Drawing Medium: Paper

Photo by Ashley West Edwards on Unsplash

Starting with the most basic of the creative techniques: drawing. Last week I discussed the different kinds of pencils that can be used for drawing. This week, we’ll discuss paper. Newcomers can be overwhelmed by all the choices. Honestly, when starting out, just go to your local big box store and buy a basic sketchbook. Once you’ve gotten a bit more comfortable, it’s time to step up your materials. No matter what medium you chose, the paper you draw on will play an important role in the success of the finished work.

Paper comes in a variety of surfaces, colors, and textures. Most paper is made from wood pulp and numerous plant fibers. Plants and trees have cell walls made of cellulose. This cellulose is the substance that makes their stems, leaves, and branches strong. In papermaking, the higher the cellulose content of the raw materials, the stronger the paper will be. 

Paper weight is measured in pounds per ream (lb) or grams per square meter (gsm). The lightest papers are 22-34lb (35-55gsm) and include newsprint and tracing paper. The paper in sketchpads are often 50-60lb (75-90gsm). Paper weighing 166lb (300gsm) or greater is heavy enough to use with wet media, like watercolor. Some heavyweight paper is made of 100 percent cotton and is preferred for permanent artwork. It’s sturdy and can take a lot of marking and erasing without damage.

Another consideration when choosing paper is texture. The texture, or “tooth” has a direct influence on the character and appearance of the drawn marks. For powdery drawing media such as pastel, charcoal, and chalk it’s best to use an uncoated, unpressed paper with plenty of natural tooth. Artists creating bold works often use rough textured paper to emphasize the drawn marks and actually make it a part of the drawing. For fine pencil and ink work, most artists prefer a smooth surface. Bristol board is made from two or more layers of paper bonded together to make a thick sheet. It has a smooth surface and is ideal for pen and ink.

Color is also a consideration for a lot of artists. The choice of color and tone can contribute to the overall look and feel of an artwork, and are best used with pastels and colored pencils. Toned papers provide a good middle ground to work up to the lights and down to the darks. It also helps with that intimidation that comes from starting with a plain, white sheet of paper.

If you’re really feeling ambitious, you can try your hand at making your own paper. For that, I would recommend starting with a paper-making kit. There are also numerous videos available to demonstrate the process.

And, as always, just get started! Don’t worry, no one’s watching. (If they are, unless it's positive, forbid them to comment.)