Watercolor paper comes in pads or in blocks of various sizes, or in full sheets. A full sheet is approximately 22” x 30”, and may have deckle (rough) or straight edges. You can cut or tear these full sheets into smaller size sheets. Pads have been cut to size and are connected along the top edge. Blocks have the added benefit of each sheet being secured at all edges. This allows application of paint without buckling and eliminates the need for taping edges etc.

The paper will have a specific surface, ranging from very smooth (hot press), to very textured (rough). A surface that is in between is slightly textured (cold press). Cold press offers a useful level of texture. We will be using cold press paper.

Paper comes in different weights (thickness), from 90 lb. to 300 lb. Student grade paper is 90 lb. This paper is too thin and will buckle when even a small amount of moisture applied. 140 lb. paper will be the minimum for this class. NOTE: although pads of 140 lb paper and 300 lb paper look similar and are priced similarly, the page count for the 300 lb pads are halved - making them twice as expensive. Students who wish to use 300 lb paper for their major assignments should also buy a block of 140 lb paper for daily exercises.

As per the discussion above, at the minimum for this class you will need a 20 sheet block of cold press paper, medium sized (between 9x12 and 12x15) that is at least 140 lb. NOTE: Avoid the blue-covered Canson brand pads. They have issues with buckling and showing brush strokes.