Rough Arches Watercolor Pad

These high-quality pads feature 12 sheets of 140 lb cold pressed paper. Arches watercolor papers are mould-made in France, with 100 percent cotton fiber content. They are acid-free, pH-neutral, gelatin-sized, and air-dried. The paper is ideal for watercolor, gouache, ink, acrylics, drawing, and printmaking, and strong enough to handle multiple washes of color, masking fluid, scrubbing, and artist's tape without damage to the surface. These high-quality pads feature 12 sheets of 140 lb rough paper.

Arches has a long, proud history. Like any business that has survived centuries there were great successes and moments of near collapse. The paper mill was built in the village of Arches in Northeastern France in 1492. One year later, paper from the mill was used in the Nuremberg Chronicle with illustrations by Durer. In the 1830’s when sizing with rosin became popular, Arches continued using gelatin sizing. This decision further isolated Arches from competition. Renowned for clear color, transparent layers, and low page deformation. It’s prized so highly for conservation that in 1990, the spaceship, Discovery, sent 250 works on Arches paper into space for the future.