The single most important decision
Cotton or cellulose. This matters more than brand, more than weight, more than texture. Cotton paper handles water differently in ways that are not subtle — it allows longer wet-in-wet working time, lifts more cleanly, and granulates more beautifully.
If your budget allows one upgrade from student supplies, spend it on cotton paper rather than better paints.
Understanding weights
Watercolour paper weight is measured in gsm (grams per square metre). The most common weights are 190gsm, 300gsm, and 640gsm.
190gsm needs to be stretched or taped before use, or it will buckle significantly under wet washes. Not recommended for beginners.
300gsm is the standard for most serious work. It can handle moderate washes without stretching, though heavy wet-in-wet techniques will still cause some buckling.
640gsm (sometimes called “blocks” when glued on all four sides) requires no stretching and handles extremely heavy washes without movement.
Surface texture
Hot press is smooth. Paint sits on the surface with sharp edges and high detail. Excellent for illustration, botanical work, and any technique requiring precise control. Less suited to expressive wet-in-wet work.
Cold press (also called “NOT” in the UK) has a gentle texture. The most versatile surface for most artists. Handles wet-in-wet, wet-on-dry, and mixed techniques.
Rough has a pronounced texture that catches paint dramatically. Beautiful for expressive work and impressionistic landscapes. Difficult to use for fine detail.
Brand recommendations by budget
Under £1 per sheet: Fabriano Artistico is available in some markets at this price point. Cotman blocks are cellulose but acceptable for practice.
£1–3 per sheet: Baohong Academy 100% cotton is exceptional value at this price. Canson Heritage performs well.
£3+ per sheet: Arches, Fabriano Artistico Extra White, Hahnemühle. All excellent, with Arches remaining the benchmark.
Our starting recommendation
For artists new to watercolour: Baohong Academy 300gsm cold press. 100% cotton at a student-accessible price. It will not limit your practice the way cellulose paper does.