Arts Paper – Drawing

In the arts, paper comes in different packages with different qualities. You’ll want one kind of paper for working with pencils and another kind to create with charcoal or pastel.  You can also buy papers all bound together in a pad, as individual sheets, or even in big rolls.

Arts paper can be divided into two main categories -  artist paper and student paper.  Obviously the student paper will be less expensive and is a good choice for those of you who are just getting started.

But realize that student grade  papers, though designed to have a texture and feel similar to artist grade papers, are not made of archival grade materials. Although many student art papers are acid buffered, the buffering won’t last and the paper will begin to discolor and deteriorate.

So be sure you understand the difference between archival  papers and acid-free papers.  An archival paper is made with a fiber source, such as 100% cotton rag.  It will last for centuries without conservation. Acid-free papers, which are made with cellulose fiber, will eventually yellow. Although conservation is possible, their lifespan without conservation should be measured in decades, not centuries.

Use a student grade paper for practice work, but not for a work that is for sale or for work you really want to last.

First we’ll look at different types of arts paper used for dry drawing mediums.

Charcoal, Pastel and Vellum Papers
When you work with either charcoals or pastels you need a paper that has a slight tooth or texture.  This texture is what helps the powdery nature of the charcoal and pastel to stay put on the paper. If you like a texture to your paper, you can also use this paper when you work with pencils .

These papers come in different colors.  Of course if you are working with charcoal you’ll want to use a white, cream or light colored paper.  You might like to experiment with a black or dark colored paper when working with pastels.  Working on a dark surface gives a whole different feeling to a pastel drawing than one done on a light colored paper.

These papers are all available either in convenient pads or as individual sheets.  With time you’ll discover your favorite brand of paper.

Drawing and Sketching Papers
Drawing paper tends to be a heavier weight than sketching paper to allow for erasure.  Though not considered archival these papers are intended for creating finished art works.  Drawing papers can have either a smooth surface or a slightly textured surface.

Sketching paper is of a lighter weight and is generally used for quick sketches, practice work  and studies.  You wouldn’t use a sketching paper to produce a final art piece.

Stonehenge Paper
Before going any further I have to share my favorite paper with you.  I first discovered Stonehenge paper many years ago while taking a screen printing class at the San Francisco Art Institute.  It has always been a popular paper among printmakers.

Stonehenge is a heavy, durable paper with a white vellum surface that is even, soft,  with a slight tooth and a fine, even grain with two deckle edges.  It really holds up well to repeated workings, erasing, scratching back in and layers of paint.  It’s available in large sheets which you can cut down to smaller sizes and in rolls.   Recently Stonehenge has become available in pads.  It’s more cost effective to buy the sheets and cut it down, but the pads are very convenient.

Stonehenge paper is machine made of 100% cotton rag, buffered and acid free.  Stonehenge is ideal for many mediums including, etching, screen printing, embossing, drawing and painting with pastels, pencil, charcoal, acrylics, and watercolor or gouache.

Newsprint
Newsprint papers are economical and are great for beginning student projects, quick sketches and gesture drawings.  Because of their low cost you can feel free to experiment without concern.  This paper is not archival or acid-free so it will yellow in a short amount of time. Don’t use newsprint for any important, lasting projects.