Choosing a Watercolour Pad: A3 or A4, 160gsm to 200gsm

Posted by

Haanz Team

2026-10-19

On 2026-10-19

Haanz Art GuideFree, practical advice from the team at Haanz Art & Craft Materials

The right watercolour pad makes painting easier. Thin paper buckles and pills; good paper lets washes flow and dry evenly. This Haanz Art Guide compares the watercolour pads, papers and boards we stock by size and weight, so you can choose paper for practice, school work or finished paintings.

Watercolour pads and papers we stock

Bomeijia Watercolour Pad A3, 160gsm. A lighter paper for practice and studies. The A3 size gives room for landscapes and big washes.

Art Essentials Artist Watercolour Pad A3, 180gsm. Artist paper made for watercolour practice and finished work.

Arto Watercolour Papers A3, 200gsm, 10 sheets. Made from 100% cotton fibres, off-white. Cotton paper stays wet longer, so washes blend smoothly and colours look clearer.

Derwent Academy Watercolour Pad A4. A handy A4 pad from the British brand Derwent, for students and artists.

For larger work, see Fabriano Artistico Rough 56 x 76cm, 300gsm, a professional cotton sheet you can cut to size.

Browse more in Watercolour Papers. Prices change, so see each product page for today’s price.

Size: A4 or A3?

A4 is easy to carry, fits a school bag and suits small studies, cards and practice exercises.
A3 gives space for landscapes, skies and big washes. Many A/L students prefer A3 for final pieces.
Large sheets can be cut into any size you need.

Weight: what the gsm number means

GSM (grams per square metre) tells you how heavy and thick the paper is.

160gsm: light. Fine for practice, sketches and a few thin layers. It may wave when very wet.
180gsm: a step up. Handles more washes.
200gsm and above: firmer, buckles less, takes more layers and scrubbing.
300gsm: professional weight for heavy washes.

Our Watercolour Paper Guide: GSM and Cotton explains this in more depth.

Cotton or wood pulp?

Cotton paper, such as Arto and Fabriano Artistico, absorbs water evenly and stays damp longer, so wet-on-wet blends look soft and natural. Wood-pulp (cellulose) papers dry faster and are good for practice. Many painters practise on cellulose pads and use cotton for finished work.

Art board for mounting and mixed media

The Art Board 310gsm, 25 x 40 is a firm, smooth board for mounting finished work, models, drawing and school projects. For big drawings, Natural White Drawing Paper A2 is a large single sheet for pencil and charcoal.

How to stop watercolour paper buckling

Tape the edges to a board with masking tape before you paint. Remove it slowly when the painting is completely dry.
Use heavier paper for wet techniques.
Don’t flood the paper more than you need.
Flatten a dry, wavy painting by placing it face down under heavy books for a day.

Matching paper to the job

Daily practice: Bomeijia 160gsm A3.
School assignments: Art Essentials 180gsm or Derwent A4.
Finished paintings and competitions: Arto 200gsm cotton or Fabriano Artistico.

Try the exercises in Watercolour Techniques for Beginners on each paper and you will quickly see the difference.

Frequently asked questions

Which side of watercolour paper should I paint on?

Most watercolour paper can be used on either side. In pads, use the side facing up.

Why does my paint dry patchy?

Light paper and fast drying can cause patches. Try heavier or cotton paper and work while the wash is still wet.

Can I use watercolour paper for other media?

Yes. It also works well for gouache, ink and coloured pencil.

How should I store watercolour pads?

Keep pads flat, closed and away from damp walls. Humidity can make paper soft and wavy before you paint. A sealed plastic folder helps during the rainy season.

Do you deliver islandwide?

Yes. We deliver across Sri Lanka in 2–5 working days, with cash on delivery, card or bank transfer. You can also visit our shops in Boralesgamuwa and Horana, open every day from 9 AM to 6 PM.

Not sure what to choose? WhatsApp the Haanz team on 0711 515 515 and we’ll help you choose watercolour paper.

More Haanz Art Guides