Hints, Tips & Techniques for Designers' Gouache - Surfaces
Surfaces and Grounds
For fine art painting water colour papers (either white or tinted) are recommended to exploit the widest variety of techniques and ensure long term stability.
Designers and illustrators will tend to use illustration board or hot pressed water colour paper for a flat finish which reproduces well.
Textured paper, coloured paper or mount board may also be used to achieve different finishes; it is recommended that heavier weights are used to give a more stable surface for the paint, especially if a number of layers will be applied.