Arches Watercolour Paper Sheets

Made on a cylinder mould, this paper has a natural, balanced grain that many artists love because it behaves consistently and feels “alive” under the brush. The fibres are evenly distributed throughout the sheet, which helps it stay stable and keeps deformation to a minimum when you’re painting with lots of water.

Because it’s made from 100% long cotton fibres, ARCHES paper can absorb a great deal of water while staying strong. This is especially helpful for beginners who may use more water than they intend, and for experienced painters who rely on layering, wet-on-wet washes, and repeated glazing. The paper remains resilient, helping reduce unwanted rippling and making it easier to control blooms and backruns.

What makes ARCHES especially distinctive is its gelatin sizing through the core (not just a surface treatment). In practical terms, this means the sheet is tough enough to handle common learning techniques like lifting highlights, scrubbing, reworking edges, and even gently scratching back small areas—without tearing or “pilling” into lint. It also helps keep paint closer to the surface, preserving the lustre and transparency of watercolour, rather than letting colour sink too deeply into the sheet.

Surface textures: hot press, cold press, and rough (beginner-friendly explanation)

Watercolour paper comes in different surface textures. The texture affects how your brush moves, how pigment settles, and how detailed or textured your finished painting looks.

• Hot press: This is the smoothest surface. Because it has very little texture, lines look crisp and clean, and details (like botanical painting, ink + wash, or fine illustration) stay sharp. The trade-off is that washes can show brush marks more easily, and paint doesn’t “grab” the texture as much.
• Cold press: This is the most popular all-purpose surface. It has a gentle texture that helps hold pigment while still allowing good detail. If you’re new to watercolour and unsure what to choose, cold press is usually the safest starting point for most subjects (landscapes, portraits, urban sketching, etc.).
• Rough: This is the most textured surface. The pronounced tooth creates lively granulation effects and broken colour, which can look beautiful for expressive washes, loose landscapes, and atmospheric paintings. Fine detail is harder on rough paper, but texture and sparkle are excellent.

Paper weights: what they mean and how to choose

Paper weight refers to how thick and stiff the sheet is. Heavier paper generally stays flatter, handles more water, and feels more forgiving—especially for beginners. Lighter paper is often more affordable, but it can buckle more easily if you use very wet washes.

• Lighter weights (often around 140 lb / 300 gsm): Great for general painting and learning. Many artists still use this as their everyday weight, but it may benefit from stretching or taping down if you use a lot of water.
• Heavier weights (often around 300 lb / 640 gsm): Thicker and more rigid, so it stays flatter with wet techniques and repeated washes. It’s a strong choice if you dislike stretching paper, work very wet, or want a sturdier feel.

These sheets are 22 x 30 inches and include natural deckled edges. Many artists either work at full sheet size for large pieces, or tear/cut the sheet into halves, quarters, or smaller formats depending on the project.