Watercolor Paper Rough or Smooth Side: How to Make the Right Choice

To our Artists,

Deciding if you should use the rough or smooth side of watercolor paper can be tricky. We’ve been in that spot and discovered hot press is the go-to for those sleek finishes. Dive into our guide to find out how to choose the best side for your artwork.

Stick with us to learn more!

Understanding Watercolor Paper

Watercolor paper is essential for our art. It comes in different types, each with its own texture and weight.

Types of watercolor paper (hot press, cold press, and rough)

Watercolor paper comes in different types: hot press, cold press, and rough. Each type has its own texture and feel.

1. Hot Press
   This paper has a smooth finish. It is perfect for fine details. We can use it for illustrations and portraits. The paint glides easily on this surface. Many artists appreciate how it handles colors.
2. Cold Press
   Cold press paper has a slightly textured surface. This type strikes a balance between rough and smooth. It works well for general watercolor painting. We can create soft washes or vibrant textures on this paper.
3. Rough
   Rough watercolor paper provides the most texture. Deep pits create interesting effects with paint. Landscapes often look amazing on this type of paper. We enjoy using it to add depth to our work.

Choosing the right watercolor paper side depends on our personal style and needs. With time, we learn which type suits us best while painting on watercolor paper.

Differences in texture and weight

Choosing the right side of watercolor paper involves understanding the differences in texture and weight. This choice affects the appearance and performance of our paintings. Below is a summary of these differences, formatted to help artists make an informed decision.

Type of Paper	Texture	Weight
Hot Press	Smooth	Varies, but generally lighter
Cold Press	Medium Texture	Varies, common in heavier weights
Rough	Very Textured	Usually heavy

We know artists look for specific qualities in watercolor paper. The hot press is smooth and suits detailed work. It undergoes treatment to make it smoother. For a balanced texture that is neither too smooth nor too textured, cold press is ideal. It stands in the middle, offering flexibility. Rough paper, with its noticeable texture, excels in creating textured effects, especially in landscapes. Each has its own feel and absorbs water and paint differently.

In choosing between the rough and smooth sides of watercolor paper, we consider our painting technique, the desired texture, and our personal preference. Arches watercolor paper, known for its quality, can be used on both sides, allowing us to experiment with both textures.

Our choice significantly impacts our artwork’s final look. Testing both sides helps us understand how our paint behaves on each texture. We always stretch our paper to prevent warping. By experimenting with different types, we find the perfect match for our artistic style.

Choosing the Right Side of Watercolor Paper

Choosing the right side of watercolor paper is key for our art. The rough and smooth sides offer different looks and feel, so we need to test both to see what works best for us.

Testing for the right side

Testing for the right side of watercolor paper is simple. We can start by painting small swatches on both sides. The rough side shows texture and depth. It works well for landscapes and effects we love.

The smooth side offers a clean finish, ideal for detailed work.

We should pay attention to how the paint behaves on each surface. Liquid color spreads differently depending on the texture. Rough paper absorbs water quickly, creating soft edges.

Smooth paper allows more control over fine details. Trying out both sides helps us choose what fits our style best!

Differences in appearance and performance

The rough and smooth sides of watercolor paper give very different looks and feels. The rough side has deep pits and textures. This texture helps create interesting effects in our paintings, especially for landscapes.

We can see more depth with colors blending into the grooves of the paper. It makes our artwork feel lively.

On the other hand, the smooth side of watercolor paper shows a clean finish. This surface is great for detailed work or fine lines. The paint flows easily without interruptions from texture.

Cold-pressed watercolor paper gives us a balance between both options, offering some texture while still being smooth enough for precision tasks. Using both sides lets us explore various techniques and find what works best for our style.

Factors to Consider in Choosing a Side

When choosing a side, we need to think about our painting style. The texture affects how the paint and water behave on the paper.

Painting technique

Our painting technique plays a big role in choosing the right side of watercolor paper. The rough side is great for landscapes and textured effects. We can use its deep pits to add interest to our art.

This texture grabs the paint well and creates depth.

The smooth side, or hot-pressed paper, gives us a different feeling. It works well for fine details and washes. Many artists love using both sides depending on their needs. Trying out different types helps us find what fits our style best in watercolor techniques.

Desired texture and effect

Choosing the right texture and effect is key for our artwork. The rough side of watercolor paper offers deep pits. This creates textures that work well for landscapes and other detailed scenes.

Artists often prefer this side to add interest to their paintings.

On the other hand, smooth, hot-pressed watercolor paper provides a clean finish. It allows us to create fine details and soft washes easily. Cold-pressed watercolor paper gives a balance between these two textures, offering some depth without being too rough.

Our choice depends on our unique style and what we want to achieve with our art.

Personal preference

Personal preference plays a big role in choosing between the rough or smooth side of watercolor paper. Each texture gives a different feel and effect to our artwork. We find that some artists love the deep pits in rough paper for landscapes and textured effects.

Others prefer smooth, hot-pressed paper for clean lines and detail work.

The choice often depends on what we want to achieve with our art. Cold-pressed watercolor paper offers a nice balance between both finishes, which some may enjoy. Trying different types helps us discover what fits our artistic style best.

Experimenting with personal preferences can lead to exciting new techniques and results in our artwork.

Tips for Using Both Sides of Watercolor Paper

We can use the rough side for bold textures and strong washes. The smooth side works well for fine details and sharp lines.

Techniques for the rough side

Using the rough side of watercolor paper can create beautiful textures. We enjoy experimenting with different techniques to get the best results.

1. Building Layers: Apply multiple layers of color on the rough surface. The texture holds paint well, so we can create depth and richness in our artwork.
2. Textured Effects: Use a wet-on-dry technique for bold lines and edges. The deep pits on rough paper catch water and pigment, creating unique looks.
3. Dry Brush Technique: Try using a dry brush on dry paint. The raised areas of the paper add interesting patterns, making our art more dynamic.
4. Splatter Techniques: We can splatter water or paint onto the rough side for fun effects. This method creates randomness that adds energy to our pieces.
5. Scraping Off Paint: For an exciting twist, use a palette knife or credit card to scrape away some paint after it dries slightly. This reveals the white of the paper and adds contrast.
6. Using Watercolor Brushes: Choose brushes with stiff bristles for applying paint on rough paper. These brushes work well with its texture and allow us to control our strokes better.
7. Negative Space Painting: Focus on leaving certain areas white while painting around them. The texture helps define these spaces beautifully in landscapes or textured designs.
8. Experimenting with Different Colors: Layer mixtures of colors to see how they interact with each other on the rough surface. We can unlock new shades and depths through this exploration.
9. Stretching Paper: Stretching is important to prevent warping while painting on the rough side. Keeping it flat allows for smoother application of watercolors without buckling.
10. Testing Techniques First: Before committing to a full piece, test our techniques on scraps of watercolor paper first. This practice helps us find what works best for our style using both sides effectively.

Techniques for the smooth side

The smooth side of watercolor paper is great for detailed work. It offers a different feel than the rough side. Here are some techniques we can use:

1. Fine Details: Smooth paper allows us to add fine lines and delicate details easily. We can create sharp edges and clean strokes that stand out.
2. Layering Colors: Smooth surfaces are perfect for layering colors. We can build up depth without worrying about the texture interfering with our paint.
3. Lifting Paint: If we want to lift color, smooth paper gives us a good chance to control this process. We can gently scrub or blot areas to lighten them effectively.
4. Wet-on-Dry Technique: This technique works well on smooth paper. It lets us apply wet paint onto dry layers, creating clear shapes and crisp edges.
5. Glazing Effects: Smooth paper is ideal for glazing with transparent colors. We can see each layer clearly, allowing light to pass through beautifully.
6. Ink and Line Work: If we enjoy adding ink after painting, smooth paper holds ink well. This helps our line work stay vibrant over watercolor washes.
7. Fine Brush Techniques: Using fine brushes on smooth surfaces allows us to achieve detail in our paintings easily. Whether it’s highlights or small textures, it’s manageable.
8. Mixed Media Art: The smooth side is excellent for combining different media like ink or pencil with watercolor paint. This versatility expands our artistic toolbox.
9. Using White Space: On smooth paper, preserving white space becomes easier and more effective. The contrast showcases light areas beautifully against colorful washes.
10. Testing Techniques: Trying various styles on the smooth side helps us understand how each method interacts with the surface texture uniquely.

Experimenting on the smooth side of watercolor paper lets us discover what works best for our style and preferences as artists!

Conclusion

Choosing between the rough and smooth sides of watercolor paper is a fun journey. Each side brings different tools for our art. The rough side gives us texture, great for landscapes.

The smooth side is perfect for fine details. Experimenting with both will help us find what we love best!

FAQs

What factors should I consider when choosing the right watercolor paper?

When selecting watercolor paper, you need to think about the texture or surface, weight and quality of the paper. The choice between rough or smooth side also depends on your painting techniques.

How does the texture of a watercolor paper impact my artwork?

The texture or surface of your watercolor paper can affect how paints behave on it. A rough side provides more tooth for paint to grip onto while a smooth side allows for fine details in your art.

Can I use both sides of a watercolor paper?

Yes, you can use different sides of a watercolor paper depending upon what kind of effect you want in your mixed media art.

Does the weight and quality matter when choosing a watercolor paper?

Yes, the weight and quality are important properties that determine how much paint the sheet can hold without warping or tearing.

Are there any tips for using various types of Watercolour papers effectively?

Understanding characteristics like sizing and experimenting with different weights, textures and qualities will help artists make better decisions about their materials.