Acrylic paint is one of the most versatile artistic mediums available. It has limitless applications and can be used on many different surfaces. The favored surfaces for acrylic painting is probably paper or canvas.
Whereas standard copy paper is thin and capable of yellowing, the acrylic specialized paper is thicker to accommodate the paints and is usually resistant to yellowing. It will also usually have a fantastic texture that will help your brush latch to it.
Acrylic pads are a fantastic tool for any artist who is looking to give a try at works on paper. Either for practice, to visualize their ideas before transferring them to canvas, or just for some casual artwork between more professional pieces, for relaxation.
Either way, acrylic painting on paper is a beautiful art form, and all you need to do is find the best paper for you. So, what is the best paper for acrylic paint?
In a Hurry?
Are you in a hurry to make your purchase?
Perhaps you have an art piece due and you really need to try it out on some paper that is acrylic accepting before transferring it to the canvas.
Or perhaps you’re a student starting a new course soon and need to get your materials pronto.
Whatever the case is, we have you covered. We have gone through, trying, testing, and researching all the possible products for you to ensure you get the ultimate best quality for your work.
In our opinion, the best for you would be the ‘Royal and Langnickel Artist Paper Pad’, Royal and Langnickel are one of the most well-recognized and revered brands in top quality artist supplies.
This pad is a flexible one that can handle many different artistic mediums.
Its paper is thick and accustomed to handling all types of paints and artistic materials, so you can use it for whatever projects or practices you need. It has 125lb weighted paper and is at a size of 9”x12” with binding on the top.
- 22-sheets of paper.
- Handles many artistic mediums.
- Flexible.
Contents
Best Paper For Acrylic Paint
1. Royal & Langnickel Artist Paper Pad
If you are looking for a quality paper pad for your acrylic paint works as well as other mediums, for multi-faceted artists the Royal and Langnickel artist paper pad. Being one of the most well-recognized brands for high-quality artist supplies,
This is a 22-page sheet oil and acrylic painting recommended pad that has outstanding flexibility in its design that allows it to handle a variety of mediums. It is 9”x12” and is bound at the top for ease.
It is capable of handling acrylic, oil, crayon, charcoal markers, ink, decoupage, gouache, and watercolor paints.
For this reason, it is considered a mixed-medium paper pad that is versatile in its uses for artists who enjoy using multiple forms of artistic expression.
Its paperweight is 125lb, however with there are some flaws with using this kind of paper, such as during the use of gouache or watercolor it is recommended to treat the paper first to avoid buckling or warping of pages.
Yet another downside is that the sheets are not acid-free, while for many artists this may not be a concern this should be considered, as the longevity of your work may not be as long as wanted for archiving works or storing previous pieces. This, however, can be counteracted by sealing the artwork with sprays or other techniques.
This is nonetheless a fantastic paper pad for the artist who wants versatility in their paper pad.
PROS
- A fantastic alternative to canvas painting.
- Works very well with both oils and acrylics.
- Value for money.
- Versatile.
CONS
- This paper pad is not Acid-free.
2. Strathmore Acrylic Pad
An alternative to the Royal and Langnickel is Strathmore, yet another well-loved brand of artistic creative resources with many options for every artist and every medium of creative expression.
This particular pad offers lightweight construction and durability, which makes it ideal for acrylic painting. It has a linen-finish textured surface that helps to hold layers of paint to avoid peeling off and bleeding through the paper.
The paper is made in France and is also wonderfully acid-free, whilst also being available in multiple sizes; 6”x6”, 9”x 12”, 12”x 12”, 12”x 18”, and 18”x 24”. Its size options make it versatile and provide a multitude of pricing options as well.
It has all the features to make it a highly-touted item that is favored by many professional artists. The line of paper pad is specifically heavily weighted at 246lb, and it is beefier in comparison to many other competing pads and brands.
Due to this it easily resists buckling and warping under several layers of acrylic paint.
Separating itself from many other makes, it has a beautiful linen fiber, linen as a material is very long and stable fibered, which is durable in its strength and is smooth to the touch.
For this pad, it offers resistance to tears which will be very beneficial in its longevity, very suitable for archiving your works.
This series, the 400, is best suited for advanced artists who are looking for high quality, medium specifics, and longevity. It also has a convenient chipboard backing and a flip-over cover for ease.
PROS
- Linen finish that adds strength.
- Acid-free.
- Multiple size options are available.
- Durability over time.
CONS
- Most suitable for advanced artists.
3. Strathmore Canvas Paper Pad
Our next favorite paper for acrylic paint differs greatly from the rest in its making. However, it is, yet again, by Strathmore.
This time, this Strathmore pad is seen as a practice pad more than an artistic archiving pad. This is due to its material which is renowned for its likeness to the canvas. The paper weight comes in at 115lb.
This pad holds ten sheets per paper pad, which is perfect for artists who may be seeking a pad on which to practice canvas painting or to test out ideas before moving on to a canvas.
This pad feels like you are painting on a canvas, while still maintaining the flexibility and convenience of a paper pad.
The sheets are made from a thin cotton canvas which is great for experimenting with different types of acrylics and oil paints.
Even the color of the paper exudes canvas aesthetics with its off-white tint, which makes it similar to real, natural, and typical stretched canvas.
However, unlike a real stretched canvas, you will likely have to treat it with much care if you intend on using thin consistency acrylic paints or watercolors on it, to avoid bleeding and fading.
This is seen primarily as a practice pad and although it is acid-free, you should not use this with any intention of long-term archiving of your work.
PROS
- Balanced thickness and texture.
- Stellar quality material.
- Legitimate canvas-like feel.
- Great for practicing.
CONS
- Has issues with watery paints.
4. Canston XL Series
Next up we have what you might what to refer to as a premium budget-friendly paper pad. Canston XL paper pad for acrylic paints is a classic choice when looking for quality paint-friendly paper.
The paper in this pad is cold-press textured and is also perfectly acid-free. Making it capable of holding many layers and washes. It is a 24 page pad with a paper weight of 136lb (290g/m2).
It is made for artists of who are still exploring acrylic paints and other expressive mediums, but who may prefer to paint on a great and friendly surface.
Not only this but despite it being seen as student grade paper, it is also acid-free, which is astounding for student grade materials.
Due to it being acid-free it will not yellow over time, so if you continue painting over many years you can still look back at some of your first ever pieces and they will have fully retained their original values and qualities.
Although the weight is not outstanding it is more than fully capable of holding a few layers of acrylic paint with absolute ease.
The surface also features a canvas-styled weave, so it is familiar to those artists who may be more accustomed to practicing or painting on a canvas.
This paper pad also comes with two size options; 9”x 12” or 11”x 14”.
PROS
- Affordable.
- Student grade quality which is great for beginners.
- Acid-free paper.
- Many sheets are available in the pad.
CONS
- Lightweight.
5. U.S Art Supply Acrylic Painting Pad
Finally, we have a budget pad that offers a lot more for money and is best suited for beginners to acrylics and art.
This is the pad offered by the U.S. Art Supply, a company that supplies fantastically priced artist supplies for budding artists that are looking for decent but affordable equipment.
It includes a pack of 2 spiral pads, containing 12 sheets each, giving a total of 24 pages, with each piece at 11”x 14”. The texture of this paper holds acrylic paint very well and your artwork is certain to last, also due to the paper being acid-free.
The paper is also extra thick which will prevent any bleeding or wrapping of the pages. They are also pre-coated with enough primer that they require absolutely no preparation before you start painting.
Due to its spiral bind removing the pages is super easy and the design makes it easy for you to comfortably sit with the pad on your lap and casually paint.
The paper is acid-free with a neutral pH balance which is perfect for acrylic painting. As well as being heavy weight at 426lb (400g/m2), it will resist any warping after several layers and can also withstand the heavyhandedness of beginner painters who are learning technique.
The spiral bind also allows for keeping your artwork all together in one place or separating it with ease.
However, this pad is viewed as a student grade product that caters to those who need ease and comfort while they learn and find their forte.
PROS
- High-quality design.
- Canvas like feel in the thickness of the paper.
- The thickness and weight of the paper provide an adequate hold.
- Spiral binding or keeping work together or ease of separation,
CONS
- Highly absorbent paper.
Best Paper For Acrylic Paint Buyer’s Guide
If you are a professional looking for some new painting gear, you probably know what you are looking for.
However, if you are new to the painting scene and have just started up as an artist, or even if you’ve only recently decided to try out acrylics, you may be filled with questions about why certain things matter when painting and what exactly you have to take into consideration before buying.
So that you get the right paper pad for yourself, first time round.
We have a little guide here for you to help you choose what pad best suits you and your needs, highlighting the main points you will want to consider in your purchase.
Thickness
The weight and thickness of your paper are synonymous with each other in all artist pads and paper, especially when you are looking to use them for acrylic paints. This is because acrylic paints are water-soluble, so it is most relevant for you to choose paper that is thick and has a nice grit for your brush to cling to.
When you browse check out the weight of the paper in the specifications, and don’t forget that it never hurts to do a google search on how well that specific paper works with acrylics.
If you are a student, you can ask your teacher as well or confide in the opinions of fellow artists. This way you will know you are getting quality when you buy.
Note that a good thickness is above 80lb, as this is a paper that will not wrinkle, buckle or warp when wet which is ideal for painting on with acrylics.
Sheet Size
Sheet size is entirely dependant on what you want. If you are seeking out doing large pieces, near the typical print size or bigger, you can expect fewer options and more expense.
But there is a whole range of sizes that you can choose from ranging from tiny artist cards to the biggest canvas size you can think of.
There is no recommendation on what size specifically you should use, simply your own preference.
Do remember though, that more unique or obscure sizes will be harder to find and may cost you more in comparison to more mainstream or desired sizes. But the size choice is totally up to you.
Primer
A primer is important for canvases so it is no different for paper pads, it allows extra smooth application of your paints.
So it is of course always beneficial if you can find a pad that is already primed rather than priming it yourself.
Finish
The finish is another way of saying texture, it is an important consideration when looking to purchase a painting paper pad. Paper is typically smoother in comparison to canvas or canvas paper.
Despite this, it will still require pre-treatment with a primer if you want to have a more extensive smoothing of the surface before you paint.
Some pads will come readily primed, whereas others will require you to prime them, you should consider this when you are looking to buy.
As it is obviously faster to not have to prime the paper, but not all high quality paint ready paper will come primed, and sometimes you may find it to be more expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hardest medium to paint with?
The hardest medium to paint with is considered to be watercolor, despite it being low maintenance it is considered the hardest as it is the hardest to master. Unlike many mediums, watercolor is unforgiving when you try to correct a misplaced brush stroke and so can be challenging to paint with.
It has a low viscosity so it is prone to bleeding which can lead to ‘happy accidents’ or a ruined painting 🙁
However, the easiest medium to paint with is considered widely to be acrylic, as it has many the advantages of watercolor, is water soluble and can mimic transparent effects while still allowing for opaque techniques and is easier to correct and paint over.
How do you seal acrylic paint?
To seal an acrylic paint, especially on canvas or canvas paper, can also be used on paper, it is best to use a varnish, which you can get at your local art supply store. So do so first ensure that the painting is dry.
Once it is dry apply the first coat going in only one direction, either vertically or horizontally with a wide brush, then wait for it to dry and apply the second coat in the opposite direction, vertically or horizontally depending on what you did the first time.
Wait for it to dry and then apply a third coat if needed. Very simple and easy to do and it keeps your paintings fresh!
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