The paper that artists use is one of the most important supplies in the artist's studio. Choosing the appropriate paper for drawing or sketching can be confusing and should be based on the medium that you are using and your own personal artistic style.
When choosing drawing paper, sketch pads, pastel paper, or charcoal paper, one factor that you should take into account when purchasing paper is the "tooth" of the paper. The tooth simply means that roughness of the paper. For drawings in colored pencil or chalk, artists usually look for a rougher tooth that "grabs" onto the pencil or chalk a bit, or if you're doing watercolors, you may want a tooth that will grab at the brush to assist the paint in transferring to the paper. As a general rule, the rougher the paper, the easier the medium is to "stick" to it.
Drawing paper and pencil paper can be harder to select than other types because there are just so many options and choices that are billed as drawing paper. Choose drawing paper that is high quality and can handle the mediums that you intend for it. If the paper is intended for pencils, you don't break out your watercolors on it, although there are some drawing papers that can take watercolor, ink, pencil, and charcoal. An important aspect of your drawing paper should be that it takes erasures well, and most cheap or low quality drawing papers simply won't erase well. You should also invest in a good eraser (not just the type your mother used to stock you up with for back to school). Strathmore 400 series drawing papers are excellent quality and provide wonderful performance.
When choosing sketch pads, be certain that you select one that works well with the type of pencil that you will be using. Fragile paper may rip with hard lead, and rough paper will produce excess dust if you are using a softer lead. A bound sketch pad is the optimal choice for keeping your sketches together in one spot, and also stays open without damaging the spine.
When choosing charcoal or pastel paper, consider your working method as well as the hardness of your intended medium. Choose a paper that has the tooth that best complements your medium - the tooth of your paper can vary from smooth, velvety finishes to scratchy, sand paper-like finishes. Pastel papers are available in every imaginable tint, texture and weight, which allows for great variety in the feel of the piece you are creating.
