What type of paper is the best if I want to use watercolor?

Question

not canvas.

Answer 1

I had a great watercolor teacher once who told me that if I was going to scrimp, not to do so on the watercolor paper. Buy cheaper paint or even cheaper brushes, but the best watercolor paper you can afford. It should be at least 150 lbs.

I like Arches 300 lb. cold press.

Answer 2

arches watercolor paper is the best. it is very pricey tho. strathmore water color paper is good as well... most people i know buy arches tho. There are alot of different weights and sizes you can get. There is Hot press and cold press... Cold press has tooth to it and hot does not. Think of it as hot press (an iron, Smooth). weight goes from 90 lb to 300 lb. So your best bet is to go to the art store and try a couple different kinds untill you find the kind that you like. The paper has to fit what your doing. wether it be a light wash or a heavy wash. You can see on thin paper with alot of water there will be a ripple effect and warping. Also in framing watercolors i would take them to a profesional and get them dry mounted because it will do to the same thing in a frame. also make sure the paper is acid free and in framing make sure anything touching it is acid free. Most paper pruducts have wood pulp in it and will bleed onto your art. look at the color of a newspaper within' years. that will be your art. Acid free is the way to go.

Answer 3

if you are a begginer..the best paper to use is, in fact a canvas ...only its the canvas paper that is primed for all mediums...which allows u to be able to literally erase the watercolor when u mess up by putting water on it and dabbing away with ur brush or a paper towel...whereas if u have watercolor paper the paper absorbs it..u can buy canvas paper pads at most art stores...hope it helps!!

Answer 4

the best watercolor paper is acid free. since when paper is acid free, the colors wont fade.
and the rest really depends on the art you are creating
"Hot press" has a very smooth texture and is used for detailed work.
"Cold press" has a medium texture and is the most popular.
"Rough" has the most texture and is the hardest to work with.

Answer 5

Fabriano and Arches are the standard. Fabriano is like painting on velvet, My favorite! It used to be called soft press. When scrubbing it does pill, but when bone dry the crumbs will brush away. Arches takes scrubbing well and feels harder and dryer. Don't be afriad to scub your work- you can get some interesting effects. Try masking an area out (Bone dry paper!) and scrubbing it with a damp sponge. Cool effect.

Answer 6

Hi,

The type depends upon your taste and what you want to transmit.
A good brand is Arches.
I've read great stuff about Wattman (sp?), but I guess it's like finding a needle in a hay stake (sp?)

Kind regards,

José

Answer 7

Use Arches or Windsor Newton

Answer 8

you should go to a art store and there should be a section that has that kind of paper

Answer 9

http://www.dickblick.com/zz100/11/

Check this page. In my opinion one of the best
(I know better but that is hand made local stuff)

And yes it is expensive...but you asked for the best.