Large sheets of drawing paper. What paper is best for drawing? Types of paper for pencil drawing
This topic will focus on paper, which is one of the most important components of the artistic process.
As we know, for each type of paint or coloring pigment there is a certain type of paper. Paper for dry techniques and for various types of paints. Paper recommended for pastels, for graphite or colored pencils, for charcoal. Paper for acrylic, watercolor, gouache, etc. is what we see on the cover of a folder or album. Paper varies in texture, density and absorbency.
Accademia Series
ALBUM FABRIANO ACCADEMIA 
Gluing FABRIANO ACCADEMIA Disegno 
Recommended for colored pencils.
Gluing FABRIANO ACCADEMIA Schizzi
Recommended for graphite and colored pencils, sanguine, charcoal.
When using colored pencils on this paper (Accademia Schizzi and Disegno), the drawing gains color and vibrancy as the layers are layered. The paper allows you to apply as many layers as required. Usually I apply at least 7-8, the drawing acquires volume, realism and bright color. Schizzi has a finer texture than Disegno. The drawing on Schizzi will look more matte, on Disegno it will look more shiny, luminous, glossy (very good in the case of drawing fruits and berries). The layers lay down softly, the colors blend easily with each other, the strokes are not visible, so you can draw quickly. Watercolor “sticks” very well.
Example of a drawing on Schizzi: 
Example of a drawing on Disegno: 
Paper FABRIANO SCHIZZI 
Suitable for sketches, sketches, pencil, sanguine. There are notebooks with sheets glued on top or with a spiral clip and perforation. Sizes 150-100-50 cm, density 85 g/m2 (very thin, suitable for sketches).
ALBUM IDEA 
Thanks to its slightly rough surface and good sizing, it is suitable for all dry techniques: charcoal, pencil, sanguine, chalk and pastel. The sheets are glued at the top. Thick paper: 200 g/m2, formats 21x29.7 and 29.7x42 cm, 50 sheets.
Fabriano drawing paper is also available in rolls.
LANA paper
A French company that produces various types of paper.
Line Dissin(Drawing) 
Main characteristics: density 130 g/m2, 150 g/m2, 220 g/m2, light and delicate, you can easily use an eraser or shading. Recommended for graphite and colored pencils, sanguine, charcoal, pastels, graphite, felt-tip pens, ink.
Line Esquisse(Sketch) 
Characteristics: density 96g/m2, you can easily use an eraser or shading. Designed for sketches and sketches in pencil, colored pencils, pastels, charcoal, sanguine, sepia. A variety of formats are presented. 120 sheets.
Canson paper 
A French company that represents a variety of paper lines, including drawing paper and sketch paper (folders, spring blocks, gluing papers).
For pencil and charcoal, you can use the "Dessin J.A." series. (drawing paper with a high level of roughness), or fine-grained “SaGran” (“C” a Gran). 
Density of Dessin JA: 90, 120, 160, 200 g/m2, different formats.
Density "C" and Gran: 125, 180, 224 g/m2.
"Crob Art": white drawing paper, with a slight level of roughness. Designed for pencil and charcoal. Loose: 80 g/m2. Different formats. 
"XL Sketch Pad" Notepads in A3 (29.7x42), A4 (21x29.7), A5 (14.8x21) formats, density 90 g/m2, bulk paper. For sketches in pencil, charcoal, pastel. 
Sketchbook "1557 Dessin"
White paper with soft fibers. Made from alpha cellulose (the purest, no wood fiber). 180 g/m2, formats A2 - A6. 
Sketchbooks "1557 Croquis". Density 120 g/m2, formats A2 - A5, 50 sheets each. 
Example of drawings made on Canson "C" a Gran paper:
Front side. The grain catches the eye. The effect of an old drawing is created: 
Reverse side. The result is more uniform:
Paper of this texture gives the drawing a special style: 
Author of the last 3 drawings: Noon (original)
Derwent, which produces world-famous pencils, offers sketch books. 
The paper is almost smooth, slightly rough. Density 110 and 170g/m2, formats A4, A5, A6. The strokes are clearly visible, so you need to work carefully and slowly.
To obtain brightness, you need to work with sharpened pencils of bright colors: 
In some cases, the result is pale and slightly cloudy: 
Colored paper 
Various companies present us with huge quantities of paper of various colors, which are usually sold individually. From my own experience, I realized that for drawings in colored pencil it is better not to use paper of bright, saturated colors - the color of the paper will show through and give the drawing an undesirable shade. Do not use paper with very coarse grain, intended for pastels - it will not be able to completely fill the sheet, and there will be unpainted gaps. Due to this, the drawing will seem unfinished. It is better to use paper that is slightly rough or has a medium grain - in this case, the drawing will appear textured. Drawings look great on black paper, especially if the drawing is in light colors.
If possible, I will add more information to this post.
Continuation of the topic -
Attention! You do not have permission to view hidden text.
Attention! Post written by an aspiring artist! Stupid mistakes and inaccurate information are possible! Prices are also approximate, current at the time of writing this post.
For a year and a half of interest in drawing, I was able to try a lot of materials. More precisely, every month, when I received money from my mother (I blush), I went to an art store and left at least half of the amount there (a couple of thousand). We studied with particular interest the shelves with pencils, paper, all sorts of delights for graphic works - and a drop-dead rack with a bunch of colored pencils. I want to tell you about the materials that I managed to try.
Stores (Moscow):
Paper (A4)
For those who don’t know, paper density is determined in grams per square meter.
1. Basic option - Goznak "for drawing" - 70 rubles, 200 g, 24 sheets - thick, thick paper, for pencil, charcoal, suitable for paints if necessary. A good inexpensive option.
2. For graphics - Fabriano Academia - 170 rubles, 50 sheets. For graphics - charcoal, pencil. A little yellowish, it doesn’t dazzle the eyes when drawing outdoors. Textured, drawing with a pencil is a pleasure. Not suitable for paints at all - thin. The packaging has a cardboard backing.
3. For graphics, acrylic, watercolor - Canson 120g - 300 rubles, 50 sheets. In general, it is for graphics, but the manufacturers say that it is also for acrylic and watercolor. Because The paper is thick - I believe it. No yellowish tint. The sheets peel off less than Fabriano. The packaging has a cardboard backing.
4. For watercolors - it comes with a large texture and a fine one. Large for pastels, small for colored pencils. I haven’t tried to use the paper for its intended purpose - for watercolors.
5. For ink, felt-tip pens - Goznak "for graphic works" - with a glossy surface, 70 rubles, 25 sheets.
6. Printing paper - only suitable for pencil sketches.
Paper: when money is short
1. Ikea - there is more than enough wrapping paper there
2. Printing paper (paperless and printing paper - paper)
3. Miumau advised me to go begging to a printing house - they have so much paper waste that there will be enough for life in the future.
Notepads (A6 or so)
1. With a cardboard backing - from 30r to 50r, sheets of kraft paper (brown, wrapping) - 40 sheets, 70g. The best option for carrying with you “always and everywhere”. For sketches. Fits into your pocket.
2. Cheap from the nearest kiosk - only for sketches, usually thin paper, no backing - but it saves in extreme cases. I have 9p near my house - and it’s pure white paper, no square or ruler.
Notepads (A5)
1. Goznak - 40 rubles, 200 g, 20 sheets, without backing. The paper is thick, you can also draw on it with paint.
2. Fabriano - from 70r to 100r, 60 sheets, 90g, with backing. Insanely comfortable. There are ones with and without a spring - with a spring it is cooler, without - it is more convenient. I love them. The paper is yellowish. For graphics only.
3. Palazzo (Goznak) - 30-50rub, 200g, for watercolor, with backing. The texture is fine. These are awesome to draw on with colored pencils. I haven’t tried to paint on it with watercolors.
More notebooks
From kraft paper - 30-40 rubles, size 210x210mm, 70g. There are options with tracing paper - 20 liters of tracing paper, 20 liters of paper - and without tracing paper - 40 sheets of paper. No backing, but still cool. For creative flights.
Huge notepad
Fabriano A3 - 350r, 100 sheets, 90g, for graphics. It's awesome and it has a spring. All.
Watercolor
If you want to indulge - Gamma (150 rubles), if you're serious - White Nights (from 500 rubles), Leningrad. I haven’t tried it myself, I don’t know, but everyone unanimously says that it’s cool and makes up legends about it.
Mascara
Gamma (40 rubles) - only for “try”. For those who are seriously interested - rotring (130 rubles) and faber castel (210 rubles), suitable for both washing and painting. It is better to buy the rod and feathers individually - in sets the price is too high.
Brushes
I don't understand. They say synthetic ones are good.
Oil
Try Sonnet (90 RUR, 46 ml). More serious - Ferrario (280 RUR, 60 ml), Nevskaya Palitra (46 ml - 100-200 RUR). In general, I don’t know, I’ve never painted in oils.
Acrylic
Try - Ladoga (200rub - 220ml; 80rub - 46ml). More serious - Ferrario, Schminсke (not in Russia).
Pastel
“Try” - Sonnet, for comparison, take one more piece from abroad. Russian loose, foreign soft. Rembrandt, Cretacolor and Faber Castell are recommended.
Coal
Without fanaticism - the cheapest. With fanaticism - Primo.
Pencils
Even though this is my favorite topic, everything is very simple here.
Colored - Derwent. They can be bought individually - for 40-50 rubles. Pastel, oil, watercolor - for every taste. You can buy just a TON of pencils for 2000 rubles, choosing them at your discretion. I once spent an hour selecting fifty pencils - I asked to give me ALL that were available individually ^_^
Much cooler than a ready-made set. Derwent also has amazing natural colours.
The Faber Castell - Polychromos sets are highly praised. I haven't tried it, but I believe it.
Simple pencils - Faber Castell (possible individually), Primo. For nerds of realistic drawing with pencil and charcoal, go here.
Why not Koh-i-Noor?
Less quality leads. You get nicks - this is when the pencil scratches but does not draw. Happens often. The lead is more brittle. And when drawing for a long time, your fingers turn orange.
Types of colored pencils
Pastels are textured, have a lot of colored pollen when drawing, are easy to shade and do not stick well to paper. In general, for pastel lovers. They draw loudly >_<
Oil-based ones are less shading, but they stick to the paper more firmly. I like them better than pastels.
Watercolor - they paint like oil painting, but if desired... Take a brush and make a pencil drawing - watercolor! Protect the finished drawing from water.
Feathering
Must have. Set of 6 shades - about 100 rubles.
If you don't have a lot of money, you can shade it with cotton wool. But not with your finger! For those who don’t understand why you can’t shade with your finger, go here.
They say that pastels can still be shaded with your finger. Well I do not know.
Knife
You need to sharpen a pencil with a knife to:
1. Make the lead longer - do not sharpen longer;
2. Make a lead of any desired shape.
Stationery, yellow - 50 rub.
If you want to show off - Derwent, 300 rubles, with spare blades. Replacement blades - 100 rub.
Erasers
1. Hard - Koh-i-Noor, 5-10 rubles, basic version, take with an elephant and cut diagonally. Very convenient for line art. Few scraps.
2. Soft - Cretacolor, 40 rubles, for those who love round erasers.
3. Soft - Derwent, 40 rubles, for those who like rectangular erasers. I also advise cutting it in half and at an angle, so that it has a diagonal cut.
4. Nag - everything is simple here: faber castell. For easy lightening, for work that requires careful handling. Reminds me of chewing gum and plasticine. You mold any shape, tear it off piece by piece, etc. Must have.
5. Eraser pencil. Faber Castell, 50 rub. For those who like to make highlights on a tortured drawing, take a hard one. Must have.
6. Retractable erasers. Sold, but didn't touch me. I prefer kohinoor with elephant :)
Tablets
Electronic
Definitely Wacom. Intuos is the best. The rest is a matter of your choice. Costs from 8 to 35 thousand. For Muscovites - I advise you to buy it from Citylink - I personally came across a discount of 2000 due to the opened packaging. Warranty, quality - everything is ok.
Wood
Must have. A4 format costs 130 rubles. As a rule, there is a large selection.
Easel
For beginners - a “cracker”, it costs 2-3 thousand rubles, you can find a used one for a thousand and a half. I won’t say that it is required for purchase - look at the circumstances. By the way, it is not necessary to retrain your hand - you can calmly hold it “as if writing” and draw on the easel. Basically, you only need to hold your pencil differently for long lines, round shapes, and very large objects. You'll get used to it quickly.
General Tips
1. Good companies, don’t be afraid to buy: Faber Castell, Derwent, Lyra, Primo, Cretacolor.
2. Shop in large(!) art stores - they are MUCH cheaper. In addition, you will receive good advice and the opportunity to try almost any product.
3. Don't be afraid to ask sellers! Feel free to say that you don’t understand anything, that you want to try, ask for advice, explain how to use it, how not to spoil it, how to choose the cheapest one - they all know it! (in large stores)
4. If you take something to try, try to find it individually - you will save money.
5. Buy a ruler. You don’t need to draw on it - you need to check it (lines for construction, perspective). And if you really want to, then draw too.
That's all! :)
p.s. It took almost three hours to write this post. I also forgot to have lunch and dinner... It's unlikely that I'll draw much this night.
upd.: added more information
They say that a real artist can draw beautifully on a napkin. Well, I don’t argue, because I saw very beautiful things actually drawn on a napkin. But still, let's speak frankly: people who draw seriously prefer to draw on paper or canvas, and the more experienced we become, the (in my experience) our requirements for the material increase. And, like any person, they have their own preferences due to their image and work style. Here is a short comparative description of the paper that I tested for drawing with pencils, because... It seems to me that many, if not all, started with this and, one way or another, used (or are drawing now, or are planning) pencil drawing.
The paper will be tested: 1 - folder with sheets Prof.art, 2 - notebook for sketches with tear-off sheets Art hobby, 3 Fabriano Disegno, 4 - notepad with loose leaves Fabriano Sketch, 5 - sketch notebook with the inscription " Posters", 6 - notebook Moleskine, 7 - notebook-book from Derwent.
For objectivity, the test sheets will be crosshatched with different pencils, namely: simple pencils 5H, HB, 5B, pastel pencil, watercolor pencil and colored pencils from the Nature series and from Faber-Castell. 
1. Prof.art
Folder with 20 sheets of format A4, density 100gsm.
The paper is pleasant for drawing with all pencils. Smooth, non-grainy, slightly rough. Has a slightly noticeable yellowish tint. At the same time, it is thin, so even with a slight blur (for example, a watercolor pencil) it is deformed - it bubbles, it can go in waves, it can cough.
In fact, although this paper is a budget paper, i.e. sold at a fairly low price, I liked it more than all the others. It so happened that on this paper I began training drawings with diluted ink, i.e. I dilute the mascara with water and paint with a brush. It’s nice to draw, both with a pencil and a brush, and drawing details with a pen on top of everything is also okay. Therefore, if you draw for pleasure, this is what you need; the only downside to the output will be an uneven sheet.
2. Art hobby
Notepad for sketches with loose-leaf format A4.
Nice paper too. Similar to the previous one, but rougher and rougher, so when drawing with a very soft pencil it can “shine through”, i.e. You cannot get 100% black or dark color, paper particles will be visible.
The paper is brownish-yellow in color. Therefore, it is not suitable for all types of work and for those who paint exclusively on white. But it fits perfectly (for me) with pastel pencils, because... I really like the combination of their pastel shades with the color of the paper.
3. Fabriano Disegno
Notepad with 30 loose sheets A5, density 200gsm.
Good medium weight paper. It is also a little rough, so when working with soft pencils the texture of the paper “shines through”. The watercolor pencil can be blurred without making the paper brittle. What I liked most was drawing not with soft pencils (pastel, watercolor), but with ordinary colored ones; they fit very well on paper and the colors come out very bright. The paper itself is very white, it even glows. That's why it didn't work out very well for me, because... I love the tinted one.
4. Fabriano Sketch
Notepad with 60 tear-off sheets A5, density 60gsm.
Thin paper has a slightly yellowish tint. Simple pencils adhere very well, and although there is some roughness, the 5B pencil gives the desired dark shade. Ideal for sketches.
Now notebooks that hold the sheets well do not come off, do not fall off, but stick like a book.
5. Posters
A spiral notebook in A5 format, I generally see them often, the distinctive feature is the tinted cover, there is also an A6 format.
The paper is almost white, smooth. Because of the latter, the pencil lead does not grind down well and even with strong pressure does not give a bright color. The same applies to simple pencils; even 5B does not leave a dark tint.
6.Moleskine
Black notebook with soft cover.
The pencils are easy to lay down and the color remains vibrant despite the paper being smooth. In my opinion, this notebook is suitable for all pencils. It’s not for nothing, apparently, that moleskine has become a household name. Please note that the paper is ivory-colored and thin, so it will not be possible to blur the watercolor pencil. It will be more accurate, but it will look bad.
7. Derwent
Black A5 notebook with hard cover and hard binding, density 100gsm.
The paper is very pleasant to the touch, white and slightly rough. Pencils go on softer than everything else, i.e. give a color of greater intensity. Also, the colors “shine through” the roughness of the paper, even ordinary colored pencils. The watercolor pencil can be blurred; the paper is thick enough. But I honestly couldn’t draw in it! First of all, due to the fact that the pencils crumble too much when applied, and smudges inevitably appear around the drawing, because... It’s very easy to shade even a line with your hand. Secondly, I can’t get a uniform color due to the roughness. Perhaps it's just the nature of my drawing style, but I was very disappointed in this notebook, although I really love Derwent and I like all their products. 
Summarizing everything described above, for drawing with simple pencils most suitable Prof.art and Fabriano Sketch. For drawing colored - Fabriano Disegno, for drawing pastel - Prof.art And Art hobby for lovers of tinted paper. The most universal paper from Moleskine, you can draw with anything in it. For watercolor pencils, watercolor paper will most likely be the best option, but we’ll talk about it separately. For notepad Derwent Gouache or acrylic will most likely be suitable, but this is also worth trying in practice. Here's a notepad Posters ideal for notes, planning and quick training sketches.
Beginning artists rarely think about which paper is better for drawing with pencil, paint or pastel, and in the old fashioned way they use ordinary A4 sheets to sketch a fashionable dress or still life.
And it’s true: a scrap of any canvas will be suitable for such tasks, from empty margins on a newspaper page to a colored sticker. But if you are going to create a painting that will decorate the interior of a workshop, bedroom or office, it is important to figure out which pencil drawing paper is better for an artist than another.
Main characteristics
One of the reasons why craftsmen sometimes do not pay due attention to the issue of evaluating and selecting paper is that they do not have enough time. Pencil drawing paper for artists comes in a variety of options, and you only need to choose one.
There are several main characteristics that should be assessed first in order to: a) save time; b) choose a high-quality basis for a sketch of fashionable clothes or a future painting drawn in pencil:
Density: as a rule, this indicator is indicated on the product card and indicates the weight of a paper sheet with an area of 1 square meter. For example, office paper has a weight of 80 gsm. m, and newspaper - 60 g/sq.m. The canvas intended for applying watercolors is considered the densest. Its density is 500 g/sq.m. A base with a density of 90 to 110 g/sq.m. is suitable for drawing with a pencil.
Grain: This indicator is also often called “texture”. There are two options - smooth and grainy surface. The first is suitable for drawings and sketches of equipment, building plans, architectural objects, the second is for artistic sketches, since it gives the image volume and expressiveness.
Color: the whiter the leaf, the better. This principle applies not only to office paper, but also to canvases intended for creating sketches, drawings, and sketches using pencils. This is the only way to get clear and bright lines.
In addition, if you are going to scan finished drawings, then it is better to choose a completely white canvas so that the details of the picture are expressive even on the copy.
Finally, there is a fourth indicator that does not relate to the characteristics of pencil drawing paper, but is used by artists to check its quality. We are talking about working with an eraser.
If there are traces on the paper after you erased it with an eraser, and even worse - holes, then it is better to abandon this option immediately. Otherwise, you will focus not on the final result, but on not damaging the paper. And even with careful handling of such a “delicate” base, stains, dents, and marks from strong pressure on the pencil may remain on it, which will make the drawing less colorful.
Types of paper for pencil drawing
Now a few words about which paper is better for drawing with a pencil - office paper or writing paper. These are the options that masters use for sketches and sketches:
office: the main advantages of this option are perfect whiteness and smooth texture. The lines are clear and expressive. But there is one drawback - low density. If you often erase lines, there will be streaks and holes in the paper. It is also easily deformed. Working with such a canvas is suitable for experienced artists who make sketches with virtually no corrections. In addition, it is an excellent option for scanning.
pissing: this is an option for beginners. It has a medium level of density, light yellow tint. It is comfortable enough to work with an eraser: when erasing lines made with strong pressure, you do not need to worry about cosmetic defects remaining on the paper. But keep in mind that it is not suitable for scanning: due to the yellowish tint, image details on copies will be blurred.
Non-yellowing drawing paper for graphics: It is made from cotton and cellulose and has a grainy texture and a white tint. Paper density – from 90 to 250 g/sq.m. It's easy to work with - it doesn't tear when you erase lines, and it doesn't wrinkle if you move the paper without a structured folder.
Another advantage of this option is that the original image is preserved. Non-yellowing drawing paper for graphics is suitable for both young artists and experienced painters.
The choice of paper for pencil drawing depends on your level of preparation and purchasing budget. The least expensive option is writing paper. You need to buy it if you are just mastering painting and actively practicing making pencil sketches.
For painters who have passed the preparatory stage, office or non-yellowing paper is suitable. But the price of these materials is much higher.
Review of branded painting products
If you haven't found the right drawing paper yet, take a look at the following samples. According to the artists, they are worthy of attention and will be an excellent basis for sketches made in pencil:
Fabriano Academia: paper from the famous Italian brand is suitable for both beginners and masters who have been painting for several years. The base is made of cotton and cellulose, has a white color and granular texture, density – 200 g/sq.m. Does not wrinkle or deform after erasing lines with an eraser. Suitable for sketches, sketches;
Canson: the products of the French manufacturer will appeal to beginners. This is white paper on which the pencil glides smoothly, and the lines are clear and expressive. Paper weight ranges from 125 to 224 gsm. By choosing the thickest option, you can work on the sketch until it is perfect, and not be afraid that stains and other defects will appear on the base due to the eraser;
Daler Rowney: albums from the British brand are praised by both beginners and experienced painters. This paper has a white color and fine-grain texture, which is ideal for pencil sketches. The only drawback noted by the craftsmen is the low density. This means that you will have to work with the eraser extremely carefully, and it is better to think several times before applying another stroke to the sketch. Some may consider this a great inconvenience and a serious barrier to creativity.
This is not a complete list of products from foreign brands that can be used to hone your skills. We recommend finding and testing different samples to find the paper that will make your creative experimentation easier.
Buying paper for drawing with a pencil
If you have not yet found suitable paper for preparing sketches, sketches, or simple pencil sketches, we recommend selecting samples in stationary stores. Here you can clearly evaluate the color, density, texture of the paper and conduct a small test: draw a line with a pencil and erase it with an eraser. Pay attention to whether streaks have appeared or whether the top layer of paper has been damaged. If not, then the paper is high quality and worth buying.
Take note of our tips, and choosing paper for pencil drawings will become a fairly simple task.
We'll help you choose paper Just leave a request for a consultation
The quality of the paper often determines the result - drawing, calligraphy, writing. Of course, expensive paper will not add skill to a novice artist, but it will definitely bring pleasure.
To understand the importance of choosing materials, beginning artists are often asked to paint with watercolors on office paper as an experiment. The result is obvious: the paper first gets completely wet, then curls, and the paint spreads uncontrollably. “It’s probably a matter of density, and the quality isn’t the same,” the experimenter vaguely guesses. What is hidden behind the serious word “quality” - let’s try to lift the veil.
Density is indeed one of the main characteristics of paper. The one on which we print and “xerim” has an indicator of 80 g/m2 (grams per square meter). Newsprint paper has a low density - 45-60 g/m2, cardboard has a high density (on average 250-300 g/m2), while standard business cards are slightly less dense than cardboard, having an indicator of 200-250 g/m2. By the way, the density of the above-mentioned watercolor paper can reach 850 g/m2.
The density indicator is directly related to transparency - the ability to transmit light, while whiteness is responsible for how effectively the sheet reflects light. Whiteness is also measured as a percentage, ranging on average from 60% to 98%. The higher the whiteness, the clearer the picture. Simple physics continues to explain how and why this or that paper behaves. For example, glossy creates glare due to the fact that a large amount of incident light is reflected specularly - the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection, while matte hides the property of predominantly diffuse reflection of light, as if scattering it in different directions. Generally speaking, it is better to use glossy in cases where you need to achieve contrast and color saturation of large color spots, and matte when details are important. Next to these two antipodal qualities are smoothness and graininess, but they work somewhat differently: on smooth paper, small strokes of detailed drawings are more clearly visible, while texture gives the image volume and expression.
The paper can also be coated with wax (waxed), a special paste (for example, coated), or a polymer - for example, colored - film. It can be embossed - a relief pattern, or made by hand, which provides high density, texture, uneven edges, and therefore uniqueness and, as a result, great pleasure from use. Craft, or wrapping, paper also has its adherents. It is quite durable, rough, and usually brown in color. Due to its texture, it is well suited for working with charcoal, pencil and pastel.
Paper can be made with the addition of various fibers - cashmere, flannel, cotton, while an example of natural and minimally processed paper is blotting paper - lightly compressed, consisting of almost 100% pure cellulose fibers. Its properties are explained by the same school physics: excess ink is quickly absorbed due to the fact that it rises through numerous small capillaries.
Watercolor
Any specialist will tell you that there is no exact recipe for choosing paper - you need to try and find your own. It's like a violinist's instrument or a dancer's shoes. However, general recommendations still exist. If we talk about good paper for professional painting, it is best to choose thick paper - 200-300 g/m2. Sheets are often sold secured in special glues, which eliminates the need to pull the sheet onto a stretcher each time. Praile watercolor paper has a high whiteness, sometimes even with a bluish tint. It is quite smooth, although grainy. The most common and proven texture is called “torchon”, characterized by a uniform, uneven surface, however, the same as the less popular “eggshell”. An important quality of good watercolor paper is its cotton content. Some manufacturers use 100% cotton. This is what makes Arches different, being the undisputed leader among connoisseurs and connoisseurs of quality paper. In the same row are Hahnemuhle, Fabriano, Cornwall, Bockingford, Daler Rowney, Cotman and many others. By and large, all the advice on which manufacturer to choose comes down to a general conclusion - domestic manufacturers can hardly offer professionals worthy alternatives to paper from Western manufacturers.
If we talk about the creative quest of beginners, as well as regular painting lessons, then experienced artists advise turning to whatman paper - it is much cheaper and is quite suitable for practicing mastery. Before use, you can check it with an eraser: the top layer must be resistant to the mechanical impact of the eraser. In addition, the paper should not roll when trying to remove a layer of applied paint, and should not become stained or stained when water gets on it. However, these qualities will be revealed already in work. To avoid getting into trouble, it is recommended not to buy a large amount of the same type of paper at once.
Pencil and mascara
As in the previous case, there are special requirements for paper. A quick quality check can also be done using an eraser, as described above. Matte coated paper is ideal for pencil drawing. This "beast" is very rare, does not like an eraser and requires a blade. By and large, high-quality watercolor paper with a density of 200 g/m2 or even less will be good for pencil and ink. For regular classes, the same Whatman paper is suitable. The only requirement strictly imposed on the paper in this case is its texture. Relief drawing is not always suitable for working with ink and pencil. If, for example, the paper has a grooved structure, then the ink will collect in the depressions. Grain also affects color intensity, pigment development, and stroke clarity.
Pastel
But pastel, on the contrary, requires texture. We are talking about colored soft crayons (pencils), which, when in contact with paper, should cling well to the surface of the sheet. To do this, you can take special pastel paper, as well as textured watercolor paper. Since pastel loves colored sheets - this way the color is more saturated - a sheet of watercolor paper can be pre-filled with paint or ink. You can also draw with pastels on a pastel board made from cork chips, as well as on special sandpaper or velvet paper. The latter is obtained by applying fibers to a paper base, resulting in a pile that imitates fabric.
Calligraphy and pen writing
The main contraindication is thin paper. It’s worth starting with 90 g/m2, but it’s best to choose a density of 130 g/m2. Such paper will tolerate not only a pen, but also a marker, a windlass, and a rapidograph. However, density is not everything. It is important that the paper is moderately smooth: not glossy, since the ink simply will not stay, but also not too textured, so that the pen does not scratch the surface or cling to the grooves. The main advice in choosing paper for fountain pen owners and calligraphy lovers is to choose with love. You should look at the paper in the light, making sure that the texture is perfect, and also run your finger over it, assessing how pleasant it will be for your pen to glide over it. In the same way, experienced artists advise choosing ink: buy only those that you like so much in smell and texture that you want to drink them. After all, love for the job, supported by high-quality materials, inevitably leads to success and pleasure from the activity!
