ULTIMATE GUIDE on WHICH PAPER to use for WATERCOLOUR PAINTINGS.

ULTIMATE GUIDE on WHICH PAPER to use for WATERCOLOUR PAINTINGS.

Watercolour painting is fun when we use the right colours and RIGHT PAPER…. Yes! It’s really important. 

We should know how a paper reacts with water as we (sometimes) use too much water in water colour paintings.

So here, I am presenting you the  ULTIMATE GUIDE on WHICH PAPER to use for WATERCOLOUR PAINTINGS.

I will discuss 3 types of papers and how they react to water… by the end you’ll know which paper best suits your watercolour paintings.

We’ll start from the worst to best.

HERE WE GO…

Paper 1: Papers used for printing 

I will suggest you one thing…. NEVER use these papers for painting. 

I’ll tell you why

Reason 1: They are very thin papers (70 to 100 gsm) (gsm = gram per square meter) 

Reason 2: As these papers are very thin, when you’ll start painting,  you’ll see the paper starts getting even more thin 

and in the end you may also find so many holes in your painting.

If you are a beginner than please… consider it as a pro tip… DON’T USE PRINTING PAPERS FOR JUST ANY KIND OF PAINTING.

RANKING: NOT GOOD

Paper 2: Drawing or sketching books papers or drawing book

If you are a beginner then I would suggest… go for this paper… it’s good(not best though) for beginners.

It’s thickness is normal (around 180 to 200 gsm)

You can easily paint on this but I would suggest that just don’t use too much water when you paint. But if you used too much water then the painting may get messed up.

RANKING: GOOD (for beginners)

Paper 3: COLD PRESS or HOT PRESS papers

When you are done with your practice of painting, switch to cold or hot press papers.

THESE ARE THE BEST! 

They are very thick (300 gsm thickness is suggested)

These papers are best for watercolour painting.

Colours look so bright on this paper, you’ll just love it.

RANKING: BEST ( for those who has practiced painting on drawing book or something like that for at least 1 month)

So, I would suggest you to use COLD PRESS or HOT PRESS paper if you have some experience or if you are a beginner then first practice on drawing book and then use cold press or hot press papers.

Hope you’ve liked the ULTIMATE GUIDE on WHICH PAPER to use for WATERCOLOUR PAINTINGS.

Thanks for reading.

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