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Chapter 4: Sketchbooks and Drawing Papers 33
Picking out drawing paper is a scary task for even the most experienced artists. To further confuse artists, almost every store with an arts or crafts department carries some type of drawing paper. Some papers are great for drawing and others are not.
In this chapter, I tell you about the textures, sizes, and weights of various drawing papers so you can make wise choices when you go shopping. You examine artworks done on different papers to give you an idea of how a paper can affect the look of a drawing. I also explain how artists (not dentists) protect the tooth of paper.
ArtSpeak
Tooth refers to the surface texture of paper. Paper with a smooth tooth is fl at and silky; medium tooth has a slightly uneven texture; and rough tooth is bumpy with lots of craters and peaks.
Figures 401 to 403 show you highly magnifi ed views of shading with a 6B pencil on papers with a smooth, medium, and rough tooth.
Figure 401: Printer paper with a smooth tooth.
Figure 403:
Watercolor paper with a rough tooth.
Figure 402:
Drawing paper with a medium tooth.
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Drawing Papers during the Renaissance
Shopping for drawing papers is no doubt a challenge. However, can you imagine having to make your own drawing paper?
During the Renaissance, drawing papers were handmade. This time-consuming process included the following seven basic steps:
Materials such as plants, vegetable matter, and rags were chopped up into fi bers.
Water was then added to create a soupy mixture.
The mixture was scooped up with a screen and placed into a wooden mold.
The mold was shaken until most of the water drained through the screen, leaving a fl attened layer of fi bers.
Flattened sheets of fi bers 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 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.
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ArtSpeak
Texture refers to the surface detail of an object. The type of texture can be identifi ed with vision, a sense of touch, and a general knowledge of the object.
Figure 304: Short fur (as on cats) is soft and silky.
Figure 306: A single drop of liquid can appear so shiny that it almost sparkles.
Figure 305: A child’s knit sweater is bumpy and soft.
Check up on Tooth (without a Dentist!)
The more tooth a paper has, the rougher it feels. Some artists like smooth drawing paper, others prefer very rough paper, and many prefer paper that is somewhere in between.
In this section, I discuss the tooth of three common types of paper. I also show you how a paper’s tooth can infl uence the look of a drawing.
The surface of a smooth tooth
The surface of smooth tooth papers (that are designed specifi cally for artists), feels
relatively even and silky, but is not shiny. Artists who prefer drawing highly detailed subjects often choose papers with a smooth tooth.
The realistic drawing of a cat in Figure 407 was rendered with graphite on a professional- quality, smooth watercolor paper.
Figure 407: A detailed drawing of Bill the cat on smooth paper.
His beautiful coat of striped fur looks very soft.
Chapter 4: Sketchbooks and Drawing Papers 35
Big smile for a medium tooth
Medium tooth papers are ideal for most drawing subjects.
They work beautifully for creating a full range of values and lots of different textures.
Figure 408: Sketchbook paper with a medium tooth is perfect for capturing the texture of an owl’s feathers.
Many
sketchbooks have paper with a medium tooth and are a fantastic choice for beginners.
T I P ! T I P !
Stay away from papers with a glossy surface!
Smooth drawing paper is wonderful, but glossy paper is just plain awful. Glossy paper is toothless, and therefore too smooth for graphite or charcoal to properly stick to it.
Textures on a rough tooth
Rough paper is terrible for tiny detailed drawings, but ideal for sketching on large sheets of paper. Fun patterns and textures often appear when the peaks of the paper grab the graphite, and some craters show through as white.
The peaks and craters of rough watercolor paper helped create the wonderful textured shading in Figures 410 and 411.
Chapter 4: Sketchbooks and Drawing Papers 37
ArtSpeak
Acid-free refers to a high-quality and long-lasting paper that has had the acid removed from the pulp in the papermaking process.
Drawings can be ruined when papers with acid deteriorate and turn yellow. Drawing books and papers often have labels that tell you the paper is acid-free.
Hot pressed refers to a paper that is pressed through hot cylinders during its manufacture. Many smooth watercolor papers are hot pressed.
Hardcover refers to a durable type of book cover that is made from a
thick and unbendable material. He (or she) who works with his hands is a laborer.
He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.
He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.
Saint Francis of Assisi
Art Quote
Figure 409: A hardcover sketchbook protects your papers and drawings from being wrinkled.
Softcover describes a fl exible book cover that is usually made of paper. Softcover sketchbooks are inexpensive, however, you need to handle them carefully so the paper doesn’t wrinkle.
WARNING!
Stay away from acid!
Don’t be fooled by cheap imitations of good- quality drawing paper. Before you buy a sketchbook, look for a label that says the paper is acid-free. Just because the cover of a sketchbook says it’s suitable for drawing doesn’t mean it’s acid-free.
Sketchbooks and Papers
Art supply stores sell individual sheets of papers that are designed specifi cally for drawing.
A sketchbook has several sheets of drawing paper in a book format.
The quality, size, and weight of paper, are much more important than whether you purchase individual sheets or a sketchbook (or both).
Figure 411: A close-up view shows how rough paper can help render the texture of a tree trunk.
Figure 410:
The bumpy, jagged textures of trees are captured on watercolor paper with a rough tooth.
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My favorite drawing paper is Arches, 100% cotton, acid- free, hot pressed watercolor paper with a 140 lb weight.
The surface works
beautifully for most drawing media and all subjects. As an extra perk, this paper is similar to that used by the masters during the late Renaissance.
Softcover, hardcover, or sheets?
Even though softcover sketchbooks are
relatively inexpensive, the paper can be easily wrinkled and damaged. Softcover sketchbooks have to be carefully stored on a fl at surface.
A hardcover sketchbook is much more durable, and protects the paper inside. As an extra perk, the hard cover provides a solid surface on which to work when you’re away from your desk or table.
Individual sheets of drawing paper need to be stored on a fl at surface inside a hard-sided portfolio.
Weighing in on paper
The “weight” of paper describes 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.
Figure 412: A small sampling of drawing papers and sketchbooks.
Chapter 4: Sketchbooks and Drawing Papers 39
T I P ! T I P !
Always take good care of a paper’s tooth!
The tooth of any paper can be easily destroyed by pressing too hard on its surface with your pencil.
If your shading begins to look shiny, the tooth is fl attened beyond repair. Additional shading will no longer hold fast to the paper’s surface.
So, remember to apply only a little bit of pressure to your pencil when you draw.
Avoid pressing too hard when you want darker shading - switch to a softer B pencil instead.
For example, inexpensive, everyday printer paper has a 20 lb (75 g/m²) weight and therefore is too thin (and too smooth) for drawing.
Heavy Arches drawing paper has a 140 lb (300 g/m²) weight and is perfect for drawing masterpieces.
However, it’s much too expensive for everyday use.
A professional-quality paper for everyday use should have at least a 50 lb (260 g/m²) weight.
The weight of a paper is usually marked on the packaging or front cover. You can also feel the paper to make sure it’s thick.
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Are you tired of reading yet?
Keep going - by the end of Chapter 6, you’ll know all you need to know about drawing supplies.
In Chapter 7, I give you a checklist so you know exactly what you need to buy (or fi nd at home).
In Chapter 9, you fi nally have a chance to pick up a pencil and begin drawing!
Larger is not always better
Choose a sketchbook or drawing papers in a size that is easy to transport when you travel.
However, stay away from
sketchbooks under 9 by 12 inches or your drawing options become too limited.
On the other hand, most large sketchbooks (over 16 by 20 inches) are softcover. Hence, if you prefer making large drawings, you need to store the sketchbook on a large, hard surface to prevent the paper from bending.
Individual sheets of paper (Figure 413) come in many sizes. A really big sheet can be cut down into smaller sheets. Some types are inexpensive and others can be quite costly.
Figure 413: A large sheet of drawing paper can be attached to a drawing board with clamps.
T I P ! T I P !
Check before you buy!
Check out art supply, stationery, and department stores in your community to fi nd out what types of drawing paper are available.
Then, you can select the best type of paper for your needs (and budget!).
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5
Adding to the Basics