All about paper. Part I - Surface Textures

Everything you need to know about watercolor paper. 

Part I - Surface Textures

Watercolor paper comes in three basic surfaces: Hot pressed, cold pressed, and rough. Rough has the most surface texture and hot pressed is the smoothest, with cold pressed providing a surface that is in between the two.

Hot pressed paper is pressed with heat, which steams away much of the moisture in the pressing process and results in a paper that is not only smoother, but also denser because the fibers are more compacted. The paper will be stiffer and thinner from this action, as well as smoother. This results in a surface that is less absorbent, allowing the paint to dry on the surface and soak in less. Because it is the least absorbent of papers, it is fairly easy to lift and remove paint from the surface even after it has dried. The smooth surface allows for more precise and finer details when drawing and painting. 

Watercolor on Hot Pressed Paper, by Annie Strack

Watercolor on Hot Pressed Paper, Annie Strack

Cold pressed paper is pressed without heat, so it’s not as compacted nor as smooth as hot pressed paper. As a result, it has a bit of surface texture and is more absorbent than hot pressed paper, but no where near as absorbent as rough paper. It is the most widely used paper because it is a useful compromise between the extremes of the hot pressed and the rough papers. 

Watercolor on Cold Pressed Paper, Annie Strack

Watercolor on Cold Pressed Paper by Annie Strack

Rough paper is made without the extreme pressure of the press – just enough to remove the excess water. It is dried more naturally, which results in a paper with heavy texture and maximum absorbency. This absorbency means that lifting or removing of paint is more difficult and can even be impossible. The texture makes it difficult to paint small details, but on the other hand, it is prized for the tendency to let more of the paper show through a painting when a light touch of brushstroke leaves paint on only the high spots of the texture -- leaving sparkles of white paper showing through the paint. 

Watercolor on Handmade Rough Paper, Annie Strack

Watercolor on Rough Paper, Annie Strack

To fully illustrate, imagine ironing a shirt. If your iron is hot, you will get the smoothest, stiffest, and most compact surface. If the iron is cold, your shirt will not get as stiff and smooth, and if you hang the shirt up with out ironing at all then your shirt will be even softer and more wrinkled or “textured.”

There are pros and cons to each of these surfaces and it’s up to the individual artist to choose the correct paper that will work with whatever techniques she wishes to employ on a specific painting. 

read the next article in the series: 

All About Paper - Part II -- Sizing Matters 

All About Paper - Part III - Weight 

All About Paper - Part IV - Handling 

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Annie Strack is an industry trained expect in the uses and properties of artist materials, and is an Artist Ambassador for Hahnemuehle paper and many other companies. She travels around the world to teach in art centers, schools, and artist supplies stores.