The Best Drawing Paper For Graphite Pencil
Reviews of the Best To Worst Drawing Paper With Examples
The surface of the paper determines the fineness of detail and the range of value a draftsperson is able to create. Over the years, I have used several different kinds of paper for my graphite drawings and have found each one to be unique. Here are my reviews of several of them.
- •Name of the paper takes you to the review.
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Best Drawing Paper - I think these brands are the best available in the US for graphite pencil drawing.
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 Arches Hotpress Watercolor Paper
This is a tough paper with a smooth surface that can stand multiple erasures. It holds blacks beautifully and you can create smooth gradations on it. I work with my entire range of pencils on this paper - from 9H to 9B. It's available in individual sheets and various sized watercolor blocks.
The Enchanted Tree was drawn on this paper and I was able to create very fine detail.
Arches is made of 100% cotton and is archival quality paper.
Arches Bright White Watercolor Paper At Dick Blick
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 Stonehenge Paper
Stonehenge has a smooth and somewhat soft surface. I use soft leads when I draw on this one.
The surface is smoother than Arches hotpress but it's much more delicate and gouges easily. You have to apply several layers of hatching to create very dark blacks on this paper, but it can be done. It's available in individual sheets and various sized paper pads.
Walnuts and Amaretto was drawn on this pape, and you can see the level of detail I was able to create on it.
Stonehenge is made of 100% cotton, archival quality paper and is very inexpensive.
Stonehenge Paper At Dick Blick
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 Strathmore 400 Series Pastel Paper
Since it's meant for pastels, this paper has a very obvious texture to it but not as pronounced as Canson Mi-Teintes. (Reviewed below.) Using the right technique, it is possible to produce very dark blacks and fine smooth details on it.
This paper works very well for portraits, landscapes, and other situations where the texture can add interest to the drawing. Additionally, it comes in several light pastel colors that work well with graphite.
Even though this paper is tempting in many ways, please be aware that the texture will show up in photographs and scans of the piece which can be a problem if the illustration is to be used for publication.
Strathmore 400 Series Pastel Paper Pads at Dick Blick
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Good Drawing Paper - The following paper brands work well for pencil drawing in some circumstances.
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 Strathmore 400 Series Medium Surface Drawing Paper
I like this paper very much. It's off-white and the texture is a little rough. It makes a good quick sketching paper because of that roughness. You can't get bogged down with too many details when the paper you're using won't let you draw them! That makes it easier to concentrate on overall form and value. This paper erases well, too, and that allows you to pull out highlights easily.
Strathmore Drawing Paper is acid-free but not archival.
Strathmore 400 Drawing Paper at Dick Blick.
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 Canson Classic Cream Drawing Paper
I sketched these three onions on Canson Classic Cream Drawing Paper which I think is a pretty good paper for quick, rough sketching. For comparison, the texture is a little less rough than the Strathmore 400 Drawing Paper that I reviewed above.
I only used one pencil, a B, on this sketch. I've found that on somewhat rough papers like this one, you can create darker values with harder pencils because the grain captures the lead so well. So, if you didn't want to bother with packing up a lot of supplies for a sketching expedition, a pad of this paper, a medium soft pencil, an eraser, and a sharpener would be all that you'd need.
Canson Drawing Paper is acid-free but not archival.
Canson Drawing Paper At Dick Blick
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 Strathmore 500 Series Drawing Paper
An interesting paper for drawing furred animals. It holds dense blacks very well but you have to work very hard to create a good range of mid tones by using different pencil grades and many layers of hatching. I find it too rough for any subject that does not have fur or a heavily textured surface. .
Strathmore 500 Series Drawing Paper is archival quality.
(This paper is still made but it's very hard to find.)
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Strathmore 500 Series Illustration Board (Same review as above.)
This is the Strathmore Drawing paper reviewed above but placed on thick archival board.
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 Strathmore 500 Series Plate Finish Bristol Board
This paper is almost too smooth for most drawings. While you can create very delicate and smooth textures on it like flower petals, creating dense black takes patience. It can be done but it takes several layers of soft lead to achieve.
The dragon and lamb were created on this paper. The illustration was made for a book and the image scanned and printed very well.
Strathmore 500 Series Bristol Board is archival quality.
Strathmore 500 Series Bristol Board At Dick Blick
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 Strathmore 400 Series Smooth Surface Bristol Board
Strathmore's 400 Series Bristol Board has a somewhat uneven surface tooth that can look blotchy when blended. It is possible to work out the blotches and make a smooth tone, but it takes time.
The Christmas Cactus flower was drawn on this paper.
Strathmore 400 Series Bristol Board is acid free but not archival.
Strathmore 400 Bristol Board At Dick Blick.
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Poor Drawing Paper - I don't suggest using any of these papers for graphite pencil drawing.
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Arches Cover
Much too soft and does not erase well. |
Bienfang Raritan Heavyweight Drawing Paper
I cannot get this paper to accept dark blacks ... they just seem to fall off. |
Canson Mi-Teintes Drawing Paper
This paper has a very pronounced laid texture. It does not hold graphite well at all. Producing a deep black is impossible. |
Clayboard (Not a paper but thought I would mention it anyway.)
Much too smooth. It has almost no tooth at all. |
Lanaquarelle Hot Press Watercolor Paper
Another paper with fibers that become noticeable as it's worked. Somewhat worse than Arches but not as bad as Rives BFK. |
Rives BFK
Hundreds of fibers rise as this paper is worked. Then they break off making a terrible mess. |
