Good watercolor paper makes a huge difference. Cheap paper tends to warp, pill, or make blending frustrating. But that doesn’t mean you always need the highest-quality (and most expensive) paper!
I keep a range of papers on hand: for wet-on-wet techniques and layered paintings, I use top-tier cotton paper like Arches or Fabriano Artistico Cold Press. But for simpler projects with minimal water, more affordable paper like Canson XL or Strathmore 300 series works just fine. When I want high-quality but need paper that's a little more affordable, my go-to choices are Blick Premier Cold Press Watercolor Paper or Legion Stonehenge Aqua Coldpress paper.
It’s all about matching the paper to the project! If you want more specific recommendations on paper and other watercolor supplies, you can sign up here to download my FREE Watercolor Supplies Guide, complete with my expert recommendations on which brands to buy, and organized by whatever budget level you have in mind.
This tip is from my Watercolor Bite-Size Tips series.