Choosing the right art paper is crucial for the success and longevity of your artwork, as the ideal choice depends largely on your chosen medium and the desired durability of your piece. Matching the paper's weight and characteristics to your artistic tools and techniques ensures the best results.
Understanding Art Paper Basics
The world of art paper can seem vast, but a fundamental starting point is understanding paper weight and its intended use. Paper weight indicates its thickness and sturdiness, directly influencing how it performs with different art media, especially when wet or heavily worked.
Choosing by Paper Weight (GSM/LBS)
Paper weight is commonly measured in two ways:
- GSM (grams per square meter): This is a universal metric measurement, indicating the density of the paper. Higher GSM means thicker, heavier paper.
- LBS (pounds): This is a traditional American measurement, referring to the weight of 500 sheets of a specific paper size. Higher LBS also means thicker, heavier paper.
The general rule is: the heavier the paper, the more robust it is and the better it can withstand various art techniques, especially those involving moisture or heavy layering.
Here’s a guide to common paper weights and their recommended uses:
| Weight (GSM) | Weight (LBS) | Recommended Use |
|---|---|---|
| 40 gsm | 25 lbs | Tracing paper |
| 75-90 gsm | 50-60 lbs | Sketching or practice paper (dry media only – pencils, charcoal, pastels) |
| 100-130 gsm | 70-80 lbs | Drawing paper |
| 150-270 gsm | 92-180 lbs | Heavyweight drawing paper, Bristol board, mixed media papers |
Let's delve deeper into each category:
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Lightweight (40 gsm / 25 lbs): Papers in this range, like tracing paper, are translucent and designed for overlays, transferring designs, or making quick preliminary sketches. They are not suitable for heavy drawing or wet media.
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Medium-Lightweight (75-90 gsm / 50-60 lbs): This is your go-to for sketching and practice. It's perfect for everyday use with dry media only, such as pencils, charcoal, graphite, and light pastel work. These papers offer a good balance of economy and performance for initial ideas and studies.
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Mid-Weight (100-130 gsm / 70-80 lbs): Considered standard drawing paper, this weight provides more durability than sketching paper. It can handle more intensive dry media applications and light ink work without buckling or tearing easily. It's a versatile choice for finished drawings.
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Heavyweight (150-270 gsm / 92-180 lbs): For more demanding projects, heavyweight drawing paper, Bristol board, or mixed media papers are essential. These papers are thick and sturdy, making them suitable for:
- Mixed media: Can withstand light washes, markers, inks, and even some acrylic paints without significant warping or bleed-through.
- Detailed dry media: Provides a robust surface for layering and blending pencils, charcoal, and pastels.
- Bristol board: Known for its smooth, hard surface, it's excellent for detailed ink drawings, markers, and airbrushing.
Matching Paper to Your Medium
The interaction between your chosen art medium and the paper's characteristics is paramount. Different media require different levels of absorbency, texture, and structural integrity from the paper.
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For Dry Media:
- Pencils, Charcoal, Graphite, Pastels: Lighter to mid-weight papers (75-130 gsm) are generally suitable. The paper's texture (tooth) becomes important here; a slight tooth helps capture and hold the pigment. For intensive layering or blending, moving towards heavier drawing paper or even mixed media papers (150-270 gsm) can offer more durability and prevent surface degradation.
- Example: A 90 gsm paper is excellent for initial charcoal sketches, while a 150 gsm drawing paper is better for a finished, layered pastel piece.
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For Wet and Mixed Media:
- Ink, Markers, Light Washes, Acrylics: You will need a heavyweight paper (150-270 gsm), specifically designated as "mixed media paper" or a suitable Bristol board. These papers are designed to prevent buckling when wet, minimize bleed-through, and withstand layers of liquid media. Their sizing and composition help the paint or ink sit on the surface rather than soaking in too quickly.
- Example: When working with alcohol markers or light watercolor washes, a 200 gsm mixed media paper will perform significantly better than a standard 100 gsm drawing paper.
Tips for Selecting the Right Art Paper
- Always Consider Your Medium First: This is the most crucial step. What you plan to create will dictate the necessary paper characteristics.
- Think About Your Technique: Are you planning heavy layering, erasing, or using a lot of water? These factors will push you towards heavier, more resilient papers.
- Don't Be Afraid to Experiment: If you're unsure, try a small pad of a new paper type. What works for one artist might not perfectly suit another's style. You can find many guides on choosing art supplies.
By understanding paper weight and its direct impact on how your chosen medium performs, you can make informed decisions that elevate your artwork.
