Watercolour Paper

Your choice of paper is a fundamental ingredient in your success as a watercolour artist. Quite simply if you do not use a proper watercolour paper that has been specifically designed for the job then you will not get the results you want period!

So where do you start, after all there are literally hundreds of papers on the market all claiming to be the best. Well we know it is confusing especially if you are new to the medium of watercolour so we have put together our favourites i.e. the ones we personally use as professional artists and recommend to our students.

These are all great watercolour papers and regardless of which one you pick you will get a great surface to work on every time.

The Watercolour Artist.com

Arches Watercolour Paper

Arches watercolour paper is a professional grade 100% cotton watercolour paper of the highest quality.

Arches has been manufactured in the same French mill since 1492 and is a firm favourite with leading watercolour artists all over the world.

This quality watercolour paper is produced on a cylinder mould with pure French stream water. Made with natural gelatin sizing; naturally white containing no optical brighteners offering optimal longevity. Arches is strong enough to handle multiple washes of colour, masking fluid, scrubbing and artist tape without damage to the surface. Each sheet is permeated with a gelatin sizing to give each fiber a consistent feel and absorbency and is finsihed with a decorative deckle edge. It is an ideal paper for watercolour and other wet media, and can also be used for drawing and printmaking.

Every single sheet is inspected, by hand, before it leaves the factory to ensure consistency and durability ensuring that you will get the same results everytime you use it.

Although it is expensive it is a very, very good paper and one that we recommend all watercolour artist try.

The Watercolour Artist.com

Bockingford Watercolour Paper

Bockingford® is a beautiful English watercolour paper, traditionally made on a cylinder mould machine at the famous St Cuthberts Mill. This is a high quality paper made using pure materials to archival standards.

Its attractive surface is created using natural woollen felts that give it a distinctive random texture. Appreciated for its excellent colour lifting abilities. This is an extremely forgiving watercolour paper valued by professional and amateur artists around the world.

Bockingford® offers quality watercolour paper at an affordable price which is why we recommend it so highly to students and those who are trying the medium for the first time. We love it and feel sure you will too!

The Watercolour Artist.com

Langton Watercolour Paper

For many years artists have appreciated the qualities of the Langton. The paper is colour-stable, mould-made and acid-free. The best watercolour papers are acid-free to prevent the deterioration of paint and to preserve the integrity of the paper over time.

Langton Prestige Watercolour Paper

Langton Prestige is a superior-quality watercolour paper manufactured using 100% cotton, the highest quality material for papermaking. Made traditionally on a cylinder mould machine, the paper features a natural whiteness with a soft touch and distinctive texture.

* 100% cotton, with a soft touch
* Traditionally made on a cylinder mould machine
* Acid-free, with an alkali reserve to preserve finished pieces of work and protect against discolouration
* Gelatinised surface for strength and resilience
* Natural white finish

The Watercolour Artist.com

Saunders Waterford Watercolour Paper

Saunders Waterford is an exquisite, top quality professional watercolour paper, traditionally made on a cylinder mould machine.

This is the superior quality watercolour paper made by St Cuthberts Mill and comes with the Royal Watercolour Society’s endorsement. Made using 100% cotton, the highest quality papermaking material, to high archival standards. Each sheet is buffered with calcium carbonate to help defend finished pieces of work from discolouration caused by acids present in atmospheric pollution.

Its attractive surface is created using natural woollen felts that give it a distinctive random texture. The surface is sized in gelatine making it strong and resilient to scrubbing, and other rough treatments and each sheet is finished with a decorative deckle edge.

This is one of our favourite papers and is a great way introduction to high quality 100% cotton watercolour papers.

The Watercolour Artist.com

Watercolour Paper