What's your favorite paper to work on?

[Arlene]

My favorite is stonehenge. I love the texture and the way it takes over 20 layers of color so I'm able to get alot of depth in my paintings.

My second favorite is a hotpress watercolor paper which is what i use when I do a watercolor underpainting.

[Jazz]

My favourite from my limited experience and limited experimentation is Winsor and Newton 'Lana' Cartridge Paper 130gsm. It was the first paper I worked with and as a beginner I found that it took an awful lot of abuse, once I had about 12 layers down and had made a big mistake so I had to lift as much colour as I could.
It coped with that I managed to get it down to just the white of the paper stained slightly with the original colour and then build up another 12-15 layers of colour over that.

I then tried Stonhenge and although it does take a lot of layers I find it doesn't stand up to abuse quite as well as the Lana.

The Lana paper is also slightly rougher than stonehenge, so some might not like that, it does mean that it takes 20-30 approx layers. It cost me five pounds thirty five pence for a pad of A3 (16.5" x 11.75") with 30 sheets in it.

This paper shouldn't be confused with a Lanaquerelle paper which I believe is a watercolour paper.

I have very kindly been sent some A4 sheets of different types of paper thanks to Raquel which I intend to try out, so I'll let you know what I think about them ;) .

Hugs,

ALI

[Greg]

Is Strathmore Bristol Smooth ok? I can't find Stonehenge unless I order it by mail

[kim]

Have to agree with Jazz on this ,as i also use W and N Lana paper,which i find great for all tecniques,smooth and medium surface.I would love to try Stonehenge and Strathmore,but alas :( it is not available in the uk.

[Denise]

I have previously used crescent illustration board 300 cold press but have since tried the stonehenge and LOVE it! The crescent is very good and cheap but the stonehenge takes more layers.

Greg- you can get it at Ziegler's on "the very large corner of Lewis and Admiral" :)

Denise

[Buttercup]

Haven't done enough work to give a definitive answer (so don't take my word for it, I'm all for trying everything out) so far I've tried:

- Stonehenge, LOVE it! First time I made the mistake of using the rough side, will never do that again :)
- Canson Mi-Teintes, it is not as soft as Stonehenge but it grabs color from the pencils just as well as Stonehenge. I really like it and want to try it again soon.
- Art Spectrum Colorfix, this is amazing paper. Totally different to the above two, it's rough and sandpaper like but not too rough. I love it and I'd like to use it again soon.
- Arches HP Watercolor paper, I didn't like it for straight cp. The paper seemed to 'flake' and my pencils kept catching on it. I'm going to try it again one day but put watercolor paint down first for an underpainting.

[KarenCardinal]

Well, I'm not as experienced as others here...
when it comes to different papers. ;)

I like to use Stonehenge for my illustrations, or when I am concerned with keeping crisp lines.
My very favorite paper to work on is Canson Mi-Tientes though. I can pile on the pencil, smudge, burnish and erase until my hand falls off, and the paper just sits there and says, "That all you got?". I love working on all the fun colors too. Both sides are fun to work on... it just depends on how crisp you want your work to look.
I'd be lost without my Mi-Tientes. :D

[Greg]

Thanks Denise, I'll check it out.

[Arlene]

Is Strathmore Bristol Smooth ok? I can't find Stonehenge unless I order it by mail

I have found that bristol takes only a few layers and that the smooth is fine for graphite (my drawing of David is on that.) but the bristol did not stand up to abuse like alot of other papers do.

The exception is the 500 series vellum bristol from what I've been told, but at $11.00 a sheet I'm sticking with stonehenge for now, which is only $1.59 a sheet.

Greg, go to the paper counter and not the pads to find stonehenge and other papers. The other idea is to use a hotpress watercolor paper like fabriano artistico. You'll find that using a better quality paper will make all the difference in the world. It's like the difference between crayola pencils and one of the artists brand.

[lene]

Hi
not being able to get Stonehenge (like you other europeans :) ) I tried out MountBoard and found it very suitable. :) the kind I use is called Conservabath, if you cannot get that try out another Mountboard, be aware of it being acid-free in core.

I like hotpress watercolorpaper like, Arches and Fabriano. I've also got some cold-press with fine texture. (Hot = smooth, Cold = fine). Cannot work on anything like Rough, it has too much texture.

I've also used canson mi-tentes (colored paper) + different high-quality graphite-papers - they must not bee too smooth though. I bought a Bristol Board Extra Smooth Pad - it is purely for graphite and ink now :cool:

[caulfield]

Of course my FAVORITE is Art Spectrum Colourfix paper. It is a thick watercolor paper with grit mixed with acrylic paint - painted on it. It is cited that the color is lighfast which ia a big plus for colored paper. It is just so much fun though with the rough surface - you can really take advantage of it. You can get so many different looks on it smooth, grainy... You can really really rub the heck out of it too with erasers and nothing happens! Believe me! :)

I like stonehenge too, especially for portraits which I have started to work all the way to a burnished state now. With lots of layers the colors really do sing on it.

Nicole

[larsnip]

I only use Strathmore 500 Series Illustration board Vellum finish, except when working on black or other colored surfaces. I have only managed to damage it once and I work with alot of pressure and layers. I've found nothing else will hold up under my abuse.
Also I use solvent alot and it doesn't absorb it like the other paper I've try does, You can break down the binders in cp with solvent and paint with the pigment. Its great for covering large areas and softening areas


Dave

[Bill C]

Don't have a favorite so far. Have only tried three types

Stathmore Cold Press water color 140#: I like this fairly well, the smoother side doesn't have too much texture and works fine. Doesn't seem to take as many layers as Stonehenge will, but thats not always a bad thing, seems to get to a finished level sooner.

Fabriano Artisco 140# wc: used this on one piece, not too crazy about it. I like the hard surface but found it tough to get a smooth even layer of lighter colors (sky). Probably wont used it again for pure cp, save for wc and cp together.

Stonehege: This is what I mostly use although I'm not entirely satisfied. Nice smooth support, easy for smooth layers. Takes a lot of layers to get the look I'm after, the good news is stonehenge will keep on taking them. I don't like the soft, spongey surface. For now it's my paper of choice.

I'm still looking.....

[Gemma]

Stonehenge!

[Lahree]

I use different papers for different things.

I have tried Strathmore Vellum and I initially liked it, but when I switched to Stonehenge, I realized a whole new world! Stonehenge takes the color so much easier and can take a lot of layers. I still use Strathmore Vellum for graphite. (I am never one to waste paper!).

I use Stonehenge for things I want to make shiney. Objects that are reflecting or have brilliant highlights, etc. I think its texture makes it a great paper for that.

I use Fabriano Artistico Hot Press watercolor paper for anything that is going to have watercolor on it. It is a soft paper and a little harder to get a firm line (for me anyway), but it's a tough little cookie and can stand up to some abuse.

My absolute favorite though, is Canson Mi-Teintes. It is such a hard core paper! On my Autumn Fairy picture, I erased two entire colored wings :eek: and was able to do successfully and put color on top of it and you can not see where the wings were! How about that? Let's give a round of applause for the paper, ladies and gentlemen! :clap: :clap: :clap: I love the neat colors that it comes in and love experimenting with them. I bought this cool green color that I am going to use to draw the photo of Zoey in the Christmas tree. I can hardly wait! It takes a long, long time to get layers built up on this paper, but the payoff is great!

I would love to try Wallis Sandpaper (ala Toni's favorite) and I would also love to give Nicole's choice Art Spectrum Colourfix paper a go.

So many papers...so little time......

[caulfield]

Don't have a favorite so far. Have only tried three types

I'm still looking.....

So when are you going to try that colourfix I sent you? Maybe just an itty bitty experiment. The eye area of an animal or something? :) Don't mean to be pushy or anything!

Nicole

[sassybird]

Stonehenge, 2ply Museum board and linen paper.

[ann_aurora]

Stonehenge, in white, warm white, cream, fawn, grey and black. I particularly like the cream for my nudes, because it's more of a peach colour than what I would call "cream." And the black is the best black paper I've found anywhere.

I use Bristol Vellum for graphite.

I also use Peterborough illustration board for anything with watecolor in it, mostly because I don't have to stretch it. It takes a lot of abuse, too, including solvents, and keeps on going.

And I love hot press watercolor paper for watercolour and ink.

I do most of my sketches on big sheets of cartridge paper, which has more tooth than newsprint, and holds up better, by far. I do my sketches in conté crayon and sometimes charcoal. I can stretch the cartridge paper, too, if I want to put a watercolor wash down for some reason, though I don't often do this--I'm too impatient to get that detailed on planning skeches, most of the time! However, the cartridge paper will take pastel washes nicely, and it doesn't have to be stretched for that.

But all around, the Stonehenge is the best for me.

[Elankat]

Stonehenge for cp/graphite/ink, Fabriano Artistico Bright White (formerly Uno) for mixed media cp, and Stathmore Pure Tints for colored paper not available in Stonehenge.

[Bill C]

So when are you going to try that colourfix I sent you? Maybe just an itty bitty experiment. The eye area of an animal or something? :) Don't mean to be pushy or anything!

Nicole


I've been thinking the same thing nicole, need to try it. :rolleyes:

[Nancy]

Has anyone ever tried a suede board and if so, where in the world did you find it? I can't find it for the life of me.

Right now the only papers I've used is Bienfang 140 lb wc paper, which is okay, but I actually tore a small layer of paper off when I was doing my "Cade" portrait (on his shirt) and I was very unhappy about that. I have used Strathmore 300 series, but it isn't nearly strong enough and doesn't take many layers. I use it for sketching and planning now. I have some Mi-Tientes I recently bought but have not used yet, so cannot comment on.

I'm just reading and taking it all in. I'm ready to go out and try something new tomorrow, so i'm trying to figure out what I want to try that's not too expensive. I'd love to try some suede board though.

[Chumley]

I just ordered some stonehenge paper from www.danielsmith.com and it is perfect for CP.

It cost a bit because of shipping charges to the UK but it was well worth it.

:clap:

[CarrieLLewis]

Rising Stonehenge, which I love because the softness of the paper is great for horses and good for backgrounds, too. The only difficulty I have with it is that the surface seems very easy to impress --- whether I want to or not! I have to be super careful working with it or I end up with indentations!

Strathmore Artagain Recycled Paper. This is the paper I use the most, but only because I have quite a bit of the smaller pieces left and just haven't replenished my Stonehenge yet. Artagain comes in several pastel shades (gray, brown, blue, tan, off white) and it has the appearance of 'threads' in it. It's a great paper for those times when all I want is the subject and no background. It's a lot more resistant to accidental impressions that the Stonehenge is, but it's also a little more difficult to get a decent scan of afterward!

It's also next to impossible to find in open stock, full size sheets!

I have also used Canson Mi-Tientes and love the colors but struggle with the paper! Even the smooth side seems too rough for the look I want and the paper seems really thin.

In addition to papers, I have also worked on a variety of acid-free, archival mat boards. Especially for large pieces (16x20 or larger), mat board is about the only wat to go for me. The largest colored pencil painting I've ever done was a 20x24 that I did on a lightly textured mat board. The rigidity of the board allowed me to work on the floor because that was the only flat area I had to work on that was large enough!

[CarrieLLewis]

Has anyone ever tried a suede board and if so, where in the world did you find it? I can't find it for the life of me.Nancy,

I fiddled around with some suede mat board once not to long ago. It was very interesting getting colored pencil to sink down into the texture, but it can be done.

I got it from a framer who very kindly gave me small pieces of all sorts of mat board for free (they would have gone into the trash otherwise). Check with your framer, but be prepared to have very small pieces in sometimes odd shapes. They are wonderful for experimenting on, though.

[Lucio]

I love Fabriano 6 tecnico.It is very white and almost indestructible with a surface that looks like that in Fabriano Artistico.
But I am testing the Winsor& Newton Bistol board and ( surprisingly) I am very happy with the results .
Lucio

[lene]

a little late I just discovered in this thread that ArtSpectrum is the same as Colorfix a lot of you talk about and use with succes - and I had a sheet of that for ages :o actually bought it for pastels, but in white, so didn't find use of it yet.... and now I find out I could try it out for cp's - even as rough as it is ;)

[Toni]

Hey Lene... good discovery! I guess we never call it by the manufacturers name..

Hmmm I've never posted to this thread.. lets see....


My first choice is WALLIS Pastel paper!! Love it love it love it...

I also prefer Vellum Bristol, and illustration board, depending on the subject matter and the end result i'm after.

300 lb watercolor paper is wonderful stuff too... especially if your doing a wc underpainting.

Artspectrums colorfix is ok for a "quick support.. still not a favorite.

I refuse to use stonehenge .. it's soft and smushy and imho dulls your colors. While the paper itself is durable, the surface damages easily.

Canson Mi Tientes... the absoloute bottom of my list. Pretty colors though!

Different strokes for different folks...

one should never settle on a paper because they were told that was what they should use, but they should try several different types out to see what it is that they like, and what works for them.

TJ

[Brenda]

Oh, I'm so glad this came back up again. I was heading to Hobby Lobby this afternoon (paper is on sale, 1/3 off) and wanted to try some different paper. On the list for today? Canson Mi-Tientes, Strathmore 500 Inllustration Board, Vellum Finish and 300 lb hotpress watercolor paper - Fabriano Artistico to be specific.

Toni is sending me some wallis in the mail so I'm going to have all kinds of fun support to play with. I'll be letting you all know what I think about them!

[CarrieLLewis]

AMENDED!

I previously answered this question, but some months have passed and I've tried some 'free samples' that I really liked.

The Fox River Paper Company has a line of very fine business papers called "Starwhite". They are made for business publications of all kinds, but can also be used for stationery. The samples I received were in a small booklet and the largest ones were good for three ACEOs (an ACEO is 2-1/2 inches by 3-1/2 inches).

But most of them also come in sheets of 20 x 30 or more because they can be used to print brochures, etc.

In the Starwhite line, there is a paper called Tiara. It comes in several weights from 24 lb to 144 (I think that's what it was, the paperwork isn't right in front of me). I did a couple of ACEOs on the 144 lb. Tiara Vellum (or maybe vellum smooth) and it was the most luscious surface I've worked on! I want to get some full sheets of it as soon as possible!

Another paper I tried and absolutely did not like was Yupo. It is bright white and ultrasmooth, as billed, but it takes only a couple of layers, then the color starts to slide around. I did get one good ACEO out of it, but that's all the more I wanted to do with it!

Toni has got me wanting to try bristol for a horse or two and Nicole has my appetite whetted for Colorfix, but so far, that's all the further I've gotten with that. Too many other things to finish up first!

[artsee-fartsee]

My very favorite is Ersta Sandpaper. I took a cp workshop a few years ago from Carrie Ballantyne, a western CP artist, whose work hangs in museums and she uses it only. it's kinda like the Energizer Bunny, it just keeps on goin, and goin and goin. It only comes in one color , but you can paint it with acrylic paiint for colored paper. Within the last couple of weeks, I've discovered Arches Textwove. It is used for pastels and watercolors I think, but it has wonderful tooth and is really accepting layers and layers of colored pencil. I also like the black Stonehenge, but not the white or cream. The black just has a "feltiness" about it that I like, and I do like to use black paper. :bye1:
Sheila

[Katydid]

no favorite yet, i love trying all kinds. there is not enough time to get to them all.

i guess stonehenge is the one i use most. things i don't like about are the soft surface (as already pointed out damages), and at times i get these strange blobs that are not from pencil dust. they are like little crop circles.

[christine]

I'm lost these days. I have a love hate relationship going on with colorfix, can't seem to get the pencils rolling over the museum board I used to use, I loved somerset satin but I've had no joy on the last two pieces.

I bought some wallis recently to try, but my first layer or two turned to dust and I lost it! Bill told me that was supposed to happen until there was enough layers built up, so I need to give that another go round.

I think I need to buy some stonehenge and give it another go round.

[b-lansing]

Hi as the new kid on the cp block, :bye1: I was wondering if anyone has tried Fabriano Tiziano paper. I have some Stonehenge, I didn't realize it had a smooth as well as a rough side. Hmmm, I'll have to look tomorrow! Also, what about Rives BFK any opinions on that? :)

Betsy :D

[christine]

Hi Betsy, I have a slew of Rives BFK, which I use on the etching press, but I've not had luck with it for CP's. Other may have, but I found it didn't take as many layers as I would like it to.

[gail]

Hi Besty! Glad you joined us.

It is a slight difference in appearance on the two sides of Stonehenge. Try feeling it. One side is softer, almost a fussy felt-like finish. I've sampled color on that side but have never tried it for a piece. Seems like it would damage easily. As far as the harder side goes, maybe I just you such a light touch I don't do much damage. I just know on the piece i'm doing now I've added and removed color three times in one area and I haven't damaged it yet.

I am pretty new to Stonehenge, but I sure do like it so far, mainly used illustration board before.

[Katydid]

[QUOTE=gail]Hi Besty! Glad you joined us.

It is a slight difference in appearance on the two sides of Stonehenge. Try feeling it. One side is softer, almost a fussy felt-like finish. I've sampled color on that side but have never tried it for a piece. Seems like it would damage easily. QUOTE]

that may be my problem - i thought the felty side was the correct side to use. the crop circle gremlins must play on the the fuzzy surface side.

one other thing i think the colored stonehege is a differect in finsh/feel then the white.

[Arlene]

yes i think the colored stonehenge is different too. I used the black for my drawing prelude, and it didn't take color the same way the white does.

imho dulls your colors
I beg to differ. the first couple of layers the paper does seem to soak up the color, but later layers don't have the problem.

Also it is as toni and others have said, very soft, and you have to be careful working on it.

I've tried wallis (my pelican) and liked it for that. I wouldn't like it for something like the piece i'm working on now though.

Next on my list are the somerset velvet and a few others I've gotten samples of from legion paper.

[Toni]

I beg to differ. the first couple of layers the paper does seem to soak up the color, but later layers don't have the problem.

Ah yes, now i beg to differ.... see, its all a matter of personal choice, and the world if full of choices. One support can't and won't be the perfect solution for everyone.

tj

[hippiejane]

I use plain non-fancy cartridge paper (just like out of a sketchbook) for 'Derwent Artist' pencils and 'Stonehenge' for 'Prismacolors'. I haven't found any better combos.....ever :clap:

[Greg]

I'm glad to see this thread come back up. My choices are somewhat different than they were a year ago. I think that paper preferences are an individual thing and that there is no one perfect paper. There are so many variables that influence what kind of paper one prefers. Those include how much paper they want to show through, the texture that may be part of the painting, the pressure used on the CP's to the paper, amount of layers desired, the softness of the paper, the actual texture of the paper, the use of solvents or burnishing, etc. I use Stonehenge quite a bit. It's a tough paper that takes many layers and much abuse. I've noticed it puddles sometimes and figured I was not consistently laying my color down. I've found that color really does sink into it though and I'll come back the next day and wonder what I did the day before because it doesn't seem to have a lot of color. I've not had good luck with Stonhenge using solvents as the paper starts breaking up. It also buckles with watercolor pencil. I don't care for the texture of Canson MT at all. I do like Crescent Illustration Board #300, although it does sometimes feel scratchy. I also like Bristol Smooth for some works, however, because of the real fine tooth, it is more limited on how many layers you can add. I've never trying Colorfix, but I want to. I'm still looking for that paper that I can't do without.

[ams]

My favorite is Strathmore Artagain. I buy it in pads of assorted colors in Dick Blick. Michael's carries it in open stock but only a few colors. For me, it was love at first stroke. The surface is just the right combination of hardness and tooth for my style. I find that it doesn't need as many layers as Stonehenge.

My second favorite is probably Mi Teintes but it is a little rougher than I like.

The thing I don't care for about white Stonehenge is the number of layers it requires to get good color saturation. I like their colors but there aren't enough of them! I like working on toned paper.

Anne

[oozoo]

HAHA! Here this thread is again! I didn't post in the original thread, but my favorites have changed A LOT since I began experimenting.

Mylar has become my favorite at the moment...it doesn't take many layers at all, and can be difficult to blend smoothly with no pencil marks, but the transparent nature of the support gives incredible depth, and the colors come out so clear and vibrant!

Second is still Somerset Velvet. It takes layers forever, it is very difficult to saturate it. It's sturdy enough to take a watercolor underpainting. Plus the surface is just so velvety and lush, it's a pleasure to touch it.

Stonehenge still comes in third for the smoothness of the finished piece. It won't take as many layers as the Somerset, but it still takes an aweful lot. Plus, it's less expensive, and comes in convenient pads for smaller pieces.

The colored paper in both Somerset Velvet and Stonehenge does not have the same durability. The surface of both is more delicate, especially the black, so some care must be taken in putting too much pressure inot the layers.

I've tried the Colorfix and just can't get the knack, and I'm so jealous of Nicole for the absolutely incredible work she does on it...but I have plenty left and will still plug away at it and see if I can learn it.

I've purchased some Wallis but I haven't tried it yet. Perhaps I'll do that next. I fear that I'll have the same result as the Colorfix, but we'll see.

[Nancy]

Yeah, I'm glad to see this thread again. My answers have changed now from the ones I gave last year.

I use stonehenge for a lot of my work. It's good reliable paper.

I prefer to use suede board for my animals, especially wildlife.

I like Mi-Tientes for some animals. I used it once for a portrait and did not like the way it came out.

I just bought a block of Fabriano Artistico 140# HP, but haven't tried it yet.

I also love Art Spectrum Colourfix. Lately, I really love using the color "sand" for portraits.

[Katydid]

as long as this is BACK have any of you tried ampersand pastel board? i just did a small 5x7 on white...wish i had tried one of the colors. i liked the result but man did it eat the pencils!

i may use the other colors i bought for acrylic or maybe try pastels, not sure i can afford the pencils to use it all.

[Nancy]

as long as this is BACK have any of you tried ampersand pastel board? i just did a small 5x7 on white...wish i had tried one of the colors. i liked the result but man did it eat the pencils!

i may use the other colors i bought for acrylic or maybe try pastels, not sure i can afford the pencils to use it all.
Oh Katy, I've been wanting to try that too, but it's a little expensive. I had an opportunity to buy some small peices last month, but didn't. Spent the money on pastels and pencils instead. :p

Have you tried Colourfix yet? If so, does the Ampersand eat up pencils more than the colourfix? I really need to just break down and order one piece. Then again I still have a sheet of Arches I haven't even tried yet, along with a sheet of Somerset Velvet (black) that I just got in and haven't used either, plus others! I told myself tonight - no more ordering paper until I use some of this stuff I've already got!!!

BTW, I tried my Fabriano Artistico finally. I didn't like it at first, but on my second try, the result was pretty good (my newly done parrot was done on it)., and now I'm liking it.

And if you can believe it, I'm doing a portrait of a baby on Mi-Tientes eggshell, and even more surprising - I'm loving it!!!

Can't wait to finish this portrait so I can whip out the Somerset velvet and give it a try!! Tommy has me itching to do a portrait on black. :D It's so soft and incredibly thick and heavy paper! I'll bet it can take a beating! I made a promise to myself not to have so many projects going at one time. so, I'm determined to finish the one I'm on first, THEN go onto the next one. ..... I wonder how long THAT will last. :rolleyes:

[brynmr]

Ok Nancy when's that portrait on black happening? I'm ah waitin'... ;)

I like Arches cover printing paper at the moment was well as my old standby Strathmore bristol medium. I've used Strathmore since the 70s. Still hoping for a color line of that paper. Put the word in at Pearl and Dick Blicks here in Atlanta so I'm working on it. Some day it will happen. Not found of Canson. Too thin. I need a paper which will survive my radical alterations. :bangin:

Btw Nancy are you going to the Dick Blick dust-up in June? I noticed your in the area.

[Katydid]

Nancy - the ampersand has a lot of "hard" texture (if that makes any sense). it is well applied making the tooth even, but much harder to cover then colorfix...it really chews the pencils. i found i couldn't keep any kind of point until it was almost filled. hard to not smear the color as it caught even with brushing, and erasing was difficult, but could get back to total white with work from my handy electric...believe it or not even it made sludge at first. never had that happen.

all said i will still try the color stock i picked up on close out. i'll post the pansy if you want to see the end product - although i wouldn't judge it too harshly from it as a lot of the problems were no doubt user

[Pencilonear]

Stonehenge is my main paper, I did learn to use the back side of the paper on pads or else I would get, as one person said little crop circle of color like the little hairs would get caught up and make a pile. The back side does not seem to do this.
I Like colourfix it just works different, cuts out loads of layer and steps, it ends up looking more like pastel.
Still learning, will check back next year and see whats on the drawing boards of all of these wonderful artist.

Rosa:bye1:

[MicheleM]

I like bristol smooth, call me crazy :) but that is my favorite all around paper even for cp. I can't even find "stonehenge" in any of the stores I have visited (closest one is 30 mins away) and honestly I have to see and touch the paper before I buy it, lol. I also like "Artagain" black.

This is an interesting thread, and seems to be a good reference too! :D