How to FIX Bad Watercolour Paper (30 Days of Watercolour Tips)

I've started this series to answer some of my most asked questions. There will be basic information suitable for beginners as well as more nuanced tips for artists of any level. Feel free to ask any questions in the comments and I'll answer. :)
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[@wonwoolomllol7249]

THIS WORKS!!!!! Thank you so much. I am a beginner and got myself some easily available, cheap paper, but the paints doesn't sink/dry like it does in the tutorials. I thought the only way is to buy some expensive paper. But this tip worked wonderfully.

[@ljcmsw]

Wow, I'm all over the idea! I like the Strathmore 400 for practice and swatches, but it isn't 100% cotton and performance is erratic. I'm going to try this for sure. It will be perfect for the mini albums I want to make also, using the 100% cotton Arches.

[@UJB123]

Yep. Turns everyday pulp paper into quality pulp paper. Same principle for grilling using dried wood chips. Hydrate it b4 use.

[@Elizabeth58886]

This is such a good explanation! All I’ve ever heard anyone else say is that soaking the paper is only for when you’re going to stretch it to prevent buckling. Since I only paint small, I don’t find buckling to be problematic. But this demonstration of how much better the paper will absorb water and paint…!!! THIS is helpful!!

[@prexytheartist]

Wow cool tip! That's definitely a new knowledge, maybe that's why I don't like other watercolor papers 😮

[@barefacedquestions]

Thanks got sharing. How will you apply this method to paper in a sketchbook?

[@cazumbandoartmaddy1728]

so this works on wood pulp paper? good to know!!! i have a lot of them laying around!

[@momnigio]

perfect timing of seeing this post. you saved me a lot I'm near throwing a newly bought sketchbook.

[@kaboomsihal1164]

Also remember there is no such thing as "too much sizing" there is only too much sizing for YOU and the thing you are doing right now. Some people love very very little sizing. Some people cannot work without medium sizing. Some people swear by super hard sizing. Whatever works for you works for you. Hard sizing is not a sign of low quality. But very low quality paper will often use hard sizing to make it more sturdy. And it will still look shit. In cases like that you might be able to get better results by reducing the sizing. But if you like the hard sizing there's nothing wrong with that. Try millford paper from saunders if you want to try a professional paper with very hard sizing.

[@Lol98-wk18]

Watercolor painting is so frustrating, i keep messing it up 😭!! And yet it’s so beautiful it’s so worth learning!!

[@MseeBMe]

This is such a good channel, thank you!

[@kalva2394]

Do you have any recommendations on brands that normally don’t need to be prepped?

[@LeslieStroz]

I think all papers benefit from being prepared. If you use less water (less wet-on-wet) you can get away with not doing it. I usually just prepare a few pages at a time so I always have some ready.

[@SUGAR_XYLER]

Strathmore paper is a horror with water 💧 Avoid that brand

[@appleknocker56]

Myself found Bahong “fake cotton” paper a horrible experience! Even if wet it for 10 minutes (nothing will lift) 😳 & get spots where paper (doesn’t take color right) so staying with 100% cotton & do small paintings! Ty as maybe 15 minutes!

[@874chu]

@@appleknocker56 Is it the "academy series" or the "artist series" ?

[@NotLatasha]

Thank you for posting I had no idea it could effect the dried colors so much

[@Ava-cq1zi]

Same! I’m gonna try it with my canson paper and hopefully get some better art than I am used to

[@barblallier9413]

It works with Canson! It's great idea!

[@OmbresulLegno]

I learned this in my etching class, it's a life saver!

[@sheilagilleland4312]

Wow, this is great! Thank you🙌🏻

[@vodkasama5503]

This happened to me yesterday on a painting I was working on. Got annoyed and decided to use gouache instead 😅

[@bugsandbrushes]

Wonderful, thank you!

[@McGregor007]

Woah. Game changer. Very nice, thank you!

[@TheWishDragon]

this is amazingly helpful, thank you!

[@Cass_772]

Cool tip! Thank you so much!!

[@happyisayuppieword1]

That's amazing, thank you!

[@murshidarifkhan6714]

Thanks.It really helped me so much

[@-MEL16-A.O.C]

waow so usefull👍

[@sharonsunshine2532]

Thank you! 😊

[@Angel-pm8tr]

Could you make a full video of these tips when you complete the whole 30 days please 🤍

[@shyamalideb]

Thankyou ❤❤

[@ash47837]

Thank you for sharing this tip! Would this happen to work on a mixed-media type of paper?

[@f6love19]

do u have any tips for paper that absorb water too quickly?

[@emjayonacanoe]

This is so helpful! Also does this work on bigger sheets of paper?

[@SUGAR_XYLER]

Yes, but it's a pain

[@yovamccoy2806]

I've seen on someone else's video that hot press takes ink real well, but the watercor lays on top. Does this work on hot press? Thank you!

[@sunnyjoy229]

Which are the best watercolor papers that you recommended?

[@lilmuffin4834]

I have the 140 lb Canson XL watercolor paper. I got it from JoAnn fabrics for like 13 USD. it's great for me because its 9x12 and I get many (like 6) cards I can use because I cut the paper into smaller cards. this is just my opinion and idk if this is what you are looking for but I wanted to share with somebody what I use

[@sunnyjoy229]

@@lilmuffin4834 thank you for the suggestion:)

[@SUGAR_XYLER]

​@@sunnyjoy229 avoid Strathmore brand. Horrible quality

[@still_your_zelda]

@@SUGAR_XYLER strathmore has watercolor? I use their Bristol board for ink and acrylics and it works fine. 🤔

[@CastleMc]

hardly great watercolor paper, not cotton at all @@lilmuffin4834

[@natmickan]

Does doing this take the place of stretching? or would you still recommend doing that?

[@jilliancrawford7577]

Stupid question, but does this effect lifting/staining?

[@moonbanggi]

WTF HOW DID YOU KNOW? THIS IS EXACTLY MY STRUGGLE RIGHT NOW LOL youtube is crazy

[@Nandenitomar]

Can you share the link?

[@PaidGuy3208]

My paper is highly absorbent I tried to make a puddle and everything just sucked in then I knew that paper had little holes and water was sinking through

[@elizabethlittleton8013]

Is this wood pulp paper? Does this make it as good as 100% cotton paper? That would save a small fortune! Lol

[@kristahall136]

Cool idea! What paper is this?

[@LeslieStroz]

I don’t really know… it was some cheap, wood pulp paper I had in my scrap bin.

[@kristahall136]

@@LeslieStroz thanks!

[@Hortondlfn1]

Please learn the difference between "lays" and "lies."

[@JayQuellin.1]

how do you prepare a painting book then?

[@LeslieStroz]

I have a video about that. 😊

[@Angel-pm8tr]

Could you make a full video of these tips when you complete the whole 30 days please 🤍