A Beginner's Guide to Artist Papers: Finding Your Perfect Match
This guide will help make sense of artist papers for those just starting their artistic journey. Choosing the right paper can make the artistic experience much more enjoyable.
Quick Paper Selector: Can You Use Acrylics on Paper?
Yes, but choosing the right paper makes a difference. Start with the medium you want to use, then check the paper's label rather than relying on weight alone. These are starting points, not guarantees: sizing, the amount of water and the number of layers all matter.
| Medium and compatibility | Paper type and weight | Surface | Curl or buckling risk | Priming or mounting? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic colours and mediums: purpose-made option | Acrylic paper; 300 gsm is one manufacturer-supported starting point, not a universal minimum. | Often canvas-like; check the individual pad. | Heavy paper is less prone to buckling than thin paper, but wet applications can still distort it. | Paper correctly sized and labelled for acrylics does not normally need gesso. Follow the paper and medium instructions. |
| Acrylic washes, watercolour and gouache | Watercolour paper; start around 300 gsm and check the maker's guidance for your technique. | Hot-pressed for a smoother surface; cold-pressed for more texture. | Wetter washes can cause buckling even on heavy paper. Stretching may help; a suitable four-side-glued block can hold the sheet as it dries. | Gesso is not required for acrylics on suitable paper. It changes absorbency and texture, so leave the surface unprimed when you want its watercolour qualities. |
| Acrylics with drawing, gouache or collage | Mixed-media paper explicitly rated for acrylics. Weights vary; 570 gsm heavyweight cotton paper is one manufacturer-listed option for multiple layers. | Often vellum or a drawing-friendly tooth; check the pad. | Heavier sheets generally cope better with water and layering. “Mixed media” alone does not promise a buckle-free surface. | No gesso is normally needed when the paper is correctly sized for the chosen medium. Test your combination on a spare sheet first. |
| Pencil or pen first; acrylic painting not the intended use | Ordinary sketching or drawing paper. Choose an acrylic-rated paper instead for a wet painting. | Smooth or lightly toothed. | Thin sheets are more prone to distortion with waterborne media. | Gesso is not a substitute for choosing suitable paper and adds moisture itself. Keep this paper for its labelled uses. |
| Acrylic crackle paste and specialist texture effects | A suitable paper mounted to a rigid support, where the medium manufacturer recommends it. | Determined by the paper and any ground used. | Shrinking texture products can warp flexible paper; weight alone may not solve this. | For example, GOLDEN recommends a rigid support for Crackle Paste; paper may be glued down with an appropriate acrylic medium and allowed to dry before application. Follow the product's preparation instructions. |
Priming and mounting do different jobs. Gesso changes the painting surface; mounting attaches the paper to a rigid support. Neither is an automatic requirement for acrylic painting on suitable paper. If you want to mount a sheet, follow the adhesive and support manufacturer's guidance rather than treating it as the same process as stretching watercolour paper.
Ready to choose? Explore Watercolour Paper — Pads, Blocks & Postcards, checking each paper's specification for your technique, then browse Acrylic Paint for your colours. A watercolour label is not a blanket promise that every acrylic medium or texture effect will suit that paper.
Manufacturer guidance: GOLDEN: painting on watercolour paper; Strathmore: choosing correctly sized paper; Winsor & Newton: 300 gsm acrylic paper; Strathmore: heavyweight mixed-media paper; Winsor & Newton: four-side-glued watercolour blocks; GOLDEN: Crackle Paste support guidance.
Paper Weight Basics
Paper weight works like fabric thickness:
- Light papers (70-90 gsm/20-24 lb): Perfect for practice sketches and doodling. These are everyday papers that won't break the bank.
- Medium papers (130-190 gsm/35-56 lb): Great for finished drawings with pencil, ink, or markers. They hold up better than lightweight papers.
- Heavy papers (200-300 gsm/90-140 lb): These are ideal for watercolours and mixed media. They won't buckle as easily when wet.
- Extra heavy papers (300+ gsm/140+ lb): Reserved for serious watercolour work or multimedia pieces that need to withstand lots of water and layering.
Paper Textures Made Simple
Papers come with different surfaces that affect how art tools interact with them:
- Smooth papers: Feel slick to the touch. Great for detailed work with pens, fine pencils, or markers.
- Medium texture papers: Have a slight "tooth" or roughness. These are versatile for most drawing and some painting techniques.
- Rough papers: Have a noticeable texture. Perfect for creating interesting effects with watercolors, pastels, or charcoal.
Paper Composition
- Cotton papers: The premium option. They're stronger, more durable, and handle water better. They're more expensive but worth it for finished pieces.
- Wood pulp papers: More affordable everyday options. Good for practice and learning.
Paper Types for Different Art Styles
For Pencil Drawing Beginners
For starting with pencil drawing, look for:
- Medium-weight drawing paper with some texture to grab the pencil
- Sketchbooks labeled "drawing" or "sketching"
- White or off-white color for good contrast
The paper should feel pleasant when drawing and show pencil marks clearly without smudging too much.
For Watercolour Beginners
Watercolour needs special paper to handle water without falling apart:
- Look for papers labeled "watercolour"
- At least 140 lb/300 gsm weight
- "Cold-pressed" is the most versatile texture to start with
Watercolour paper is more expensive, but even budget watercolour paper is better than using regular paper, which will warp and pill when wet.
For Marker Artists
Markers need paper that prevents bleeding:
- Look for "marker paper" or "illustration board"
- Smooth surface with low absorbency
- Papers that advertise "no bleed-through"
The right paper will keep marker lines crisp and prevent them from feathering or bleeding through to the next page.
For Charcoal and Pastel Beginners
These dusty mediums need paper with "tooth" to hold the pigment:
- Look for papers with texture
- Medium to heavyweight
- Papers specifically labeled for charcoal or pastel
The texture helps the particles cling to the paper rather than falling off.
Starting a Paper Collection
For beginners, here's a recommended approach:
- Start with a basic sketchbook (80-100 gsm) for everyday practice and ideas
- Add a medium-weight drawing pad (120-160 gsm) for more finished pencil or pen drawings
- If trying watercolours, get a small watercolour pad (300 gsm/140 lb) to experiment with
- Buy individual sheets of specialty papers (like pastel or printmaking paper) before investing in full pads
Simple Tips for Paper Success
- Match paper to medium - this is the most important rule! Using watercolors on printer paper will always disappoint.
- Pay attention to how the paper feels when using it - does it feel good? Does it resist or accept the tool easily?
- Store paper flat in a dry place to prevent warping and damage
- Test new techniques on scrap paper before using good paper
- Don't be intimidated by fancy papers - as skills grow, trying better quality papers can be a revelation
Even the best artists started as beginners with basic materials. Focus on enjoying the process, experimenting with different papers, and discovering what works best for your unique style. The perfect paper is out there waiting for you!