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LisaC
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| Posted: Feb 27 2009 at 10:02am | IP Logged
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I have read several posts on watercolor paints but (without reading all of the watercolor posts), I didn't see an answer to my question.
What do you all use for watercolor paper? I read somewhere that paper under 300 lb weight will warp unless you stretch it first. So, do you all stretch your paper? then what weight do you buy? Or do you just live with the warp since its just kids painting? Or do you buy 300 lb paper? Is 300 lb paper expensive?
Thanks for your help!
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Lisa in Colorado
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Feb 27 2009 at 12:23pm | IP Logged
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Lisa - I buy paper specifically labeled "watercolor paper". I've bought from Michael's with a coupon and from Dick Blick.
Buying from Michael's with a coupon brings the price down substantially (if you can get out of there without buying a lot of other stuff). My big pad of watercolor paper from Michael's is 120 lb paper. It does not warp when the children paint on it. No stretching required. Just pull a sheet off the pad, paint, dry, hang to display.
I bought several smallish pads from Dick Blick because often the children want to paint something small. I love these small pads. They are 6" x 6" and 140 lb paper - perfect for small nature sketches in watercolor.
HTH! 
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pmeilaen
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I like the Strathmore and Arches brands. I try to get 140 lb. paper, cold pressed. I like larger sizes for older children (16x20). I normally get it at our college bookstore. I've also seen it at Dick Blick and Jo-Annn Fabric. I wouldn't buy any weight under 80 lb. It dissolves too fast when you use lots of water.
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Feb 28 2009 at 10:28am | IP Logged
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I bought large sheets of watercolor paper from Dick Blick.. and then cut to watever size we're going to use
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LisaC
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| Posted: Feb 28 2009 at 10:39am | IP Logged
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Ladies,
Thank you all for the good suggestions. I had purchased a pad of Strathmore paper from Joann's that said "Paint Pad - textured watercolor paper" and though it was thickish, I thought it still warped when I painted on it. I suppose it is strange that it does not list a weight anywhere. 
I will look into getting no less than 120-140 lb paper and try that. I did think that stretching the paper seemed like a LOT of work, but it just wasn't satisfying seeing wavy paper!
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Lisa in Colorado
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donnalynn
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| Posted: March 02 2009 at 1:59pm | IP Logged
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Lisa -
Is this for the wet-on-wet technique? I have some thoughts but they apply to wet-on-wet.
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LisaC
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| Posted: March 03 2009 at 10:52am | IP Logged
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Donna,
We are really just beginning with watercolors and I don't know anything about wet-on-wet. I suppose that is a more advanced technique?
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Lisa in Colorado
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donnalynn
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No, not more advanced - you just wet the watercolor paper before you paint - I don't know too much about water color painting on dry paper.
I did take class where we streched the watercolor paper and I remember how involved that process was.
I hope you find a way to get rid of the waves!!
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hereinantwerp
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| Posted: March 18 2009 at 10:09am | IP Logged
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If it is 140 lb or above you do not have to stretch it. You want to tape the edges down on a surface with masking tape tho. This gives you a nice, finished edge on your painting, too.
Good paper makes a tremendous difference--as much as good paint!! I took an amazing class from a master artist and he only let us use "Arches". Very expensive. But he did encourage us to use both sides.
For my kids I also buy "strathmore" or "fabriano". For my little one I just let her use typing paper and Prang paints, as she will do 12 paintings or so a day 
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Angela Nelson
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4Real Forums : The Arts in the Everyday
Topic: Watercolor paper
