How To Choose The Right Watercolor Paper

Based on my experience, Watercolor paper is the most important supply of all. Good paper always does not mean more cost, it rather means choosing the right paper. Painting on the right watercolor paper can enhance the overall beauty of the painting. One of the main characteristics of the paper is the texture or surface finish (like Some papers are flat & plain, some are more textured etc.), it plays a major role while choosing the right paper.

Majorly there are three types of paper

Hot Press Paper

• Hotpress papers are smooth, plain with hardly any texture 
• It’s widely used for detail precise work, pencil/pen sketching, inking, flower illustration, bird illustration etc 
• This is the best paper to use if want to get an exact look as that of your subject
• Helps to get a subtle, polished, cleaner look to the finished painting 
• It’s not very easy to work with and mostly used by professionals or experienced artists

How does it work with pigment?

• Due to smooth surface, pigment flows effortlessly and allows even blending 
• Hotpress paper is less water absorbent hence pigment tends to stay long on paper and it takes time to dry 
• Artists will get more time to play with the paint & subject in this paper due to its water absorbent characteristic 
• If you want to try out multiple colors and not quite sure of color choice then, hot press papers are a better choice 
• As the paper has a smooth texture, it’s quite difficult to rework but easy to lift the paint
• Glazing and layering is a real challenge in hot press 
• The colors look vibrant and vivid on hot-pressed as the surface of the paper is smooth and flat.

Cold Press Paper

• Cold press paper is rough-textured (more bumpy), compared to the hot press 
• Texture helps to create more amazing effects & a beautiful look
• It is mostly Used for loose strokes, landscapes
• This is the best paper to use if want to achieve a realistic outcome 
• Very famous among artists and widely used by the artist s it has the right balance of texture and water absorbance capacity
• Very good for beginners to try new subject and style 

How does it work with pigment?

• Its easier to work with compared to hot press as an artist can have more control while painting 
• It is more water-absorbent compared to hot-pressed means you have less time to play with pigment and try out
• Colors look less rich & vibrant compared to hot-pressed hence through multiple coats of colour desired result can be achieved 

Rough

• It is more textured in nature compared to other types of paper 
• It’s a good choice to paint subjects like the sky, mountains etc 

How does it work with pigment?

• Due to more texture, pigment tends to sit down on paper very nicely and add more depth, effects to the painting
• Water absorbs more in the rough-textured paper thus giving less scope to lift pigment
• It’s a good choice to paint subjects like the sky, mountains etc where dry brush technique, wet in wet techniques works well

The Verdict!

I had real trouble searching for the right paper, In the current market, there are many choices and

to figure out which ones you are going to need is certainly a difficult task. So before you choose your paper ask yourself some basic questions which will help you to select the right paper, If you don’t want to understand in detail and go deeper, then go for Cold Press – that’s the preferred one for many artists.

1. What is your style of painting 
   1. Loose style 
   2. Detail style 
   3. Small & precise 
   4. Bold strokes
2. What is your subject 
   1. Landscape 
   2. Flowers
   3. Birds etc 
3. What kind of effect you want to achieve 
   1. Realism 
   2. A mix of reality and your style/touch 
4. What is your expert level
   1. Beginner 
   2. Practitioner
   3. Expert