What is a Watercolor Paper| Making | 3 Types

Watercolor papers, often underestimated in their significance, play a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of a watercolor masterpiece. Beyond being a mere surface to paint on, the watercolor paper serves as a foundation that influences how pigments intermingle, how textures emerge, and how colors retain their vibrancy. 

The choice of watercolor paper can make or break an artist’s intent. It dictates the final result and the painting’s overall absorbency, texture, and durability. This article delves into the detail of watercolor paper, its types, and more. So, let’s dig more!

What is a Watercolor Paper?

Generally, watercolor papers, as the name suggests, are a specialized paper type made for use with watercolor paints. The good news is – its usage isn’t limited to watercolor paints only; instead, you can use it with pastels, acrylics, pencils, graphite, and more. The absorbency level of watercolor papers enhances the brilliance of transparent colors, resulting in a luminous appearance. 

What is Watercolor Paper Made of?

Watercolor paper is made of natural fibers that contribute to its unique properties. The two primary types of fibers used in making watercolor papers are cotton and wood pulp.

Cotton Fiber

Cotton is highly regarded for its absorbency, strength, durability, and high-quality watercolor paper is often made from cotton fibers. It can handle the application of water and pigments without easily warping or deteriorating. Cotton fibers allow the paper to hold water and pigments well, providing artists with more control over the blending and layering of colors.

Wood Pulp

Watercolor papers made from wood pulp, also known as cellulose paper, are generally less expensive and come in various qualities. Wood pulp papers may include additives or treatments to enhance their absorbency and texture. While they don’t offer the same level of durability and archival quality as cotton-based papers, they are still suitable for practice and experimentation.

Watercolor Paper Production Process

Watercolor papers are produced using three main processes, each yielding distinct texture, quality, and affordability characteristics. 

Handmade Paper

The handmade watercolor paper stands as the epitome of quality and craftsmanship. This process involves artisans creating each sheet individually by hand. The fibers are carefully mixed, spread evenly on a mesh screen, and then pressed to form a sheet. The result is a paper with a rough and irregular tooth or surface texture.

Mold-Made Paper

The mold-made paper combines the human touch with machine assistance. Fibers are mixed and poured into a mold, then pressed and dried mechanically. While it closely resembles handmade paper due to the random arrangement of fibers, combining human intervention and machinery offers greater consistency and efficiency. This type of paper is known for its good quality, affordability, and durability.

Machine-Made Paper

Machine-made watercolor paper is manufactured in high-volume machines, resulting in cost-effective production. However, this process sacrifices some of the distinct qualities of handmade and mold-made papers. The texture of machine-made paper tends to be more regular and waffle-like, lacking the unique irregularities that enhance paint adherence and texture variation. Additionally, its absorbency might be compromised due to the smoother surface.

Types of Water Color Paper 

The amount of pressure applied on a paper during compression determines the type of surface it’ll have. Let’s discuss the watercolor paper types and the difference between hot press Vs cold press watercolor paper:

Cold Press

Cold-press watercolor paper is among the most commonly used surface texture. The texture is achieved by pressing the paper between cold metal rollers while still damp. It has a slightly textured or “toothy” surface, providing a balanced compromise between smoothness and texture. 

This texture allows for good pigment adherence, controlled blending, and subtle texture effects. Cold press paper is versatile and suitable for a wide range of watercolor techniques, making it a popular choice for artists who want a balance between control and expressive effects.

Hot Press

Hot-press watercolor paper has a smooth surface with minimal texture. It’s created by pressing the paper between hot rollers during manufacturing, resulting in a sleek and relatively flat surface. 

Hot press paper is favored for detailed work, illustrations, and artworks that require precise lines and fine details. Its smoothness makes it unsuitable for watercolor washes compared to cold press or rough press papers, but it’s excellent for controlled techniques.

Rough Press

Rough press watercolor paper has the most pronounced texture among the three types. Its surface is characterized by noticeable bumps and irregularities that create dynamic texture in the final artwork. 

The textured surface allows for unique paint interactions, producing granulated effects and capturing a sense of texture in the painting. Rough press paper is great for achieving expressive, textured, and impressionistic effects, making it ideal for many artists.

The difference between Hot Press Vs Cold Press Watercolor Paper

The difference in hot press Vs cold press watercolor paper is given as:

Aspects	Hot Press	Cold Press
Pigment Penetration	Minimal pigment sits on the surface	Some pigment penetrates deeper into the fibers
Suitability for General Watercolor	Not adequate for general watercolor painting	Versatile for various watercolor techniques
Suitable for Fine Detail	Suitable for fine detail, pen, and ink	Ideal for scraping out details, like rocks with a credit card
Wet on Wet Application	The wet-on-wet application won’t work	Diffused wet-into-wet application is possible but requires control
Glazing	Glazing can lift the underlayer	Not optimal for glazing
Surface Look	Surface may lack a velvety look	Creates a velvety look
Control of Pigment Bleeding	Offers better control of pigment bleeding	Requires skilled control of fugitive paint
Scraping Out Details	Less suitable for scraping out details	Works well for scraping out details, like rocks with a credit card
Risk of Form Loss in Wet-to-Wet Application	Minimal risk of losing forms	Risk of losing forms due to pigment bleeding

Weight 

The paper weight, watercolor included, refers to its thickness. It’s typically measured in pounds in North America and grams per square meter elsewhere. These papers come in three standard weights: 90lb, 140lb, and 300lb. While the 90lb and 140lb weights can become wavy when wet, requiring the paper to be pre-stretched, the 300lb weight can handle more water and is less prone to warping. It also fares better against color lifting, reworking, and general handling.

Format 

Water color papers are sold in various formats, such as:

Sheets: Watercolor paper is often sold in individual sheets or larger cut sizes. Sheets come in various sizes, such as standard sizes like 9″x12″, 11″x15″, and 22″x30″. Artists can choose the size that best suits their intended artwork.

Pads and Blocks: Watercolor paper pads contain multiple sheets of paper bound or glued together from one side. Blocks are similar to pads but are glued on all sides, preventing the paper from warping when it gets wet. They are available in various sizes and are convenient for outdoor painting or working on multiple pieces.

Boards and Panels: A single watercolor sheet is mounted on a hard board, providing a rigid surface for painting. The sheets weigh maybe 90 lb and 140 lb and are ready to use without additional stretching or mounting.

Conclusion

Whether you are an artist or someone who loves to play with watercolors for fun, having proper knowledge about watercolor is essential. And if you are looking for the best watercolor papers for your artistic tasks, Paper Papers have you covered. We offer high-quality, versatile watercolor papers that make your paintings the ultimate piece of art. You don’t have to worry about pigment bleeding or no vibrance with our highly textured papers. So, contact us and get your watercolor sheets or boards now!