Traditionally, the highest quality watercolour papers have always been manufactured from cotton fibres, which impart strength and durability to the sheet. The term 100% rag is still used to denote pure cotton fibre content and freedom from any wood pulp.
High quality artist papers are made on a mould machine, which provides all the appeal of hand made paper, but without the inevitable variations from sheet to sheet. Additionally, the best papers are manufactured to be acid free, thereby preventing degradation.
There are three main surface textures to watercolour papers, HP, CP (NOT) and Rough. HP stands for ‘hot pressed’ and is the smoothest paper suitable for high detail work. CP stands for ‘cold pressed’ (and is also commenly known as NOT - as in ‘not hot pressed’) is a slightly textured surface and popular because it is suitable for most types of work. Finally, there is ‘rough’, which is exactly what its name suggests, suitable for landscapes, seascapes etc., where a heavily textured paper enhances the final piece of work. When heavy washes are used on lighter weight paper, stretching is recommended otherwise the paper will buckle or cockle.
We stock many brands of watercolour paper, Bockingford, Saunders, Arches, Fabriano and many more. Our papers are available in loose sheet watercolour paper packs, watercolour pads, and watercolour blocks and watercolour boards.
20 sheets per block, glued 4 sides and available in 140lb (300gsm) HP, NOT and ROUGH.
100% rag, neutral pH, watermarked, gelatine tub-sized.
20 sheets of acid-free Saunders Waterford 140lb (300gsm) 100% rag watercolour paper.
Canson Moulin Du Roy Watercolour Paper Pads contain 10 sheets of traditional cylinder mould made paper that is 100% cotton. Available in NOT and HP, in A4 and A3.
Winsor & Newton Watercolour Paper Pads each include 12 sheets of 300gsm (140lb) NOT watercolour paper ideal for students, beginners and hobbyists.
Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour Paper Sheets are a traditional cylinder mould made, 100% cotton watercolour painting surface. Available in NOT, HP & Rough.
Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolour Paper Blocks are filled with 20 Sheets of 300gsm 100% cotton watercolour paper. Available in NOT, HP & Rough in 4 sizes.
Winsor & Newton Watercolour Postcards includes 15 4" x 6" (10.5cm x 14.8cm) sheets of 140lb (300gsm) NOT surface paper printed on the reverse.
Winsor & Newton Watercolour Paper Jumbo Pad contains 50 A4 sheets of watercolour paper ideal for students, beginners and hobbyists.
Winsor & Newton Classic Watercolour Paper is a great introductory watercolour painting surface for students, beginners and hobbyists.
Winsor & Newton Mixed Media Paper Pads contain 30 spiral-bound, 250gsm sheets of paper suitable for mixed media and multi-layered artwork.
Acid Free, internally sized, avaiable in a NOT and Extra Rough surface. Very popular.
Millford is a unique watercolour paper developed and produced by St. Cuthberts Mill.
100% rag, Acid free, watermarked, gelatine tub-sized.
14 90The mini starter pack comes with a information sheet on watercolour paper terms and usage plus contains the superb selection of 20 top quality watecolour paper.
High White is a new addition to the Saunders range with a new whiter shade which is much brighter.
This spiral bound sketchbook contains 15 sheets of 265gsm 15 x 25cm paper, suitable for a whole variety of artistic applications.
This watercolour book is the ideal companion for artists who love to capture their holiday memories without delay.
This stylish tin box contains 30 individual watercolour postcards. These postcards are excellent for capturing quick holiday impressions and painting greetings cards.
Saunders Waterford High White Paper now in blocks
For centuries the world's greatest artists have expressed themselves using Canson® papers. From the moment it was founded, Canson® has created artist paper.
Canson Moulin du Roy watercolour paper is made on a traditional cylinder mould machine. Moulin du Roy is 100% cotton, has ideal absorbency and superior strength.
The Strathmore Series 300 Watercolour Paper Pad 11" x 15" is filled with 12 sheets of 300gsm (140lb) NOT (cold pressed) texture paper.
Strathmore 400 Series Mixed Media Paper Pads include 15 sheets of 300gsm (184lb) white vellum surfaced paper. They are ideal for artists combining different mediums.
Strathmore 400 Series Mixed Media Toned Paper Pads include 15 sheets of toned 300gsm (184lb) vellum surfaced paper. Available in warm Tan and cool Grey.
This new paper has been produced by St Cuthberts Mill in the UK as a replacement for Fabriano 5 Hot Pressed (HP) as it is no longer being produced with a smooth surfac
Arches Bright White Aquarelle Watercolour Paper provides a whiter alternative to Arches Traditional White Watercolour paper. Available in packs of 5 full imperial sheets.
Bockingford water colour paper in blocks, glued on four sides.
12 sheets of Acid free Langton 140lb (300gsm) water colour paper. Very popular for watercolour and line and wash.
100% Cotton, mould made watercolour paper pads available in 2 sizes.
This paper has been produced especially by St Cuthburts Mill to replace the recently discontinued Whatman paper.
Made in the traditional way, on a cylinder mould, ARCHES Watercolour paper has a harmonious natural grain. The fibres are evenly distributed, making the paper more sta
Pack of Fabriano 280gsm watercolour paper available in a variety of pack sizes.
Arches watercolour paper is a 100% cotton paper. Arches Watercolour Paper is a professional grade watercolour paper of the highest quality. Manufactured in the same Frenc
140lb (300gsm), available in a range of colours or get a mixed pack which contains one of each colour.
Leonardo is natural white, acid free, lightfast and extremely resistant to ageing.
Hahnemuhle The Collection Watercolour paper is a 100% cotton rag painting surface that is mould-made, surface sized and is available in 140lb (300gsm) in HP, NOT & Rough.
Hahnemuhle Agave Watercolour Paper Blocks include 12 sheets of 290gsm (135lb) paper in a NOT Cold Pressed surface. 70% Agave fibre and 30% cotton rag.
The Hahnemuhle Agave Watercolour Paper is a NOT texture watercolour paper. Agave is made from 30% cotton rag and 70% Agave fibre.
Natural white, acid free, lightfast and extremely age resistant.
The Frisk White YUPO Paper Postcard Pad includes 15 sheets of A6 155gsm yupo paper. This small size is ideal for small experiments or studies, and for making card fronts.
100% Cotton, mould made watercolour paper blocks available in 2 sizes.
Mould-made 50% rag, acid free, surface sized, watermarked with 2 deckle edges.
This pack contains 11 different 140lb papers.
Available in 11"x15" (1/4 Imperial)
Contain 25 sheets of either Saunders Waterford NOT or Fabriano Classico 5 HP 300gsm (140lb) paper.
Hahnemuhle Toned Watercolour Paper Pads contain 20 sheets of 200gsm (95lb) toned watercolour paper with a smooth, fine grain. These pads are A4 in Beige & Grey.
This Frisk YUPO Paper Pack of 10 A2 Sheets is packed in a cardboard tube and contains ten individual sheets of synthetic YUPO paper.
Arches watercolour paper is a 100% cotton paper. Arches Watercolor Paper is a professional grade watercolor paper of the highest quality.
Our Fabriano Watercolour Hardback Sketchbook contains 30 sheets of 200gsm watercolour paper with a NOT (cold pressed) surface.
The Fabriano Leporello Journal is a hardback sketchbook filled with Fabriano Medioevalis paper. This paper is mould made and folds in the book in one long concertina.
Specially designed for use with water-soluble pencils!
Frisk White Yupo Heavyweight Paper Pads are available in A5, A4 and A3 and include 15 sheets of 155gsm heavyweight Yupo paper.
This smooth surface synthetic paper is ideal for usewith Alcohol Inks, Mixed Media, Watercolours and Acrylics.
The surface is a mould made watercolour paper, acid free. Perfect for repeated wash work. NOT surface only.
Acid free, NOT surface, 140lb (300gsm). Size 60"x11yards (152cm x 10m).
Colour stable, mould made and acid free.
Acid free water colour paper. Very popular for watercolour and line and wash work.
Van Gogh Black Watercolour Paper Pads offer a cold pressed (NOT) dark painting surface and are perfect for use with metallic and interference colours.
This is an inexpensive alternative to Artist 100% Rag water colour paper which is most popular with students and amateurs.
This is an inexpensive alternative to Artist 100% Rag water colour paper which is most popular with students and amateurs.
This is an inexpensive alternative to Artist 100% Rag water colour paper which is most popular with students and amateurs.
This new paper has been produced by St Cuthberts Mill in the UK as a replacement for Fabriano 5 Hot Pressed as it is no longer being produced with a smooth surface.
Attractive textured paper, suitable for acrylic, gouache, drawing, watercolour....
Superb English made archival-quality watercolour paper, made from 100% cotton.
The Strathmore Series 400 Watercolour Spiral Bound Pad 9" x 12" is filled with 12 sheets of NOT (cold pressed) textured 140lb (300gsm) watercolour paper.
28 Sheets of Saunders Watercolour paper with some deckle edges, stitched into a hard back book.
