Why All Watercolor Paper Is a Lie—This Is The Real Difference

Sun, 03 May 2026 10:09:42 +0000

Why All Watercolor Paper Is a Lie: The Real Difference Every Artist Should Know When it comes to watercolor painting, many artists believe that “all watercolor paper is the same.” But is that really true? The truth is, watercolor paper isn’t a universal product—it’s a carefully engineered medium with distinct types, textures, and properties that profoundly affect your artwork. In this article, we reveal the real differences behind the so-called “watercolor lie” and explain why choosing the right paper is one of the most critical decisions for your creative workflow. ### The Myth: “All Watercolor Paper Is the Same” For beginners and even some intermediate artists, the idea that all watercolor paper performs identically is tempting. After all, any paper with water and pigment on it should work, right? But watercolor paper is far from generic. It’s specifically designed with unique fiber composition, weight, and surface texture to handle wet paint without buckling, warping, or absorbing color unpredictably. Using the wrong paper can ruin compositions, limit technique, and frustrate even the most skilled painter.