There are definitely no rocks in this episode of Does It Really Matter, but can you blame me for not passing up that title? I tested it on a few people, got some confused looks, and here we are.
Today, we’re talking about what matters most when it comes to painting—aside from, well, painting. Is it the paint or the paper? If you had asked me a few years ago, I would’ve said paint 100%. But after a lot of trial and error (emphasis on error), I’m firmly in the paper camp.
Now, that’s just my opinion, and plenty of my artist friends side with paint in this debate. But don’t worry—we remain civil. No friendships have been lost over art supplies (yet).
To put my theory to the test of the best watercolor paper, I tried out three watercolor palettes on three different types of paper. And before anyone points it out—yes, I know my paintings aren’t exactly the same. But that’s art! If I could recreate them perfectly every time, I’d be a robot. And I am definitely not a robot. Or am I?
Alright, let’s break it down. We’ll go over the materials first, then I’ll dive into how each product performed. I’ve categorized them as beginner, intermediate, and advanced, but don’t let that limit you! If you’re a beginner and have been eyeing that “advanced” set for years, just go for it. The more excited you are about your materials, the more you’ll use them. And that? That makes you even cooler than you were 2.5 seconds ago.
This set is packed with vibrant colors and great for anyone just starting out. The paints activate quickly and dry fast—perfect for kids or anyone who doesn’t want to wait forever between layers. Plus, at this price point, you can save money and experiment with different types of paper to see what works best for you.
This paper is a solid choice for beginners, casual projects, and small crafts. It has a more noticeable texture than some other watercolor papers, so if that’s not your thing, you might want to try a smoother option. But for the price, it’s hard to beat. It also comes in multiple sizes, making it easy to stock up.
Now, as you can see in the image above, the way the paint shows up varies quite a bit. That’s because paper plays a huge role in pigment absorption, water control, and blendability. If you’ve ever struggled with your watercolors tearing or warping there are a lot of things that you can change up as an artist like using a lighter touch, less water, and letting your painting fully dry *
Now, let’s step things up a bit. The following materials offer a better painting experience but come with a slightly higher price tag.
Confession: This is my newest set. But based on its quality, I’d still consider it an intermediate option. It comes with a brush (which I love), and the colors are incredibly rich, loading plenty of pigment onto the brush. The downside? The case can be a bit of a pain to open, and sometimes the pans pop out if you’re not careful. If that happens, you can always transfer them to a different half-pan case (though if you’re like me, you just haven’t gotten around to that yet).
Another thing to note—this set activates quickly and stays damp for a while. That’s great for blending but can be tricky in humid weather. Pro tip: Place parchment paper between the pans and the lid to prevent them from sticking.
I love this notebook for testing out different watercolors and gouache. It’s sturdy, portable, and has a smoother texture than the Artist’s Loft paper, making colors pop a bit more. The only downside? The pages aren’t perforated, so if I paint something I want to give away, I have to go through the hassle of cutting it out.
Looking at the test swatches, you can see the intermediate paint (last square) appears more vibrant. I also find Winsor & Newton easier to work with, though, like all paints, it takes time to get a feel for how it behaves.
Finally, let’s talk about materials that offer professional-level performance but might require a bit more skill (or patience) to master.
I’ve had this set since 2019, and my feelings are… complicated. The colors are gorgeous, but the pans tend to crack, which can get annoying. Unlike the beginner set, this paint takes a little longer to activate, but once it’s ready, it stays workable for much longer. The set itself is portable, though the slide-out portion of the case can get stuck sometimes.
This paper is similar in texture to the Artist’s Loft brand but finer and so much nicer to work with. I’ve layered, reworked, and overworked this paper, and it holds up impressively well. It’s designed to bring out the brightness of colors, and at this price, it’s a steal. (see the image)
Now, if you want to go all out, Arches is the way to go. This paper can handle a lot of water and layering without warping. The best part? If you buy it in a block format, you don’t even have to tape it down. I don’t have a sample painting to show, but I wanted to mention it as a personal favorite.
At the end of the day, I find that paper makes the biggest difference in my work. I have plenty of paint sets, but to truly understand my colors, I test them on multiple types of paper. I paint in my usual style, outline them, and even try new techniques to get a feel for how they interact.
That said, a good watercolor set goes a long way, too! I tend to make smaller paintings, which means I can cut my paper in half and get twice the usage.
Brushes are a whole other rabbit hole. I thought I was loyal to my Beste brushes (and I still love them!), but lately, I’ve been obsessed with Princeton Velvetouch and Winsor & Newton brushes. I also lucked out and found some Yarka Kolinsky Sable brushes—sadly, they’re no longer manufactured, but if you ever see them at a secondhand store, estate sale, or yard sale, grab them!
At the end of the day, the goal isn’t to become a world-famous artist (unless that’s your plan—then go for it!). It’s about finding joy in the process and creating something that makes you smile.
So go out, test new materials, and most importantly—keep painting.
If you have any product recommendations, drop them in the comments! I’m always up for testing out new art supplies.
Cheers,
A
I am a multitalented artist located in northwestern Minnesota where I live with my dog Mulligan and probably too many art supplies.. jk.
