Watercolor and gouache papers

Watercolor paper is designed to withstand water and reveal the richness of pigments. Suitable for watercolor painting as well as gouache, its weight and texture help limit warping while providing excellent quality of rendering. This paint is suitable for beginners, art students, and experienced artists alike. Our selection includes sheets, glued blocks, spiral-bound blocks, and travel notebooks to meet all practices. Find quality supports at low prices all year round. Students, teachers, and enthusiasts can build their materials with complete peace of mind before the return of the Arts.

Which paper to choose for watercolor or gouache?

The choice of paper depends on the technique used and the desired result. The higher the weight, the more the support resists washes, color overlays, and water reapplications. A thick paper also limits the risk of buckling.

Texture also plays an essential role. A fine grain is suitable for detailed illustrations and works done with washable colored pencils, while a more pronounced grain, like the rough grain, retains more pigments and allows for the creation of characteristic texture effects of watercolor.

Glued block, spiral block, or travel notebook?

The format of the paper influences the comfort of use. Glued blocks keep the sheets flat during creation and allow for easy detachment once the work is finished. Spiral blocks offer great freedom of use and facilitate page turning. Travel notebooks are particularly appreciated for urban sketches, travel notebooks, or outdoor painting sessions. If your practice is more drawing-oriented, also discover our nomadic drawing notebooks, specially designed for sketches and dry techniques.

A support designed for water techniques

Watercolor paper absorbs water in a balanced manner to preserve the intensity of watercolors and facilitate gradients. Paired with suitable watercolor brushes, it allows for easier control of washes, blends, and details. It is also very suitable for fine gouache, which requires a support capable of withstanding moisture without warping.

FAQ

What weight to choose for watercolor paper?

The weight depends on your practice. The higher it is, the more the paper resists repeated water applications and limits warping. Very wet techniques generally require a thicker support.

What is the difference between fine grain and rough grain?

Fine grain offers a more regular surface, ideal for details and illustrations. Rough grain has a more pronounced texture that retains more pigments and creates characteristic effects of watercolor.

Glued block, spiral block, or travel notebook: which one to choose?

The glued block is suitable for studio work due to its good support. The spiral block allows for easy page turning and is suitable for regular use. The travel notebook is ideal for drawing and painting outdoors or while traveling.

Discover all our supports for artistic techniques

To complete your materials, also explore our selection of supports for Fine Arts students, which gathers solutions adapted to each practice. You will find stretched canvases and boards for painting, multi-technique papers to vary mediums, technical papers for Graphic Arts for specific techniques, as well as papers for artistic drawing more specific for techniques in graphite, charcoal, sanguine, and pastel. You will thus find the most suitable support for each of your creative projects, always at low prices throughout the year.