Special paper for drawing. Types of paper for drawing and creativity
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
The choice of paper for painting depends on the tools you are working with. Different types of art paper differ in density, composition, texture and, sometimes, color. Paper for pencil drawing: density – 110-160 g/m2, with minimal or no grain.
Paper for pastels (colored pastel paper): density about 160 g/m2, there are different types of grain (egg shell, honeycomb, etc.). Available tinted to contrast with the pastel color.
Watercolor paper (watercolor paper): also suitable for gouache. Density is at least 200 g/m2 and reaches 600 g/m2, available in three textured types: smooth (hot press), semi-smooth (cold press), rough textured (dried without spinning).
Paper for oil paints, acrylic and tempera: the density of such paper is from 180 g/m2, often higher, up to 400 g/m2 - heavy oil, acrylic and tempera apply perfectly without deforming the paper. Marker paper: density starts from 70 g/m2. Available in two types: with special impregnation that does not allow ink to pass through to the other side of the sheet, and with lamination of the reverse side of the sheet. Allows you to save marker ink.
Paper for drawing and graphics
All you need to start drawing is essentially a pencil and a piece of paper! Sounds simple enough, but when you stand between the shelves in a store, the question becomes not so simple. There are so many varieties of paper before you, and each of them can give a completely different look to your drawing. Read our tips and then try different types of art or graphics paper again and again. This is the best way to find what's right for you. Experimenting is fun!
Here are some parameters to consider:
- what is it made of
Drawing paper is usually made from wood pulp or cotton. Probably the most important difference between the two is that wood pulp contains a polymer called lignin. It reacts to light, causing the paper to oxidize and the design to fade over time. Therefore, choose acid-free drawing paper.
The weight (and thickness) of the paper depends on its purpose and must match the material you are going to use to draw. For example, sketch paper is the thinnest, lightest paper and cannot be used for final drawings, but is economical and ideal for quick sketches and developing ideas. If you're drawing with charcoal, choose a heavier, more durable paper.
- surface quality
Hot-pressed paper has a smoother surface, while cold-pressed paper has a rougher, textured surface (grain). Why is this important to consider? Every line you draw is just graphite "dust" left behind by your pencil. It settles into grooves formed by the surface texture. This means that texture directly affects how your drawing will look.
- what material are you going to use
The paper for a graphite pencil is not the same as for a colored pencil. And the one you use for colored pencil is not a good choice for pens and ink. Experimenting is certainly fun, but you can save yourself from unnecessary mistakes by learning what certain types of paper are for. Here are some examples:
For pencil drawing you can purchase so-called “Bristol paper”. It is produced by various manufacturers, for example, Canson, Sketchbook XL BRISTOL, Winsor&Newton, Sketchbook BRISTOL, Sketchbook BRISTOL from Strathmore. This is a very smooth snow-white paper that is ideal for drawing details and can withstand repeated erasing.
For drawings with colored pencils Any paper that has a slightly grainy texture will work for you. The surface roughness ensures uniform adhesion between pencil and paper. This could be the SMOOTH SURFACE sketchbook from Winsor&Newton, the SKETCH sketchbooks from Clairefontaine, the SCHIZZI sketchbooks from Fabriano, the universal FOX&OWL sketchbooks from Maxgoodz.
Want to learn even more about drawing and graphics papers? Look at our extensive catalog and buy right now on the website or come to Peredvizhniki stores! Our consultants will help you.
Choose albums, sketchbooks and notepads from the best manufacturers of paper products:
Take watercolor paints and plain paper for printing on a printer and try to draw something. Oh yes, the paper will get wet and become transparent, distorted beyond recognition, because its purpose is to be office paper for printing texts, it is not at all suitable for drawing.
The paper matters; the condition of the drawing depends on its quality, density, texture, thickness.
Well, today it’s not very difficult to figure this out; go to a stationery store or a craft supply store and ask for this or that paper. If you want to draw with pencils, take regular white sheets of paper or a sketchbook, and if the pencils are watercolor and water will be used, then you will need thicker watercolor paper that can absorb water. The choice of paper is always based on the choice of material with which a person will create. After all, paper is a helper Ain realizing creative ideas!
Paper types:
Watercolor:
For watercolors, paper can be recognized by its thickness and texture; it is thick, coarse-grained, white or eggshell. It can be sold in separate sheets, glued together or in an album.
Professional watercolor paper contains cotton, which makes it better absorbs air and pigments. Premium quality paper is often marked with a watermark or embossing (photo at the beginning of the article). The best paper for drawing is considered to be from: Canson, Arches, Fabriano, Scholler, MONTVAL TORCHON (France)
Pastel
Colored pastel papers come in a wide range of colors from neutral browns and grays to vibrant shades. Has a soft surface. Sold individually, in sets, and as an album.
For drawing
A thicker sheet than printing paper (for printers), with a flat and smooth surface. But some companies have sheets that are too smooth, then it will be difficult to make corrections on such paper, not a single eraser will completely remove pencil sketches, it’s worth looking closely when buying, or trying to draw on different ones and then decide on the company.
This paper is used for drawings or for drawing with a simple pencil, colored pencils, or you can also draw with oil pastels.
Wrapping, kraft paper
Kraft paper
is a type of paper that falls into the category of packaging material. Most often brown or dark yellow. But this paper is also suitable for drawing with charcoal, pencils and pastels. 
Embossed paper
This paper is used for drawing with pastel or charcoal. This type of paper is available in both white and lightly tinted colors and can have various patterns.
Handmade paper
One of the most expensive types of paper, since each sheet of paper is prepared separately by hand. But I have not used this type of paper in my work, I do not judge how good or bad this type is in 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 -
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