The 7 Best Arches rough Watercolor Blocks (2023 reviews)

We consider a arches rough watercolor block to be a worthy investment in the long run. We are here to help you choose the right one for your purposes from all the best available products in market today.

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Our Top Picks:

Best Overall: Buy: Arches Cotton Paper READ REVIEW

Best For Water Color Painting: Buy: Arches Best Paper READ REVIEW

Best For Artist: Buy: Arches High Quality Paper READ REVIEW

Best Quality Watercolor Paper: Buy: Arches Fantastic Watercolor Paper READ REVIEW

Best For Professional: Buy: Arches Watercolor Paper READ REVIEW

Best For Acrylic: Buy: Arches rough Watercolor Block READ REVIEW

Best With gouache: Buy: Arches Acid Cotton Paper READ REVIEW

Best Overall: Arches Cotton Paper

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The arches cotton paper is long-lasting, rigid and fits well with your regular usage like a dream. This paper in either weight is strong enough and thick enough to paint on both sides. It gives you a larger, study surface to work on and eliminates the extra steps of stretching and affixing your paper to a board. It provides timeless beauty and an inimitable touch.

It is made from 100% natural cotton fiber with no optical brightening agents, this paper has an archival, natural white color and an exquisite texture unlike other papers on the market. It takes even some scrubbing with a stiffer brush nicely. The thickness of the paper means that it shouldn't need to be stretched. It is good for heavy washes in that it won't warp.

• Stays flat when you are painting with it
• Heavy weight and takes heavy washes without puckers or warping
• Neutral paper with a harmonious natural grain and no optical brightening agents

Best For Water Color Painting: Arches Best Paper

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If you often find yourself confused about appropriate and satisfactory block, this product is your solution. It is the cream of the crop of watercolor paper, so no complaints. It would work well for Prismacolor wax premiere pencils or Caran Ache Luminance pencils. It is made with natural cotton fibers on a cylinder-mold machine. The paper is brilliant and gives beautiful results.

These blocks contain 20 sheets of natural white, acid free, 100% cotton paper, and are glued on all 4 sides. The paper has consistent, even "tooth" and hold the watercolor beautifully while also providing you time to work the paint as needed for blending/blotting, etc. The Arches is substantially thicker, holds water and color very well, and when using the watercolor block does not buckle even when using a lot of water. It is perfect paper for the beginner or advanced artist.

• Love arches hot and cold pressed papers
• Not too rough but just right allowing fabulous results with dry brushing
• One of the new comers and featured product

Best For Artist: Arches High Quality Paper

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The arches high quality paper is capable of outshining several other products featured in this list in overall features in its price range. Arches paper is thirsty, holds a lot of water, and it takes a lot of brush work without breaking down, or warping. It absorbs the paint nicely and colors bloom perfectly. The block keeps the paper stretched until the work is finished, and then it is fairly easy to remove with a dull knife.

This paper is the best of the best, full stop. The paper has a nice tooth and is fairly absorbent, and keeping it on the block until the paint has dried ensures that your painting doesn't warp. It is much higher in quality when compared with wood fiber paper. The paper block separates from the cardboard that it is mounted to so that the actual paper block is loose inside the green cover. They stay exactly where you put them when you activate them with water.

• A little more cumbersome than single sheets
• Nicely textured paper and a pleasure to use
• Larger than the mat opening so that the paper edge is behind the mat

Best Quality Watercolor Paper: Arches Fantastic Watercolor Paper

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The arches fantastic watercolor paper is the best desirable product on the market today. Arches papers are neutral pH which assures their archival quality. It IS THE ONLY BRAND OF WATERCOLOR PAPER TO USE TO PAINT A BEAUTIFUL PAINTING. The paper is rough and easy to paint for a textured look.

• Delivers what they promise
• Good brand reputation

Best For Professional: Arches Watercolor Paper

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If you want nothing but a product that is satisfactory, this arches watercolor paper is certainly a wise investment. Arches does a superb job on all of its papers and with watercolor it is the king of papers. This watercolor block is very useful and the rough paper is excellent for texturing, either by dry brush, scraping, or applying collage techniques. The paper is tightly bound together with a tape binder. The paper holds up to water and can be flipped over to paint on the other side. The pencils do not work as well as paint with the rough paper even when you wet it.

This is backed by stiff cardboard and serves as a board for painting with or without an easel. The paper is strong and beautifully made. It is used to separate each sheet of paper when finished. If you are painting watercolors, this block is wonderful.

• Excellent quality and value watercolor paper
• Good brand reputation

Best For Acrylic: Arches rough Watercolor Block

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The arches rough watercolor block's high-end materials makes sure that it ages well with use. This block keeps the paper from buckling. It keeps it flat and easy to work. The rough texture adds interest and weight. It will support you in your journey toward mastery and joy. It is particularly recommended for all the wet techniques.

• One of the new comers and featured product
• Delivers what they promise

Best With gouache: Arches Acid Cotton Paper

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The arches acid cotton paper's high-end materials makes sure that it ages well with use. Arches Watercolor Blocks contain paper made with natural cotton fibers on a cylinder-mold machine. This artist-grade watercolor paper is great for watercolor, gouache, acrylic, and airbrushing. This paper is pretty high quality which means they are thick and heavy. Arches is made with a natural gelatin sizing.

• Lot of satisfied buyers
• Delivers what they promise