SKETCHBOOK
September TIPS • ADVI CE • ID E A S
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Perfect Papers
Choosing the right sur f ace will improve your ar t work s in an instant
ne of the subjects we are asked about more than any other is how to choose the best type of paper for the drawing or painting you are trying to make. Here is a breakdown of the key factors to consider…
MATERIAL Most papers are made from one of two substances. Cotton is the most stable and so 100% cotton papers are perfect for finished artworks of a professional standard. Papers made from wood pulp, meanwhile, are a good economical choice, particularly for prep work.
WEIGHT
The weight of paper is measured in pounds or grams per square metre (lbs or gsm). The medium you intend to use is a good guide to what weight to choose. Pencil drawings can be made on lighter papers, while 160gsm (75lb) is a good minimum for more expressive pastel work. Painting with water-based media requires heavier papers – either 300gsm (140lb) if you intend to stretch them or 425gsm (200lb) and above if you don’t.
able to make. HP or “hot pressed” is the smoothest surface, ideal for precise marks and a more realist finish. Rough is self-explanatory, the most textured surface available and one designed to maximise the granulation properties of watercolour paint as it settles in the tooth of the paper. “Cold pressed” or NOT paper (literally meaning “not hot pressed”) is a midpoint between the two, a good all-rounder.
PRODUCTION TEXTURE Surface texture has a direct bearing on the marks you are
Top paper manufacturers will often state whether a paper is “mould made” or “machine
made”. The former are more stable, often heavier papers, easily spotted by their deckle edges and sometimes even a watermark. The latter are usually cheaper and boast a more uniform texture.
FORMAT Good quality paper is obviously available in either sketchbooks or individual sheets, although it is worth considering paper blocks if you intend to use water-based media. The sheets in these blocks are glued down on all sides, saving the need to stretch the paper before you paint.
Artists & Illustrators 9
