Where To Buy Arches Watercolor Paper [UPD]
Arches manufactures more sizes and weights of artist grade watercolor paper than any other paper company I know of. It's marketed as professional artist grade watercolor paper. I generally have a roll of huge Arches in stock as well as a few blocks!
where to buy arches watercolor paper
The really great thing about Arches Cold Press versus a student grade paper is the sizing is heavy enough to let you really work with the paper. A less sized watercolor paper only allows for one or two washes before it starts looking worn. If you're reasonably careful, you can paint 50 washes on Arches paper. It only breaks down if you scrub it while it's wet.
I would not buy watercolor paper in less than 140# (300gsm) weight. Everything I said earlier about multiple washes will no longer be true. A 90# paper will only give you 1-2 washes at best and forget scrubbing or lifting.
As others have said, full sheets tend to be the most economical way to buy watercolor paper ($/sq in). If you buy sheets in bulk you can store them indefinitely in the shipping box, whether vertical or horizontal.
From postcards to large scale paintings, watercolor papers come in many different sizes. Our recommendation is to always err on the side of caution and choose a larger size as it can be cut down to size. Secondly, if you plan on using your new watercolor paper for field sketches, then a smaller size will be helpful when transporting.
Like traditional paper, watercolor paper varies in weight. However, unlike traditional paper, many brands refer to their weight in GSM (Grams Per Square Meter / g/m2) as they are often located in Europe.
The traditional sweet spot that watercolorists prefer is 300 g/m2. Anything less than 300 g/m2 will require taping down the paper to prevent warping. However, heavier weighted papers greater than 300 g/m2 tend to have increased price points.
The price of watercolor paper will vary depending on whether it is made for student or professional level artists. An inexpensive pad of watercolor paper will cost under $10 whereas a professional block of watercolor paper will cost upwards of $50. Lastly, the size of the sheet will impact the price.
As for the weight, Arches makes their watercolor papers in five different weights including 185, 300, 356, 640, and 850 g/m2 (available when purchasing through a specialty retailer such as Dick Blick).
Bottom Line: Overall, if you are taking your water coloring seriously and want to see better results, instead of investing in expensive brushes or paints, watercolor papers provided by Arches are simply the best option that is currently available on the market.
Founded in 1557 (source), Canson has provided quality watercolor paper for artists across several generations. Beyond being a favorite with professionals, Canson is also a major sponsor of the Louvre and has supported several initiatives as a result (source).
Whether you have a sudden urge to paint or you like having products delivered to your doorstep, one really nice feature of the Strathmore 300 Series paper is that it is available everywhere. From the corner supermarket to your local arts and crafts store, it is incredibly easy to find.
While not as high quality as some of the other watercolor paper pads that we reviewed, the Strathmore 300 provides a nice heavy weight (300 g/m2) and consistent texture so you can practice painting techniques without having to worry about the paper warping. The texture allows your watercolor pigments to latch on easily, which in turn allows for dynamic color combinations you can get with traditional paper.
Watercolor paper rolls not only allow for greater control on the size of the surface that you plan to paint on but also equally provide tremendous value. This watercolor paper roll expertly strikes the perfect balance between both value and quality.
Bottom Line: If you are looking for a step up from some of the beginner brands, then Legion Stonehenge will make sense for you. Made from cotton and developed in a safe and environmental-friendly way, it remains an extraordinary watercolor paper.
Similar to masking tape, artist tape is acid free and does a great job at keeping the watercolor paper mounted to a board. While not as strong as gummed tape, artist tape is easier to remove and will be less likely to ruin artwork.
Most artists agree that using watercolors on regular paper is a bad idea. The reason is that regular paper is too light and is unable to absorb water well. This will result in warping and wrinkling of the paper. Furthermore, regular paper often contains acid which will yellow over time.
For those artists unable to use watercolor paper, there are plenty of other options which include the following: linen canvas, cotton canvas, parchment paper, rice paper, and wood. If possible, you should prime these surfaces with an absorbent ground prior to painting.
Watercolor paper is expensive due to the extensive manufacturing process. Unlike regular paper, watercolor paper is much thicker and relies on natural materials such as cotton. Additionally, watercolor paper also has a much longer drying process which can have an impact on costs.
While there are machines that can reproduce this design flare, it largely harkens back to the day when watercolor papers were handmade. This is mostly a decision that is left to the artist and the type of feeling you are trying to evoke in your painting.
At roughly 200 g/m2,card stock can work in a pinch when it comes to light watercolor sketches. While unable to absorb water nearly as well as traditional watercolor paper, many watercolorists like the smooth texture, particularly for detailed pieces or watercolors that are used on formal drawings. Card stock must be mounted in order to prevent warping.
Mixed media is a great intermediary between traditional watercolor paper and other common paper types such as card stock. With a slightly textured surface and heavy body typically around 300 g/m2, it can withstand not only watercolors, but also acrylic, gouache, pencil, ink, charcoal, pastel, and other media.
Like copy paper, construction paper is rather thin and not the best surface for painting. However, if you are looking for watercolor supplies for kids (under 8), construction paper can work in a pinch.
Like watercolor paints, papers come in both student and professional grades. Here, we wanted to highlight a few of the key differences between both of these grades and what they will mean for your artwork:
The same Arches fine art paper you love is now in a pad! This fine art paper from Arches is mouldmade in France and is considered the most popular watercolor paper in the world. Arches natural grain features evenly distributed fibers that slacken uniformly when wet, and is the only watercolor paper in the world that is sized with gelatin to the core. This process ensures color vibrancy and transparency while preventing paints from penetrating the paper.Easily create washes, layer colors, and erase without tearing or lifting. Arches Watercolor paper can absorb large amounts of water with little deformation, and its strength, beauty, and white color will last a lifetime. 100% cotton rag and acid-free.10" x 14", 12 sheets. Choose between two varieties:
Sometimes buying a watercolor paper can seem like a minefield. Even if you have sorted out all the criteria of what paper to get there is still what brand to buy. There are so many to choose from. This can be daunting even with all the reviews. So which one is best? if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined')ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'artpassiononline_com-box-3','ezslot_10',136,'0','0']);__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-artpassiononline_com-box-3-0');
After trialing the popular brands of watercolor I decided that Arches is the best brand of watercolor paper. When you buy Arches you are not paying for the name but the quality of the paper. However, Arches are also the most expensive paper and there are a lot of great options for artists that want great paper but cannot afford or are reluctant to pay so much for Arches.
So now we are in a dilemma. With watercolor, the paper is the most important thing you will buy as a watercolor artist. You cannot skimp on it. And Arches are the most expensive paper you can buy. Not everyone wants to or feels comfortable with that. There are options and I discuss these below.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined')ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'artpassiononline_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_4',119,'0','0']);__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-artpassiononline_com-medrectangle-3-0');
I had decided to explore new watercolor brands as they are all slightly different. Stonehenge had been recommended as a quality 100% cotton paper that is great value and very good for techniques so I decided to try it to see if it was as good as they say.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined')ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'artpassiononline_com-leader-3','ezslot_13',123,'0','0']);__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-artpassiononline_com-leader-3-0');
Although this page is about 100% cotton watercolor paper if you are really struggling with getting that St Cuthberts Mill also does a very high-quality pulp range called Bockingford. I also use this and it is very good and similar to Saunders Waterford. Although it is more economical and easier to buy in Europe. 041b061a72