Watercolor Paper

Different painting mediums require different materials and tools. The surface on which a painting is done also greatly differs from medium to medium. Watercolor paintings require special paints known as water color paints and they need to be painted on watercolor paper for best results. So what is watercolor paper? It is a specially formulated paper that is used for watercolor paintings. They are less absorbent than normal drawing paper which helps the watercolor to adhere to the surface of the paper, without spreading or bleeding. This is really important, in case of watercolors, since the quality of the finished painting depends upon how well the paint can adhere to the surface of the paper. Watercolor paper comes in many forms, textures and quality and the artist should know about this, before making his purchase.

Watercolor Paper: Explained

Using the correct paper is very important, if you want your artwork to look the best. Since watercolor is a very light medium and the paint is transparent, the quality of paper you choose for your painting is quite important. This paper is available in two forms. In the form of individual sheets which comes in different paper sizes and watercolor blocks which are nothing but stacked watercolor paper attached to a board. There are three factors by which this paper is graded, and its quality ascertained. One is the paper weight, how the paper is treated and how the paper is processed, after it has been manufactured. Lightweight watercolor paper weighs about 90 pounds for every ream. A ream is around 500 imperial sheets of paper that are 22'' x 30''. A heavy weight watercolor paper weighs anything from 100 to 300 pounds. Generally, heavier the paper, the more expensive it is. This is because, a heavy paper does not wrinkle when watercolor paint and water is applied to it.

When the paper for watercolors is being manufactured, it is mixed with gelatin, so that the paper becomes less absorbent. This is known as sizing, this is a crucial step in the manufacturing of watercolor paper, as, without proper sizing, the paint will get absorbed by the paper and not give a glistening and smooth effect which is the beauty of a watercolor painting. Some papers are sized only after they have been manufactured. This means that only the surface of the paper has been sized and each individual fiber of the paper has not been treated with gelatin. You should steer clear of such paper as they will wrinkle and absorb all the paint, if your brush strokes are too vigorous or you use a rough watercolor painting techniques.

The texture of watercolor paper is also an important consideration while choosing a paper for watercolor painting. There are basically three types of texture for watercolor paper: rough, smooth and in between. A cold pressed paper has a texture that is not too smooth, nor too rough. It is one of the best textures to paint, since the paint does not bleed or run, and adheres to the surface of the paper. Rough pressed paper has a very rough texture and prominent grains, and the paint and water has a tendency to settle into the small grains and craters. Hot pressed watercolor paper has a smooth surface with a high glossy finish. Most artist do not prefer this kind of paper, as it doesn't dry too quickly. However, hot pressed paper is excellent for making detailed and intricate paintings.

Storage of such paper is also important, if you want to keep them in the best condition. Ideally, they should be stored in a cool and dry place, away from sunlight and humidity. If you are an artist who paints watercolors regularly, it makes sense to purchase watercolor paper rolls and cut out sheets according to your need.