Introduction to Watercolor Paper Knowledge

There are two types of watercolor paper - coarse textured paper is more suitable for dry painting, and fine textured paper is more suitable for wet painting. The water absorption of drawing paper should be appropriate: excessive water absorption can cause dark colors and unevenness on the paper surface; Low water absorption, unstable color adhesion, and difficulty in covering colors.

Usually, the paper is mounted on a canvas before painting, which helps to maintain the smoothness of the image. The choice of paper depends on personal preferences, painting style, and the subject matter being painted.

Paper type:

Hot press paper: The surface is hard and smooth, suitable for sketching, pencils, pens, and coloring.

Cold pressed paper: Semi coarse paper, suitable for smooth and delicate styles, is the most versatile and ideal paper for beginners.

Coarse faced paper: The surface is rough, the color sinks into the concave areas, and can form different color changes with the protruding parts. Suitable for experienced painters.

Handmade paper: The best watercolor paper is made by hand and contains linen fibers. Paper is expensive and can be identified by the watermark on the edge of the paper.

Paper has both sides, so it is important to distinguish between them when using it. Only the texture of the front side of the paper is strictly controlled and suitable for painting needs.

The method of mounting paper

Spray water on both sides of the paper to evenly wet it. After the paper has fully absorbed moisture, place it face up flat on the drawing board, leaving space for paper strips on all four sides. Then, use a cowhide paper strip coated with paste or glue to tightly stick the four sides of the paper. After drying, the surface of the paper will become very smooth, and it will not become uneven when coloring.

Set it up two hours before painting.

Reasons for wrinkles and cracked edges on watercolor paper:

1. Uneven spraying of water on the paper surface.

2. If the paper is pasted on all four sides before it absorbs moisture, or if the moisture sprayed onto the paper surface is already half dry before pasting on all four sides, the paper surface may not be flat.

3. The paper strips pasted on the four sides are not solid enough, and when the drawing paper dries, the taut paper pulls the four sides of the paper strips apart.

4. The paper strips on all four sides are not tightly pasted with gaps, causing air to enter between the paper and the drawing board from a certain point and resulting in uneven tension around the paper.

5. Uneven drying of the drawing paper.