The 9 Best Arches 140 lb Hot Press Watercolor Papers (2023 reviews)

Arches is a top-shelf, high quality artist paper and the smoothness really helps with the application of gouache/watercolor and fluidity of the paint. It provides timeless beauty and an inimitable touch. It is a professional artist grade block of paper. Glued on all sides to preserve paper integrity, each arches hot press block boasts a protective cover sheet and ph-neutral paper with a harmonious natural grain and no optical brightening agents. It provides extra protection from light and elements, meaning this paper is made to last for years to come.

The Rough surface allows/absorbs numerous layers of paint for blending as opposed to smooth surface which will not. The paper can still take a lot of water and many layers of paint for blending as opposed to smooth surface which will not. It is available in several formats and sizes including blocks, pads, sheets and rolls, and 3 luxurious textures.

Why We Like This:

Rough is rougher and better for require texture
Rough has more texture than cold press
Perfect for gouache and plein air work

Best For Professional: Arches Good Paper

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When it comes to high-end consistency and variety, you'll find the exceptional quality you seek within the premium papers at arches. This exquisite thick paper functions well with all wet techniques such as ink, gouache, and acrylic painting as the cotton fibers adapt to whatever medium you choose to craft your work. It is 100% cotton based as opposed to the cheaper wood pulp based papers.

It is best paper for water color. It works well with all techniques, such as wet on wet, wet on dry, and so forth. The pages tear out easily and cleanly. The paper does not tear up when applying lots of pressure to it which is yet another plus to the amazing paper. It is easily removed from the edge-glued pad.

Why We Like This:

Gives a whole other dimension to watercolor painting
Love texture, very little warp, darkens colors compared to cheaper brand
Brings out blues nicely, especially granulating ones
Great quality for a perfect piece of art

Best For Watercolour Painting: Arches Cotton Paper

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If you often find yourself confused about convenient and suitable paper, this product is your solution. They offer a wide variety of textures and sizes in pads or large sheets. This paper is glued on its four sides and accepts a good amount of water and layers. It is perfect for watercolor/water-soluble pencils, blocks, and other media. It's nice and heavy as well as smooth, making shading easy and effective.

The Hot press is smooth, the cold press has a nice texture, and rough more texture for special projects. Watercolor pads are sealed around the edge of the paper so that you don’t have to stretch the paper. It is also very easy to sketch on pen & ink drawings combined with watercolor.

Why We Like This:

Great for serious students and professional level artists
Incredible for calligraphy, authentic gold gilding, sketching, and any paint
Absorbs watercolor faster than cold press paper
All arches hot and cold pressed are acid free and fully archivable

Best For applying lot OF layers OF Color pencils: Arches Water Color Paper

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This paper has a great tooth for colored pencil. It is made from 100% natural cotton fiber with no optical brightening agents, the arches paper has an archival, natural white color and an exquisite texture unlike other papers on the market. It is smooth and easy to stamp on before watercoloring. The spread is needed and this is the paper of choice.

This paper pad is perfect for water colors. It is easy to flatten out after the painting is done. The color is just perfect on it. It is a bit thicker and doesn't warp when wet. This paper is tough as nails, love it.

Why We Like This:

Absorbing water very well and evenly
Hot rolled paper is noticeably a smooth textured surface
Good brand reputation

Best For Acrylic: Arches Acid Cotton Paper

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If you often find yourself confused about appropriate and satisfactory paper, this product is your end point. This is one of the best quality art papers. Cold pressed papers absorb water faster and are slightly textured. It is made with natural cotton fibers on a cylinder-mold machine. These blocks contain 20 sheets of natural white, acid free, 100% cotton paper, and are glued on all 4 sides. The hot pressed papers are smooth and absord water slower. This weight even holds up to very wet washes.

This is a very durable and wonderful surface to paint on. It is great for watercolor painting, very forgiving on little mistakes, and absorbent.

Why We Like This:

Best paper to use for watercolor
Nice quality paper, heavy keeps shape
Nice watercolor paper for beginners or intermediate watercolor painters

Best For colored pencils: Arches Best Paper

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It is best paper for colored pencils. The paper doesn't buckle all that much, and it absorbs water very well. You will definitely want to use this paper for your paid or nicer personal art projects. It is great for beginners and experienced artists.

Why We Like This:

Mixed medium tolerance great for beginners and experienced artists
Good brand reputation

Best For practice: Arches Best Watercolor Paper

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The long fibers in Arches natural white 100% cotton watercolor paper provide timeless beauty and an inimitable touch unlike other papers on the market. It is superior in every way to stonehenge. It increases the luster and transparency of colors while preventing paints from penetrating into the paper and makes blending, overlay or paint removal easy, wet or dry.

This rich paper is available in 13 sizes and 3 revered textures. It is made from 100% natural cotton fiber with no optical brightening agents, the arches paper has an archival, natural white color and an exquisite texture unlike other papers on the market. This paper is great to work with, ensuring it valiantly stands the test of time and allows you to make the most out of every sheet. There is a space at the top of the block that you need to run something through to release the paper from the block. All arches paper is acid-free and made from 100% cotton, ensuring it valiantly stands the test of time and allows you to make the most out of every sheet.

Why We Like This:

Absolutely no corners being cut or compromises being made
Great absorbtion properties and holds up well to scrubbing
One of the new comers and featured product

Best With gouache: Arches 140 lb Hot Press Watercolor Paper

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This rich paper is available in multiple sizes and 3 revered textures. The Arches watercolor pads for painting are pH-neutral with a harmonious natural grain and no optical brightening agents. It is made from 100% natural cotton fiber with no optical brightening agents, and the arches paper has an archival, natural white color and an exquisite texture unlike other papers on the market. A cylinder mould process distributes cotton fibers evenly providing exceptional resistance to scratching and erasing without tearing or linting.

Why We Like This:

Good investment for long term
Delivers what they promise

Best WC Paper: Arches Hot Press

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If you use smooth paper for your water based paintings....this is the benchmark. It has a smoother tooth than the cold-press. It is made with natural gelatin sizing. It is glued so the paper will not become distorted by the wet paint.

This is some of the best watercolor paper in the world, and the " blocks " are the best choice because the paper is pre. It is not bright white and is more natural white in that it is soft and not stark. The glued edge keeps the paper flat until dry.

Why We Like This: