How to Choose Watercolor Paper
The selection of the right watercolor paper is very important for an artist because the texture and quality has a direct impact on his/her work. There are a few factors to consider before you go out and buy your watercolor paper. These factors include the quality, weight and texture of the paper. Sure the decision also depends on the type of work you want and your own preferences and art requirements, however, you should know all the information about the paper so that you make the right decision and are satisfied with the work in the end. This article will guide you in this aspect.
Instructions
-
1
Choose a high quality paper for your work. If you are an amateur, you may start with low grade ones to save the costs in the initial attempts. A high quality paper is particularly important with water colors because this type of paint is unforgiving and cannot be painted over to cover up unlike acrylic paints.
-
2
The weight of the paper is an important factor to consider. The thicker the paper, the heavier it is. Most commonly used water color paper has a weight of 140lb. There are both heavier and lighter paper varieties available, but the mentioned paper does the job perfectly. The general rule is that the heavier the paper, the more expensive it is. Thinner paper weights have a tendency to roll and buckle when you apply the washing on them.
-
3
Water color paper is available in different textures. The hot pressed one is very smooth and can be used for making fine paintings. The grains are fine and the paint dries up quickly and finely. The painting texture is very even. The cold pressed one has more texture and slightly rough grains. It has a continuum of varieties between slightly rough to coarse surfaces and it is the most commonly used surface, preferred by beginners. The last variety of texture is the rough one. It has very coarse grains and is fit for bold artwork on a large scale. It is not exactly the right texture to start with if you are a beginner.
-
4
The color of your paper also matters. It depends on the painting and setting you have in mind. The shade varies from white to off-white and it depends on your preference for your own selection.
