Cold-Press or Hot-Press Watercolor Paper?

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Hi there, Liron here again!
In today's video I want to very quickly address a question I've been asked A LOT lately.
This is regarding my favourite watercolor paper.
So here's my quick answer... (:
Either Saunders-Waterford or Arches
600gsm is the best, but 300gsm is also great
Cold-pressed rocks!
I am planning a longer, more elaborate video that compares cold-pressed and hot-pressed paper.
I want to use it to better demonstrate why I prefer cold-pressed.
And as a side note - a lot of this comes down to personal taste. Your preference can (and probably will!) be different than mine.
So in any case, I hope you enjoyed this vid!
Let me know what you thought this one, or what your favourite paper is, in a comment below VVV 😁
And here are watercolor paper reviews I published in the past...
Arches Hot-Pressed Paper Review:
• Watercolor Paper - Arc...
Arches Rough Paper Review:
• Arches Rough - Cold Pr...
Legion Stonehenge Cold-Pressed Paper Review:
• Legion Stonehenge Cold...
Fabriano Artistic Cold-Pressed Paper Review:
• Fabriano Artistico (Co...
Hahnemuhle Torchon Paper Review
• Hahnemuhle Watercolor ...
And I'll talk to you soon!
- Liron
** MUSIC CREDITS **
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[@kjellkanin]

I love the quick videos! I don't always have a lot of time, and I have a small child, so it's great to be able to watch these short ones when I can squeeze in a few minutes!

[@LironYan]

Awesome 😎 Trying to keep a mix of lengths 🙏🏼

[@TheJudeJane]

Thanks for this short video. Looking forward to your comparisons. Keep up the great tutorials and thanks for the inspiration, as always!😊🎨🖌👏🏼

[@LironYan]

Thank you for your support and encouragement 😊🙏🏼🎨

[@kimleon-guerrero9980]

Thanks Liron for your thoughts on paper. My fav is Arches cold press, for years I painted on the inexpensive Stratmore paper and didn’t realize what I was missing with 100% cotton paper. I really like the Pentalic watercolor journal, it doesn’t buckle and can take a lot of water. Thanks for all you share on your channel, I appreciate it. 💞💫

[@LironYan]

Paper really is super important 😁 I still stand by my statement that it’s the most important of the trio (paper-brush-paint). And thank you 🙏🏼

[@lOwlEyesl]

When I find someone on youtube I really like, I usually go back and watch all their videos (Like I am doing with yours now) in order while I am working in my studio. I will then watch new videos as they come out :) I tend not to like rough paper. I use canson xl and arches.

[@LironYan]

Oh, thank you so much and welcome aboard 😁🙏🏼 I sometimes prefer hot-pressed - seems easier to lift wet-in-wet!

[@Rosa-mb5yp]

Newbie here but I appreciate the nitty gritty review. That makes it easier to make an efficient and speedy purchase. Love the geese flying!

[@francoisederocher]

Completely agree with you: Arches cold press and Saunders Waterford will not give you any trouble. They are dependable and hard-working. I used Fabriano once and really liked the ultra white. I dream of Twinrocker but it is very expensive. No doubt in my mind: you will not learn how to paint properly on cheap paper. Save on everything else but spend big on paper.

[@LironYan]

Never heard of Twinrocker! Will have to look it up 😊

[@surmadas]

Really like your videos Liron. Look forward to the longer video on paper. I agree with you on hot pressed paper. I find it difficult to work on, especially layer.

[@LironYan]

Thank you 😊🙏🏼

[@claudiakzn8885]

Hi there, I'm glad I found your video, my go-to online store were out of Arches so they offered me Saunders Waterford as an alternative. Not knowing the brand at all, I'm so glad to see here that you use it in the same breath (so to speak). I've loved the hot press (Arches) for fine detailed butterflies etc (no backgrounds), but I just did a butterfly with a large wash background and it did not turn out nice a smooth at all, very grainy. I am now looking forward to the SW cold press (no longer worried about what it's like) to try the same butterfly and background on that 😊. Thank you for giving me some peace of mind! 🙏😉

[@pikkuoo]

Arches and Waterford are both lovely, but my absolute favourite is Fabriano Artistico (CP in all brands). I love, love, love the texture of Fabriano Artistico CP and the way it shows granulation beautifully.

[@LironYan]

I think I would have also loved Fabriano if I would try their heavier papers. I think I tried the lighter one (don’t remember the exact sizing), and the paint actually bled to the next sheet in the block!

[@MalamikArt]

Good quick vid! I'm actually testing a few papers myself right now, so this comes at a good time ;)

[@LironYan]

Happy to hear 😊🙏🏼 Thank you. I hope to publish the more comprehensive review soon as well!

[@MrsTiffanyGrey]

I like Arches Rough (Orange cover) and love Saunders 600! Wish it was more affordable here in the states. Thanks for short and sweet video!

[@LironYan]

My pleasure 😇 Thank you. I got lucky that this particular paper, and 600gsm, was on sale!

[@ohheythere5263]

Great video. For a watercolor sketchbook I’ve been really enjoying handbook travelogue by Global Art Materials. 😝

[@LironYan]

Oh, I heard about that one! I should probably give it a try 😊 Thank you!

[@rebeccapage4411]

I like heavily sized papers like Montval and Kiliminjaro. I tend to paint in only a few layers, and I like using ink and wash as well. I use Montval (cellulose) when I need quick drying paper.

[@LironYan]

Awesome! How’s the Kilimanjaro? I haven’t tried it yet.

[@judithchow4837]

Thank you for your great videos. Each time I watch another one of your videos (or rewatch) my art work improves. I do like cold press however I want to try hot press paper. Quick question. Do you have to stretch the hot press paper as well?

[@Drumaier]

I'm starting with watercolors, i got an extremely cheap montval block to mess around and a block of Fabriano artistico white, thinking this later would be sooo amazing but i found it to be tooo soft and yellowy. It also buckles more or just the same as the montval. There is more time to play around with the pigments and water in the Fabriano, true, but i was hoping for a better experience. Probably is just my inexperience and the fact that i didn't realize that the "white" would be almost yellow. Now i have a Saunders Waterford on its way but again...i just ordered the white instead of the high white. MEH. I hope the Saounders is not as soft as the Fabriano and with some luck is less yellow.

[@littlewhitelie3713]

I just compared Arches cold pressed, hot pressed and rough cold pressed (all 140 lbs) and I prefer working with the rough. It’s so forgiving (I’m a beginner watercolorist) and it just takes up the paint the way I want it to. That being said, one can’t use the rough texture all the time. My gradient washes were uneven on the hot pressed to. The water really does sit on top. I have tiny bubbles forming on the hot pressed as I paint and these pop and dry as a texture ( do you know why?). The regular cold pressed is my second choice.

[@LironYan]

Thank you for sharing your experience! Very similar to mine (: It's a great question regarding the hot-pressed surface. To this day I'm uncertain as to why this happens, but it's definitely there. Something about the smooth texture of the paper causes paint to go crazy and dry really unevenly at times. A possible solution would be to use more water and perhaps have the paper at a larger angle (15-20 degrees).

[@pipester48]

I really love Arches and Waterford cold press. They are so forgiving and can take a lot of water and ill treatment but the only drawback is they are so expensive. I believe the secrete to watercolour painting is the paper. You can use cheap paint and cheap brushes and paint well but if you use cheap paper you will have all sorts of problems. Just my two cents worth :)

[@LironYan]

I totally agree 😁 I always tell people - paper > brushes / paints. One of the most common mistakes I see with beginners is actually using cheap paper that prevents them from getting good results.

[@caitlinjeanne]

I always feel like the odd one out with this, but I haven't enjoyed using Arches (the cold press especially is not a good match for the work I like to do). On the other hand, I've been playing with Canson Heritage in both cold and hot press and have really liked working with both of those. My default preference is Strathmore 500 series since it's affordable, 100% cotton, the hot press surface is smooth enough for detail but also nicely textured and I just feel comfortable using it.

[@LironYan]

That’s great! I also like hot pressed when there’s a gentle texture. What did you think of the Heritage? Was it unique in some way?

[@meghanac715]

Thanks for such amazing video. For detailed painting of birds, animals, enhancing their features like feathers or fish gills, which paper would be better? and for those detailing brush strokes are better or watercolour pencils? Please do suggest. Thank you!

[@stinar37]

Thanks, Liron. I love your video So! Would you do a video on mixing white. An artist I like suggests yellow ochre, burnt umber, and ultramarine + tons of water, but I find this too beige-y. Thanks fro your wonderful videos!

[@LironYan]

Hmm interesting, I find white / beige to be a challenging one. It’s a bit of a warm muted yellow / orange usually. May do that in the future! (:

[@AnnamoonFineArt]

These days I compared Arches paper together. Hot pressed, cold pressed and rough. My favorite is the rough. Hot pressed gets such fluffs and the cold pressed has such white spots after drying. So in my case the rough wins.

[@LironYan]

Interesting. I used rough in the very beginning, but then switched to cold press and immediately preferred it. I will probably get back to it at some point 😁

[@renyart3773]

I Like the Sketchbook from stillman and birn more than the moleskine. The pink pig ones (available on Amazon) are also Very nice. They are with available with bockingford paper

[@LironYan]

Oh I wanted to try the Stillmans, I don’t remember if they deliver here though. I’ll have to check!

[@stephanie8009]

Same. I prefer texture on my paper. I've only used Canson montval and Fabriano(cant remember if its 50%) papers because I'm still at a lower level in terms of skill. Student grade poster size is ideal so I churn out more results and I don't get frustrated if it doesn't turn out well. Though some would advice its best to buy a large water color paper and just cut it -which is what I did with Fabriano. But mine is now curved because it was rolled. I placed under some books -hopefully it'll get rid of the paper curvature.

[@LironYan]

Haha, yes - it’s best not to roll, but perhaps to cut as soon as you get it. I used to divide it to 8 parts, worked best for me (: Now I’m trying to work more in quarters.

[@Dan.B.Artist]

awesome, I've tested quite a few papers. I like Arches but have found it dulls the paint a little and has some sizing problems. I also like Saunders and Bockingford there is a difference, Saunders is nicer but Bockingford is also good. I also really like the Fabriano Student paper and the Jacksons student watercolour paper as cheap but good alternatives. I usually use hot pressed because I have a lot of it but I like cold pressed just as much. I don't like adding videos to watch later as I usually forget about them I watch your shorter videos right away and come back to the longer ones for when I have more time/in the right frame of mind.

[@LironYan]

Thank you for letting me know about the vids 😉 I think I’ll also give Bockingford a try, especially after reading the comments. I also found some sizing issues with Arches (though very few and rare).

[@raosprid]

I like rough or cold-pressed. The texture is nice, and I like the way the washes behave. On hot-press, I dislike that the washes tend to run too fast and have a tendency to pool in uneven patches. Hot-pressed is fine for gouache though, because of the thicker paint. I always use 100% cotton paper for paintings, but sometimes use pulp-based paper for sketches or test swatches.

[@LironYan]

Hmm, interesting - I wonder what I’d prefer for gouache! I hope to find out soon (:

[@sharonbayger5387]

Hi Liron. I like Bockingford paper which may be the same as Saunders I’m not really sure. I am in Canada so those papers ie Bockingford and Arches are readily available in the better quality papers The Bockingford 200 is nice and stiff as i like and is cheaper than Arches heavier paper. Another great thing about Bockingford is that it’s easy to lift colour Arches is the favourite i suppose and like you are saying definitely cold pressed i am trying out some rough Arches 140 now I just found your channel lately and really like it. Keep up the good work

[@LironYan]

Thank you so much and welcome aboard! 😊👏🏼 I may give Bockingford a chance, if my local art store has it!

[@Kyomiibrown]

Hot press paper is harder to manipulate but once you know how to work it, it’s very good. I am not a fan of Arches cold press, IMHO, the Canson Mulin Du Roy is the best that I have used so far, it takes a LOT of abuse - more than Arches. For hot press, Fabriano Artistico is brilliant, it’s “spongey” and I don’t experience any of the issues you mentioned. Fortunately I have full imperial sheets left of the old formula as I believe some people are not happy with their new formula. I have yet to try Saunders Waterford but can vouch that Bockingford is a good all round paper, sadly not 100 percent cotton though.

[@LironYan]

Interesting, I was recommended the Mulin Du Roy in the past and I def want to try it!

[@dgibrilmonarque9769]

what sort of 600g paper do you prefer? cold press (in french grain moyen (medium)) or hot press (in french papier grain fine) or satine paper?

[@natlisan]

I personally like Arches 600gsm (300lb) cold pressed. I use it mostly when doing mixed media pieces. I also glaze a lot with very wet washes and that weight can take a ton of abuse. I also love the texture!!! I just started with Saunders Waterford myself NOT surface, It's also a great paper.

[@LironYan]

Yes, I made that same trajectory and it really surprised me (Saunders). The more I use it, the more I love it. And honestly it feels a little better than Arches to me 😊

[@natlisan]

I still need to try the Saunders 300lb! but I do like the feel of it! What I actually found with it is that I can get a smoother flat wash than when I use Arches. Interesting!!!

[@MeowMeowKapow]

I like short videos best! But that’s a personal thing. I’ve used arches blocks before and I don’t really like it much, which I was surprised by. The moleskine paper is soooo bad, and my theory is that because the paper is so thin, they’ve put extra gelatin on the paper to try and help it work better and it just....doesn’t work. I do have that canson Montval and just started using it, so I’m not sure about my opinion yet but I certainly don’t hate it! My personal favorite watercolor paper right now is the bee paper watercolor journal! They’re relatively inexpensive, come in multiple sizes, the paper is really thick and durable, and it’s 100% cotton which didn’t matter to me but definitely is part of why it’s so good. If you’re curious to see how it performs, I used the bee paper watercolor journal for all of my inktober 2017 stuff.

[@LironYan]

Cool, I didn’t know of Bee! I hope you’ll love Montval - I think it’s really a great paper (:

[@Aquarellina]

Some people say that hot press dries faster some say it dries slower. I want to say it dries faster cause I've worked on cold pressed from Canson which is pretty darn smooth paper in comparison to Arches cold pressed which takes more time to dry in my experiance :O

[@ludwinvart5409]

Nice video

[@LironYan]

Thank you!

[@azt4967]

Hello Liron! Thanks for all your great tutorials. I suffer each time I use 300gsm cold pressed paper. Regardless Archie's, Newton, Fabiano, Strathmore or mix cellulose cotton (eg Canson). All medium. I have a reasonable control over 110g to 200gsm paper. So this issue of not knowing how to manage good paper makes me worried to touch it, as paper gets wasted. Could you please do a beginner intervention into above papers? Currently I am having a Canson Mont. Thank you!!!

[@LironYan]

Haha interesting! I had a similar experience when getting started. I think it comes down to experience. The more you do it, the less "significant" or "big deal" it becomes. One thing to help curb that, is to do all prep work on simpler paper, including pencil sketches on normal printer paper / sketchbook. And only then, paint a more complete version that you put more effort into. I hope that provides some encouragement! 😁

[@TheChryseis]

I'm still learning, so the only paper i'm really familiar with is the cheap canson paper. It's not montval or heritage, or even the mixed media one. It's got a hot air balloon on the front. It's 185 GSM. I have painted on my friends highly textured arches paper, for about half an hour, and while i love the paper, i think i'd prefer much less tooth. Even then, I haven't tried a hot press paper and i'd very much like too. I'm still trying to figure out what I like, but when you're poor, and your hobby is expensive, getting a good paper is difficult xD

[@LironYan]

Haha I get it! By the way - Arches Rough (orange) is way too much for me too. I like the cold-press (green) much better. But even with that - textured paper is a little different. You generally need to have a bit more water in the brush, to make up for the texture.

[@Tessanna12]

I love hot pressed for detail in stillifes (Arches), cold pressed for distant landscapes. (Those are kinda all i do). And I'm pretty impressed with the Canson Montval stuff too, for sketchbook type work. I do swatching out of colors and just practice strokes, wsrmups, and stuff in mine. Its affordable. Have you tried the Stonehenge Aqua? Steve Mitchell (Mind of Watercolor) likes it. It must be good! 😎 I'm happy with Arches, but I might try Stonehinge Aqua eventually. I Probably prefer the more involved videos with demos, rather than just a short discussion, if I could pick and choose; but it's cool every now and then. I decide by the subject matter (rather than length) of a video whether I'll watch immediately or save to watch later. But I have lots of time on my hands these days. Thanks, Liron!

[@LironYan]

Thank you for the feedback (: I also actually have a review of Stonehenge and I LOVE it 😁

[@Tessanna12]

Liron Yanconsky Awwwwwwweee--some!...I'll check out your review. Ty Liron.🖌🎨🖼

[@barbrajoan2554]

It seems to me that most professional artists like Arches CP . I eont know why but its not a favorite of mine . I'm using Fabriano Artistico and buy full sheets then cut to the size I want. I very much want to try Saunders Waterford. I seem to prefer a softer paper as long as it's 140 lb. And 100% cotton seems to be better. I do like that Canson Montval paper that you have. But use that more for practice or small works.but for being a less expensive paper it does very well. Thanks Liron

[@LironYan]

My pleasure 😊🙏🏼 Thank you for sharing your perspective! HP versus CP really comes down to a personal choice at the end of the day. They both have their advantages and disadvantages 🙂

[@2lmdi]

I agree on Monteval... actually I agree on everything you said but my preference is cold press with a lot of sizing so it acts more like hot press (I guess as I've never used it (smooth)but sounds good and will do.) I like the pigments to lay on top, to be seen as they are, rather than soaking into the paper which, in my view, causes too much shift and dulling. I often use the back side of cold press that has used additional layered sizing on that side. I have a block of Arches 140# cold press that I've used one sheet of and now only use as a palette or for swatches or acrylics... awful stuff for my preference... acts like a pigment sponge. But, also, it depends on the pigments. I use Sennelier WC paint in the main and its known as extremely fine grind so will sink into a highly absorbent paper more. Edit note: Mind I'm an x-oil painter of many years so I'm used to the look of pigments that don't become part of the ground... ie: lay on top in all their glory. ;-) Actually the two things I have found most challenging about WC is finding the right paper that I don't have to add additional sizing to myself and getting my brain to work "light-to-dark."

[@2lmdi]

I use Holbein multi-sizing from Cheap Joe's "Multi-Sizing Liquid - Holbein Sizing Liquid is an artist grade sizing liquid used to reduce the absorbency of paper. Dilute with warm water and apply with a broad brush. Allow to fully dry. Available in a 60 ml. bottle." and sometimes, depending on what I have on hand, also use their gum arabic paste or liquid. I wish I could find a paper where I could skip this step though.

[@LironYan]

Some great ideas here 👍🏼😊🙏🏼 And the funny thing is - I also tend to use the back sides of my cold press paper. I sometimes like them even better 😛 Do you sometimes use 600gsm paper as well?

[@2lmdi]

Not yet because of price but Jerry's has Canson 5 pack 22x30 100% cotton 300# (600gsm) on sale right now so its in my cart. I like Canson's sizing but do, generally, have to add to it so it will be interesting to see what happens sizing-wise for me.

[@JestemGlonojadem]

You're the only artist I know that pronounces "Arches" correctly, haha. Good video! I'm excited to try Saunders Waterford as I keep hearing it's great. My current favourite paper is Fontaine (by Clairefontaine) with semi-glazed texture. I quit using Cold Press papers since they're too textured for my kind of work, but I can see why so many people enjoy them!

[@RebekkaHay]

My experience with Bockingford was horrible. It does not like water, buckled like crazy, it was fighting me every step of the way. I do not recommend it. The Milford is nice though. I also like the Hahnemühle Leonardo, a very beautiful paper. It is not surface sized so you cannot use masking fluid and you have to be quite careful with it, but IMO it is worth it.

[@LironYan]

Good to know, thank you for the warning 😁 When I get a studio I want to buy a little of every paper and REALLY stock up and play around with them (:

[@RebekkaHay]

Hi Liron, I asked Hahnemühle, just to be sure and the Leonardo paper is surface sized. It is quite sensitive but also the most beautiful surface. If you can get your hands on it try it. It's gorgeous. You can also try sample packs. Ken Bromley and Jacksons Art in the UK sell sample packs.

[@suzalasuzala1135]

Love: cold pressed :Arches , Fabriano Artistico and twin Rocker. Arches, easily procured. stands up to a beating, unless I flood it, clipping the paper down is sufficient. Removal of color is a breeze. Fabriano A. easily procured a bit softer then Arches, color sinks a bit in, color is bright. The last two are harder to get and more expensive Twin rocker - paint just loves this paper. Saunders is also very nice. Acceptable: Stone Henge, Winsor & Newton. Hahenemule -100% cotton in all cases. They are all fine, just not my fav. out of all Hahenemule is the best. NO thank you: Fluid 100%cotton. Ugh. the paper feels like cardboard. the texture isn't nice, the paint looks bad and doesnt' flow well. Sketch watercolor books: Fav Fav: Stillman and Birn Apha. -takes a beating, no bleeding, no warping, colors stay bright. 2nd place to Strathmore 500. Next Global handbook very last in the I don't care for column: moleskin ( colors don't look right, paper feels eh, paint doesn't spread easily. not so nice.

[@LironYan]

Great comparison! From my experience I will give StoneHenge an above acceptable, I actually liked it a lot (especially the 600gsm, guess I’m spoiled 😂😂).

[@bobcat1097]

Предпочитаю бумагу холодного прессования или торшон ( Arches, Saunders woterford), а вот бумагу горячего прессования не люблю, на ней зернистые пигменты, такие как ультрамарин создают грязь, да и все пигменты ложатся какими-то комками и буграми, может я не умею на ней работать?

[@ianjackson5834]

the only difference with Bockingford & Saunders waterford is that Saunders waterford is 100% cotton & Bockingford is 100% wood pulp (but its one of the best of its type) st cuthberts mill also make a new paper that 100% cotton called Millford

[@LironYan]

Very interesting. I don’t think I ever tried wood pulp. Did you try it? And if so how did you like it?

[@ianjackson5834]

wood pulp paper is like student or practice paper, its a cheaper type of paper to 100% cotton and some wood pulp paper is good like bockingford and some is not so good.... wood pulp paper dries quicker than cotton paper.... it ok but not for painting with lots of water as it can break up a bit more than cotton paper.

[@ianjackson5834]

no its 100% Cellulose, in the UK it would indicate 100% cotton if it had cotton rag. i have tones of the paper and use it a lot as i am from the UK.

[@ianjackson5834]

have a look at KHADI HANDMADE WATERCOLOUR PAPER on the net, that my be good for you

[@ianjackson5834]

I dont go under 300gsm with watercolour paper. dont you have Hahnemuhle paper in Germany?

[@Donna_G]

Hi Liron, I like Arches 140# cold press. But, I also like Strathmore 400 Series, 140# cold press. I can get both locally; but, Arches is really expensive. For a 9x12 inch tablet it is $75. I can get full sheets of both cold press and hot press Arches 140# for around $13 per sheet. I may find better deals online; but, haven't really looked. I still have plenty of paper. For the way I paint, Arches and Strathmore perform similarly. I can't get Strathmore 500 locally; so, would need to order it online. I have tried Canson Montval and I know that a lot of people use it and like it; but, I thought it was horrible. I like to sometimes glaze one color over another color. Canson Montval was horrible for glazing. A few years ago, a friend and I went to an art show that featured a local artist. She paints in watercolor, acrylics, and oils. She thought that the Arches was an okay paper. But, she used something different and right now, I do not recall what that was. I think each artist will have his or her favorite paper based upon how he/she uses watercolor paints. Some people will love Arches while others will love Kilimanjaro and think Arches is crappy paper good for only the very basic student of watercolors.

[@LironYan]

Haha, I can totally relate! This seems to really come down to a personal choice. Sometimes it’s also influenced by what artists you look up to do. A while ago, I found a great artist that does most of his work A La Prima, with one wash for the most part, and gets beautiful realistic results (lots of lifting and wet in wet). He was using hot-press smooth paper, and that really made me want to use hot pressed paper for a while (:

[@abbigailclark1156]

Why don't you use canson paper?

[@LironYan]

I still haven’t had the chance to get a Canson sheet. I did use a lot of Canson sketchbooks / pads. I should probably give them a try soon 😊

[@abbigailclark1156]

Liron Yanconsky I used alot of canson normally for the smooth paper, but I don't use watercolor very much anymore.

[@Jennifer-wr9si]

Oh man, I HATED the moleskine watercolour sketchbook; I can't believe how many people recommend them. Now I just tear down thinner 200gsm cotton sheets for "sketches". I never "got" the Arches fandom. Maybe I had gotten too used to Saunders Waterford by then and Arches just felt weird. SW HP has amazing colour vibrancy and was not that hard to get used to. I don't have a favourite paper but my ideal would be the Canson Moulin du Roy CP texture (something between HP and CP) with the colour rendition of SW HP.