: Arches Pads and Blocks

Arches have been making watercolour paper in Lorraine, France since 1492. The mill still uses the same mould-made process it always has — 100% cotton pulp, gelatine sizing on both sides, and enough weight to take whatever a watercolourist can throw at it. If you have ever bought a single sheet of Arches and wondered why it behaves so differently from everything else, that is why.

We stock the full range of Arches pad and block formats: watercolour blocks in nine sizes across cold press, hot press and rough surfaces; gummed pads in two sizes; and a glued rough-surface pad for those who prefer that format. All are 300gsm. All are 100% cotton. All are the same paper that has been trusted by professional watercolourists for over five centuries.

If you are not sure which surface suits your work — cold press handles most techniques and is the place to start; hot press is smoother and better for fine detail or pen and wash; rough is the most textured and rewards expressive, granulating washes. Any questions, ask us in store or drop us a message.