Arches Watercolor Paper Pad, 140 pound, Cold Press, 9"x12"

This is the best price that I’ve seen on Arches paper so far. I thought I would try this paper because I’ve heard people say it’s the best. I’ve also heard it’s very expensive but it’s the most important thing in watercolors. They say if you’re just starting out with watercolor and want to invest in one good quality item, the best quality paper you can afford is the first thing you should buy. Then they say Arches is the brand of that high quality paper, always followed by, “it’s expensive but worth it”. I find that If you buy it from an art store at full price it is much more expensive. I have been able to find it on Amazon for a much better value. The paper is great and I do get better results when I paint on it. I feel like the paint behaves differently than on cheaper, cellulose paper. I buy this 9x12 paper pad then I cut the sheets down in halves or quarters. This stretches the value a bit further. I find that if I paint on an entire sheet of 9x12 I end up with a lot of empty space around the outside edges of the page anyway. I’m new to watercolor and have been working on composition but a lot of my practice focuses on single subjects. I do a lot of practice on cheaper paper and then bring out this Arches paper for the “higher quality” practice. The “practice” pieces that I don’t mind showing to other people. The cheaper, cellulose paper is a place for me to determine which colors work well for the subject I’m painting, to practice how to hold the brush or even the correct size of brush for the subject I want to paint. Like I said, I’m new to watercolor so I have to start from square one. Once I’ve figured that out I am able to bring out the cotton paper to practice my blending techniques, how much water to use, the different behaviors of all the colors on my palette, etc…. Arches paper is very forgiving for beginners like me because I find that the paper can stand up to the scrubbing and lifting of mistakes. If I accidentally use too much water the paper dries nicely (eventually) enough that the whole piece isn’t ruined. In the event that the piece doesn’t turn out well on the front of the paper I can still use the less textured back side of the paper so that it doesn’t go to waste. The paper is very durable since it’s so thick and made of cotton and it can handle being painted on the front and the back.

Great quality, paper will warp some with a lot of wet into wet related to it not being a block but I used tape which did help some. Colors show up accurate and the texture is uniform. Good size and can easily be cut if needed. Easy to use and is a great quality paper.

Great Paper for watercolor

The best paper of its kind. I use it with watercolors, concentrated watercolors, and alcohol ink.

I found watercolor so frustrating before trying arches. Truly the quality of the paper is the most important thing in watercolor (makes a bigger difference than paints or brushes) and I recommend this to everyone, especially beginners. You can cut sheets in half while learning or paint on both sides- this paper will accept many many layers just beautifully and you will like water color painting so much more. I tried so many cheaper papers hoping to find a cheaper alternative and there just is none. This is one of the best prices and easy free shipping. Sometimes you can get it for maybe 2-3 dollars cheaper if you have a good coupon elsewhere but this is the best consistent price. I didn’t have an issue with damage upon shipment (would have returned if did).

I really love this paper! So I bought arches for the first time for watercolor mostly but than I take an adult art class at my local community center and we get play with many materials! Pastels was one of them and I found that it is so perfect for pastels! BTW I'm am a beginner. So I only use the cold press paper because I found for pastels that paper with texture or cold press paper really works best with pastels! This paper is so easy to layer with and you can tape it down without the tape tearing your paper and design/paintings/drawings. So I LOVE geometric paintings and even with the amount of taping I do this paper doesn't rip at all :). So let me tell you the media's I would use this paper with:1. Watercolor2. Pastels3. Graphite4. Charcoal5. Ink washesI do not use fixative spray I use a loreal hairspray and the paper takes to the hairspray just perfectly and with Watercolors this paper is really good for dry and wet washes as well as laying and overall great for any kind of painting! Doesn't buckle or peel anything like that! I just bought two pads today because I was going to run out of the one I have now and I will purchasing alot more for now on! (Not sponsored). This paper is even great with the prismacolor Nupastels! This paper and Canson XL sketchbooks I highly recommend for pastels! Especially if you don't want to do toned paper or you want a variety of paper and paper colors! 5 out of 5 stars from this beginner artist :) and I'm going to put this out here just because you buy better tools doesn't mean your going to make good art and afford what you can afford! Just practice and remember to stay within your budget :)

Perfect to learn watercolors. I tear the edges for a tapered/organic look.