Choosing Drawing Paper

Choosing Drawing Paper

Question from Clayton, Drawing Academy student

Can you please tell me what paper should I use for artworks?

Cheers,
Clayton

Answers from Vladimir London, Drawing Academy Tutor

Hi Clayton,

You can use a common sense when choosing paper – use cheaper kinds for disposable preliminary drawings and sketches; for more involved pieces, use a higher-quality paper. Generally, these will be of a greater GSM (grams per square meter) and thus more expensive.

Try various tooth grains, ‘hot’ and ‘not’, white and tinted, for various purposes. Different papers are designed for different media. It is not advisable to use, for example, watercolor paper for graphite drawing, and vice versa.

With time, you will find certain brands that work well for you. This is the matter of personal preference and budget. Usually, local art suppliers stock a wide variety, so you don’t have to go hunting just to find some particular brand that you might have heard about from someone.

Every artist has his or her favorite techniques and media.

We do not advocate any specific brands. Advising a certain kind of paper for every case is like telling a chef to use a specific kind of pan for every dish : )

Cheers,
Vladimir

To learn how to draw skillfully,

Enroll in the Drawing Academy Course:
Three Monthly Installments
Pay for the course in 3 easy installments
  • Receive 15 new videos monthly (45 in total)
  • Incredible discount – $4,164
  • Bonuses - Fine Art eBooks and Videos
  • Drawing Academy Diploma of Excellence after course completion in 3 months
  • Personal coaching by Drawing Academy Tutors
  • Lifetime membership. Free after the 3rd month
Total cost: $291 USD (3 x $97)

Add to Cart

Complete Course - BEST VALUE
Get all video lessons for a one-time payment
  • Immediate access to all 45 video lessons
  • Incredible discount – $4,198
  • Bonuses - Fine Art eBooks and Videos
  • Drawing Academy Diploma of Excellence after course completion in 3 months
  • Personal coaching by Drawing Academy Tutors
  • Lifetime membership. No more payments
Total cost - Only $257 USD

Add to Cart

Categorized: Ask Tutors Questions

This Post Has 1 Comment

  1. gonzales julieta says:

    You are right, Vladimir, as time goes by when you draw you will see by experience the kind of paper you have to use. Choose the best quality paper coz it will give you a good quality drawing you will see ingenious choosing the right kind of paper.

Leave A Reply