How to Tear Watercolor Paper Properly (The Karate Chop Method)

Have you ever wanted those beautiful torn watercolor paper edges you see on professionally framed paintings?

In this quick watercolor tip video, I’ll show you my simple “Karate Chop Method” for tearing watercolor paper cleanly and easily — even thick 300lb watercolor paper.

Creating a soft deckle edge gives your finished watercolor paintings a more elegant, artistic presentation, especially if you enjoy floating your artwork on a mat instead of covering the edges.

In this tutorial, you’ll learn:
✂️ How to tear watercolor paper properly
✂️ How to create beautiful deckle edges
✂️ Why many watercolor artists prefer torn edges over cut edges
✂️ An easy technique that works for beginners and experienced painters alike
✂️ How to prepare your watercolor paper for a more professional presentation

This is one of those small watercolor tips that can completely elevate the final look of your artwork.

And yes… the “Karate Chop Method” really works. 😊

If you’ve ever felt unsure about what to buy or overwhelmed by all the options… then this is for you.

Inside my free mini-course“Supplies I Can’t Live Without!”, I walk you through the exact brushes, paints, paper, and materials I personally use in my own work and classes. And more importantly, why I use them.

Because in watercolor, your supplies shape how the paint moves, blends, and flows. And that directly impacts how confident you feel as you learn.

I’ve carefully curated this list to help you get started right away so you can spend less time guessing, and more time actually painting.

You can explore and shop everything through the links provided inside. These are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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