HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST ART PAPER?

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST ART PAPER?

Thanks to James Martin

Art teachers recommend that paper should be smooth and white with little or no tooth. The smoother the surface, the easier it is to achieve fine lines and detailed drawings.

However, paper that is smooth with a slight tooth often makes marks stand out on the page. 

While smoother surfaces are best for detailed work, some artists choose highly textured paper to create a variety of effects, from watercolor landscapes and abstract compositions.

Watercolor paper is a good choice for those who want to add color to their sketches. However, watercolor paper can be more expensive than other types of paper, so it might not be the best choice for everyone.

Another type of paper that can be used for sketching is Bristol board. Bristol board is a thick, sturdy paper that is good for creating detailed drawings. However, it can be difficult to erase mistakes on Bristol board, so it might not be the best choice for those who are just starting out.

What about the color tone of sketchbook paper? 

Some artists prefer to use bright white sketchbook paper so that they can add their own color later. Others prefer to use tan, brown, gray or even black paper so that they can create a more atmospheric drawing. 

An ideal all around choice is off-white or cream colored paper. Cream colored paper has a slight gold undertone that exaggerates the intensity of colors.

This is why painters often gray out a canvas or use an orange undercoat to unify a painting when the color behind shows through marks and brush strokes.

Ultimately, it is up to the artist to decide what type of paper or tone will work best for their needs.
Think about choosing art papers with surface qualities that match the effects you are after.

The best way to find the right type of paper for your needs is to experiment with different types of paper until you find the one that works best for you. There is no wrong type of art paper, so don't be afraid to experiment until you find the perfect fit.

Paper from Leda Art Supply

Leda Art Supply offers hot and cold-pressed watercolor paper pads. Artists can sample the very smooth, high quality hot pressed surface or textured cold pressed papers to see what they prefer.

Leda Sketchbooks are the best of both worlds - they offer a soft and smooth medium grade paper with just enough tooth for sketching, but also make it easy to layer colors on top.

The off white cream tone makes your artwork look more high end than you ever thought possible!