Watercolor paper

The paper used for watercolor painting is a specialty heavy paper at least 90lb. (To give you an idea of the thickness, standard card stock is 60 or 80lb.) Heavier, thicker, paper, such as 140lb, will buckle less from the moisture used during the painting process.

Watercolor paper ranges from inexpensive (thick paper with texture) to expensive watercolor paper (cotton paper). It comes in two varieties: hot press (smooth) and cold press (bumpy).

Watercolor paper is sold in single sheets, in a pad or a block. Single large sheets are sold for artists to cut their own smaller sheets. A block of watercolor paper is sealed on all sides, which keeps the paper rigid. Read more!