We all know, in watercolor painting, brushes are important, paints are must but the paper we choose to paint on is the FOUNDATION of our painting work.
Just like watercolor brushes, watercolor paper is specially made for watercolors. Watercolor paper contains sizing, which reduces the absorption of paint by the paper and prevents the wet paint from soaking in. The effect is brilliant, clear color.
Here comes “Fabriano”, the most popularly used paper for paintings. Here are some factors you should consider when making a selection: (1) Quality, (2) Production, (3) Weight, (4) Texture.
Quality:
There are two main different grades of watercolor paper: artists’ quality and students’ quality.
Artists’ Quality: Sometimes known as archival paper, is acid-free and designed to endure. Papers that aren’t acid-free will become yellow and brittle over time.
Students’ Quality: If you’re a beginner or just practicing, students’ quality paper is fine but the paint won’t perform as well and don’t expect your painting to stand up to the test of time.
Production:
Watercolor paper is usually made by one of three processes: handmade, mold-made or machine-made.
Hand-Made and Mold-Made: Both are very durable, stable and shouldn’t distort under heavy wash. They both feature irregular surface textures which are pleasing to paint on.
Machine-Made: Students’ quality paper is typically machine-made, which is cheaper, but prone to distortion and deterioration when wet.
Weight:
Fabriano paper experts from India suggest that the weight of watercolor paper is not indicative of quality because the best paper comes in both heavy and light varieties. But weight is important because lighter papers need stretching before use and may buckle or wrinkle when wet.
Beginners can save some money by using 140lb paper which is still good to work on but might need stretching beforehand. With 140lb paper you can avoid stretching by simply taping the paper to a board while painting.
Texture:
Most Fabriano manufacturers in India offer different textures, so select the brand and quality of the paper you want and you’ll then have your choice of texture. Texture of the paper is classified into: Hot-Pressed Texture, Cold-Pressed Texture and Rough Paper. First, you have hot-pressed paper, which has a smooth, hard surface. Some artists like hot-pressed paper for detailed work, but others find it too slippery, making it difficult to control the paint. And the cold-pressed paper is the most versatile and popular texture, suitable for beginners and experienced painters alike, because it’s semi-rough surface is suitable for both detailed work and smooth washes. Next when it comes to rough paper which is good for washes because it gives them a kind of luminosity.
Tinting:
Most watercolor paper is white or cream because it allows light to reflect off its surface which gives the transparent watercolor paint a luminescent look. But, you can buy Fabriano in India different colors or tints and create different moods and effects.
Fabriano – Master-Quality Papers That Will Stand the Rest Of Time
Fabriano in India’s stunning Extra White watercolor paper delivers the purest, bright white available without the use of optical brighteners!
Buy Fabriano in India and make your creation stand the rest of time!