Why Does One Require Different Papers For Painting?
Anyone who is new to art would probably wonder about this. Naturally it is an important consideration, according to the type of paint you use. Watercolour paper can be bought in three varieties. “Not” (Cold Pressed), “HP” (Hot Pressed), and Rough.
“Not” or “Cold Pressed” for starters, when it is made, runs through cold rollers which presses the surface smooth. This would be a good paper to begin with, as it is not loaded with texture.
If you have small detailed work, a textured paper really is what you need. “HP” would be my choice as it is nice and smooth as it has been pressed through hot rollers, like an iron in fact. Washes do not hold very well on this, so I wouldn’t even try to do one.
Rough is a very well textured paper which can be very effective as the paint does not always reach the raised surface. Probably not good for a beginner to use though.
You can also stretch paper yourself, but you need to know how. If paper is wet, it does stretch, but not usually so that it will be equal the four ways. So you can have problems with wrinkling!
Therefore, if you stretch your own paper, before you start, this will eliminate the problem. For this you will require scissors, a bowl of water, a natural sponge and some gummed brown paper on the roll.
So, first look at your paper and cut four pieces off the gummed paper larger than the sides of the paper to be stretched. You then need to wet your paper using a small sponge or, if it is small, soak the sponge in water.
Starting from the middle you need to gradually flatten your work out on a flat surface or board. This can be done with a clean rag or even the side of your hand. All that you need to do then, is to tape the paper down with the gummed strips. You will need the gummed paper moist for this.
Probably you will be thinking to yourself it still looks wrinkly, but have a little patience. Let it dry, and I do mean naturally, and it should dry flat. So now you have your support (this is what we call the stretched paper). Ideal paper for watercolours.
All importance is with your actual support, as you want your paint to adhere to it. Also, your brush has to work well with the paint to get good results. Therefore heavy papers are a good choice, but at a price. All paper goes by weight when it is sold.
The aim of your work is for it to have a decent finish to it and the transparency of watercolours can make it a bit puzzling at times to use. In fact, if you have white paper it will always, and you will need to be aware of this, be the lightest part of your work. So yes, the support is vital.
Papers used are important. If you use a heavy paper, water works very well, but then again, this is expensive. Lighter papers are more than likely to wrinkle and get out of shape. Bear in mind all paper is graded by weight.
Various choices are are at hand in our shops. Ready stretched pads which have glue all round. Ready perforated and spiralled pads with hard backs, or simply just sold by the sheet. These are what you have to choose from for watercolours.
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