Best Papers For Watercolor Markers

If you just purchased a set of brush pens and realized they have water based ink, you are in for a treat. Let’s talk about the best papers for watercolor markers today. Because these markers are water-soluble, you can easily paint over the ink with a wet brush to create gorgeous watercolor effects, as long as you have the right paper!

I use my Tombow Dual Brush pens for watercoloring all the time, it’s my favorite kind of magic! If you are completely new to this technique, be sure to check out my step-by-step guide on how to use watercolor markers first!

I personally know how frustrating it can be when you try to blend the colors and the color does not move with water. The truth is, this watercolor technique does not work on just any paper. Today, I’m sharing exactly what works. I’ve rounded up all the sketchbooks with tthe best papers for watercolor markers. These are all sketchbooks, I’ve successfully used with markers so you can avoid the frustration and get right to the fun part.

best papers for watercolor markers

1. Canson XL Series

This Canson XL Series Mix Paper Pad is by far one of best papers for watercolor markers. It is my go to paper for practicing and trying out new techniques. The paper is thinner, not too heavy weight and the spiral binding keeps pages neatly bound. This is a great beginner, affordable sketchbook option.

Here are three projects Give thanks sketchbook page video, Painting Roses video, and Earth quotes video that show this Canson Mixed Media sketchbook.

2. Strathmore

This journal/sketchbook is a 7.75″ x 9.75″ unique size and comes with a leather like softcover. It was a bit pricey for me, but I had a coupon so I splurged! I love the texture of the paper, it is smooth and the pages are all bound beautifully! I have my eye on their Watercolor sketchbook now. You can read the full review of this Strathmore Mixed Media sketchbook before you buy.

3. Moleskine

This album like sketchbook is simply adorable. It was a new find for me, and I LOVE it! It is a narrow rectangle shape, it closes shut with an elastic and best of all the paper is a good quality that is a joy to paint on. You can read my review of this moleskine watercolor sketchbook.

4. Strathmore Watercolor Cards

This set of Cold Press, 5″ x 6.875″, 10 Cards and Envelopes set is my favorite to buy and I always have them on hand. The paper is thick and has a slight texture to it, but works very nicely with markers for watercoloring. These cards come pre-scored, folded, and with matching envelopes. Ready to use and so convenient!

5. Canson Watercolor

This Canson Watercolor XL series pad, had a slightly textured paper, a heavy 140lb weight paper that comes in various different sizes. I used this paper along with Tombow Dual Brush Pens when I taught at the Pinners Minnesota Conference so that attendees would have a luxurious paper to work on.

This Canson Artist Series Montval Watercolor Pad 5.5” x 8.5”, is high end, and a favorite of mine because of its unique size and spiral binding! The paper is thick, heavy and works very nicely with markers

6. Bee Paper Mixed Media Sketchbook

This Bee Paper Mixed Media sketchbook allows for some watercoloring with Tombow Dual Brush Pens. I love the unique 9 inch size and have enjoyed filling the pages with quotes and florals.

What doesn’t Work:

Now let me talk a little about the opposite of best papers for watercolor markers. These particular sketchbooks/ papers are not at all compatible for this technique. The papers are too porous and absorb the marker pigment immediately and completely. And thus the water painted over it does not spread the color. From my personal experience, this is a list of papers to avoid.

1. This Arches Hot pressed Watercolor paper is a 140lb paper and has a very smooth finish. But my first impression, I felt that the marker color did not spread as quickly and completely as on the Canson Watercolor paper. A little of the marker color always remained on the paper. BUT while drying, that color seems to blend and soften and the end result was decent. The watercolor dries completely differently on the Arches hot pressed paper- the lines are smoother and neater.
2. This Ranger Time Holtz Distress Watercolor Cardstock is VERY textured. The paper absorbs the color quickly so you need to be precise with your color placement and work rapidly. But you are able to watercolor with markers for some extent.
3. These watercolor pads by Artist Loft are very thick and nice, but the paper absorbs the marker color too quickly to watercolor.

If you have already bought a sketchbook, do not fret. You can always use a blending palette or a smooth surface to scribble your marker colors onto and then pickup and paint with the pigment! This is called the indirect method, which I explain in depth in this how to use watercolor markers on paper step by step

So there you have it friends, these are the best papers for watercolor markers that have worked for me. I hope you find this tutorial helpful, happy painting!