The 6 Best coloured Watercolour Papers (2023 reviews)

coloured watercolour papers
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Are you looking for collection of best coloured watercolour papers ? This page is just for you.

Our review process:

Our Top Picks:

Best Overall:
Buy: Canson coloured Watercolour Paper
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Best For Really responsive Paper:
Buy: Strathmore coloured Watercolour Paper
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Best For Water Colors:
Buy: Arteza coloured Watercolour Paper
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Best For beginners:
Buy: Strathmore Watercolor Paper
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Best With gouache:
Buy: Winsor Newton Cotton Paper
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Best For Watercolor pencil:
Buy: Winsor Newton coloured Watercolour Paper
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Best Overall: Canson coloured Watercolour Paper

Canson coloured Watercolour Paper
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If you are looking to buy an all-around great paper for your daily purpose, canson coloured watercolour paper is the right option. Canson makes great watercolor paper, at least for a beginner. It is constructed of a cold press textured paper for a variety of techniques. It is great for water coloring and using for other heavier card making needs. It works good for half fold cards, so you have to cut it down slightly. It is great for testing, not so much for finished work.

It will last even this family of 5 watercolorists longer than most watercolor tablets. It is perfect for kids and adults to get started with watercolor, paper holds up to quite a bit of water, doesn't work too fast, and handles color pretty well.

Why We Like This:
  • Doesn't warp with a lot of water
  • Curls slightly when damp but good paper over all
  • Definitely works well for heavy use of water

Best For Really responsive Paper: Strathmore coloured Watercolour Paper

Strathmore coloured Watercolour Paper
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We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate paper. The strathmore coloured watercolour paper is exactly that - it's a simple paper that hits all the right notes. It feels thinner than their 300 series watercolor paper. It is convenient to carry with you for painting away from home. It is nice to have water color paper that is in a ready-to-frame size. The high quality of the material inspires more intense and beautiful paintings, and the paintings start to take on a more integrated look.

The hot press watercolor is quite smooth and having it precut to framing size is a good advantage. This paper holds up well to masking fluid applications and common watercolor techniques. It is perfect for learning to paint with watercolors.

Why We Like This:
  • Great for high quality gouache and watercolors
  • Great size and works well with water colors
  • Color blends beautifully, looks sharp (not dull at all) on the paper
  • Cute size cotton paper, easy to handlebudget friendly for beginners

Best For Water Colors: Arteza coloured Watercolour Paper

Arteza coloured Watercolour Paper
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The arteza coloured watercolour paper should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. This product is perfect for the beginner artist who's trying to learn to the expert artist who wants great quality paper that can fit into their budget. Premium watercolor paper is typically thicker (think 140 lb), but is made of cellulose. It is used to paint water color paintings. The pages are preferated on the edges so it makes it easy to tear a page out of the book. It is good for practicing techniques and doing rough work on.

The paint flow and ability to handle water is pretty decent. It is suitable for large, even washes and for finer detail, too. It is great for small watercolor paintings and studies.

Why We Like This:
  • Serrated tear offs for easy removal from sketchbook
  • Good quality watercolor paper for painting
  • Delivers what they promise

Best For beginners: Strathmore Watercolor Paper

Strathmore Watercolor Paper
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We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate paper. The strathmore watercolor paper is exactly that - it's a simple paper that hits all the right notes. This paper is fine for the beginner who has no experience with watercolors. It's nice and thick with light texture on one side. The quality of the paper is great and the watercolor looks sharp and dries fast and great. It is great for beginners or smaller projects.

It's a sturdy, well-textured paper, with predictable and even saturation. It is suitable for experimenting and practicing techniques when heavier washes and reworking are required. The paper is strong and easy to draw and paint. It is great for any kid to have their own pad for the watercolors.

Why We Like This:
  • Paint dries fairly quickly, and paper does not tear or peel
  • Very thick and heavy so it doesn't crinkle with a lot of water
  • Works wonders with tombow dual brush pens
  • Great paper, very thick and sturdy

Best With gouache: Winsor Newton Cotton Paper

Winsor Newton Cotton Paper
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Winsor Newton offers a variety of paper for personal choice and yet maintaining quality in all the variants. This paper often produces the brightest water colour paintings because its increased surface area holds more colour and therefore reflects more light. It is made with 100% archival grade cellulose wood pulp and natural artesian well spring water with neutral ph properties. It retains the color saturation from wet to dry impressively well. It is used for making soldiers' canteens.

This 100% cotton paper is lovely. It has a less textured finish and is the most widely used paper surface. It can be used by graphic designers. It is a great size and the 100% cotton paper holds watercolor beautifully.

Why We Like This:
  • A brighter white without being beige, cream, or yellowish
  • Cotton and a 25% cotton/cellulose combo
  • Handy 5" x 7" size for field or studio sketching
  • A nice toothy texture while not being overly toothy

Best For Watercolor pencil: Winsor Newton coloured Watercolour Paper

Winsor Newton coloured Watercolour Paper
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The winsor newton coloured watercolour paper is capable of outshining several other paper featured in this list in overall features in its price range. This paper often produces the brightest water colour paintings because its increased surface area holds more colour and therefore reflects more light. It is made with 100% archival grade cellulose wood pulp and natural artesian spring water with neutral ph properties. It has a less textured finish and is the most widely used paper surface. It can be used by graphic designers.

If you like to sketch outdoors or on the go, cutting these up into quarters or long halves for quick sketches fits them into your painting kit, possibly in a fanny pack or small camera type bag. The smooth and rougher side allow for different effects to be created with the paint.

Why We Like This:
  • Internally and externally sized for optimal water absorbency, pigment dispersion and lasting colour adherence
  • Made on a traditional cylinder mold
  • Allowed artists to enjoy oil colour without the use of hazardous solvents
  • A regular source of reliable colours and brushes