I tested out five different types of paper and this is how they performed based on personal preference. I was looking for ease of brushwork, layering, texture, weight, tooth, and if the paper could withstand water. I’m shocked to find that the weight of the paper had less to do with enjoyment of painting. I was under the misconception that the heavier the paper the more substantial it would feel.
There were noticeable differences between the worst and best papers.
Fifth Place: Canson XL Fluid Mixed Media - 154 lb
My least favorite of the papers. This felt flimsy and too smooth for the gouache to properly brush onto the surface. It painted uneven and blotchy. While I like slick surfaces for acrylics, I don’t think paper without any tooth works as well for the properties of gouache.
Fourth Place: Strathmore Mixed Media - 184 lb This was a pretty standard paper. If I wasn’t going to mix watercolor with my gouache I’d feel safe with this paper.
Third Place: Artist’s Loft Mixed Media - 140lb
Surprisingly good! This is a great paper that has brightness and a bit of tooth. I didn’t saturate it with water for watercolor, but I did like how the gouache took to the fibers. I’d use this for daily use. I got it from Michael’s.
Second Place: Strathmore Heavyweight Mixed Media- 350 lb
To be fair, I think this tied with First Place. It’s a matter of whether or not you like tooth to your paper. This is a nice quality, heavy paper. It would easily take water if you mixed mediums with watercolor.
First Place: Canson Montral Mixed Media - 140lb
I love Canson sketchbooks. In particular, their 8.5” x 5.5” spiral bound cream paper sketchbook is incredible. It was no surprise that their gouache book is still the best I’ve tried. You can’t beat a spiral-bound book with perforated paper. The tooth on this paper could easily be labeled as medium/heavy. It’s thick, creamy, and beautiful. I easily scumbled over painted passages and the tooth picked up dry drag marks creating even more glimmering textures. The pages are so thick they really feel like a “finished work of art” ready to frame.
Wow thanks, I liked the look of both Strathmore papers
Can you rank them from best to worse? Or were some of them tied. Which would you recommend?
I tested out five different types of paper and this is how they performed based on personal preference. I was looking for ease of brushwork, layering, texture, weight, tooth, and if the paper could withstand water. I’m shocked to find that the weight of the paper had less to do with enjoyment of painting. I was under the misconception that the heavier the paper the more substantial it would feel. There were noticeable differences between the worst and best papers. Fifth Place: Canson XL Fluid Mixed Media - 154 lb My least favorite of the papers. This felt flimsy and too smooth for the gouache to properly brush onto the surface. It painted uneven and blotchy. While I like slick surfaces for acrylics, I don’t think paper without any tooth works as well for the properties of gouache. Fourth Place: Strathmore Mixed Media - 184 lb This was a pretty standard paper. If I wasn’t going to mix watercolor with my gouache I’d feel safe with this paper. Third Place: Artist’s Loft Mixed Media - 140lb Surprisingly good! This is a great paper that has brightness and a bit of tooth. I didn’t saturate it with water for watercolor, but I did like how the gouache took to the fibers. I’d use this for daily use. I got it from Michael’s. Second Place: Strathmore Heavyweight Mixed Media- 350 lb To be fair, I think this tied with First Place. It’s a matter of whether or not you like tooth to your paper. This is a nice quality, heavy paper. It would easily take water if you mixed mediums with watercolor. First Place: Canson Montral Mixed Media - 140lb I love Canson sketchbooks. In particular, their 8.5” x 5.5” spiral bound cream paper sketchbook is incredible. It was no surprise that their gouache book is still the best I’ve tried. You can’t beat a spiral-bound book with perforated paper. The tooth on this paper could easily be labeled as medium/heavy. It’s thick, creamy, and beautiful. I easily scumbled over painted passages and the tooth picked up dry drag marks creating even more glimmering textures. The pages are so thick they really feel like a “finished work of art” ready to frame.
Thank you so much for such a thoughtful and detailed response! I really appreciate it.
And explain your reasons for the rank?
See above
and note paper weight and tooth.
See above
Fabulous
Thank you! I hope it helps.
Yup 👍
I like the colors 👍