It’s not uncommon for new watercolor enthusiasts to feel overwhelmed when discovering how many types of watercolor paper there are. Sometimes, even figuring out which side to paint on can be confusing, especially with all the conflicting information online.
Watercolor paper is double-sided, and it’s acceptable to paint on either side or both sides. Depending on the paper, both sides may be identical, or one side may be more textured than the other. The decision as to which side to use is a matter of personal preference.
There are a few things to consider when deciding which side of the paper you want to use, though. We’ll get into those in detail below.
Watermarks
Many, but not all, watercolor papers have watermarks, where the manufacturer’s name (and occasionally paper or material type) is stamped or embossed onto the paper. It’s a common misconception that the “right” side is the one with the watermark showing, but this is untrue. Different manufacturers have different standards about which side they watermark, and some don’t have watermarks at all. The best way to decide which side of the paper to use is by deciding which side’s texture will work best for your art piece, rather than letting a watermark determine which side to use. Some artists choose to buy paper without watermarks, or they trim the watermark off the paper before beginning their painting, so that’s always an option as well.
Paper Texture
Watercolor paper comes in three textures:
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- Smooth
- Medium
- Rough
Each textured paper is made differently, and each responds differently when introduced to watercolor paints. Although different paper textures tend to work best for different painting styles, you decide to use them entirely personally. Experiment and see what works best for you.
Smooth Textured Watercolor Paper
Watercolor paper with a smooth texture is ideal for creating work with very fine details or work that you’ll want to make digital or print copies. Some artists prefer paper with a little more tooth, though, as the paint can slip around on the paper if it’s too smooth. Smooth watercolor paper is also called hot pressed (often abbreviated to HP) or silk. Because neither side has much texture, there’s less of a difference between the two sides, and both may be nearly identical.
Medium Textured Watercolor Paper
Paper with a medium rough texture is the most versatile of the three kinds and is therefore used by artists who want versatility or are just beginning their watercolor journey and aren’t sure of their style yet. The lightly textured paper works well with various techniques and lends itself to experimentation more than the smooth or rough do. Medium textured watercolor paper is also referred to as cold-pressed or NOT paper. The “NOT” refers to the fact that the paper is not hot-pressed. A lot of medium-textured paper is known as “dual-purpose” art paper and can be used for watercolors, sketching, you name it. This paper tends to have one side that’s more textured than the other. Both sides can be used with watercolors, but they’ll hold the paint differently.
Rough Textured Watercolor Paper
Rough textured paper is best for landscapes, loose painting styles, and expressionistic works that benefit from the paper’s pits and unevenness. Depending on the manufacturer, some rough-textured watercolor paper is rough on one side and somewhat smooth on the other, making it great for someone who wants to experiment with both surfaces.
Method of Manufacturing
As with all paper, watercolor paper can be made in one of three ways:
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- By hand
- By mold
- By machine
Although the method by which a piece of paper has been made won’t necessarily determine which side you use, each method leads to more or less irregularity in the paper, which will affect the artwork.
Paper Made by Hand
Paper made by hand is usually of the highest quality. It’s therefore generally reserved for severe artists due to its high costs compared to mold or machine-made. It’s usually made of 100% cotton, linen, or hemp, with no wood pulp. Handmade paper is durable and has a very irregular texture. This can create an exciting surface for artwork, which is why some artists prefer it.
Paper Made by Mold
Paper made in a mold is technically made in a machine (a cylinder mold machine), though it differs from what we call machine-made paper. Mold-made paper is more affordable than handmade paper and just as durable. Some people appreciate the consistency of mold-made paper over handmade. Mold-made paper tends to be made of a mix of textile fibers and wood pulp, combining quality and affordability.
Paper Made by Machine
Machine-made paper is much more affordable and consistent than handmade and mold-made paper, making it a popular choice for artists. Usually made up entirely or mostly of wood pulp, with little or no cotton, the machine-made paper isn’t nearly as hardy as the other choices. The machine-made paper doesn’t hold up as well to things like removing paint and using tape effects, so that’s one thing to consider before making the purchase. It also tends to distort once wet, so if you like to use both sides of a paper, it might be hard to keep it flat. This won’t be an issue for practice works and experiments, of course, but keep it in mind if you’re planning on using it for work you plan to save.
Paper Sizing
Contrary to what the name implies, “sizing” paper, in this case, means using either gelatin or plant starch to prevent the paper from completely absorbing ink, water, or paint. Depending on the manufacturing process, sizing can be done in a few ways:
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- Internally
- Externally
- Both internally and externally
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Internal sizing occurs while the paper is being made, and the gelatin is mixed into the pulp itself. External sizing involves soaking the paper in a gelatin bath after it’s made. Some manufacturers use both internal and external sizing, which leads to extra stiff paper with little absorbency. Although less common, some paper is only sized on one side, which means that one side of the paper is more absorbent than the other. Sizing only one side is done by spraying or painting the gelatin onto one side of the paper and drying it. A consumer rather than the manufacturer often does this, so if you’re in the habit of trading supplies with other artists, you’re more likely to run across this. Keep this in mind when choosing which side to use, and remember that you can always lessen the sizing by wetting the paper, removing excess water, and then allowing it to dry. This works regardless of the method of sizing used.
Weight
One thing to keep in mind if you’re planning to use both sides of a piece of watercolor paper is the paper’s weight or thickness. Heavier paper tends to be more durable and is less likely to buckle or wrinkle once water is applied. This makes it a better choice than lightweight paper if you’re planning to paint on both sides. However, heavier paper is more expensive than lightweight paper. Many artists only paint on both sides of a piece of paper when they’re experimenting or practicing, so it might not make much financial sense to use more expensive paper on work that you don’t necessarily plan on keeping for long.
If you prefer using lightweight paper, you can prevent it from warping by stretching it. The most basic way to stretch watercolor paper is to:
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- Soak the paper in a tray of water
- Carefully lay the paper on the board.
- Blot off all excess water
- Using paper tape, affix the paper’s edges to the board, making sure the paper is pulled taut.
- Let the dry paper overnight.
- Keep the paper in place while doing the painting.
- Remove from the board once the painting’s complete and dry.
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The only downside to stretching watercolor paper is that it can only be done once, not for each side.
Interested in watercolor brush pens? Check out our article here to learn more!
Final Thoughts
It takes some time to get the hang of watercolor painting and figuring out which surface will work best for you. The important thing is experimenting with different techniques and materials until you find your style’s right fit. Like most art materials, watercolor paper can be used in a variety of ways, depending on who you ask. There’s nothing wrong with using both sides of watercolor paper, as long as you’re happy with the results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What paper is suitable for watercolor?
Watercolor is best done on paper specifically made to hold up to getting wet, usually a tightly woven cotton blend. Regular paper is likely to warp once it gets wet and becomes brittle once it dries.
What can I use for watercolor other than watercolor paper?
Although watercolor is traditionally done on watercolor paper, other surfaces can also be successfully used, such as canvas, rice paper, parchment, fabric, cardboard, and even wood.
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