Best Watercolor Paper in 2022

Last update: December 21, 2022

Can I use watercolor on canvas?

Yes, you can use watercolor on canvas. The key is to use a water-based primer and to give the painting time to dry completely before adding another layer of paint.

Can you paint on the wrong side of watercolor paper?

Watercolor paper is made to have paint applied to the smooth side, the side without the texture. Applying paint to the rough side can cause the paint to bead up and not lay down evenly. It can also cause the paint to dry more slowly.

Can you reuse watercolor paper?

Yes, watercolor paper can be reused. The paper will retain its shape and can be used multiple times.

Can you use sketchbook paper for watercolor?

Yes, you can use sketchbook paper for watercolor, but it may not be the best option. Sketchbook paper is usually thinner and less absorbent than watercolor paper, so it may buckle or warp when wet. If you do use sketchbook paper for watercolor, be sure to use a heavier weight paper and tape down the edges to prevent warping.


Arches 140 Lb CP Watercolor Pad 12 Sheet Review:


I had never used Arches paper before. I had high hopes, and they were most definitely realized. I particularly appreciate this paper's stiffness and thickness. In comparison to many other papers I have used, it doesn't warp or buckle as badly. It withstands numerous wet washes, scrubbing, and glaze applications quite well.I love it because it prolongs the working duration of the paint, which is something I require since I live in a warm area. It also takes longer to drain away moisture than other sheets I've used.I've tried a few watercolor and mixed media papers, but never one that is 100% cotton. I'll continue to use them because they're adequate, but I kept hearing about Arches. The name Arches seemed to be associated with the best watercolor paper, with both artists and reviewers praising it and using it as a standard against which to measure other papers.Since someone close to me requested a painting for her mother, I figured I should give the gift the respect it deserves by creating it on the appropriate paper. So I happily spent money on Arches.I'll continue to use Arches for my greatest work till something better comes along.



Canson XL Series Oil and Acrylic Paper Pad, Bleed Proof Canvas Like Texture, Fold Over, 136 pound, 9 x 12 Inch, White, 24 Sheets Review:


On this Canson paper, I like painting! I use it to make cards by folding a 9x12 piece of paper in half. It produces a robust 6x9 card. (The recipient might frame it, but as 6x9 is not a common size, you could always take 1" off the long side before folding/painting it to make 6x8)To stabilize them for painting, I tape them to the back of an 11x14 canvas board. I can also utilize my easel at that time.In order to paint a nice clean edge and keep the back of the card clean while painting, I drew a blue line on the fish painting to show where I place the artists tape, right along the fold seam. Unless you are just really wild with your brush strokes, this will keep the back of the card clean during painting.They provide such lovely cards. I enjoy sharing these with my pals.Additionally, it varnishes nicely. absolutely lovely after being polished.PS: I'm using very little water and acrylic. These will distort if you add a lot of water to your acrylic; after all, they are made of paper. However, as you can see in the picture, it was easy to dry them nicely flat in acrylic with little water.



Canson XL Series Watercolor Pad, 9" x 12", Fold-over cover, 30 Sheets (100510941) Review:


Watercolor is a favorite among my children, and we frequently run out of paper. Keep this item in your cart for a while and keep an eye on the price; when it drops below $7, I stock up. This has a great substantial weight and a subtle texture. I like the large size because even when I cut it in half or quarters, the kids will still have a nice-sized work surface. I find the negative reviews perplexing. To be honest, we don't typically overly soak or saturate the paper. On the other hand, it does not pile on us or dull hues. Maybe that's because my kids aren't employing any sophisticated writing strategies on the paper. We are beginning painters, so again, I have worked with Strathmore paper before and did not see any discernible differences in how much it warps or how it absorbs color.I've included two images showing some of the vibrant colors this brilliant white paper produces. Please be polite; my three-year-old did the work!



Canson XL Series Watercolor Textured Paper Pad for Paint, Pencil, Ink, Charcoal, Pastel, and Acrylic, Fold Over, 140 Pound, 11 x 15 Inch, 30 Sheets (7022446) Review:


Watercolor is a favorite among my children, and we frequently run out of paper. Keep this item in your cart for a while and keep an eye on the price; when it drops below $7, I stock up. This has a great substantial weight and a subtle texture. I like the large size because even when I cut it in half or quarters, the kids will still have a nice-sized work surface. I find the negative reviews perplexing. To be honest, we don't typically overly soak or saturate the paper. On the other hand, it does not pile on us or dull hues. Maybe that's because my kids aren't employing any sophisticated writing strategies on the paper. We are beginning painters, so again, I have worked with Strathmore paper before and did not see any discernible differences in how much it warps or how it absorbs color.I've included two images showing some of the vibrant colors this brilliant white paper produces. Please be polite; my three-year-old did the work!



Yupo Paper L21-YUP197W912 White Sheets, 9" x 12", 10 count Review:


purchased a Yupo pad in each size to try something new to inspire painting. worked with watercolors for a long period to produce a few paintings that were worth keeping. You won't think twice about using a brush on your paper because Yupo is forgiving, simple to experiment with, and fully reversible. These Yupo pads are good, but the artist needs more experience. The following time I have writer's block, I'll attempt acrylics on Yupo. It's unique, yet it's inspired my painting.



Strathmore 140-305 Ready Cut Watercolor, Hot Press, 5" x 7", White, 25 Sheets Review:


After using this paper for a year, I feel like revising my previous review. This paper remains my go-to brand even today. It's incredibly practical for me because I detest cutting paper. After trying both the hot press and the cold press papers, I have the same thoughts about each. Subsequently I was using watercolors when I first submitted my original review and have since moved to gouache, I also used two different mediums on these papers.My watercolor paintings back then had a very vivid appearance on this paper. This paper was by far one of the best papers. Different paper brands frequently cause the same watercolor paint to look different after being absorbed. Now that I use gouache, this benefit only applies when I dilute the paint. However, it's a huge plus when I do.I'll admit that I utilize a lot of extra layers and rough cuts of paper when I plan things out. Scrubbing the paper while pulling paint from my brushes is therefore nothing unusual for me. When I use fresh watercolor paper, this is generally the first thing I check for, however I have not experienced peeling with this paper.I no longer extend my watercolor paper, and I haven't stretched this paper either. At most, I'll tape the sides with Washi tape, and after the painting is finished, I'll let it lay overnight beneath some books. If you just tape the paper down or do nothing, it will warp. For the sake of the review, I placed a 5 lb box on top of a scraped test painting for roughly an hour to compare the warping. I included a picture of the warped test painting.



Bellofy 50 Sheet Watercolor Paper Pad - 130 IB / 190 GSM Weight - 9x12 in Size - Cold Press Paper - Water Painting Art Notebook Pad Review:


I'm just learning watercolors, so you can't really practice on any old paper. I wasn't looking for anything extravagant; rather, I just wanted to get the most value for my money and stop worrying about making a mistake on my "expensive" paper.I began by purchasing the Canson spiral mixed-media journal for between $8 and $9. 60 7x10 98lb/160g sheets are included. It served its purpose well enough to get me going, but as I started to run out, I knew I wanted to try some true watercolor paper that was at least 140lb cold pressed.I struck gold when I discovered this item on sale! Even though it only weighs 130 lbs, it is still a huge improvement over what I was using. Additionally, a sheet of 9x12 paper is quite large. I would have thought the original $20 price tag would be a bit excessive, but I was thrilled to find it on sale for $12.99! I'll have plenty of use out of this, and if it's still on sale when I run out, I'll buy more.



ARTEZA 5.5x8.5” Watercolor Pad, Pack of 3, 90 Sheets (140lb/300gsm), 30 Sheets Each, Spiral Bound Acid Free Cold Pressed Paper, Painting & Drawing Sketchbook, Perfect for Wet, Dry & Mixed Media Review:


Since quite some time, watercolor has been my chosen medium. I've been practicing with a variety of paper brands. Why it took me so long to use Arteza's watercolor pad is beyond me, but I'm so glad that I did. For this price, this is the highest quality watercolor paper available. I've used more expensive brands, but this paper accomplishes the same task.Three 5.5 by 8.5-inch notebooks are included in the package. It's the ideal size for a watercolor sketchbook or for packing in a bag when traveling. When I learn new techniques or widen my personal style, I don't feel like I'm wasting high-quality paper because I know I have two other notebooks that will be there for me as I get better, even if I'm not happy with how I've been practicing.There are 90 pages in all. The pages in this notebook are the thickest and toughest I've ever purchased at this price point. I was quite pleased and taken aback by the paper's quality and thickness when I opened my package and started flipping through the notebook. I like using textured paper for my artwork, so if that's not your preferred sort of paper, I wouldn't recommend buying this bundle. Do yourself a favor and buy this if you have no interest in textures. The fact that I have one of my watercolors framed and in direct sunshine for the majority of the day without noticing any color fading or changes is a godsend. Many companies advertise this in their products, yet it occasionally doesn't operate as promised. Using this Arteza package I can rely on the product to perform exactly as promised.Overall, this is the highest-quality watercolor notebook available in this price range, and you can't go wrong with three of them. This item is ideal for both experienced artists who want high-quality paper that won't break the bank and beginning artists who are attempting to learn.



100Sheets Newbested White Watercolor Paper Cold Press Cut Bulk Pack for Beginning Artists or Students. (10 x 7 Inch) (10 x 7 INCH) Review:


In spite of all the negative reviews I had read, I decided to take a chance on this paper (not white enough, cockles with wet on wet, piling under the brush and so on). After employing a dozen sheets for quite in-depth examinations, what was my conclusion? For this ridiculously low price, it would be unreasonable to expect anything better. Watercolor paper suitable for scholastic use might easily cost $2 PER SHEET when purchased by the sheet. These cost LESS THAN ONE TENTH of that much! While it does start to pill if you try to rework a wet area for an extended period of time, the paper is surprisingly consistent in thickness (when held up to a light) for such a budget-conscious paper. If you want to do that, you need a paper that has been hard-sized. To put it another way, spend as much money per sheet as you intend to invest in painting it. When you anticipate greatness from inexpensive paper, you are only setting yourself up for disappointment.I've washed isolated areas and done some little lifting, with surprisingly good results. Is this the best paper I've ever written or my favorite? Without a doubt not in the slightest. Is it a suitable surface for novices, kids, and preparatory work? You won't find anything substantially comparable for those uses anywhere close to this pricing, in my opinion. For the price, it well exceeds my expectations.The majority of complaints pertain to those who had inflated expectations and should have purchased a more expensive paper with hard sizing. If you don't like it, that doesn't mean the paper is poor.I've included a few of the sketches I drew on this piece of paper. I'd buy it once more.



ARTEZA Watercolor Paper 9x12 Inch, Pack of 2, 64 Sheets (140lb/300gsm), Cold Pressed Art Sketchbook Pad for Painting & Drawing, Wet, Mixed Media Review:


I absolutely enjoy this essay! With 32 sheets and a nice weight of 140 pounds, this set is a great value at two packs for $18 and change. I appreciate the linen-like appearance of it, and it has tooth because it is cold pressed. It's a fantastic deal! Along with regular watercolor paints, I found that it holds up well to watercolor pencils, markers, and markers. It's good for mixed medium artwork as well. My son uses it for zentangles, ink drawings, and other crafts. Definitely, I'll buy again!


Can you watercolor over pencil?

Yes, you can watercolor over pencil. The lead in the pencil will help the paint to adhere to the paper and the colors will be more vibrant.

Do you paint the background first with watercolor?

There's no right or wrong answer when it comes to whether you should paint the background first with watercolor. It's really up to you and what you're most comfortable with. If you're not sure where to start, you can always experiment with both techniques and see which one works better for you.

Do you use the rough or smooth side of watercolour paper?

I tend to use the smooth side of watercolour paper more often than the rough side. I find that the smooth side allows for a more even paint application and also provides a more consistent finish. The rough side can be useful for creating more textured effects, but it can also be more difficult to control the paint application.

Does all watercolor paper need to be stretched?

No, all watercolor paper does not need to be stretched. Some watercolor artists choose to stretch their paper before painting, while others do not. It is a matter of personal preference. Some watercolor papers are more likely to buckle or warp when wet, so stretching the paper beforehand can help prevent this.

Does watercolor need special paper?

Watercolor does not need special paper, but there are certain types of paper that are better suited for watercolor than others. Watercolor paper is usually thicker than regular paper, and has a rough surface that helps the paint adhere to the paper. Some watercolor papers are also coated with a special sizing that helps the paint dry evenly and prevents it from seeping through the paper.

How do you prepare watercolor paper before painting?

Watercolor paper needs to be stretched before painting. This is done by soaking the paper in water for a few minutes, then attaching the paper to a board using masking tape, making sure the paper is completely smooth. Once the paper is dry, it is ready to be painted on.