For Charcoal FIBER/MATERIAL

CHOOSING THE RIGHT DRAWING PAPER for Charcoal FIBER/MATERIAL

Most common types of drawing papers are made from cotton, cellulose, or a combination of fibers.

Cotton paper Cellulose paper Combination or blended • Made from cotton fibers • Made from wood pulp • Made from various plant • Most durable • Can turn yellow and fiber combinations • Can handle heavy erasing deteriorate if not acid-free • Many uses depending on • Highest quality is archival • Great for a variety of fiber make-up (100% cotton rag) materials

FINISH

Manufacturers generally offer three traditional finishes, usually labeled rough/unfinished, cold press, or hot press.

Rough or unfinished Cold Press Hot Press • Not smoothed or pressed to • Smoothed slightly by cold • Smoothed completely with retain rough texture rollers or plates heated rollers or plates • Strong tooth for grabbing • Less textured • Allows for the most detail charcoal/pastel • Weaker tooth • Flat, hard surface • Versatile for many mediums • Great for illustration

Best for charcoal OK for charcoal Not good for charcoal

WEIGHT

Typically in the U.S., papers are measured by the weight in pounds of one ream (500 sheets). However, the irregularity of this conventional method has led to the use of metric measurements or grams per square meter (gsm). Use the chart below as a quick guide.

Paper Type Weight in lbs Weight in gsm Best Use Tracing paper 25lbs 40gsm Pencil, Marker, Ink

Newsprint 30-35lbs 45-50gsm Pencil, Charcoal, Pastel Sketch paper 50-60lbs 74-89gsm Pencil, Ink

Drawing paper 70-80lbs 100-130gsm Pencil, Marker, Ink, Charcoal, Pastel Bristol 100lbs 260gsm Pencil, Marker, Ink

Watercolor 140lbs 300gsm Ink, Charcoal, Pastel

SIZE

Size is a natural or synthetic solution added to paper to prevent it from absorbing too much moisture. Sizing is added to the paper pulp during manufacturing or applied to the paper surface after the sheet has been formed. Some paper is both internally and surface-sized.