The Gift of Creating…
The ability to create is a gift – one I believe we all possess. Some sing, some write, some cook, but for me watercolor is the magic that captivates me and inspires me. It’s a gift that I find myself constantly wanting to perfect and learn more about.
Which is why I wanted to do this series. I paint nearly every day, but do I really understand this magical portal I paint on, the one that makes my paints come to life? That’s when I started asking myself –
What Is Watercolor Paper Made Of?
And what makes it so different from other papers?
And of course the question we all want answered –
Which paper is the best?
What Makes Watercolor Paper Different From Other Paper?
It’s pretty obvious that watercolor paper is different from other paper, but what actually makes it different? Well, after doing some research, I learned that most papers are made with a mixture of water and cellulose fibers or particles, which can come from the bark, wood, or leaves of plants. This type of paper is usually great for writing, but not so great with water.
What Is the Difference Between Artist and Student Grade Paper?
Artist grade watercolor paper tends to be made with cotton fibers, which makes it more pliable and able to take more water abuse. This is why it’s sometimes referred to as “rag paper.” Cheaper, student grade watercolor papers, on the other hand, tend to be made of a mixture of wood pulp and cotton fibers. That mixture is more pliable than regular paper, but not as good as pure cotton paper.
How These Papers Compare Side by Side
Information makes a lot more sense once you can actually see it, so for the video above I painted the same illustration three times: once on mixed media paper, once on my recommended student grade paper, and once on artist grade paper.
Up close, the difference is easy to spot. The mixed media paper barely accepted the watercolor paint at all. The student grade paper absorbed the paint, but not as much as the artist grade paper did. That’s the cotton fiber content at work – more cotton means more pliability and more water absorption.
So What Is the Best Watercolor Paper Out There?
Watercolor paper is always a matter of preference – later in the series I’ll be putting several brands I own to the test – but for now, know that what you should be looking for is watercolor paper that has some form of cotton fibers in it. That doesn’t mean you have to invest in artist grade paper. There are some really good student grade papers that use cotton in their products and sell for a decent price. But you do get what you pay for, so if you really want to push your paper to the max, an artist grade will be your best choice.
Papers Used for This Post
Mixed Media – Regular Paper – this is my favorite drawing paper
Student Grade Watercolor Paper – this is at the moment my favorite student grade watercolor paper.
Artist Grade Watercolor Paper – this is at the moment my favorite artist grade watercolor paper.
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