Painting with acrylics on paper can be incredibly freeing; no expensive canvases, no pressure to get it perfect, just you and your materials experimenting and playing. Whether you’re new to acrylics or looking for a low-commitment surface to test ideas, paper can be a perfect fit. In this post, I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know about acrylic painting on paper, using a recent water landscape I painted as a reference point along the way.
If you want a full demonstration, check out my YouTube video below, where I walk you through step by step. You can also download my same reference photo for free, so you can try your hand at this painting.
Why Use Paper for Acrylic Painting?
If you’re coming from a sketchbook or watercolour background, using paper with acrylics might feel more natural than jumping straight to canvas or wood panels. Paper is affordable, lightweight, and easy to store. It’s also the ideal surface for experimentation, studies, or small finished works.
Acrylic paint is versatile enough to work on paper, provided the paper is thick enough to handle water and paint without buckling or tearing. That makes choosing the right paper essential.
The Best Paper for Acrylic Paint
Not all paper is created equal. Here are a few options to consider:
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Watercolour Paper: This is my go-to choice. I use watercolour paper for all of my acrylic painting sketches, and it's holding up beautifully. It’s thick, durable, and made to handle wet media. Choose cold press if you like a bit of texture or hot press for a smoother finish. 140lb (300gsm) or heavier is ideal, though I have also used the Stillman & Birn Zeta series (hot press, 270gsm) and it's just as solid. Different textures have different weights, but you want the paper to naturally feel thick and solid in your hand.
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Acrylic Paper: Specifically designed for acrylics, this paper usually comes pre-primed with a gesso-like surface. It's a convenient option, though less common and sometimes pricier than watercolour paper.
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Mixed Media Paper: If you’re doing light acrylic washes or incorporating other media like ink or pencil, mixed media paper can work. It’s not always thick enough for heavy layering, but it’s a good all-purpose surface.
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Canvas Paper: Canvas paper is essentially a textured, primed paper that mimics the feel of canvas. It’s great for practice and affordable, but it’s more delicate than actual canvas. This is excellent if you want to frame your final piece behind glass and don't want to worry about custom framing.
Do You Need to Prime Your Paper for Acrylics?
It depends on the effect you want. For my landscape painting, I did prime the watercolour paper with gesso, and added a little liquid acrylic to tone the page from white to a rich gold. I wanted the paint to sit on the surface longer and create glowing layers. Gesso also helps prevent warping by creating a moisture barrier, which helps out with blending too.
How to Prevent Paper from Warping
Even thick paper can buckle when it gets wet. Here are a few ways to avoid it:
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Tape it down, use painter’s tape to secure all four edges of the paper to a board. This helps it dry flat.
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Stretch the paper by wetting it first, taping it down, and letting it dry before painting. This pre-stretches the fibres. This happens naturally if you choose to use gesso, so priming is a win-win scenario.
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Work in layers and let each layer of paint dry before adding more. This minimizes how wet the paper gets.
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Use a hairdryer on a cool setting to dry quickly between layers and keep things smooth and flat.
What Acrylic Techniques Work Best on Paper?
Paper is incredibly responsive, especially to layering, dry brushing, glazing, and scumbling. In the water landscape painting I created, I used a mix of soft washes and thick brushwork. Paper gave me the freedom to move quickly without worrying about wrecking an expensive canvas.
Some techniques to try on paper:
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Washes and glazing: Thin your acrylics with water or medium for a watercolour-like effect.
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Dry brushing: Use a mostly dry brush for texture and expressive marks.
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Layering: Build up your painting slowly, paper handles this beautifully.
Is Acrylic Painting on Paper Archival?
Yes, as long as you use acid-free paper and professional-quality paints, your artwork can last decades. For added longevity, store or display the painting away from direct sunlight and humidity.
Final Thoughts
Painting with acrylics on paper is accessible, beginner-friendly, and surprisingly satisfying. It lets you explore new ideas without the intimidation of a blank canvas and opens up new ways to play with texture, transparency, and layering. The landscape painting I used as an example in this post was done entirely on watercolour paper, and it remains one of my favorite pieces in my sketchbook to date.
If you want to try this yourself, I have a 7-Day Acrylic Painting Challenge that will walk you through the process, from sketch to final details. It’s completely free, and you’ll paint a gorgeous water scene alongside me. You can sign up here.
And don’t forget to grab my free eBooks on acrylic and oil painting. They’re packed with tips, supply lists, and techniques that can help you feel more confident and inspired every time you sit down to paint. Download them here.
FAQ: Acrylic Painting on Paper
Can I use regular printer paper for acrylic painting?
No, regular printer paper is too thin and will warp or tear when wet. Use thick, acid-free paper like watercolour, mixed media, or acrylic paper.
Do I need to prime paper before using acrylics?
You don’t have to, but it depends on the effect you want. Priming with gesso will create a more absorbent and vibrant surface, while unprimed paper gives a more matte, watercolor-like finish.
What’s the best paper weight for acrylic painting?
Look for 140lb (300gsm) or heavier, though I do love the Stillman & Birn Zeta series with 270gsm. Thicker paper resists buckling and can handle more layers of paint.
How do I stop acrylic paper from curling?
Tape it down on all four sides before painting. You can also use a hairdryer between layers or stretch the paper beforehand.
Do your pages stick together when painting on paper with acrylic?
There is a slight stickiness to the pages, but mine still come apart easily. There's a few reasons for this: because I use artist level paints, there is a higher pigment to binder ratio, so the paint is naturally less sticky. I also found that leaving a border around the edges of my paintings reduces pressure near the spine of the book: on a painting where I didn't include this, I got some sticking and ripping. BUT at the end of the day, I'm painting into a sketchbook, so I'm not expecting perfection.
Is acrylic painting on paper suitable for beginners?
Absolutely. It’s one of the most forgiving and affordable surfaces for learning. You can test colours, techniques, and compositions without worrying about wasting materials. Just be prepared: acrylic paint dries FAST. You won't get much blending time. You're not doing anything wrong, that's just the paint.
Want more tips like this? You can also follow me on YouTube for painting tutorials and creative inspiration.
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