Top 15 Best Watercolor Papers for Beginners

Watercolor paper has a significant role in the quality of a painting. A better quality watercolor paper will enhance your work quality. It is a complicated task to locate the best watercolor paper for beginners.

Novice, usually invest in low-quality papers in hope to save money. Watercolor pigments do not work well on such low-quality paper that makes the painting process messy.

In addition, it is not easy to perform various painting techniques on such papers. Besides, you need to have a closer look at the texture, tinting, weight and form of the watercolor paper which become more complex for beginners.

However, in this article, I will help you choose the best watercolor paper for beginners. Here I have reviewed the top 15 watercolor paper for beginners.

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What Are The Best Watercolor Papers For Beginners?

Canson 7022446, Strathmore 460-55 and UCreate 50-Sheets are the three best watercolor paper for beginners. These watercolor papers have suitable weight, dimensions, texture and quality.

Following are some other watercolor papers and their functionalities.

• Best Overall: Canson 7022446 Watercolor Paper
  “Fold-over bound with long-lasting material, an acid-free solution with cold press texture.”
• Best Budget: Strathmore 460-55 Watercolor Paper
  “Wire-bound journal, multiple papers with high-grade quality.”
• Best Notebook Pad: Bellofy 50-Sheets Watercolor Paper
  “Glue bound papers with better comfortability and suitability.”
• Best Texture: Bee Paper 1153P50-609 Watercolor Paper
  “Cold-press texture with 100% cotton sheet, suitable for beginners.”
• Best with Hot-Press: Strathmore 140-305 Watercolor Paper
  “Acid-free paper, greater surface strength, better blending and color lifting.”
• Best Dimensions: Arches Block Watercolor Paper
  “Uses natural cotton material, suitable for airbrushing, has natural gelatin sizing.”
• Best Heavyweight: Canson 20-Sheets Watercolor Paper
  “Unique design paper, acid-free and easy to carry because of the lightweight.”
• Best Higher Sheets Quantity: Arteza 30-Sheets Watercolor Paper
  “Moderate texture, glue-bound sketch pad with the cold-pressed surface.”
• Best for Mixed Media: UCreate 50-Sheets Watercolor Paper
  “Sturdy loose pages, suitable for both dry media and wet media.”
• Best for Professionals: Canson 100510941 Watercolor Paper
  “Natural texture, a great option for both beginners and professionals.”
• Best with Neutral pH: U.S. Art Supply 12-Sheets Watercolor Paper
  “Quality paper for wet painting, heavyweight material with a smooth surface.”
• Best Light Paper: TecUnite 120-Sheets Watercolor Paper
  “Use pure cotton pulp, offer good absorption of water, work well for wet and dry media.”
• Best for Students: Arteza 132-Sheets Watercolor Paper
  “Cold-press texture, pack of 3, natural artwork with durable hardcover.”
• Best Design: Paul Rubens Watercolor Paper
  “Dual-sided with a compact shape, for newcomers and experienced artists.”
• Best Sleek Shape: Art-n-Fly 30-Sheets Watercolor Paper
  “Acid-free, fold design, neutral pH, thick and heavyweight material.”

Best Watercolor Paper for Beginners Comparison Chart

Here is the comparison table of the 15 best watercolor paper for beginners.

Top 15 Best Watercolor Paper for Beginners Reviews

Below is the comprehensive review of all the 15 best watercolor paper for beginners.

1. Canson 7022446 Watercolor Paper

(Best Overall)

In case you want to use pencil, ink, acrylic and other paints on the watercolor paper, then try out the Canson 7022446 product. It is a much popular name in the watercolor category.

The total weight of Canson 7022446 is 140 pounds, while the dimensions of each page are 11 x 15 inches. The 11 inches by 15 inches of the page is enough for practice.

You will get 30 sheets with the Canson 7022446 model. This product uses a superb quality paper that makes it stronger.

Because of the better quality, you can erase and wash the paper repeatedly without affecting the quality. The superior construction of the Canson 7022446 product justifies the price tag.

Another plus point about Canson 7022446 is that it is an acid-free product. Moreover, it uses a cold press texture that is easier to handle for beginners. The heavyweight cover makes this product more durable.

Check out the video to get more details:

Product Specifications

Bound	Fold over bound
Material	Cotton
Warranty	No
Dimensions	11 x 15 inches
Brand	Canson

2. Strathmore 460-55 Watercolor Paper

(Best Budget)

Whether you are searching for watercolor paper for a beginner or expert, you must prefer the Strathmore 460-55. The Strathmore 460-55 works equally well for both beginners and experts.

It can easily handle a lot of water and paint. There are 22 sheets available in Strathmore 460-55. Each sheet is made of cotton.

140 pounds is the weight of the sheets, and their dimensions are 5.5 x 8 inches. It is an excellent choice for ink and acrylic painting.

Just like other premium watercolor papers, the Strathmore 460-55 is also acid-free. You can also use multiple brushes and paints on this model. The cold-pressed paper used in this product is much versatile.

Thanks to the paper quality due to which you will get a better degree of texture while painting. With the Strathmore paper, you will further receive a hard protective cover that keeps the papers secure.

Check out the video to get more details:

Product Specifications

Bound	Wire bound
Material	Cotton
Warranty	No
Dimensions	5.5 x 8 inches
Brand	Strathmore

3. Bellofy 50-Sheets Watercolor Paper

(Best Notebook Pad)

The Bellofy Watercolor Paper provides a student-grade quality at an affordable cost. The papers in the Bellofy product are around 130 pounds.

However, the paper cannot handle much water because of the weight. Applying excessive water on the paper will bend it.

Beginners usually do not have to deal with much water while painting, so it is a great product for them. The paper arrives in a durable and robust pad.

You can remove the paper from the pad as per your wish. In contrast to other premium watercolor papers, the Bellofy paper utilizes wood pulp material for the production.

The wood pulp material is less durable than the cotton material. Though the Bellofy paper does not contain cotton, it is still long lasting.

Besides, the Bellofy 50 Sheet Paper is acid-free, which presents a perfect water-coloring experience. In addition, the Bellofy product has quite a thin design.

Check out the video to get more details:

Product Specifications

Bound	Glue bound
Material	Wood pulp
Warranty	Money back guarantee
Dimensions	9 x 12 inches
Brand	Bellofy

4. Bee Paper 1153P50-609 Watercolor Paper

(Best Texture)

Bee Paper 1153P50-609 offers an artist-grade quality at a budget-friendly cost. Each pack of Bee Paper includes 50 sheets. Each sheet has a dimension of 6 inches by 9 inches.

The weight and thickness of the 1153P50-609 model is another thing to praise. The weight of each paper is around 140 pounds, which is enough to handle sufficient water.

Further, the thickness of the Bee Paper will prevent the sheets from folding. The use of 100% cotton in Bee Paper 1153P50-609 is what most artists like.

This cotton material offers resilience to deterioration. In addition, it is much easier to paint on such papers than the one with wood pulp.

Because of the material, the quality of Bee Paper is comparable with other top-brands like Arches. Therefore, if you desire high-graded watercolor paper at a lower cost, then the Bee Paper 1153P50-609 is for you.

Product Specifications

Bound	No
Material	Cotton
Warranty	No
Dimensions	6 x 9 inches
Brand	Bee Paper Company

5. Strathmore 140-305 Watercolor Paper

(Best with Hot-Press)

Strathmore brand is the top preference of many artists because of the quality. 140-305 Watercolor Paper is another great product by the Strathmore, which has several features.

This watercolor paper utilizes a hot-pressed paper that is much smoother. The hot-pressed paper is usually for those people who prefer painting on hard surfaces.

It allows artists to perform detailed work quite well. However, the Strathmore 140-305 Paper is slightly slippery because of the texture. Some people might struggle to get better control of the paint on the Strathmore Paper.

In terms of material quality, Strathmore 140-305 is the best. It uses 100% cotton that presents excellent surface strength. 5 inches by 7 inches are the dimensions of Strathmore Paper.

With each pack, you will receive 25 high-quality sheets. Moreover, you will get a much better color lifting and blending with the Strathmore 140-305 Watercolor Paper.

Product Specifications

Bound	No
Material	Cotton
Warranty	No
Dimensions	5 x 7 inches
Brand	Strathmore

6. Arches Block Watercolor Paper

(Best Dimensions)

In case if you prefer a block to a pad, then the Arches Watercolor Block is an ideal option. In the Arches Paper, the sheets are present in the form of a block.

You do not need to use the tape to adjust the paper because of the stability offered by the block while painting. Like other Arches papers, this one also uses natural cotton.

Thanks to the cylinder mold, that delivers superior quality. The weight of Arches Block Paper is 140 pounds while the dimensions are 9 inches by 12 inches.

The heavyweight of the paper provides a professional water coloring experience. Due to the cold-pressed texture, the surface of Arches paper is rough.

The texture delivers more consistency while painting. Each pack of the Arches Block holds 20 top-notch sheets. Further, it also applies a natural gelatin sizing during the manufacturing process.

Product Specifications

Bound	Glue bound
Material	Cotton
Warranty	No
Dimensions	9 x 12 inches
Brand	Arches

7. Canson 20-Sheets Watercolor Paper

(Best Heavyweight)

Are you searching for a quality watercolor paper? If so, then give a try to the Canson 20-Sheets Paper. You will obtain 20 sheets with this paper pad.

The measurement of each paper offered by Canson is 9 inches by 12 inches. These dimensions are suitable for medium-sized paintings. It presents a better student-quality that even professionals can utilize.

Moreover, the Canson Watercolor Paper allows erasing and scraping. The 140 pounds of weight will enable it to absorb the water without pilling easily.

The Canson uses 100% cotton in this paper, which can withstand repeated washes. Besides, the acid-free feature makes it long lasting.

Unlike many other papers, the Canson does not use the machine during the manufacturing process. It is a mold-made paper that grants first-class performance. The even grain used in the Canson Paper makes it smooth and consistent.

Product Specifications

Bound	Wire bound
Material	Cotton
Warranty	No
Dimensions	9 x 12 inches
Brand	Canson

8. Arteza 30-Sheets Watercolor Paper

(Best Higher Sheet Quantity)

The Arteza Paper provides excellent value for the money. You will get a pack of 3 with this product. Each pack contains 30 high-quality sheets.

In total, you will obtain 90 sheets at such an affordable cost. Even though the price of this watercolor paper is low, still it delivers finer quality.

The Arteza Paper will take your artwork experience to the next level. Each paper is made of only pure cotton, which is another reason to buy it.

In addition, the cotton material prevents the paper from deterioration. The texture used by the Arteza Paper is cold-pressed. However, the surface is not very rough, which makes it easier for beginners to work on this paper.

Thanks to the uniform grains added in the Arteza Paper that contribute a smooth surface. Each paper in Arteza has a dimension of 5.5 x 8.5 inches.

Product Specifications

Bound	Wire bound
Material	Cotton
Warranty	No
Dimensions	5.5 x 8.5 inches
Brand	Arteza

9. UCreate 50-Sheets Watercolor Paper

(Best For Mixed Media)

UCreate 50-Sheets is another top product in the list of best watercolor paper for beginners. The paper present in the UCreate product is thick and weighs 140 pounds.

The sturdy loose material used in the sheet makes it an ideal choice for wet media. UCreate 50-Sheets is suitable for both beginners and intermediates students.

The acid-free characteristic of UCreate Paper makes it free from the brittle effect. Not only acid-free but also these sheets are recyclable.

The recyclable property of this product will authorize you to use it multiple times. Both mixed and wet media techniques go quite well with this UCreate model.

At such a lower price, you will receive 50 sheets. 9 inches by 12 inches is the dimension of each sheet available in the UCreate model. The UCreate Paper is perfect for student grade artwork.

Product Specifications

Bound	Glue bound
Material	Wood pulp
Warranty	No
Dimensions	9 x 12 inches
Brand	UCreate

10. Canson 100510941 Watercolor Paper

(Best For Professionals)

The Canson 100510941 offers a uniform texture. It comes with a fold-over cover that is durable. The Canson 100510941 appears in the market with a pack of 30 sheets.

Further, the dimensions of 100510941 model are less than many other watercolor papers in the Canson XL Series. 9 inches by 12 inches are the dimensions of this Canson Paper.

The cold-press texture of this product is another vital factor that makes it reliable for beginners. You can utilize the Canson Paper for both wet media and dry media.

The durable surface of each paper can efficiently endure repeated washes. Because of the strong material, Canson 100510941 does not require much care while painting.

In addition, one can effortlessly execute distinctive painting techniques on the Canson Paper. Moreover, the cover of the Canson Paper makes it look much better. Each paper arrives with natural white color.

Check out the video to get more details:

Product Specifications

Bound	Fold over bound
Material	Cotton
Warranty	No
Dimensions	9 x 12 inches
Brand	Canson

11. U.S. Art Supply 12-Sheets Watercolor Paper

(Best with Neutral pH)

People who want to experience both dry media and wet media on the paper should favor the U.S. Art Supply. The U.S. Art Supply Paper gives the same high-end outcomes on wet media as well as dry media.

You will gain a pack of two pads with the Art Supply Paper. Each package includes 12-sheets. Additionally, the U.S. Art Supply Paper has neutral pH, which makes it easier for the brush to move on it.

It has a heavyweight surface that can consume a lot of water without reducing the quality of the painting.

The natural white sheets make the artwork more elegant. Like the other premium watercolor papers, the U.S. Art Supply holds 140 pounds of weight.

Apart from weight, the dimensions of U.S. Art Supply papers are also suitable for professional painting. 11 inches by 14 inches are the dimensions of the U.S. Art Supply product.

Product Specifications

Bound	No
Material	Cotton
Warranty	No
Dimensions	11 x 14 inches
Brand	U.S Art Supply

12. TecUnite 120-Sheets Watercolor Paper

(Best Light Paper)

TecUnite Paper is a suitable pick for people who want an extensive collection of papers. With TecUnite, you will get 120 sheets in a single pack.

Each sheet in TecUnite has a dimension of 6 x 9 inches. However, in contrast to other reviewed watercolor papers, the TecUnite has a lower weight of around 98 pounds.

Due to such weight, TecUnite Paper cannot manage more quantity of water. As a professional, you should not prefer the TecUnite paper, but for amateurs, this product is great.

It employs a pure cotton pulp, which offers peeling resistance. Additionally, the TecUnite paper is an acid-free unit with a cold-press texture.

You can use the TecUnite paper for mixed media. The pencils, ink and other watercolors work perfectly on the TecUnite Paper. Thanks to the quality of TecUnite paper that delivers a better visual experience.

Product Specifications

Bound	No
Material	Cotton
Warranty	No
Dimensions	6 x 9 inches
Brand	TecUnite

13. Arteza 132-Sheets Watercolor Paper

(Best For Students)

Do you want a sketchbook with a large number of watercolor papers? If so, then the Arteza 132-Sheets paper is for you. This Arteza model appears with around 132 sheets.

The Arteza brand provides two hue options with this pad. Beige and grey are the two shades that you will get with this watercolor paper. Arteza presents a package of three.

Each package manages around 44 pages. Further, the weight of paper is 110 pounds that prevent the paper from distorting. This cold-press paper holds a perfect size of 5.5 x 5.5 inches.

The paper comes in a notebook that makes it durable. Another thing to appreciate in the Arteza 132-Sheets notebook is that it carries an elastic band.

Via the elastic band, one can securely hold all the papers. Moreover, the Arteza notebook introduces an inner pocket to keep excessive painting items.

Product Specifications

Bound	Linen bound
Material	Cotton
Warranty	No
Dimensions	5.5 x 5.5 inches
Brand	Arteza

14. Paul Rubens Watercolor Paper

(Best Design)

The Paul Rubens Paper is an elegant design art journal with 20 papers. The three shades that you will have with the Paul Rubens are pink, blank and block.

Apart from colors, you can also try different sizes with the Paul Rubens Papers. The Paul Rubens Paper is acid-free, which both experts and beginners can utilize.

Further, the use of 100% cotton makes it the top pick of many artists. The size of sheets in the Paul Rubens Paper is 3.8 inches by 5.2 inches.

This size is a bit compact in contrast to other watercolor papers. However, because of the sleek design, you can carry this watercolor paper conveniently.

Additionally, the notebook includes dual-sided papers. Both the sides of Paul Rubens Paper have a distinctive texture. You can further practice this notebook as a large paper by removing the middle thread.

Check out the video to get more details:

Product Specifications

Bound	No
Material	Cotton
Warranty	No
Dimensions	3.8 x 5.2 inches
Brand	Paul Rubens

15. Art-n-Fly 30-Sheets Watercolor Paper

(Best Sleek Shape)

Talking about the best watercolor paper for beginners and not considering the Art-n-Fly Paper will not be a good idea. The Art-n-Fly presents a single pad with 30 sheets.

Each sheet is thick and heavy, with around 140 pounds of weight. You can execute multiple watercolor techniques on the Art-n-Fly Paper.

The neutral pH and acid-free characteristic of Art-n-Fly Paper make it a high-grade product. Thanks to the neutral pH, that removes the deterioration issue.

The dimensions of Art-n-Fly Paper are just like the other premium papers, which are 9 inches by 12 inches. Because of the suitable weight and features, this cold-pressed paper is the demand of many professionals.

The Art-n-Fly Paper comes in a fold-over design that makes it convenient to remove. This watercolor paper can even handle repeated washes with no issue.

Product Specifications

Bound	No
Material	Cotton
Warranty	No
Dimensions	9 x 12 inches
Brand	Art-n-Fly

Best Watercolor Paper for Beginners – Buyer’s Guide

The right watercolor paper will help you earn a better painting experience. To get the right watercolor paper, you need to keep a few factors in your mind.

Following are the top factors to consider while shopping for the best watercolor paper for beginners.

Here is a video explaining how to select the right watercolor paper:

Quality

The artist’s quality and student’s quality are two significant types of qualities that you will find in the watercolor sheet. In the artist’s quality, you will receive an acid-free and durable sheet.

On the other hand, the paint works quite well on the artist’s quality sheet even after a long time. While on the student’s quality sheet, the paint does not perform well.

However, as a beginner, you can try the student’s quality sheet rather than the artist’s quality because the cost of a student’s quality paper is lower than that of the artist’s quality.

Production

While shopping for the best watercolor paper for beginners, do not forget to check the production of the sheet.

The handmade, machine-made and mold-made are the three well-known productions. The quality and performance of both handmade and mold-made sheets are superior to the machine-made sheets.

You will take an irregular texture with both mold-made and handmade sheets. Painting on the uneven surface is convenient. Further, the machine-made sheets are cheaper and decay after a short period.

Texture

Firstly, make sure to check the texture of the watercolor paper. The hot-press and cold-press are the two commonly used textures in the watercolor papers.

In terms of quality and performance, both these textures are different from each other. The hot-pressed paper usually has a hard surface. You will get a less smooth experience while working on a hot-pressed paper.

On the other hand, the cold-pressed paper is smoother than the hot-pressed paper. Beginners usually find it easier to work on cold-pressed paper rather than on the hot-pressed paper.

Weight

Most beginners ignore the weight while buying the watercolor paper. The weight is a much essential factor to consider while shopping for the best paper.

With the watercolor sheet, you will access both light and heavy variations. If you are going to deal with more water and paint while working, then you must prefer a heavy paper.

A heavy paper can easily absorb a greater quantity of paint and water, which is why many professionals favor it.

However, as a beginner, you can also go for the lighter version of the paper. The weight of light paper is around 140 pounds while that of heavy paper is 300 pounds.

FAQs

This FAQ section includes common queries about the best watercolor paper for beginners.

My Top Pick

You can easily enhance your painting skills by choosing the right watercolor paper. Each of the listed watercolor papers in this review has top-notch quality.

However, I like the Canson 7022446 watercolor paper because of the texture, quality and price. The Canson 7022446 product uses a cold-pressed paper, which makes it one of the best watercolor paper for beginners.

I would also like to know which watercolor paper you prefer. Let me know your favorite watercolor paper in the comment section, and do not forget to like and share this article.