Drawing is a timeless art form that has been used by artists for thousands of years to express their creativity and imagination. Whether you are a professional artist or just starting out, choosing the right paper type for your drawing techniques is crucial to creating beautiful and successful artwork.
Different drawing techniques require different paper types, and selecting the right paper can significantly affect the final outcome of your work. With so many paper types available in the market, choosing the right one can be a daunting task. This is why it’s essential to understand the properties of different paper types and how they can affect your drawing techniques.
In this blog post, we will explore the best paper types for various drawing techniques, including graphite pencils, charcoal, ink, and colored pencils. We will examine the pros and cons of each paper type, allowing you to make an informed decision on which paper to choose for your next drawing project.
Graphite Pencil Drawings
Graphite pencil drawing is one of the most popular and versatile drawing techniques used by artists. They are easy to use, widely available, and can create a range of textures and values, making them an ideal medium for both beginners and professionals. With graphite pencils, artists can create anything from delicate lines and intricate details to bold shading and dramatic contrast. When it comes to paper types for graphite pencil drawing, there are a few options to choose from. Bristol board, vellum, and smooth drawing paper are all excellent choices for graphite pencil drawing.
Bristol board
Bristol board is a heavyweight paper that is suitable for graphite pencil drawing. It has a smooth surface that allows graphite pencils to glide smoothly over the paper, making it ideal for detailed drawings. However, the paper’s heaviness can be a disadvantage when it comes to erasing mistakes, as the surface can become damaged.
Vellum
Vellum paper is another excellent option for graphite pencil drawing. It has a slightly rough surface that allows for a good pencil grip, making it ideal for creating textures and shading. However, it may not be suitable for intricate details as the surface can smudge easily.
Smooth Drawing Paper
Smooth drawing paper is an affordable option for graphite pencil drawing. It has a smooth surface that makes it easy to draw, but it may not be suitable for creating textures and can smudge easily.
Charcoal Drawings
Charcoal drawing is a popular drawing technique used by artists to create dramatic and expressive artwork. Charcoal is a versatile medium that can create a range of values, from light gray to deep black, allowing artists to create stunning works of art with high contrast and texture. Charcoal is often used to create bold, expressive drawings of people, animals, and landscapes, making it a popular choice among artists. When it comes to paper types for charcoal drawing, artists need to consider the texture and absorbency of the paper. Rough paper is an excellent choice for creating expressive and textured charcoal drawings, while smoother paper is better suited for more detailed drawings. The best paper types for charcoal drawing are newsprint, charcoal paper, and toned paper.
Newsprint
Newsprint is a cheap and readily available paper type that is ideal for charcoal drawing. It has a rough surface that allows for easy blending and shading, making it perfect for beginners. However, the paper’s low quality means that it may yellow and degrade over time.
Charcoal Paper
Charcoal paper is specifically designed for charcoal drawing. It has a textured surface that holds the charcoal well and allows for easy blending and shading. However, the paper can be quite expensive, and the texture may be too rough for some artists.
Toned Paper
Toned paper is an excellent option for creating contrast in charcoal drawings. It has a colored surface that allows for highlights and mid-tones to stand out. However, it may not be suitable for detailed drawings.
Ink Drawings
Ink drawing is a classic drawing technique that has been used by artists for centuries. Ink drawings are characterized by their bold, black lines and high contrast, making ink pens an excellent medium for creating striking artwork. Ink is a versatile medium that can be used in combination with other mediums, such as watercolor or colored pencils, to create unique and stunning works of art. When it comes to paper types for ink drawing, artists need to consider the absorbency of the paper. Papers that are too absorbent can cause the ink to spread, while papers that are not absorbent enough can cause the ink to smudge. Some popular paper types for ink drawing include Bristol board, vellum, and hot press watercolor paper.
Bristol Board
Bristol board is a popular paper type for ink drawing due to its smooth surface, which allows for precise and detailed drawings. It’s a durable and heavyweight paper that can withstand the application of ink without buckling or warping, making it an ideal choice for creating artwork that requires a lot of ink.
Vellum
Vellum is a type of paper that has a slightly rough surface, making it an excellent choice for ink drawing. The rough surface of vellum can create interesting textures and effects in ink drawings, such as hatching, stippling, and crosshatching.
Hot Press Watercolor Paper
Hot press watercolor paper is a versatile paper that can be used for a range of artistic mediums, including ink drawing. Hot press watercolor paper has a smooth surface that allows for precise and detailed lines in ink drawings, similar to Bristol board. However, the surface of hot press watercolor paper also has a subtle texture that can create interesting effects when combined with ink. This makes hot press watercolor paper a popular choice for artists who want to add a unique texture to their ink drawings.
Colored Pencil Drawings
Colored pencil drawings are a popular medium for artists who want to create detailed and vibrant artwork. Colored pencils allow artists to blend colors together and create a wide range of shades and tones, making it possible to create complex and nuanced drawings. Colored pencils are also a versatile medium that can be used on a variety of paper types, making it easy for artists to experiment and explore different techniques. The best paper types for colored pencil drawing are toned paper, bristol board, and vellum. You can check out our guide to The Best Colored Pencils for Artists if you’re like to explore how to level up your practice in that way as well!
Toned Paper
Toned paper is a unique paper type that is often used in colored pencil drawing. Toned paper comes in a variety of colors, including beige, gray, and brown, and is designed to create a mid-tone background for artwork. This mid-tone background can be used as a base layer for colored pencil drawings, allowing artists to create contrast and depth in their artwork without having to add additional layers of color.
Bristol Board
Bristol board is a popular paper type for colored pencil drawing due to its smooth surface and ability to hold multiple layers of color. The smooth surface of Bristol board allows for precise and detailed lines, making it easy to create intricate designs and fine details in colored pencil drawings
Vellum
Vellum is a paper type that is often used for colored pencil drawing due to its unique surface texture and ability to hold color. Vellum has a slightly rough surface texture that can provide a subtle texture to colored pencil drawings, giving them a natural and organic look. Additionally, the surface of vellum is able to hold color very well, allowing artists to create a rich and vibrant artwork. Vellum is available in different weights and sizes, making it a versatile paper type that can be used for a range of colored pencil drawing projects.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right paper type for a specific drawing technique can make all the difference in the final result of the artwork. Each paper type has its own unique characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages that should be considered when selecting a paper for a specific project. Graphite pencil drawings can be done on a range of paper types, but smooth bristol board is often preferred for its ability to hold multiple layers of graphite. Charcoal drawings are best done on a heavier weight paper with a rougher texture, such as charcoal paper or pastel paper. Ink drawings can be done on a variety of paper types, with vellum and hot press watercolor paper being two popular options. Finally, colored pencil drawings often work best on toned paper or smooth bristol board for the ability to hold multiple layers of color and create precise lines.
Ultimately, the best paper type for a drawing project will depend on the specific goals and techniques of the artist. It’s important to experiment with different paper types to determine which one works best for a particular project. By selecting the right paper type, artists can ensure that their final artwork meets their artistic vision and achieves the desired effect.
