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Exploring the Textures: Hot Pressed, Cold Pressed, and Handmade Paper

by Rekha Krishnamurthi

I had grand plans to launch a new mixed media art collection this fall, but my focus has shifted entirely as I find myself immersed in watercolor painting in my sketchbook!

I absolutely love my daily sketchbook practice. It’s free-flowing, relaxing, and meditative. Sometimes, I draw inspiration from an image, while other times, I let the paint flow without a set plan. Regardless of the approach, I cherish the final outcomes!

For me, my sketchbook practice serves as a daily journal. Along with my paintings, I enjoy writing quotes that inspire me.

Here’s a peek into a few pages of my latest sketchbook:

While my latest sketchbook paper isn't the best quality, I'm okay with that because it serves its purpose. This experience has prompted me to explore the various types of watercolor paper available and how each one can yield different results.

Read on to discover the differences between hot pressed, cold pressed, and handmade paper! I’ll share the same artwork created on each type, along with my insights on their unique qualities.

Hot Pressed Paper

Hot pressed paper has a smooth surface, making it ideal for detailed artwork. During production, fibers are compressed with high-pressure rollers to create this finish.

When I paint on hot pressed paper, I notice that it’s less absorbent, allowing the paint to appear denser and brighter. Wet-on-wet washes produce beautiful effects, but the paint blends and bleeds differently than on cold pressed paper.

Here’s an example of artwork I created on hot pressed paper:

Cold Pressed Paper

Cold pressed watercolor paper is the most common type. Its slight texture is immediately noticeable when you begin painting. This texture allows watercolor paint to flow into each other easily during wet-on-wet washes, creating stunning effects.

Here’s the same design painted on cold pressed paper:

Handmade Paper

Handmade paper is crafted from natural materials such as banana fiber, flower petals, cotton, linen, or hemp using traditional techniques, resulting in an irregular texture. It tends to be more textured than standard cold pressed paper.

Here’s an example of the same design painted on handmade paper:

Be sure to check out my latest Instagram reel where I show my painting process on handmade paper!

Conclusion

I love how my abstract art looks across the different paper types. On hot pressed paper, the colors are bolder and more intense, while the cold pressed and handmade papers produce softer hues, highlighting their unique textures. I can’t choose a favorite—each paper gives the artwork its own charm. My next experiment will involve a detailed illustration, like an urban sketch, where I might lean towards hot pressed paper. Stay tuned for that in a future blog post!

Now it’s your turn! I’d love to hear your thoughts on painting with these different paper types. For reference, here are the papers I used:

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