Do You Use the Rough or Smooth Side of Watercolour Paper

Watercolour paper is an essential component of any watercolour painting. It serves as the foundation upon which your artwork will be created. Have you ever wondered if you’re using the correct side of the paper? The rough or the smooth side? It may seem like a minor detail, but it can make a significant difference in your painting results.

Using the wrong side of watercolour paper can lead to issues such as paint bleeding and lack of control over your brushstrokes. This can be frustrating for beginners and professionals alike, leading to wasted time and resources. The right choice of watercolour paper can improve the quality of your work and elevate your skills to new levels.

In this article, we will delve into the differences between the rough and smooth sides of watercolour paper, giving you insight into which one to use for different effects. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting on your watercolour journey, this article will provide valuable information that will help take your work to new heights.

What is watercolour paper?

Watercolor paper is a type of paper that is specifically designed to work with water-based paints, such as watercolors and gouache. It is typically made from natural fibers, such as cotton or wood pulp, which are treated to be strong and absorbent. Watercolor paper can come in a variety of weights, textures, and sizes.

The weight of watercolor paper refers to its thickness and is measured in pounds per ream (500 sheets). The heavier the weight of the paper, the thicker and more durable it will be. Thicker papers are often preferred by professional artists because they can withstand more layers of paint without buckling or warping.

Textures of watercolor papers range from rough to hot-pressed (smooth) surfaces. Rough texture papers have a bumpy surface that creates an uneven paint application while hot-pressed papers have a smooth surface that allows for fine details.

Watercolor paper comes in various sizes including standard sizes like 9×12 inches or 11×14 inches but also larger sheets which can be cut down to size as needed.

How is watercolour paper different from other types of paper?

Watercolor paper differs from other types of paper in several ways. Firstly, it has been treated to be highly absorbent so that it can handle the amount of moisture required for painting with watercolors. Secondly, it has been designed to prevent buckling or warping when exposed to wet media by using high-quality raw materials like cotton or rag pulp.

Unlike regular drawing or printing papers that may warp due to moisture exposure, watercolour papers are designed to remain flat even after being soaked in water for extended periods.

Another key difference between watercolor paper and other types of media lies in its texture. Most traditional watercolour papers come with some form of texture – either rough or cold-pressed – which provides a unique surface to paint on. Additionally, watercolour papers are more expensive than regular paper because of the materials and manufacturing process involved in producing them.

What are the benefits of using watercolour paper for painting?

Using watercolor paper for painting has several benefits. Firstly, it is highly absorbent which allows for the use of large amounts of water in the painting process without causing damage to the paper or warping of the sheet. Secondly, its rough texture can create interesting effects when combined with different paint techniques such as wet-on-wet or dry-brushing.

Additionally, watercolor paper provides a stable surface that allows artists to build up multiple layers of paint without worrying about the paper buckling or warping under pressure. This makes it an ideal choice for creating detailed and intricate paintings.

Finally, by using high-quality watercolor papers that have been treated to be acid-free and pH neutral, artists can ensure that their work remains archival quality and will not yellow or fade over time.

How do you determine which side of the watercolour paper to use?

Determining which side of a watercolor paper to use can be tricky since both sides may appear similar at first glance. However, there are several ways to differentiate between them.

One way is to look at the watermark present on most quality papers. The watermark usually identifies which side is considered as ‘right’ (the side intended for painting) and ‘wrong’ (the underside).

Another method is by wetting a small corner of each side and checking how fast or slow it absorbs moisture. The correct (right) side should accept moisture more quickly than its reverse side.

Lastly, some manufacturers include instructions on their packaging indicating which side should face up while painting.

What is the difference between the rough and smooth sides of watercolour paper?

The main difference between rough and smooth sides of watercolor paper is their texture. Watercolor papers come in three different textures: rough, cold-pressed (also called NOT – “Not Hot Pressed”), and hot-pressed.

Rough-textured papers have a bumpy surface that creates an uneven paint application and gives a more organic feel to the painting. They are great for creating natural-looking landscapes or abstract art because they allow the paint to mix and blend in unpredictable ways.

On the other hand, smooth textured papers like hot-pressed are perfect for fine details and illustrations. They provide a flat surface for precise brushwork, making them ideal for botanical paintings, portraits, or still life paintings.

Cold-pressed paper falls somewhere between these two extremes; it has a slightly textured surface that can be used for both fine detail work and creating washes of color.

When would you choose to use the rough side of watercolour paper over the smooth side?

Choosing between using the rough or smooth side of watercolor paper ultimately depends on personal preference and painting style. However, there are some general guidelines to consider when making this decision.

Rough textured papers are excellent for loose or expressive styles of painting where you want to create a sense of movement or fluidity in your work. The irregularities on the surface will give your artwork character while allowing colors to blend naturally.

Artists who enjoy painting landscapes or seascapes may prefer using rough textured paper due to its ability to mimic natural textures like rocks, sand dunes, waves, etc.

However, if you’re working on highly detailed compositions like portraits or floral studies where precision is key, then smoother surfaces like hot-pressed would be better suited.

Are there any techniques or styles of painting that work better on one side of the watercolour paper than the other?

The technique used by an artist plays a crucial role in determining which side of watercolor paper to use. For instance, dry-brush techniques work best on rough textures. The bumpy surface of this type of paper creates an uneven application of paint that can lend itself well to creating texture and depth.

Wet-on-wet techniques, where the artist applies wet paint to a wet surface, are better suited for working on cold-pressed paper due to its slight tooth that allows for more control during the painting process.

On the other hand, smooth hot-pressed papers are good for detailed paintings or illustrations that require precision brushwork. They provide a flat and uniform surface that makes it easier to achieve sharp lines without losing detail.

How can you tell if you have used the wrong side of the watercolour paper for your painting?

If you’ve accidentally used the wrong side of watercolor paper for painting, there are several ways to identify it:

1. The colors may appear less vibrant than expected since they haven’t absorbed into the paper correctly.

2. The painted area may take longer than usual to dry.

3. The paper may warp or buckle when exposed to moisture due to insufficient absorbency.

4. Fine details may be lost or not show up as expected because of uneven paint distribution caused by using a textured surface in areas where precision was required.

5. Finally, inspecting the watermark on most quality papers will help identify which side is correct (usually labeled “right” or “front”).

In conclusion, whether you use the rough or smooth side of watercolor paper depends on your personal preference and the effect you want to achieve in your artwork. It’s important to experiment with both sides to find what works best for you.

Frequently Asked Questions about Do You Use the Rough or Smooth Side of Watercolour Paper

Which side of the watercolor paper are you supposed to use?
When using pads or blocks of watercolor paper, it is recommended to use the side of the sheet that is facing up, also known as the “front” side, according to manufacturers.

Should I use smooth or rough side of watercolor paper?
The general consensus is that the ideal side of watercolor paper to use for painting is the side with a legible watermark.

What are the two sides of watercolor paper?
The texture of paper has two sides, the felt side and the mould side. The mould side is smoother and has a more regular texture because it is made from wire. Some papers even have the wire mesh pattern imprinted on the underside of the paper.

Does the side of watercolor paper matter?
Watercolor paper can be used on either side as both are equally suitable for painting. However, one side may be more absorbent than the other due to its manufacturing process.

Does watercolor paper have a front and back?
Although both sides of the paper are compressed between felt sheets, the wire mesh leaves its imprint and distinguishes one side from the other. These sides are known as the wire side and the felt side.

Why use rough watercolor paper?
Rough watercolour paper lives up to its name with its heavily textured surface, featuring deep pits that enhance the granulation of watercolour paints. It is best suited for those who prefer a loose painting style.