly textured effects.

What is Sizing?

Sizing isn't about whether your booty fits them jeans. Sizing is an ingredient what makes watercolor paper behave properly. Traditionally made from gelatin, sizing is added to the paper to control how water and paint are absorbed. It keeps pigment on the surface long enough to blend, glaze, and lift, rather than soaking in immediately.

Well-sized paper allows for smooth washes, clean color, controlled layering, and easier corrections. Poor or weak sizing causes paint to sink in too fast, resulting in dull color, harsh edges, and limited working time.

A note of caution: Over-scrubbing or excessive layering can wear away the surface sizing. When this happens, the paper may begin to stain, deteriorate, or feel “dead,” making it difficult to control paint. Learning when to stop and let the paper rest is part of developing a confident watercolor practice, so chill y'all.

Weight

Once again, we aren't talking about jeans, but thickness... of paper. Paper weight is how thick and sturdy watercolor paper is. Heavier paper takes more water and stays flatter. Lighter paper is cheaper but warps more.

Common weights

90 lb / ~190–200 gsm – thin, buckles easily, best for practice and light washes

140 lb / 300 gsm – standard choice, handles most techniques, usually taped down

300 lb / ~640 gsm – very thick, barely buckles, great for very wet work

I'll be honest with y'all, I hate buckling... so I pretty much only use the thick stuff. 300lb is my go-to, and I feel it's worth the extra price.

Sheets, Rolls, Pads, Boards or Blocks?

Watercolor paper comes in several formats, each suited to different styles of working and convenience needs.

Sheets – Individual sheets offer the most flexibility. You can cut them to any size, stretch them on a board, or tape them down for stability. They’re ideal for larger or custom projects, but require careful handling to prevent buckling.

Blocks – Blocks are sheets glued on all edges, keeping the paper flat as you paint. They’re convenient because you don’t need to stretch or tape the paper, and they’re easy to remove when finished. Perfect for wet washes and plein-air work.

Pads – Pads are glued along one edge, making them handy for sketching, studies, or small projects. They’re usually more affordable than blocks or loose sheets and are a great choice for practice or travel.

Rolls – Rolls give you continuous lengths of paper, which is useful for panoramic paintings, murals, or experiments with large washes. You can cut sheets to any size, but you’ll need to stretch or tape them carefully to avoid buckling.

Boards -- Some stores carry Canson's specialty watercolor "board" - a heavy mat board with watercolor paper adhered to one side. I've used board for large commission paintings that I wanted to make feel substantial and prevent from buckling.

Brands I've Tried and Liked

Professional & Premium (great performance, easily allows lifting and scrubbing)

Arches – Classic 100% cotton, mold-made paper with excellent sizing and durability; works beautifully for washes, lifting, and layering.

Fabriano (Artistico) – 100% cotton made in Italy, reliable surface for both smooth work and expressive washes. (Y'all! Hobby Lobby now sells this as their store brand!!! Making it so affordable!)

Midrange & Student-Friendly (good for practice)

Strathmore Watercolor Pads – Reliable quality at a lower price point; great for learning and sketching.

Stonehenge Aqua – Cotton watercolor blocks with good performance, especially for plein air or practice work.

Watercolor paper is more than a surface—it’s an active partner in how your paint behaves. Choosing the right paper and treating it gently can make a noticeable difference in both your process and your results. Arches and Fabriano are my choice of paper, and Levi's are my choice in jeans. xoxo

Happy Painting! - Em

This series walks through the core watercolor supplies, explaining what they are, how they behave, and why they matter, so you can make confident choices without feeling overwhelmed. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your setup, think of these posts as a practical foundation for painting with more ease and confidence.