This resource has three sections:

• Sketchbooks Versus Individual Sheets

• Deciding on a Paper Size• Weighing in on Paper

Picking out paper to draw on can be daunting for even experienced artists. Your choices include different types, weights, colors, textures, and sizes.

Some papers are great for quick sketches but not for detailed drawings, and some might look good at first, but will become yellow and brittle over time.

Figure out the type of drawing paper you need before you go shopping, so you don’t become overwhelmed by the selection.

Drawing paper: Acid-free paper that’s designed specifically for artists and is available in various weights, colors, textures, and sizes.Hardcover: A durable type of book cover made from a thick and unbendable material.Hot pressed: A type of paper that is pressed through hot cylinders during the manufacturing process. Many smooth watercolor papers are hot pressed.Portfolio of work: A body of work (such as drawings, paintings, and designs) created by an artist for self-promotion and/or to supplement applications for career advancement opportunities, such as educational applications or gallery exhibits.Portfolio: A hard-sided case in which artists transport and store paintings, drawings, sheets of drawing paper, and/or a collection of their artworks.Sketchbook: Several sheets of drawing paper that are bound together and contained within a soft or hard cover.Softcover: A flexible book cover that is usually made of paper.Storage portfolio: A hard-sided foldable case in which artists store drawings and sheets of drawing paper to protect them from damage.Texture: The surface details of an object that can be identified by sight, touch, and/or a general knowledge of the subject.

ArtSpeak

Sketchbooks and Drawing Papers

Choosing the right size, quality, and weight of drawing paper

Level: BeginnerFlesch-Kincaid Grade Level: 8.9Flesch-Kincaid Reading Ease: 60.1Drawspace Curriculum 1.1.R6 – 4 Pages and 4 Illustrations

ISBN 978-0-9878229-1-8Copyright © 2015 Drawspace Publishing and Brenda Hoddinott. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transferred, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic,

digital, mechanical, recording, photographing, photocopying, or otherwise, without the purchase of a licence from drawspace.com or the prior written consent of Brenda Hoddinott and Drawspace Publishing.

Art supply stores sell individual sheets of papers that are designed specifically for drawing, as well as sketchbooks that have many sheets of drawing paper in a book format.

However, the size, quality, and weight of the paper are much more important choices than whether you purchase individual sheets or a sketchbook (Figure 1).

Sketchbooks Versus Individual SheetsSketchbooks are available in softcover and hardcover. Softcover sketchbooks have to be carefully stored on a flat surface because the paper can be easily wrinkled and damaged.

A hardcover sketchbook is much more durable than a softcover one, and better protects the paper itself and your drawings (Figure 2).

Figure 2

Figure 1

Caution!

Newsprint can be used for quick, preliminary sketches or practicing drawing skills, but is not recommended for drawings you might like to keep. Sheets of newsprint or newsprint pages in a sketchbook are very thin, tear easily, and eventually yellow due to the high acidic content of the paper.

ArtSpeak

Newsprint: An inexpensive paper that is not acid-free and is generally used for printing newspapers. Weight of paper: The thickness of individual sheets of paper. Thin paper weighs very little but is easily torn and damaged. Thick paper is more durable than thin because it weighs more.

2 Drawspace Curriculum 1.1.R6: Sketchbooks and Drawing Papers

ISBN 978-0-9878229-1-8Copyright © 2015 Drawspace Publishing and Brenda Hoddinott. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transferred, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic,

digital, mechanical, recording, photographing, photocopying, or otherwise, without the purchase of a licence from drawspace.com or the prior written consent of Brenda Hoddinott and Drawspace Publishing.

As an extra perk, the hard cover provides a solid surface on which to work when you’re away from your desk or table.

As an Aside

Portfolios come in many different sizes and types, ranging from simple, inexpensive cardboard to high-quality expensive leather.

Individual sheets of drawing paper are available in oodles of different types, weights, colors, and textures.

They need to be kept on a flat surface such as a large shelf, or stored inside a large drawer, storage portfolio, or hard-sided portfolio (Figure 3).

Deciding on a Paper SizeChoose sketchbooks and drawing papers in sizes that are easy to transport when you travel. However, avoid sketchbooks or paper smaller than 9 by 12 in (23 by 30 cm) or your drawing options become too limited.

Most sketchbooks that are larger than 16 by 20 in (41 by 51 cm) are softcover and bend easily. When you draw in a large sketchbook, you need to place it on a large, hard surface to keep it rigid while you draw.

Another option is to tear out only one sheet at a time. A large sheet of drawing paper can be attached to a drawing board with a clamp (Figure 4).

Individual sheets of paper range in size and price. You might find it more economical to purchase a large sheet that can be cut down into smaller sheets as you need them.

Weighing in on PaperThin paper weighs very little but is easily torn and damaged. Thick paper weighs more and is therefore more durable, but is often more expensive.

Figure 3

Figure 4

3Drawspace Curriculum 1.1.R6: Sketchbooks and Drawing Papers

ISBN 978-0-9878229-1-8Copyright © 2015 Drawspace Publishing and Brenda Hoddinott. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transferred, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic,

digital, mechanical, recording, photographing, photocopying, or otherwise, without the purchase of a licence from drawspace.com or the prior written consent of Brenda Hoddinott and Drawspace Publishing.

Choosing the right paper means finding the right weight at the right price.

Printer paper that you use for your computer has a 20 lb (75 g/m²) weight. Even though the cost is low, it’s too thin (and too smooth) for drawing.

Heavy drawing paper, such as hot-pressed, watercolor paper made by Arches, has a 140 lb (300 g/m²) weight and is perfect for drawing masterpieces, but is much too expensive for everyday use.

A good compromise is a professional quality, acid-free paper with at least a 50 lb (260 g/m²) weight. The weight of the paper in a sketchbook is usually marked on the packaging or front cover.

Once you’ve tried a few different weights, you’ll find that you can simply feel a sheet of drawing paper to make sure it’s thick enough.

As an Aside

Drawing Papers during the RenaissanceShopping for drawing papers is a challenge ‒ but can you imagine having to make your own paper? During the Renaissance, every piece of paper was made by hand. This time-consuming process included the following seven basic steps:• Materials such as plants, vegetable matter,

and/or rags were chopped up into fine fibers. • Water was then added to create a soupy mix.• The mix was scooped up with a screen and

placed into a wooden mold. • The mold was shaken until most of the water

had drained through the screen leaving a flattened layer of fibers.

• Flattened sheets of fibers were stacked into a pile with a layer of woolen cloth or felt in between each.

• Most of the remaining moisture was squeezed out by pressing down very hard on the stack.

• The sheets of paper were then hung to dry.When completely dry, the paper was usually coated with a substance (such as a gelatin mixture) to make it suitable for drawing.

Caution!

Don’t be fooled by cheap imitations of high-quality drawing paper. Just because the cover of a sketchbook says it’s suitable for drawing doesn’t mean it’s acid-free. Before you buy a sketchbook, always look for a label that says the paper is acid-free.

4 Drawspace Curriculum 1.1.R6: Sketchbooks and Drawing Papers

ISBN 978-0-9878229-1-8Copyright © 2015 Drawspace Publishing and Brenda Hoddinott. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transferred, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic,

digital, mechanical, recording, photographing, photocopying, or otherwise, without the purchase of a licence from drawspace.com or the prior written consent of Brenda Hoddinott and Drawspace Publishing.

Tip!

Before you buy drawing paper, check out art supply stores, and also stationery and department stores in your community to find out what is available.