Ever feel like your watercolor paintings don't turn out the way you want? Maybe the colors look dull, or blending is a nightmare.
The problem might not be your technique—it could be your paper.
Today, I'm testing Arches watercolor paper with Mungyo paints to see if high-quality paper can improve the performance of budget watercolors.
Let's find out!
Contents
Overview of Arches Watercolor Paper
Watercolor success depends on both the paint and the paper. Even if you're using budget paints, the right paper can make a huge difference.
That's why I'm putting Arches to the test today.
What Makes Arches Watercolor Paper Special?
If you've painted with watercolor before, you know that paper quality is everything.
Arches is a 100% cotton watercolor paper known for its absorbency and durability.
Unlike cheaper cellulose papers, it helps watercolors blend smoothly and hold their vibrancy.
Compared to other cotton papers like Baohong Master's Choice, Arches has a slightly less textured surface.
This makes it great for detailed work while still providing enough grip for wet techniques.
Texture and Absorption: Key Features of Arches Paper
One of the standout features of Arches paper is its texture. It's not as rough as some handmade papers, but it still has enough “tooth” to grip the paint.
Compared to other brands like Baohong Master's Choice, Arches has a more balanced texture—perfect for beginners and experienced artists.
Its high absorbency prevents water from pooling too much, which means smoother color transitions. But how does it handle budget watercolors? That's what I set out to test.
Introducing Mungyo Watercolor Set: Can Budget Paints Perform Well?
Not all watercolors are created equal. Some are highly pigmented and transparent, while others are chalky or dull.
Mungyo watercolors fall somewhere in the middle, making them an interesting choice for this experiment.
Mungyo Watercolors: Vibrancy and Consistency
Mungyo watercolors are not considered professional-grade, but they do have a surprising amount of pigment.
The colors are bright and creamy, which is great for layering and blending.
However, they don't behave quite like high-end brands such as Winsor & Newton.
That said, even budget paints can shine when paired with the right paper.
Preparing the Paints for Use
Mungyo watercolors are quite dry in the pan, so they need plenty of water to activate. I gave them a good spray before starting, letting the water soak in for a minute or two.
If you've ever struggled with chalky, weak color from pan sets, pre-wetting your paints can make a huge difference.
Watercolor Experiment: Painting Christmas Ornaments
I decided to paint simple Christmas ornaments to see how well Arches handles Mungyo watercolors.
This would allow me to test color vibrancy, blending, and layering.
Setting Up the Painting Process
I started by taping down my paper to prevent warping. Then, I used a cup to outline my circles for the ornaments.
If you struggle with freehand shapes, using objects as guides is a great trick.
Once the sketch was ready, I chose my colors. I went with blue, red, and orange to test how well the paints mixed on the paper.
Applying the First Layer: Paint Distribution and Absorption
I loaded my brush with a wet, activated blue and painted the first ornament.
The pigment spread beautifully across the paper without leaving harsh lines.
This is one of the reasons Arches is so popular—it allows for smooth transitions.
Next, I used a clean brush to pull the color toward the center, creating a gradient effect.
The water stayed on the surface just long enough for me to manipulate it before absorbing into the fibers.
Layering and Blending with Mungyo Watercolors
After the first layer dried, I moved on to layering. I added red to my second ornament, letting it mix slightly with the blue on the rim of my cup.
This created a lovely purple hue, proving that Mungyo paints blend well when given the right surface.
Even though Mungyo isn't as transparent as professional paints, the layering still worked well. The key was patience—letting each layer dry before adding the next.
Adding Highlights and Fine Details
Once the base colors were dry, I added details to make the ornaments more festive.
Using a thin brush, I reinforced the edges of each ornament to define their shape.
I also left some white space to create highlights, making them look more three-dimensional.
Adding Greenery and Berries for a Festive Touch
To complete the painting, I added loose brushstrokes of green for foliage and bright red dots for berries.
Mixing different shades of green added depth and contrast to the composition.
Evaluating the Performance: How Arches Paper Handles Budget Watercolors
At this point, I had a pretty good idea of how Arches paper affected the Mungyo paints. Here's what I found.
Color Vibrancy and Transparency
Despite being a budget brand, Mungyo watercolors looked surprisingly vibrant on Arches paper.
The pigments retained their richness even after drying, which isn't always the case with cheaper paints.
However, they weren't as transparent as professional-grade paints.
If you love that soft, delicate watercolor effect, you might need to dilute the paint more than usual.
Water Retention and Blending Capabilities
One of the most significant advantages of Arches paper is its ability to keep paint wet for longer.
This allows for smoother blending and fewer unwanted streaks.
Even with budget paints, the colors merged beautifully without drying too fast.
Switching to better paper could be a game-changer if you've ever struggled with patchy color applications.
Final Verdict
So, what's the verdict? Can high-quality paper make a difference even with budget paints? Absolutely!
Mungyo watercolors performed much better on Arches paper than on cheaper alternatives.
The colors stayed vibrant, the blending was smoother, and layering was much easier. If you're struggling with watercolors, upgrading your paper might be the quickest fix.
What do you think? Have you ever noticed a difference when using better paper?
Let me know in the comments—I'd love to hear your experiences!