If you only ever buy one watercolour pad, make it this one. The Art Spectrum A4 Cold Pressed Cotton Watercolour Pad is the do everything choice: 15 sheets of 100% cotton at 300gsm with a medium texture that suits landscapes, florals, still life and loose abstract work.

A4 (210 x 297mm) is the size most watercolour teachers put on a supply list, and for good reason. It gives you room to move a big brush while still finishing a painting in one class.

Why It Works for Almost Everything

Cold pressed is the surface most painters settle on because it does not force a style on you. Paint tight and it holds the line. Paint loose and it gives granulating colours a lovely speckle. Drag a dry brush across it and you get sparkle on water. It is the most versatile of the three surfaces Art Spectrum makes.

The paper behind it was developed with the Magnani mill in Italy, cylinder mould made and sized twice, then made up into pads in Melbourne. Need more sheets for regular practice? The same size is also available as a 50 sheet cold pressed pad in our watercolour paper range.

Why Teachers Put It on the Supply List

• One pad, every subject. Landscapes, flowers, animals and abstracts all work on cold pressed.
• Forgiving for learners. The texture softens small mistakes in a wash.
• Real artist quality. 100% cotton gives students results they can be proud of.
• Easy to frame. A4 fits standard frames and mats with no trimming.

Techniques That Shine on Cold Pressed

Try a graded wash: wet the top of the sheet, lay a strong colour along the top, then add water to the brush with each stroke as you work down. On cotton cold pressed it fades smoothly. For texture, sprinkle a little salt into a damp wash and brush it off once dry.

Cold pressed also loves granulating pigments. Pick a few from our watercolour paints and see how they settle into the tooth of the paper.

Questions About the Art Spectrum A4 Cold Pressed Cotton Watercolour Pad