Someone recently asked, “What are your favorite smooth drawing papers?”
That’s an excellent question, and deserving of an answer.
I’ve talked a lot about the pencils I use and how I use them, but haven’t spent much time talking about my favorite drawing papers. I’ve been remiss, so thank you for asking!
Since I enjoy working on a range of surface textures, I’m going to focus on smooth drawing papers in this post.
My Favorite Smooth Drawing Papers
My favorite smooth drawing papers are Stonehenge and Strathmore Artagain Drawing Paper.
Stonehenge is my all-time favorite smooth paper. I have tried and used other smooth papers with success, but I always seem to come back to Stonehenge when I want to use smooth paper. So that’s where I’ll begin.
Stonehenge
With Stonehenge, I usually use white. It does come in light colors (tan, light blue, etc.) and I do sometimes use those for special projects. This portrait was one of the first I drew on Stonehenge paper.
I mention the name “Rising Stonehenge” because that was the original Stonehenge. The word “Rising” refers to the mill where it was made. That paper was velvety and colored pencils took to it like bees to flowers.
The light earth tone shades of Stonehenge are personal favorites for doing sketches with one or two colors. I occasionally used black, and although black papers aren’t usually my first choices, there is definitely a place for black Stonehenge.
Fawn is another color that works very well for my favorite subjects (horses and landscapes.) I’ve also used Pearl Gray and Natural.
Stonehenge is available in 90 lb. and 120 lb. in full sheets, several sizes of pads, and in rolls.
One neat thing about Stonehenge: If you get it damp, it will wrinkle or buckle, but if you let it dry lying flat, it dries out and the buckling disappears.
There is sometimes a difference between the surface quality of Stonehenge in the sheets and Stonehenge in the pad. The padded variety feels more like Bristol than a printmaking paper. If you’re new to Stonehenge, get it in the sheet first. That will give you the best sense of what the paper is like.
The pads are also quality paper, but it won’t take as many layers.
See the selection of Stonehenge papers at Dick Blick.
Strathmore Artagain Recycled Paper
A paper I use on a more limited basis is Strathmore Artagain Drawing Paper. The unique thing about this paper is that it’s made from 30% post consumer material. It’s a 60 lb. paper with visible fibers that make it ideal for vignette style drawings. The surface is quite a bit “harder” than Stonehenge, so colored pencil behaves a little differently on it. However, it can handle a lot of layers as well as drawing detail. But it doesn’t stand up to moisture very well.
It’s ideal for quick sketching, though. I used it almost exclusively one year when I was doing and selling on-site quick draws at local horse shows.
Flannel White is the lightest color available. I’ve used it and Beachsand Ivory most often, but have also used Moonstone upon occasion. This drawing is on Beachsand Ivory.
See the selection of Strathmore Artagain at Dick Blick.
Conclusion
These are my two favorite smooth drawing papers. If you’re looking for paper, these are good papers to try.
They are not the only smooth papers I’ve used. Bristol is a semi-favorite, and I’ve also had success with papers such as Legion Cotton, but Stonehenge Aqua.
But nine times out of ten, when I want to do something on smooth paper, I reach for Stonehenge or Artagain.
Sign up for Carrie’s free weekly newsletter and be among the first to know when she publishes new articles.
I really need to find time to check out your tutorials a bit more. I’m an ALMOST 63 year old man who’s been disabled in my legs & feet almost 10 years now. I get hired out once in awhile to draw what I call ”portraitures” [half portrait/half caricature] for others.
Richard,
Let me know if you have any questions after checking out the tutorials.
Your line of work (portraitures) sounds interesting. What methods and paper are you using?
Carrie
Carrie,
I’ve used the Canson Mi Tientes and found it to be thin without much tooth and I could not build layers with it. I hope you post how the thicker paper works for you, maybe things have changed since I used it. I have had a lot of success with different brands of watercolor paper and Bristol Board in addition to the Stonehenge. I love your work!
Barbara
Barbara,
The first time I used Canson Mi Tientes, I didn’t like it for the same reasons you cite. After buying new colors, I found small pieces of those original sheets and I can tell you the old paper is thinner than the new. I don’t know if that’s because the paper has been changed, or if I just bought a heavier weight paper.
I’m planning a demo of some sort on Canson, so stay tuned.
I have used Arches HOT pressed paper with charcoal and it give a wonderful
range of effects from really soft black to soft grays. I love, love love it !
Cathi,
Hot press watercolor paper can be used with colored pencils, too, and produce beautiful results. It’s ideal for using colored pencils with solvent blending or in combination with water soluble colored pencils.
Thank you for reading and for leaving a leave.
Carrie