I use two types of watercolor paper.

These are Saunders ‘Waterford’ Rough – Handmade Weight 638gsm – 300lb. I buy it in its standard sheet size of 762mm x 559mm (30 x 22 inches) I:

Bockinford machine made watercolor paper. It has a non-pressed surface; in my opinion, this paper is also useful for most other types of work. In short, it is a first class general purpose paper, good in all respects, cheaper than Saunders and of the same size and weight.

Both of these papers are reputed and technically manufactured to provide the kind of characteristics needed in long-lasting watercolor painting arenas.

If I need smaller sheets, I cut them to half the full size – ¼ the full size of the largest standard size sheet. This means that all my paintings fall into a small range of standard sizes and therefore the framer can frame them using my preferred standard frame dimensions.

Saunders paper comes in three surface types: hot pressed, cold pressed, and rough.

Hot Pressed is gentle for fine, delicate lines and brush strokes. Cold Pressed is for general fine work with the possibility of texture washes. Rough is for spontaneous, impressionistic, well-graded and textured work of all kinds for the best watercolourists. I use this role and have come to understand every aspect of their behavior.

Find the role you like and stick with it. Make your selection only from well-established paper manufacturers.

Use the 638gsm weight as it doesn’t need to be stretched to prevent it from drying out. Ultimately, if the paint doesn’t come out right, you can dip the Saunders in the bath and gently lift, don’t rub, the pigment and generally retrieve the sheet to try again, never give up!

The weight and therefore the stiffness of the paper are important to be able to work quickly. The paper can be moved at will across the board or rotated 180 degrees or any angle to control washes.
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Try to keep uncut sheets in reserve for backup in case supplies, for whatever reason, become limited.

Never bend, fold, roll, or wrinkle watercolor paper. This is an absolute rule. Store flat in bags without any other weight on top.

Keep even clean fingers off the surface. In no way allow others to touch the handle or even breathe on your paper. Do not let others handle finished frameless watercolor paintings. In fact, it is better not to let them see unframed pictures.

Use a Stanley-type blade and a stainless steel or aluminum graduated straight edge cutting guide long enough to cut across a sheet of paper. Do not cut against the graduated bevel edge as the knife may cut it.

Always cut on a sharp surface. I use non-oiled chipboard a little longer than the long dimension of the paper with the smooth side up and a foot wide.

Never use force when cutting paper. Be relaxed and focused. The eye should be on the blade at all times and the stabilizer hand should be placed to the rear of the moving blade. Use a first light cut as a start, then another light cut, then another, then a final cut for a total of four strokes. Cutting paper with four passes is the easiest, cleanest, and safest way to cut paper.

Full size sheets can be cut to half full size. Half full size is the normal standard convenient watercolor paint size.

Cut one of the half full size sheets in two for two quarter full size sheets. This gives three standard size sheets from a large full size sheet, i.e. one half full size sheet and two quarter full size sheets.

It is better not to paint smaller pictures as they are difficult to hang in exhibitions. Although the eight full-size small pictures are useful gifts for buyers or for promotion. I suggest that any painting beyond reanimation can be inspected for areas containing free ready-made small abstracts or landscapes suitable for framing.

Full size image frame sizes in mm.

paper say 760 x 555

windows 720 x 520

Mount (or/all) 900 x 700

Glass (or/all) 900 x 700

Installation width ninety mm

Medium size picture frame sizes in mm.

Paper say 555 x 375

Windows 520 x 360

Mount (or/all) 680 x 520

Glass (or/all) 680 x 520

Mounting width eighty mm

Quarter size Frame sizes in mm.

paper say 375 x 277

windows 360 x 260

Assembly (or/all) 500 x 400

Glass (or/all) 500 x 400

Installation width seventy mm

Frame an image in each of the recommended sizes above to see if you find them acceptable. If you haven’t been to a framer before insist on framing to the dimensions I suggest. Start with the Quarter Size Picture Frame so you don’t risk too much money the first time. Either way, to a certain extent, you may have to buy your own experience before you get everything the way you prefer.

I suggest that painters do the painting and leave the framing to a professional framer.

The sizes quoted above are rounded off slightly in mm for simplicity and to minimize errors when cutting materials to size. Make a copy of the sizes listed above to instruct the framer to keep, but keep photocopies in reserve. Mount widths are designed to join the frame, mount, and painting into a single imaging unit.

A painter has enough problems to deal with without being best left to a framer.

My best wishes to all.