Arches Watercolor Block, Cold Press 9X12

At first I thought the price was a little much because I knew nothing about what was needed for watercolor painting. Well worth it, not disappointed

I have been using this paper for years and I love it. When doing watercolor it’s forgiving, meaning if you make a mistake it’s easier to fix. I would recommend it even for beginners because you won’t be as frustrated as with other papers.

Ive been using arches for years and its the best paper there is for water colors, in my opinion. Also $25 is an awesome price for this block considering its usually $60. if your serious when it comes to painting watercolors i recommend this paper

Nothing beats a good quality watercolor paper. Arches are the best, my painting has improved just by using this wonderful paper. The paper holds the water nicely making wet into wet do just what I had intended.

I purchase this often because I love it. I just wish it were less expensive

There are few mediums as tricky to master as watercolor. After a very frustrating year of watercolor exploration, I finally found Arches brand, and was blown away at how it changed my work. Apparently when it comes to watercolor, nothing is more important than quality paper. Arches is fantastic because its thick, solid and consistently finished. Cheaper brands tend to buckle or bleed, but Arches maintains its integrity even after exceptionally heavy washes. Because it comes in a block, you can work directly on the top sheet without having to tape down edges or worry about bleed through. Note that Arches makes two types of watercolor paper: cold press and hot press. Cold press features a much heartier texture with grooves and ridges that provide that slightly rougher look typically associated with watercolor. Hot press is super smooth and feels more like thick ply bristol paper. Cold press is great for impressionistic painting and other heavier textured pieces, while hot press is a good choice for more illustrative work requiring a cleaner finish or inking. I tend to paint landscapes on cold press and birds and portraits on hot press. Dont let the price intimidate you. After one session with Arches, you will never want to go back to cheaper economy brands. Honestly, I feel like I wasted a lot of valuable practice time struggling with inferior paper. Arches has added such a level of professionalization and ease to my work, that I now love and enjoy a medium that I was almost ready to give up on. A great purchase.

Just what the wife wanted.

Excellent paper

I love this paper and it is getting more expensive. I really like Hyatt because they deliver very good products. The latest Arches paper both cold and rough press were extremely well packaged. I was worried about bending curling and warped paper blocks but they are pristine. Thank you very much.

Love this paper/ board using it with watercolor pencils. Really a high quality paper and the board makes it super convenient!