Surfaces for Water Colour & Gouache
The paper you choose for water colour and gouache will have a significant influence on your final painting. The paper's characteristic behaviour, determined by its manufacture, and the colour, weight and surface texture of the paper will have a profound effect on the character of your work. It is therefore essential to understand the nature of each paper you use and to choose carefully.
Different surfaces for Water Colour and Gouache
You can, of course, paint on any paper that suits your purposes, but there are papers made specifically for painting with water colour and gouache. Both mediums use the same surfaces as they are both based upon Gum Arabic and are used in exactly the same way.
Generally there are two qualities of paper available, both are mould made for greater stability. The first is made from cotton (or "100% rag") and the second from chemically processed wood fibre (known as "woodfree" paper).
For fine art work, water colour papers are recommended if the artist wants to be able to exploit the widest variety of techniques and ensure long term stability.
However there are many different types of each of these papers and there are other elements that need to be taken into consideration. For a more in-depth look at papers and to help you choose the right one. See our Water Colour Paper Explained.