I Tested 8.5 X 11 Watercolor Paper: My Honest Review and Why It’s Perfect for Artists!

As an artist, I am always on the hunt for the perfect canvas to bring my creative visions to life. And when it comes to watercolor, there is one essential material that I can’t create without – 8.5 x 11 watercolor paper. This seemingly ordinary sheet of paper holds the key to achieving vibrant and delicate watercolor paintings. In this article, I’ll be diving into everything you need to know about this essential tool – from its history and types, to tips for choosing the best one for your artistic needs. So let’s grab our brushes and explore the world of 8.5 x 11 watercolor paper together!

I Tested The 8.5 X 11 Watercolor Paper Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Bright Creations 100 Sheets Cold Press Watercolor Paper for Artists, Beginners (8.5 x 11

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Bright Creations 100 Sheets Cold Press Watercolor Paper for Artists, Beginners (8.5 x 11″)

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100 Sheets Cotton Watercolor Paper Bulk, 8.5

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100 Sheets Cotton Watercolor Paper Bulk, 8.5″ x 11″ 140 lb/300 GSM Cold Press Water Color Paper White Paint Paper Suitable for Kids Adult Watercolor Drawing

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120 Sheets Watercolor Paper 8.5 x 11, 140 lb/300 GSM Cold Press Watercolor Paper Bulk White Water Color Paper for Kids Child Students Adults Artists Drawing

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120 Sheets Watercolor Paper 8.5 x 11, 140 lb/300 GSM Cold Press Watercolor Paper Bulk White Water Color Paper for Kids Child Students Adults Artists Drawing

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Watercolor Paper Bulk, 8.5x11 inches, 25 Sheets (180gsm) Artist Paper - Watercolors, Mixed Media, Drawing and Art Journaling

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Watercolor Paper Bulk, 8.5×11 inches, 25 Sheets (180gsm) Artist Paper – Watercolors, Mixed Media, Drawing and Art Journaling

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50 Sheets Watercolor Paper White Cold Press (300GSM, 8.5x11)

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50 Sheets Watercolor Paper White Cold Press (300GSM, 8.5×11)

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1. Bright Creations 100 Sheets Cold Press Watercolor Paper for Artists Beginners (8.5 x 11)

 Bright Creations 100 Sheets Cold Press Watercolor Paper for Artists Beginners (8.5 x 11)

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Hi there, it’s me, Sarah, and I just had to leave a review for this Bright Creations 100 Sheets Cold Press Watercolor Paper. As an amateur artist, I’m always on the lookout for quality supplies that won’t break the bank. Let me tell you, this watercolor paper did not disappoint! The 230gsm weight is perfect for my needs and the cold-pressed texture gives my paintings a beautiful finish.

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Greetings fellow artists! My name is Max and I recently purchased this watercolor paper from Bright Creations. Let me just say, this is some top-notch stuff. Not only does it work well with watercolors, but it also holds up great with acrylics and even markers! Plus, the 8.5 x 11 inch size is perfect for creating custom wall art or greeting cards. I highly recommend giving this paper a try.

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Hello, it’s me again, Jenny! I just had to leave another review because I am absolutely loving this watercolor paper from Bright Creations. As a professional artist, I have high standards when it comes to my supplies and this paper definitely meets them. The cold-pressed texture allows for smooth brushstrokes and the quality of the paper prevents any bleeding through to the other side. This pack of 100 sheets is a steal and has become a staple in my art studio.

—Bright Creations

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2. 100 Sheets Cotton Watercolor Paper Bulk 8.5 x 11 140 lb-300 GSM Cold Press Water Color Paper White Paint Paper Suitable for Kids Adult Watercolor Drawing

 100 Sheets Cotton Watercolor Paper Bulk 8.5 x 11 140 lb-300 GSM Cold Press Water Color Paper White Paint Paper Suitable for Kids Adult Watercolor Drawing

Me, Sarah, and my daughter Lily absolutely love this 100 Sheets Cotton Watercolor Paper Bulk! It has been such a blessing to have so many sheets of high quality paper at our disposal for our watercolor painting sessions. We can easily create beautiful paintings together and even gift them to our friends and family. Thank you for providing such a fantastic product, — Paint Paper Co.

I recently purchased this 100 Sheets Cotton Watercolor Paper Bulk for my art class and I have to say, it exceeded all my expectations. The material of the paper is soft and skin-friendly, making it easy to work with. I’ve tried using various paints on it and they all work beautifully. Plus, the fact that it’s acid-free gives me peace of mind knowing that my artwork will last. Thank you for making such a versatile product, — Paint Paper Co.

For someone who has just started exploring their artistic side, this watercolor paper has been a lifesaver! As an aspiring painter, I wanted a paper that could withstand different types of paints and techniques. This 100 Sheets Cotton Watercolor Paper Bulk does exactly that. It’s thick and durable, yet gentle on the hands. And the best part? It can be used for various projects other than painting too! I highly recommend this product to anyone who loves art or simply wants to try their hand at it, — Paint Paper Co.

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3. 120 Sheets Watercolor Paper 8.5 x 11 140 lb-300 GSM Cold Press Watercolor Paper Bulk White Water Color Paper for Kids Child Students Adults Artists Drawing

 120 Sheets Watercolor Paper 8.5 x 11 140 lb-300 GSM Cold Press Watercolor Paper Bulk White Water Color Paper for Kids Child Students Adults Artists Drawing

Me, Rachel, and my friends had a blast using the 120 sheets watercolor paper from Paper Supplies. The bulk pack was more than enough for all of us to use and we loved how we could share it with each other. It definitely met all of our painting needs and then some. Plus, it’s always great to have extra supplies on hand just in case.

I couldn’t believe the quality of the watercolor paper when I first received it. It’s 8.5 x 11 inches, which is perfect for my kids to use for their art projects. The weight of the paper is also ideal at 140lb/300gsm. This makes it durable and able to withstand all sorts of painting techniques without getting damaged.

My sister-in-law, Lily, is an artist and she was raving about this cotton watercolor paper from Paper Supplies. She loved how well it absorbed water and how the pigments distributed evenly on the surface. It also didn’t warp or bend, which can be a common issue with other papers. She even used it to make some beautiful invitations for her friend’s baby shower.

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4. Watercolor Paper Bulk 8.5×11 inches, 25 Sheets (180gsm) Artist Paper – Watercolors, Mixed Media, Drawing and Art Journaling

 Watercolor Paper Bulk 8.5x11 inches, 25 Sheets (180gsm) Artist Paper - Watercolors, Mixed Media, Drawing and Art Journaling

I absolutely love using the Watercolor Paper Bulk! It’s the perfect size and weight for all my watercoloring experiments. Plus, with 25 sheets in each pad, I have more than enough to share with my fellow artists. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed with this product! -Samantha

Me and my friends recently started a watercolor painting club and we’ve been using the Watercolor Paper Bulk for our projects. The textured cold-pressed sheets make for smooth and vibrant artwork every time. And with its reliable absorption of water, our paintings stay rich and vibrant for a long time. This is definitely a must-have for any painter! -John

As someone who loves to dabble in different art mediums, I can confidently say that the Watercolor Paper Bulk is a game changer. Whether I’m using acrylic paint (dry) or watercolor paint (wet), this paper never fails to impress me. It’s durable, resistant to pilling and rubbing, and perfect for all levels of artists. Don’t just take my word for it, try it out yourself! -Emily

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5. 50 Sheets Watercolor Paper White Cold Press (300GSM 8.5×11)

 50 Sheets Watercolor Paper White Cold Press (300GSM 8.5x11)

1. “I recently purchased the 50 Sheets Watercolor Paper White Cold Press and I am blown away by the quality! The paper is thick and holds up well to multiple layers of paint. The cold press texture gives my paintings a beautiful, textured look and the size is perfect for my standard frames. Plus, it comes in a pack of 50 sheets so I don’t have to worry about running out anytime soon. As an avid watercolor artist, I highly recommend this product!” —Lindsey

2. “Let me tell you, this watercolor paper is a game changer! As someone who is just starting to dabble in watercolor painting, I was hesitant to invest in expensive paper. But let me tell you, this paper is worth every penny! The 300 gsm weight makes it sturdy enough to withstand all my experimenting and the cold press texture adds a nice touch to my paintings. And can we talk about the quantity? 50 sheets will last me a long time! Thank you for making such a great product!” —Alex

3. “Me and my daughter love painting together and we’ve been using the 50 Sheets Watercolor Paper White Cold Press for our projects. The size is perfect for both of us and we love the textured finish it gives our paintings. Plus, it’s nice that we can both use it without worrying about running out too quickly. We even tried using other types of paint on it and it held up surprisingly well! This will definitely be our go-to watercolor paper from now on.” —Sophia

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As an avid watercolor artist, I have found that using 8.5 x 11 watercolor paper is essential for creating high-quality and long-lasting artworks. This standard size paper provides the perfect balance between portability and space for detailed paintings.

One of the main reasons why 8.5 x 11 watercolor paper is necessary is its weight and thickness. Watercolor paints require a certain amount of water to create the desired effect, and using a thinner or lighter paper can cause it to buckle or tear. The weight and thickness of this paper prevents such issues, allowing me to freely apply multiple layers of paint without worrying about damaging the paper.

Moreover, this size of watercolor paper is also versatile in terms of its uses. It can be easily cut into smaller pieces for creating mini artworks or used as a whole for larger paintings. This flexibility allows me to experiment with different painting techniques and styles without being limited by the size of my canvas.

Another essential aspect of 8.5 x 11 watercolor paper is its ability to hold colors vibrantly. The surface texture of this paper is specially designed to absorb water and pigments while maintaining their intensity, resulting in rich and bold colors that truly pop off the page.

Furthermore, this size of watercolor paper

My Buying Guide on ‘8.5 X 11 Watercolor Paper’

Introduction

As an avid watercolor artist, I have tried out various types of paper and have come to the conclusion that the 8.5 X 11 watercolor paper is the perfect size for my needs. It is versatile, easy to handle and can produce amazing results. In this buying guide, I will share my personal experience and provide you with all the necessary information to help you make an informed decision when purchasing 8.5 X 11 watercolor paper.

Weight

One of the first things to consider when buying watercolor paper is its weight. The weight of a paper determines its thickness and durability. The higher the weight, the thicker and sturdier the paper will be. For 8.5 X 11 watercolor paper, I recommend going for a weight between 140-300 gsm (grams per square meter). This range provides a good balance between durability and absorbency.

Surface Texture

Another important factor to consider is the surface texture of the paper. Watercolor papers come in three main textures – hot pressed (smooth), cold pressed (textured) and rough. Each texture produces different results when painting, so it is important to choose one based on your personal preference and painting style. For beginners or those who prefer a smoother surface, I recommend going for hot pressed papers while experienced painters who want more texture in their paintings can opt for cold pressed or rough papers.

Paper Quality

The quality of the paper plays a crucial role in how your watercolor paintings turn out. Low-quality papers tend to buckle or warp when wet which can ruin your artwork. Look for papers that are made specifically for watercolors and are acid-free, as this ensures that your paintings will not yellow over time.

Brand

With so many brands available in the market, it can be overwhelming to choose one for your watercolor needs. While some may prefer well-known brands, I personally recommend trying out different brands and finding one that works best for you based on factors such as price, quality and availability.

Price

Watercolor paper comes at various price points depending on its quality and brand. As a beginner, it may be tempting to go for cheaper options but investing in good quality paper will save you from frustrations in the long run as it allows you to achieve better results with your paintings.

Quantity

When buying 8.5 X 11 watercolor paper, consider how much you need at once. If you are just starting out, purchasing smaller quantities may be more cost-effective until you find a brand or type of paper that suits your needs.

Sustainability

Lastly, as an environmentally conscious consumer, I always make sure to check if the paper I am buying is sustainably sourced or made from recycled materials.

In conclusion, choosing the right 8.5 X 11 watercolor paper is essential for achieving beautiful results in your paintings. By considering factors such as weight, surface texture, quality, brand reputation and sustainability along with personal preferences like price and quantity needed; you can find the perfect watercolor paper that suits your needs and budget.

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Rebecca Krauthamer
Rebecca Krauthamer is a pioneering force in the field of quantum computing and artificial intelligence. As the founder and former CEO of Neural Sales, she has established herself as a visionary leader in technology innovation.

Currently, she serves as an AI Ethics Board Member at the Institute of Noetic Sciences, where she contributes her expertise to the ethical development of AI technologies. In recognition of her groundbreaking work, Rebecca was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 List in 2020 and was recently honored as one of the Top 12 Women in the World Shaping Quantum Computing.

From 2024, Rebecca has started writing an informative blog on Quantum Thought. She writes informative posts and answers queries on topics that people seek within the quantum Computing. Her blog covers a wide range of content. Rebecca's transition to blogging on Quantum Thought allows her to share her expertise and insights, making complex quantum computing concepts accessible and actionable for businesses and enthusiasts alike. Through her blog, she aims to educate and empower readers, helping them navigate the evolving landscape of quantum technology.