Different
Papers
In this section, you’ll be introduced to a variety of papers. The surfaces of each paper are demon-
strated visually in the photographs. The marks on the papers give you a “feel” for the different tex-
tures. However, when you buy your paper, make sure you feel its surface. This helps you to
understand how your drawing tool of choice will react to the surface’s roughness or smoothness,
hardness or softness. The marks shown in these examples are made using (from top to bottom)
the side and point/tip of a small piece of charcoal, the side and point/tip of a stick of conté, and the
side and point/tip of a graphite pencil.
PAPERS WITH SURFACES THAT GRAB OR
GLIDE
This paper is rougher. The line does not flow so easily and
continuously. Think about the subject matter you are drawing
and how it is suited to the surface you are using. If you want
to draw a subject with fine detail and the quality of the line is
important to you, you should use a smooth paper. If, how-
ever, you will not be concentrating on fine detail but an
overview of the subject, then a less smooth paper will best
suit that need. There are no hard and fast rules; just be aware
of the possibilities, and always experiment.
NEWSPRINT PAPER
Newsprint is the most economical paper to use and is avail-
able in pads. This is not the best-quality paper, but it is great
for practicing. It comes in large sizes and gives you a great
sense of freedom while drawing. As you can see from the
examples using the side of the tools only, it has a very
smooth surface. If this is a drawing that you want to keep,
do not use charcoal or pastel, or any other soft medium
on this surface.
SKETCH BOOKS AND PAPER ROLLS
You can buy your paper in sketch books or in big rolls of
paper. With ring-bound sketch books, it is easier to detach
the paper from the ring rather than tear it out of the book.
Rolls of paper enable you to determine the exact size of the
piece you want. A smooth paper is shown here. There is no
interruption from the surface of the paper to disrupt the
drawn lines.