There are almost endless options available for selecting paper for your drawing or painting. Whether you are a professional artist or hoping to become one or a hobbyist spending an evening painting or drawing you will want to educate yourself on the types of paper available for your project.

Quality

The quality of paper that you use depends on what you plan to do with it. If you are going to take the time to paint or draw a work that you want to keep, then you should use an archival grade paper. If you are doing quick studies and sketches for reference material or if you are just warming up and doing drawing exercises a cheap non-archival paper will do and is great for children to use. Archival papers will generally be 100% cotton rag, linen, cotton/linen or will have some indication on the label or stamped in the corner that says ph-neutral, acid free, museum or archival. Paper that has wood pulp or is made from post consumer materials and other recycled material is not archival and should not be used for permanent works.

Weight

90 to 500 pound weight is the general range and refers to the weight of 500 sheets of paper. Therefore if 500 sheets weighs 90lbs then you are buying 90 weight paper (each piece of 90 weight paper weighs .18 lbs. and each piece of 500 weight paper weighs 1lb.)

A common mid weight is 140 pound but needs to be stretched if using water media. Anything lighter is generally used for quick sketches and student use. 90 lb weight is a common student weight and also needs to be stretched before painting. Of the heavier weights, 300 lb is a nice rigid paper. The heavier weights are a bit pricey but if you want to use a heavier medium and thicker paint they will hold up really well.

Surface Textures

There are primarily three surface textures. Cold press has a bumpy texture rough is an aggressive bumpy texture and hot press has a silky smooth texture. Surface texture is a personal style preference but cold press is probably the most commonly used for watercolor and hot press is commonly used for ink drawing.

Drawing Paper for Pen and Ink

Vellum, parchment, illustration board, Bristol board, Bristol paper and cold pressed paper are all papers with a very smooth finish suitable for drawing with graphite, pen, markers and color pencils. They are also used in print making.

True vellum and parchment, used in old documents and texts, are made from animal skins and has to be stored in a stable environment. Vellum and parchment that you buy in art supply stores is not true vellum and parchment but rather vellum and parchment paper. There are different weights and translucent qualities from a variety of manufacturers. You can buy vellum and parchment of archival quality. Vellum also refers to finish - you may see paper labeled vellum that is not translucent at all but rather has a very smooth vellum finish.

Bristol board and illustration board are heavier weight multi-ply papers and boards with a variety of finishes. Bristol board has a double surface that can be used on either side and generally illustration board does not. Smooth surfaces are more typical for illustration and printing. Textured board (cold press) is also available for applications such as charcoal, pencil and pastels.

If you are in an art supply store your should be able to depend on the staff to educate you and help you make decisions. Don’t be shy about asking questions. Don’t be embarrassed to let them know you are just starting out. They should be delighted to share their knowledge. If you are going to a craft store it will be unlikely that you will be able to depend on the staff for much information but on the other hand you may get better prices and sales on paper.

Other articles on art supplies, techniques and art history:

How To Make a Block Print: Wood Cut and Linoleum Cut

Different Types Of Clay Used In Art

Creating Handmade Paper Pulp In Your Kitchen

Mold Making For Casting Handmade Paper Pulp

Renaissance Men: Michelangelo And Leonardo Da Vinci

Art History Lesson for Children: Realism and Impressionism

Art Supplies and Material: Thrift Stores Are a Resource for Artists