Which paper is better for drawing?

Beginning artists rarely think about which paper is best for drawing with pencil, paints or pastels, and in the old fashion they use ordinary A4 sheets to make sketches of a sketch of a fashionable dress or still life. And the truth: for such tasks, a scrap of any canvas is suitable, from empty fields on a newspaper page to a color sticker. But if you are going to create a picture that will decorate the interior of the workshop, bedroom or office, it is important to figure out which paper for drawing with a pencil is better for the artist than the other. If speaking of copic paper, the best choice you can find here https://drawingfan.com/best-paper-for-copic-markers/ 

Main characteristics

One of the reasons why masters sometimes do not pay due attention to the issue of evaluating and selecting paper is that they do not have enough time. Paper for pencil drawing for artists is presented in various versions, and you need to choose only one.

There are several basic characteristics that are worth evaluating in the first place in order to: a) save time; b) choose a quality basis for a sketch of fashionable clothes or a future painting, drawn in pencil:

1. Density: as a rule, this indicator is indicated in the product card and indicates the weight of a paper sheet with an area of ​​1 square meter. For example, office paper has a density of 80 g / sq. m, and the newspaper - 60 g / sq.m. A canvas designed for applying watercolor paints is considered the most dense. Its density is 500 g / sq.m. A base with a density of 90 to 110 g / m2 is suitable for pencil drawing.
2. Grain: this indicator is also often called “texture.” There are two options - a smooth and grainy surface. The first is suitable for drawings and sketches of equipment, floor plans, architectural objects, and the second is suitable for artistic sketches, as it gives the image volume and expressiveness.
3. Color: the whiter the sheet, the better. This principle applies not only to office paper, but also to paintings designed to create sketches, sketches, and sketches with pencils. This is the only way to get clear and bright lines.

In addition, if you are going to scan ready-made drawings, 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 paper, but is used by artists to test its quality. It's about working with an eraser.

If there are traces on the paper after you erased it with an eraser, or even worse - holes, then it is better to immediately abandon this option. Otherwise, you will focus not on the final result, but on how not to damage the paper. And even with careful handling of such a “delicate” base, stains, dents, traces from strong pressure on the pencil may remain on it, which will make the drawing less colorful.

Types of paper for drawing with a pencil

Now a few words about which paper is best for pencil drawing - office or writing. It is these options that the wizards 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 the lines, then stains and holes will remain on the paper. Also, it is easily deformed. Working with such a canvas is suitable for experienced artists who sketch without any corrections. In addition, this is a great option for scanning.
• writing: this is an option for beginners. She has an average density level, a light yellow tint. It is comfortable enough to work with the eraser: when erasing lines made with strong pressure, you do not need to worry that cosmetic defects will remain on the paper. But keep in mind that it will not be suitable for scanning: due to the yellowish tint, the details of the image on the copies will be blurry.
• non-yellowing drawing paper for graphics: it is made from cotton and cellulose, it has a grainy texture and a white shade. Paper weight - from 90 to 250 g / sq.m. It’s easy to work with - it doesn’t tear when you remove lines with the eraser, and doesn’t wrinkle if you transfer paper without a structured folder.

Another plus of this option is the preservation of the original image. Non-yellowing drawing paper for graphics is suitable for both young artists and experienced painters.

The choice of paper for drawing with a pencil depends on the level of your training and the budget of the purchase. The least expensive option is writing paper. It needs to be bought if you are just mastering the painting and are actively training to make pencil sketches.