How to Find the Best Paper for Graphite Pencil Drawing?

There are plenty of drawing paper options for artists, but how do you decide which one to use? It’s a frequent query, especially among those kids who are just beginners, to start drawing via online drawing classes for kids. Let’s explore the preferred papers for graphite pencil drawings.

What to look for in a drawing paper

A kid will need durable paper that can withstand frequent erasing and working if they want to create intricate, realistic graphite pencil drawings. In order to give the appearance of smooth surfaces like glass, metal, or skin, it should also have a fine texture. The gritty texture of most sketching paper will work against them.

A drawing paper like the Strathmore Series 400 is a fantastic place to start for graphite drawings with a moderate level of realism. Most of the online drawing classes for kids suggest this as it will produce good outcomes for the kids without costing a fortune. But because it’s off-white, it won’t provide the crisp highlights one needs for truly crisp realism.

Stonehenge paper is worth the extra cost for tonal drawings, especially those with a lot of dark tones. Since the surface of this one is softer, it doesn’t require a lot of tweaking, but one will need to erase it carefully. Although it’s a pleasure to draw with, the delicate, velvety teeth hold the medium quite well.

Give Bristol Board a Try

For realist tonal drawings, many seasoned artists prefer bristol board to paper. The surfaces are smooth, sturdy, and durable. A velour surface will allow for richer darks while still giving a faintly perceptible roughness, whilst a plated finish is appropriate for very fine detail and exact lines.

Try both options to decide which works best for your preferred drawing style. If a kid is suggested in online drawing classes for kids to use a plate finish Strathmore Series 500 Bristol Board, then they will be more prominent with their sketching.

Watercolour Paper

Some realist artists also like hot-pressed watercolour paper as a popular option. However, a kid as a beginner does need to use caution.

Some watercolour papers are too big and slippery, which makes them unsuitable for gripping the pencil graphite. However, a watercolour paper of the smallest possible size will have good teeth and a smooth surface without the slickness of Bristol Plate. Try hot pressing with Fabriano Artistico Extra White or Arches Bright White. Many online drawing classes for kids suggest their students to use watercolour paper once they have set their hands on basic drawing skills.

Explore your options

When a kid first starts drawing, the options for paper and pencils can be confusing. When it comes to making a conclusion, online drawing classes for kids can assist to choose the right option. Which paper will be more suitable for your kids is more crucial.

Finding the ideal paper for a kid may take some time, and as they go along, it’s likely that they will change their mind several times. Start with one of those harder pieces because it’s typical for new painters to erase a lot of their work. They are excellent for honing techniques and are very forgiving of errors.

As confidence grows, one can add to their collection of papers and consider alternative possibilities. After some practice, they will be able to choose the ideal type of paper for each drawing depending on the impact you’re trying to achieve.