Walking through the sketch pad aisle at your arts and crafts store can be daunting, especially if you’re new to them. There are different brands, and different papers with words and numbers we may not understand. Within these sketch, pads are where you are going to find the best quality paper for your colored pencil creations.
The best paper for colored pencils is thick and has a texture that is designed to hold the color to the paper better for layering and adding depth to your drawing. Some companies market paper as colored-pencil specific, but Bristol paper, commonly sold, is a great alternative.
We will learn about the specific information on the cover of sketch pads to help you choose the best paper for colored pencils and discuss four of the common brands that produce the paper.
How do I know if the paper will be the best for my colored pencils?
There are three things to look at when determining which is the best paper for colored pencils: weight, tooth, and surface texture.
Weight
Simply put, the weight of paper, measured in pounds and grams, will let you know the performance quality of the paper. The lighter the paper weighs the thinner and less durable it is. Think of the difference between notebook paper and a greeting card.
When companies weigh paper they use a basic sheet size. The basis sheet size of the paper, measured in inches, is universal and varies depending on the specific type of paper being produced. Let’s look at an example.
The basis sheet size for Bristol paper is 22.5 x 28.5 inches. To determine the weight, a ream (500 sheets) of 22.5 x 28.5-inch paper is weighed and a calculation is used to determine the single sheet weight in pounds and grams.
Since paper comes in a variety of sizes, you might think that a 5×5 inch sheet of paper would weigh less than an 8×10 inch paper. The calculation used during the weighing process accounts for this. The weight of the paper is found near the bottom of the sketch pad cover. The best paper for colored pencils weighs 80-100 pounds.
Tooth and Surface Texture
Tooth
Texture and tooth are terms used interchangeably. When you compare paper that has a tooth with paper that doesn’t, the paper with a tooth feels rough. The best piece of paper for colored pencils is a tooth. This allows you to create layers of color and add depth to your drawings more effectively.
Surface Texture
When we discuss the surface texture of paper, we use the terms smooth and vellum to know how many teeth the paper has.
The smooth paper has very little tooth, making it feel smooth to the touch. It does offer more durability when erasing and allows you to create fine lines without the risk of the paper texture showing through. The drawback is that it can be more difficult to layer colors within your drawing.
Vellum paper has more teeth than smooth paper making it feel rough to the touch. If you shade a colored pencil across the vellum paper you will be able to see the texture of the paper created by the tooth. Vellum paper is the best for colored pencils to create a better layering of colors and depth to your drawings.
The downside to vellum paper is erasing. Because the tooth grabs the color well it makes the color difficult to erase and can cause shredding of the paper. The best type of eraser is the white vinyl found anywhere you can buy an eraser.
Curious about watercolor paper? Check out our article HERE.
So, what brands do I look for?
The brands we will explore are Strathmore, Canson, Artist’s Loft, and Master’s Touch. The first two are found at any arts and crafts store, while the other two are store brands offered by Michael’s and Hobby Lobby, respectively.
Strathmore
The most recognizable brand in the sketch pad aisle is Strathmore. This company was established in the late 1800s on St. Patrick’s Day in West Springfield, MA.
Strathmore classifies their sketch pad by a series number located at the top of the sketch pad cover. The series begins with 100 (young artists) and through 500 (professional artists). The majority of Strathmore sketch pads seen in the arts and crafts stores are the 300 and 400 Series.
The great thing about Strathmore is they make specific paper for colored pencils. The Colored Pencils sketchbook is in the 400 Series and has a 100lb. weight and vellum surface. This paper covers all your bases for the best paper for colored pencils.
If you prefer recycled paper, Strathmore makes a sketch pad in their 400 Series called Artagain. This paper can be used with colored pencils, however, it is lightweight at 60lb. and a smooth texture. It does come in a variety of colors which is great to enhance the light and dark colors in your drawing.
Canson
Canson is a French company that has been producing quality paper for centuries. The company has a specific line of sketchbooks for North America called XL. The XL line is as common as the Strathmore 300-400 Series in arts and crafts stores.
Canson does not have a specific paper for colored pencils, however, their Bristol paper does the trick. This paper comes in smooth or vellum and has a 100lb. weight. Canson’s Bristol vellum sketch pad is the best paper for colored pencils in this line.
For those recycled paper lovers, Canson offers XL Recycled Bristol sketch pads. This paper is 2-sided offering a vellum side and a smooth side for the best of both worlds. It has a 96lb. weight making it heavier than Strathmore’s Artagain sketch pad.
The next two brands we will discuss are Artist’s Loft from Michael’s and Master’s Touch from Hobby Lobby. Each company has grown itself to be a household name in the arts and crafts industry and provides art supplies for a lower cost option.
Artist’s Loft by Michael’s
Compared to Strathmore and Canson, the type of sketch pad paper you’ll see with Artist’s Loft is limited. The best paper to choose for colored pencils in this brand is the Mixed-media sketch pad. If you aren’t familiar with mixed-media paper, it means that it works for both wet and dry media. Artist’s Loft Mixed-media paper has a 98lb. weight, making it comparable to Canson’s Bristol or Strathmore’s 300 Series. The surface of the paper is smooth which can hinder layering of color, but does allow for you to add another medium, such as ink, into your colored pencil drawing.
Master’s Touch by Hobby Lobby
Master’s Touch sketch pads have the same limitations as Artist’s Loft. The Master’s Touch Mixed-media sketch pad is the best to choose for colored pencils in this brand. This sketch pad paper has a 110lb. weight making it slightly heavier than the Artist’s Loft mixed-media paper and has a smooth surface for use with the wet and dry medium. The sketch pad paper you choose is ultimately based on what you are creating with your colored pencils. The heavier vellum paper is going to be your best paper if you are sticking strictly to colored pencils, while the mixed media allows you to experiment more with the other mediums.
Tired of the same white paper?
As artists, regardless of whether you are just starting or have been creating for decades, we all like to try different things at some point when creating. A simple way to change up the look of your colored pencil drawing is to use toned paper. When using paper that has a tone or color to it, your light and dark colors can become more vivid. Think of marking with a white pencil on a brown paper sack.
Strathmore has created a toned mixed-media sketchbook paper that checks the boxes for the best paper for colored pencils: thick, toothy, and with a vellum surface. This paper is made of recycled materials and comes in tan, blue, and gray.
Now that you know the best type of paper for colored pencils you can also apply this information to other types of paper. Whether you are heading down the sketch pad aisle for colored pencil paper or looking to try another medium like acrylic paints, you can be confident you can pick out the best paper for the job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are sketch pads expensive?
That depends on the size and brand of the sketch pad. A smaller size sketch pad will be less expensive than a larger size. Strathmore and Canson sketch pads can cost between $10-$35, while Artist’s Loft and Master’s Touch cost between $5- $25. Keep in mind, that both Michael’s and Hobby Lobby are always offering sales and coupons to get more for your money.
Can I purchase a sketchbook online?
Absolutely! The information we’ve learned applies to any place online that sells sketch pads. Michael’s and Hobby Lobby both offer online shopping. A great website to check out is jerrysartarama.com. This website is like a supercenter for art supplies and often has great deals.
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