Watercolour paper is one of those topics where the gap between bad advice and good advice costs real money. Buy the wrong paper and your paint does things you didn't ask it to, buckling, bleeding, refusing to lift, drying at the wrong speed. Buy the right paper and suddenly everything works the way the YouTube tutorials suggested it would.
Here's what actually matters when choosing watercolour paper.
Weight first
Paper weight is measured in gsm (grams per square metre) and it's the single most important number on the packaging. Anything under 300gsm will buckle when wet unless you stretch it first. 300gsm is the standard for serious work, it handles multiple wet washes without warping, takes lifting and scrubbing without falling apart, and dries flat without being stretched. If you've been using lighter paper and wondering why your paintings end up looking like a topographic map, this is probably why.
Cold press, hot press or rough — what's the difference?
Cold press has a medium texture and is where most watercolourists start and many stay. It takes wet washes beautifully, handles detail work reasonably well and suits most painting styles. It's the most versatile surface available.
Hot press is smooth — almost glassy — and suits detailed botanical illustration, fine line work and techniques where texture would get in the way. It's less forgiving with wet washes because the paint can pool unpredictably.
Rough is exactly what it sounds like. The texture breaks up brushstrokes and creates sparkle and movement in washes. Many landscape painters love it. If you're painting fine detail, it will drive you mad.
The brands we stock and who they suit
Arches 300gsm cold press is the paper most professional watercolourists reach for without thinking about it. It's made from 100% cotton, handles wet on wet beautifully, lifts cleanly and is extraordinarily forgiving. It's not cheap but it's worth it.
Fabriano Artistico is another 100% cotton paper with a slightly different surface texture to Arches, a little smoother in the cold press version, which some painters prefer for more detailed work. Good value for a cotton paper.
For students and practice work, a good quality wood pulp paper like Canson is absolutely fine. Save the Arches for work you're serious about.
The honest beginner recommendation
Start with a mid-range 300gsm cold press paper for practice, something like Canson or Fabriano Studio. When you're working on a painting you actually want to keep, use Arches. The difference in how the paint behaves on Arches versus a cheaper paper is significant enough that it's worth experiencing both rather than just reading about it.
All available in store at Duthy Street Unley and paper pads online with Australia-wide delivery.