The Premier Watercolour Paper Prized By Artists

Made on a cylinder mould, ARCHES Watercolour papers are of a quality close to that of paper made by craft methods. The slow turning of the cylinder enables the fibres to be deposited evenly and spread in all directions over the wire. The fibres are distributed evenly, the paper slackens uniformly when wet, giving the artist more control. This process can produce papers with a high grammage and exceptional resistance to scratching and erasing, when they are gelatin sized to the core. Only papermaking on a cylinder mould can produce paper with deckle edges.

Its 100% long cotton fibre composition gives the paper its beauty, a natural, lasting whiteness and an inimitable touch as well as strength.

Exclusive to ARCHES®, gelatin sizing to the core preserves the lustre and transparency of the colours whilst preventing paints from penetrating into the paper. It allows superposing of washes and gives it added strength to resist erasing and scratching without tearing or linting. It also allows paints to be removed, either wet or dry, easily revealing the whiteness of the paper. ARCHES® Aquarelle can absorb a large amount of water with limited deformation.

Talking About Texture

All ARCHES® Aquarelle papers have an even, natural grain. The choice of texture – cold pressed, hot pressed, or rough – will depend on the medium used by you, the artist. This choice is part of your artistic creation and expression.

If you’re looking for clean lines in your painting or illustration, the flat, smooth surface of hot pressed paper will give you a surface that allows the most control.

Cold pressed and rough papers are ideal when the approach is looser, or more painterly, as paint settles into the texture of the paper’s surface for more variation in colour intensity.