The reader who asked today’s question wants to know about the best surfaces for colored pencils.
I am fairly new to colored pencil work and I … would greatly appreciate some guidance as to the best papers or surfaces to use for colored pencil work.
Thank you for your consideration to this request.
This reader is not the only new artist who has asked about the best paper for colored pencils.
Unfortunately, I can’t name one paper that works best for every artist, every style of drawing, and every method of drawing. There are just too many variables.
There are so many different drawing methods and styles the paper, that what works for me may not work for others. The best paper for you is the paper that gives you the results you want, and fits your budget.
So I’m going to address it from two points of view: Craft art and fine art. I’ll also offer general suggestions on what to look for and a few things to avoid.
The Best Surfaces for Colored Pencils
Craft Art
Craft art includes adult coloring books, greeting cards, art trading cards, stamping, and so on. Short-term art that doesn’t need to be archival to be useful or marketable. I also include art you make for your own enjoyment in this category.
Adult coloring books are usually printed on inexpensive drawing paper, so you have no choice in the paper unless you print the pages yourself. Coloring books printed on better paper are available, but the improved quality costs more.
Blank greeting card stock comes in a variety of qualities. Canson and Strathmore are two well-known paper companies that also sell artist-quality blank card stock. Other companies sell less expensive card stock, so you can pick and choose, and try different papers until you find one that works well for you.
Strathmore makes a line of drawing papers ranging from newsprint, which isn’t archival, to high-quality drawing paper. Many other paper manufacturers also make different grades of paper.
Beyond that, any pad of good drawing paper will allow you to do what you need or want to do as far as craft art. I don’t do craft art, so recommend you try a few different papers and see what you like best. Buy small pads for the best buys and least expense.
Fine Art
Fine art includes portraits and other types of commission art, exhibit art, and art you want to sell. Artwork in this category needs to last a long time without fading or otherwise deteriorating, so you need the most archival paper you can afford.
Look for papers that are high-quality. Usually that means non-acidic.
You should also opt for papers made from cotton fibers, since those fibers are the strongest and longest lasting. Avoid papers made from cellulose fibers.
I prefer papers that are sturdy. 98lb paper is about the lightest I’ll use for fine art applications. Stonehenge and Canson Mi-Teintes are both 98-pound papers and are sturdy enough to stand up under solvents and watercolor pencils in moderate amounts.
Stonehenge, Canson, Strathmore and others all make papers that are sturdy and archival. Some of them also come in a variety of colors so you don’t have to always work on white.
What to Look for in Drawing Surfaces for Colored Pencils
Surface Texture
The first thing most of us think of when we consider drawing paper is the surface texture. Most drawing papers are quite smooth. Stonehenge has a velvety feel if you buy full sheets. Canson Mi-Teintes is more textured. But there are also sanded art papers that might fit your drawing style and preferences better than regular drawing papers.
For example, I’ve used Stonehenge and Canson Mi-Teintes for years, but my most recent work has been on sanded art paper of one type or another and I’m moving away from previous favorites.
Weight
The weight of a paper refers to its thickness. A 98lb paper is thinner than a 120lb paper.
Thicker papers can usually handle more abuse. They take more layers of color, and can often be more easily erased. So if you do a lot of layering, look for papers that are sturdy enough to stand up under lots of layers.
Heavier papers are also helpful if you draw with a naturally heavy hand, or if you like to use heavy pressure with just a few layers of color.
Ability to Handle Dampness
Some papers buckle or tear when they get wet. If you want to use solvents to blend, stay away from these types of paper.
Most good drawing papers stand up well if you use small amounts of solvent to blend. I know you can dampen Stonehenge a little, and it dries flat when taped to a rigid support before you dampen it.
Other papers don’t perform well with even small amounts of solvent.
Drawing Surfaces to Avoid
Avoid drawing surfaces that are too thin. Newsprint is good for sketching, but not suitable for long-term colored pencil work. It yellows with age and often gets brittle.
If you want to do fine art as defined above, avoid papers made with cellulose fibers. Yes, cellulose-based papers are less expensive, but they not as archival as cotton fiber-based paper. These papers are great for craft art.
How to Find the Best Surfaces for Colored Pencils
You have essentially two options for finding the best surfaces for your colored pencil work.
The first is to ask other artists who are doing work similar to what you want to do. Most of them will be happy to help you, and some will already have produced articles or videos talking about their favorite papers.
The second option (and the best in my opinion) is to try as many papers as you can afford. It won’t take long to discover which paper gives you the best results. For more tips on this subject, read Getting Started with Colored Pencils.
