Watercolor beginners are very confused about choosing the right watercolor paper. Because there are many paper manufacturers in the market and each brand has different types of paper. So, I would like to give suggestions for beginners on choosing the right paper.
Beginners use watercolor paper for professional artists, is it a waste?
No problem, if your budget allows!
Using high-quality watercolor paper from the start will help you get used to the paper’s water absorption and control them more easily. But what if your wallet doesn’t allow it?
Although its performance is not as good as artist grade paper, student grade paper is a lot cheaper and really well worth it.
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Top 05 Best Watercolor Paper for Artist
Watercolor paper plays an important role in the art of watercolor painting. It must be able to absorb water
What is The Difference Between Student and Artist grade Watercolor Paper ?
Watercolor paper is available in both student and artist grade; of course, there are many differences between them.
Student-grade paper is usually made from wood pulp or Cotton–Cellulose blends in a ratio is 50/50% or 25/75%.Â
Their price is significantly cheaper than artist-grade paper. For example, Bockingford 100% cellulose is only $10 per sheet when compared to Saunder Waterford 100% cotton for $20 per sheet of the same size and weight.
This paper is suitable for beginners who are practicing basic watercolor techniques such as blending or washing. However, professional artists can also use it in order to sketch in watercolor.
Artist-grade watercolor paper is made entirely of cotton and the paper’s characteristics are excellent.
It has the ability to absorb water and expands very well, it can return to its original shape when dry. Besides, It can stand out against multiple washes but its surface is not damaged. These allow the artist to perform advanced watercolor techniques such as wet-on-wet. Of course, the prices of this paper are significantly higher.
Top Best Student-Grade Watercolor Papers For Beginners
1. Canson Montval Watercolor Paper
Canson Montval is a fine-quality student-grade watercolor paper. It is made of Cellulose fiber, acid-free, natural white, and mildew resistant. Besides, This paper can be easily repaired by cleaning the paper with a sponge or a brush loaded with water. Montval Watercolor paper only is available in textures: cold pressed, snowy grain.
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Key Features
- 100% Cellulose fiber, Acid-free, Natural white, and mildew resistant
- Cold Press paper is suitable for: watercolor, gouache, wash, and acrylic painting.
- 2 available textures: cold pressed, snowy grain
- Packaging: Sheets, rolls, blocks, pads, spiral pads, and books
2. Bockingford Watercolour Paper
Bockingford is a student grade watercolor paper by St Cuthberts Mill, Its surface is appreciated for its excellent color-lifting ability, allowing easy lift of the color wash to get back to the white base paper.
In addition to watercolor, the paper is compatible with many other materials: pastel, gouache, acrylic, pencil, charcoal, and pen & ink.
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Key Features
- Acid-free & 100% woodfree
- Natural White And Hight White
- Suitable for: Watercolour, Acrylic, Gouache, Pastel, Pen & Ink, Pencil, Charcoal
- No optical brightening agents, highly lightfastÂ
3. Fabriano Studio Watercolor Paper
Fabriano Studio watercolor paper is made with 25% cotton and 75% lignin-free cellulose, the paper is acid-free and internally- and externally sized, make sure the water absorption of the paper is good. Besides, surface texture allows it to hold water and color well, the paper is also compatible with many other materials such as pen ink, gouache, pencil, acrylic, and poster color.
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Key Features
- 25%cotton, Acid-free
- Country of Origin: Italy
- Compatible with many other materials: Pen ink, gouache, pencil, and poster color.
- Machine-made
- Exceptionally absorbent
4. Winsor & Newton Watercolour Paper 25% Cotton
Winsor & Newton is one of the most famous watercolor manufacturers in the world and they also make great watercolor paper. Their Student Grade Watercolor paper is made from 25% cotton and high-quality cellulose wood pulp, this paper is acid-free, archival, and contains no optical brighteners, so will remain completely color-stable over time.
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Key Features
- Mixture of 25% cotton and 75% cellulose fibers
- Acid-free
- Country of Origin: Italy
- Compatible with: Pen ink, gouache, pencil, and poster color.
- Mold-made
5. Hahnemuhle Britannia watercolor paper
Britannia is a quality watercolor paper but the price is suitable for most users of Hahnemuhle, this paper is acid-free, lightfast, and extremely age resistant. The paper’s absorbency and color retention are very stable, allowing you to practice a variety of watercolor painting techniques.
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Key Features
- 100% Cellulose fibers, Free Acid, Natural White
- Compatible with many other materials: Pen ink, gouache, pencil, and poster color.
- Country of Origin: Germany
- Packaging: Sheets and books
6. Strathmore Watercolor Paper 300 Series
Strathmore 300 Series papers are made for quick painting and practice of techniques for beginners and students. The paper is Free-Acid, heavyweight, and perfect for wet media including watercolor, tempera, acrylic, gouache, and poster paint.Â
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Key Features
- 100% Cellulose fibers, Free Acid, natural white
- Compatible with many other materials: Pen ink, gouache, pencil, and poster color.
- Country of Origin: United Stage
- Packaging: Sheets, rolls, pads, and books
7. Bee Watercolor paper
Bee Watercolor Paper is an economical but fine-quality paper for students. The paper is archival and acid-free, so you can feel free to create your quick ideas on one. Not limited to watercolors, it’s also suitable for gouache, acrylic, airbrush, graphite, pastels, charcoal, and poster. A versatile watercolor paper.
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Key Features
- Free Acid, 100% Cellulose fibers, Natural White
- Â It’s also suitable for gouache, acrylic, airbrush, graphite, pastels, charcoal, and poster
- Country of Origin: Canada
- Packaging: Sheets, pads, and books
8. Baohong Academy watercolor paper
Baohong Academy Watercolor Paper is a student-grade watercolor paper. The paper is made of 100% cotton, this has never appeared on student-grade watercolor papers of other brands because they are mainly made from wood pulp or only 50% cotton.Â
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Key Features
- Free Acid & 100% cotton, Natural White
- Compatible with many other materials: Pen ink, gouache, pencil, and poster color.
- Country of Origin: China
- Packaging: Sheets, blocks, pads, and books
Summary
Choosing the right watercolor paper can be difficult and challenging. Because of the variety of surfaces, forms, and weights, prices vary considerably from brand to brand. Hope this article will help you in choosing the best quality student-grade watercolor paper, that is suitable for your needs.