Watercolor Paper
Watercolor paper comes in pads, blocks, or individual sheets of various sizes. I have taken out pages from a watercolor pad for individual use, although they could be kept together as a journal or practice book. With blocks, the pieces of paper are glued to each other around the edges, and can be cut away when you are finished with a thin tool. An individual sheet of paper may have deckle or straight edges, and a full sheet measures about 22" x 30". (Hand-made papers have deckle edges on all four sides, while those made with a mould will have two straight sides.) These large sheets can be cut into smaller sizes for smaller paintings.
Watercolor paper comes in different weights, too, from 90 lb. to 300 lb. The heavier the paper, the thicker it is. The standard weights include 90 lb., 140 lb., 260 lb, and 300 lb. Paper that is 90 lb. is thin and lightweight, making it easy to damage the surface. When I’ve used this paper with my students, I’ve found that just a bit of dabbing will cause it to begin to fall apart. Start with at least 140 lb. paper, either in blocks or sheets. Even with this heavier weight, when you add a lot of water to the paper, the lighter-weight papers will tend to bend or buckle.
If you are using a single sheet of paper, you will need to stretch it first, an easy process that involves wetting the paper, taping it to a board, and letting it dry again before you begin painting. If you want to use a lot of water but don’t want to stretch the paper, use a heavy paper, such as 260 lb. or 300 lb., so it won’t buckle as you paint. You could also use a block; the paper in blocks has been pre-stretched, and because it is glued together, the paper will become flat again as it dries.
Watercolor papers also come in three different surfaces, hot press (very smooth), cold press (in between), and rough (very textured). If you are just starting out, begin with cold press, although it is great to experiment with the others to see which you like best. Paper differs from manufacturer to manufacturer, so also try out the various brands. Also, make sure your paper is acid-free and archival-safe – you want your paintings to last.
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