Page 104 - International Artist2 110

surface texture. It is more suited to a
broad, loose approach and not good for
fine detail. Rough paper accepts big, wet
washes well and doesn’t bloom (create
those cauliflower-shaped blotches) like hot
pressed paper tends to.
Hot pressed paper is great for intricate
detail and, because of the flat surface, gives
more brilliance to colors. Big, flat, even
washes are more difficult to achieve on hot
pressed paper as it usually has more surface
sizing than the heavier textured papers.
Cold pressed paper doesn’t have the
texture of rough, so it doesn’t granulate
as much, but is better for detail while still
having a little texture.
Rough paper has a heavy texture and is suitable for fractured, textured subjects without too much fine detail.
Weight
Most manufacturers make their papers in
a number of different weights from thin, dimensions can vary slightly between The most common weights
lightweight papers suitable for sketching manufacturers due to variations in the rate for full sheets are:
up to heavy cardboard like papers that of shrinkage as the paper dries. Full sheets • 90-lb or 185-gsm
require no stretching or preparation before can be cut into smaller standard sizes: Good for sketching, too thin for painting
painting. ½ sheets (15 by 22 inches or 38 by 55 • 140-lb or 300-gsm
In the U.S., paper weight is designated centimeters) and ¼ sheets (11 by 15 inches Good for painting, most popular weight
in pounds. 140-pound paper means a or 27½ by 38 centimeters). • 280-lb or 600-gsm
ream (500 sheets) of that paper weighs Larger sheets, such as the “double Good for painting, needs no stretching, expensive
140 pounds. In Europe, paper is classifi ed elephant” (29 by 41 inches or 74 by 104
according to its weight in grams per square centimeters), are available as are rolls of
meter (gsm). paper up to 10 meters long and 1.2 meters
The most popular paper size is the high. Most manufacturers offer their most
Imperial full sheet, which measures 22 by popular papers in sketchbooks and blocks
30 inches, or 55 by 76 centimeters. These of various sizes.

Watercolour Workshop 103

John Lovett_110.indd 103 6/22/16 11:22 AM