Watercolour painting is a delicate and rewarding art form, and one of the crucial elements that contribute to its success is the choice of paper. Selecting the right watercolour paper can significantly impact the outcome of your artwork. We wanted to take a closer look at one of the most renowned paper brands in the world Arches, to see what makes them a watercolour must.
Watercolor paper comes in various textures, including rough, cold-pressed (medium), and hot-pressed (smooth). The choice of texture depends on your painting style and personal preference.
Hot-Pressed (HOT): Provides a fine and smooth surface, perfect for intricate details and controlled washes. Artists who prefer precise and detailed work often opt for hot-pressed paper.
Cold-Pressed (NOT): Strikes a balance between rough and smooth textures. This surface is versatile and accommodates different painting styles, making it a popular choice for many watercolor artists.
Rough: As I'm sure you've guessed is the most textured watercolour paper. The deep pits in the paper are brilliant if you want to get the most out of the granulation of your watercolour paints. This heavily textured paper is well suited to those with a loose watercolour painting style.
Renowned for their artist's quality watercolour surfaces, the Arches paper mill in France manufactures all of its fine art papers using traditional cylinder moulds. They are revered for their quality, and dedicated to replicating the precision of hand-made papers created by master papermakers in the same mill in 1492.
100% Cotton - Its 100 % long cotton fibre composition gives the paper its beauty, a natural, lasting whiteness and an inimitable touch as well as strength.
Gelatin Sizing - Exclusive to Arches, gelatin sizing to the core preserves the lustre and transparency of the colours whilst preventing paints from penetrating into the paper. It allows superposing of washes and gives it added strength to resist erasing and scratching without tearing or linting. It also allows paints to be removed, either wet or dry, easily revealing the whiteness of the paper.
Learn the process behind the world's best in watercolour paper. Watch how Arches is manufactured, and learn how to get the most from your
watercolour painting.
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