Choosing the Right Custom Drawing Paper
There are many options when it comes to choosing the right paper for drawing. You can choose from sketch books, drafting paper or even toned paper.
These papers are excellent for pens, pencils and markers, but may not work as well for wet media. They are also a little more expensive than regular drawing/sketch pads.
Handmade
Handmade paper is a labor-intensive and artisanal approach to paper production, and its texture is imbued with unique fibers and inclusions that add a sense of character and aesthetic appeal. It’s used in a variety of artistic, cultural, and decorative pursuits, from fine art prints and stationery to mixed media collage and bookbinding. While machine-made papers offer consistency, handmade paper embodies a unique and expressive quality that is particularly suited for bespoke projects and luxury goods.
The paper used for drawing and sketching typically has a medium custom drawing paper structure, a light surface, and is acid-free. It can take various dry media like pencils and charcoal but should not be used for wet drawing or painting, which may cause the paper to disintegrate over time.
Savannah demonstrates how she tones paper using inks and gouache paints, first on Fabriano 140-lb hot press watercolor paper. She uses neutral dark and sepia inks to achieve different shades of tone. She explains that toning paper helps create a midtone between light and dark values, which can help make your drawings look more professional.
Machine Made
Yupo is a machine made paper that is primarily used as a watercolor paper but artists are using it in a variety of ways to create a very unique and creative result. This nonabsorbent paper is made from 100% polypropylene and has a surface that repels water making it waterproof, stain resistant, and durable.
Hahnemuhle Copperplate is a mouldmade paper with two genuine deckle and four straight edges made from 100% high alpha cellulose. It is neutral pH, chlorine and acid free with subtle texture. This paper is strong for printmaking but also works well with pastels and charcoal. It takes a deep embossing without cracking around the edge and it lays flat after printing.
St Cuthberts Mill is one of the few remaining cylinder mold mills in the world and their papers have gained great popularity by many areas of work within the art community. Legion has worked with them to expand their line of Somerset printing, digital, and drawing papers that are both archival and visually stunning.
Newsprint
Typically used by students and schools, newsprint custom drawing paper is cheap and offers a great surface for charcoal and graphite stick sketches. It can also be used with markers. It comes in pads, which is convenient for classroom use. It is a good choice for beginners or those who want to practice before working on a larger project.
There are two types of newsprint: regular and hi-bright. Hi-bright is whiter and thicker than regular newsprint. This type is a good choice for artists who want to avoid the mess of ink smudging on their artwork. Paper shades will vary slightly depending on the rolls used, so one batch of newspaper may look lighter or grayer than another.
The Jack Richeson newsprint sketch pad features a smooth surface that allows mediums to glide across the paper without resistance. It is made with a heavy weight newsprint that resists tearing, even when flipping the sheets quickly. It is an ideal paper for laying out ideas before painting or creating a drawing. The sheets are ruled and include red baselines.
Smooth
This paper has a very smooth surface and is great for ink pens and pencils. It has a slight tooth which helps colored pencil grip evenly. It is also acid free, making it suitable for long-term storage. This paper is available in pads and rolls.
Another good option for pencil drawing paper drawing is a Fabriano Black Paper pad. These thicker notebook-style pads have a premium front and back cover that feels like fabric-covered cardboard, a wire ring binding, and perforated pages with 80lb paper. This is a good-quality drawing paper, but it’s not archival.
You can find a variety of smooth drawing papers in sheets and pads from most art supply stores. The most popular are made of linseed oil-free rag and have a low-gloss surface that balances brightness with clarity. They’re ideal for printing paintings and drawings with fine lines and textures. You can also use them for printing projects that require a high color gamut and vivid detail. These papers are smudge-resistant and water-resistant. They’re also a great choice for creating sketches and notes.
Textured
Most printed paper is smooth and white, so if you’re looking for something different textured paper is the option. These papers have a rough surface that can help grab pencils, crayons, pastels and paints, giving them more “tooth” or grip. They also allow for layers of medium to be applied without smudging or blending with the layers below.
Generally, these types of papers are made of linen or cotton fibres and are more robust than wood pulp papers. They can be scrubbed and scratched without a problem, and they’re less likely to buckle under heavy applications of watercolour or ink.
Many artists use textured paper to create toned papers, and this can be useful in drawing and painting. In this video, Savannah Tate Cuff tones a sheet of Fabriano 140-lb. hot-press watercolor paper with a range of inks and gouache paints to show how you can achieve a variety of tones. She also demonstrates toning the paper with white wash and chalk. This type of toning helps highlight light and dark values on the paper, allowing you to control the temperature and value of your work.