Testing 6 MORE 100% Cotton Watercolor Papers

Which 100% cotton watercolor paper is right for you? I decided to test five papers side by side: Leyton, Hahnemühle Collection, Saunders Waterford, Flunbrato, and Winsor & Newton Professional, along with my longtime favorite, Arches.

I tested each paper with wet-on-dry, wet-on-wet, lifting, and reactivation techniques. The results showed noticeable differences in texture and how easily pigment could be lifted or blended after drying.

But I didn't find one objectively “best” paper. The tests were limited, and watercolor paper is highly subjective. What works beautifully for one artist may not suit another.

The best approach is to experiment. Try a paper that interests you, spend some time painting on it, and see how it responds to your particular style and techniques.

Papers tested in this video:

• Leyton
• Saunders Waterford
• Flunbrato
• Hahnemühle Collection
• Winsor & Newton Professional
• Arches (my longtime paper)