\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Glossy paper, for example, is hard to paint on because it’s not very absorbent. Make sure the paper is flat so it dries flat, too. This is equivalent to 140lb paper weight. Here, we will illustrate two methods of stretching that should ensure your paper does not warp. Don’t lay the paper towel over the wet paper or it could stick to it. Allow it to dry completely before you begin your painting. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. How do you prepare watercolor paper for painting? Kelly is a graduate of the Florence Academy of Art. Sick of dieting? Moulding the Paper When going to your local art supply store or big box retailer, you are likely going to find just cold pressed watercolor paper on hand as well. 300 lb (638 gsm) cold-pressed watercolor paper can cost between $10-$20 per ream. The only solution to flat watercolor paper when painting is to stretch the painting, or use a watercolor block, where the paper is firmly stretched and secured on the four edges. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. 90 LB WATERCOLOR PAPER – The lowest weight of the watercolor paper is 90 lb.This particular paper is meant more for print-making and ink art, rather than watercolor painting. You can soak the paper and use gummed tape to affix it to a board, then let it dry before painting. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. The only part of that instruction I agree with is a big brush (and we all know I prefer rounds.) Mary is a self-taught artist that has been painting for over 20 years. Many artists just paint directly on the paper without doing anything to it ahead of time. Chemically softening the fibers to make paper is also not the same thing. 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