10 Best Watercolor Paper in 2022 (Artist-Reviewed)

Pros:

• 100 percent cotton rag
• Tub-sized for durability
• Acid-free and archival, so it lasts long
• Made with cylinder mold process for consistency in texture

Cons:

• Not vegan; uses gelatin

This watercolor paper pad has 100 percent cotton paper to prevent bleeding and warping. The cold press paper has a light grain and is very durable. It is best used with watercolors, gouache, and inks. The paper comes in a natural white color and is acid-free, so your paintings will last longer.

Many reviewers found the watercolor paper has great absorbency. They say the paper holds up to multiple washes of color and scrubbing, and the colors turn out great, holding their beautiful vibrancy. They also like that tape used for masking lifts off cleanly.

Pros:

• Block pad is glued on four sides, eliminating the need for taping sheets down
• Perfect for painting outdoors or when traveling
• Acid-free, archival

Cons:

• Learning how to separate the sheets cleanly was hard for some reviewers
• Wood pulp fibers and light paperweight mean it's not the best choice for intense scrubbing techniques

The 400 series is Strathmore's second-best, described as intermediate-grade paper suitable for artists. It's acid-free and made in the USA. This is a block of watercolor paper, so the pages are bound on four sides, meaning you paint right on the top sheet without taping it to a board, and it still won't warp.

Some reviewers mentioned that the pages can be difficult to remove without tearing, and they felt there was too much glue on the edges. However, many reviewers said the paper worked well for watercolor and mixed media projects and had little or no buckling even with wet techniques.

Pros:

• Stain-resistant, smooth surface allows for erasing of watercolor
• Won't buckle even if not taped down
• Acid-free, recyclable
• Experiment with techniques you never thought possible in watercolor or mixed media

Cons:

• Experienced artists will find paint doesn't behave like it does on cotton or pulp papers they're used to

Yupo paper is quite unique, as it is a synthetic paper made of 100 percent polypropylene. The paper is acid-free, recyclable, and waterproof. It has a very smooth, non-absorbent surface that even allows you to erase watercolors after they're dry! It works for mixed media, including pencil and markers.

Many reviewers love how forgiving this paper is. Not only can they erase, but one said they soak an entire painting overnight and the whole thing lifts clean off, so they can reuse the sheet! Others said this paper was amazing for alcohol inks, too, and it works with a variety of styles. They said it's great for layering.

Pros:

• Hard-bound with ribbon bookmark and elastic closure; book lies flat when open
• Unique formats available, such as panorama and square
• Pages have rounded corners that won't get beat up and bent
• Acid-free, archival

Cons:

• The linen cover is nice but tends to attract scuff marks and grunge
• Reviewers say the sizing is inconsistently applied, sometimes leading to patchy areas that won't hold paint

Formerly known as Hand Book, now owned by Speedball, these hard-bound watercolor books are great for urban sketching. The elastic closure and round corners prevent pages from getting bent up while it's in your bag. Choose a format to suit your style: square, landscape, portrait, or even long and narrow panorama.

The sheets aren't a heavy weight, and reviewers point out they do buckle. It's best suited for sketching and not wet on wet techniques. But the large majority of buyers love it and offer a few workarounds. Either tape or clamp the pages to prevent warping, or occasionally press the whole pad under something heavy to flatten it out again.

• Loose sheets pre-cut to standard sizes for easy framing
• Hard surface sizing for easy color lifting
• 100 percent cotton rag, archival and acid-free

Cons:

• A few reviewers said the paper comes in new packaging, and behaves a bit differently than the old version

This is 100 percent cotton hot press watercolor paper with a very smooth texture. It comes in a variety of sizes that are all standard sizes for store-bought frames and mats. This 500 series paper is also acid-free.

A few reviewers mentioned that the texture was rougher than they expected for hot press paper. Other reviewers said they love the pre-cut sizes and say the paper is great for watercolor and pen. They explain that it shows very vibrant colors and is great for making cards.

Pros:

• Four deckled edges
• White or ivory in various sizes
• Acid-free, archival, professional artists' quality
• 140 or 300 pound

Cons:

• Best suited for experienced artists

For those who sell their work, show in galleries, and want the best quality, handmade paper will be worth the extra expense. This has the benefit of four deckled edges, so consider float mounting it in the frame to show those off in your finished work.

Each sheet is as unique as the art you'll add to it, and they're very strong thanks to the internal and surface sizing. It comes in two whites and two weights, as well as different paper sizes.

Pros:

• 100 percent cotton, acid-free and archival
• Tub-sized for even application and results
• Rough texture is great for expressive pieces and landscapes
• Available in three pad sizes

Cons:

• Not vegan; contains gelatin sizing

The exceptional quality of Arches is available in a rough texture similar to handmade papers but without the heftier price tag. It's fun for more expressive styles, and the extra tooth makes blending and layering easy and seamless.

Reviewers love how it can take a lot of reworking and hold its surface without pilling. They say it can handle a lot of water and gives interesting results with granulating colors especially.

Pros:

• 100 percent cotton rag
• Acid-free, archival
• Sized internally and externally with vegan synthetic sizing

Cons:

• Obviously, you need fairly opaque paints to use on black paper

Stonehenge advertises that this is the first 100 percent black cotton paper for watercolor. It is best suited for gouache, metallic and pearlescent watercolors, and acrylics. The paper is buckle-resistant and durable.

One reviewer found that this paper's fibers would come up when using gel pens and paint pens. They advised that you stick with brushes for this paper. Many reviewers said the paper held up well to watercolor. It really made their metallic paint and white ink pop.

Pros:

• Great for those who like to work big
• 36 or 48 inches tall by five yards
• Acid-free, archival

Cons:

• Unroll it and tape it down carefully to avoid tears

This acid-free watercolor roll allows for a variety of sizes of artwork, up to four feet in one direction. The paper is great for wet media including watercolor and can withstand scraping, erasing, and repeated washes. It is also recommended for pencil, colored pencil, pen, ink, charcoal, pastel and acrylic.

Some reviewers mentioned that the paper could be difficult to uncurl and to be careful when using tape because it may rip. Other reviewers liked that the roll provided size flexibility. They said the paper was thick and heavy. It worked well for watercolor, acrylic, and ink.

Pros:

• Large format with a cover that folds out of the way
• Acid-free and archival
• Paper contains recycled materials

Cons:

• Likely to buckle and not the best for wet on wet

This 140 pound, cold press watercolor paper is recommended for watercolor, acrylic, pen and ink, marker, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, or pastel. It comes in a natural white color and is acid-free. It is suggested for beginning and intermediate artists and comes in a variety of pad sizes.

Some reviewers mentioned that the paper curls up and buckles and has poor absorbency, so it's not great for wet on wet techniques. Many reviewers said the paper is great for practice or for painting with kids. They said graphite blended well on the surface. It didn't dull colors or peel when using watercolors.