5 Watercolor Papers You Must Try and Why
How to Choose the Right Watercolor Paper
In this video, I compare 5 popular 140lb cold press watercolor papers, Strathmore 400, Canson XL, Fabriano 1264, Fluid, and Arches, so you can choose the right one for your budget and painting style.
Choosing the right watercolor paper can dramatically improve your painting experience. In this comparison, I tested five popular 140lb cold press papers—from affordable student-grade options to premium 100% cotton paper—to see how they perform.
While budget papers are excellent for practice and experimentation, 100% cotton paper offers superior absorbency, longer working time, and greater durability for techniques like wet-on-wet and color blending. I also explain the differences between watercolor pads, blocks, sheets, and rolls, helping you choose the best format for your workflow and budget.
If you're just getting started, don't feel pressured to buy the most expensive paper. A quality 140lb paper is more than enough to build your skills. Understanding each paper's strengths and limitations will help you paint with more confidence and get better results.
Affordable brands:
- 🎨 Fabriano 1264 Watercolor Pad:
- 🎨 Canson XL Watercolor Pad:
- 🎨 Fluid Watercolor Paper:
- 🎨 Strathmore 400 Series Watercolor Paper:
More expensive brands:
- 🎨 Arches Watercolor Pad
- Blick
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/3U2bSDf
