The Art Paper Series: Understanding Paper Qualities & How to Choose the Right Art Paper

-

Why Paper Matters More Than Most Artists Realise and What You Need to Know



We see this a lot. Beginner artists blaming their “lack of skill”, for results that were actually caused by using the wrong paper? And countless of artists frustrated because their colours kept dulling, their sheets kept buckling, or their drawings looked different the next day. Most thought they were doing something wrong. But the truth often lay in the paper and not the technique.

Today’s post is here to change that.

Whether you’re an upcoming artist, a hobbyist sketcher, or someone rediscovering art in adulthood, understanding paper is one of the most empowering steps you can take. 

This week, as part of our commitment to supporting our growing art community, we begin a series breaking down the foundations of paper, in a way that is simple and practical for everyone wanting to improve their paper options. This blog series will go deeper than a quick Google summary, as we will explore paper in small, digestible parts.  

Let’s begin.

1. Material & Composition; what your paper is made of.

  • Wood Pulp Paper: This is the most common and beginner-friendly option. Made from cellulose fibres, it’s treated to stay acid-free so it won’t yellow quickly. Perfect for daily sketching, school projects, and practice sessions.
  • Cotton Paper: Made from cotton fibres, this paper is stronger, tougher, and longer-lasting. It handles heavy layering, erasing, and wet media beautifully. If you want your artwork to last for years, this is a worthy investment.
  • Eco-Friendly & Synthetic Papers: Such as bamboo, recycled fibres, agave, and polypropylene papers.

2. Paper Weight (GSM):

Paper weight is simply how heavy or dense the sheet is. It affects how well it absorbs and handles pressure, ink, water, and layering.

  • Under 100 gsm: Lightweight
    Good for sketching, tracing, and quick drafts.

  • 100–200 gsm: Medium Weight
    Ideal for charcoal, pastel, technical drawing, sketching, and light watercolour washes.

  • 200–300 gsm: Heavyweight
    Perfect for serious watercolour and acrylic work.

  • 400 gsm and up: Extra Heavyweight
    Often called board. Extremely sturdy and resistant to buckling.

3. Surface Texture:

Surface texture controls how your medium behaves, it ranges smooth to rough often affecting how mediums absorb. Here’s the simplest breakdown:

Hot Press:

  • Very smooth often with a satin-like finish.
  • Great for fine details, inks and technical drawing.
Cold Press:
  • Moderately textured 
  • Versatile and beginner-friendly
  • Ideal for most watercolour techniques, charcoal, pastel, and layering techniques.
Rough:
  • Very textured 
  • Perfect for dramatic and bold effects and heavy applications.

4. Colour & Whiteness: Not All Whites Are the Same

  • Bright White: Makes colours pop making them great for vibrant work.

  • Natural White / Ivory / Cream: Softer on the eyes; gives artwork a warm, classical feel.

  • Toned Papers: Great for working with both highlights and shadows, especially in pastel.

5. Sizing:

Sizing is basically the “internal glue” that controls how much the paper absorbs water. Internal and external sizing affects absorbency, crucial for watercolor and ink applications.Without sizing, your watercolours would soak in too quickly and look dull.

  • Well-sized paper keeps water on the surface longer, allowing you to lift colour, blend smoothly, or create sharp edges.

  • Essential for watercolour and printmaking.

6. Acid Free Qualities:

If you’ve ever seen old newspaper turn yellow, that’s what happens when paper contains acid.

  • Acid-Free: Resists yellowing and deterioration over time, making it essential for archival work. 

7. Surface Finish:

Glossy, matte, coated, or uncoated finishes affect how ink and paint interact with the paper.

Final Thoughts — And a Small Challenge for This Week

The next time you want to purchase a sketchbook, or just paper, pay attention to the weight, texture, and material. Try a sheet you’ve never used before, even if it’s just a single page. Notice how your pencils, brushes, or inks behave differently. If you ever want sketchbooks that match the qualities we talked about today, we've put a lot of care into building a collection at Nanyuki Paper Shop that many artists in our community trust.

Your challenge this week:
Pick one paper quality from today’s list;weight, texture, colour, sizing, or material, and test it in your next artwork. It could be the difference you’ve been searching for.

Let me know in the comments:

  1. Which paper quality are you experimenting with first?
  2. What changes did you notice?

Next week, we dive even deeper — and trust me, you won’t want to miss it.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Confessions of a Portrait Artist Paid With ''Exposure''.

-
Image
Today, we tell the story of our longtime friend and client, Tony. Last year, we had not heard from him for a while, so of course we had to check in.  Tony begun his arts career in 2022 as a charcoal portrait artist. Back then, he'd sit for hours creating portraits of prominent persons, perfecting every strand of hair, every dimple, every eyelash, all for “exposure.” The man was running a full-time portrait artist hustle on a diet of ''thank you, bro'' . Others with big social media profiles, promised to tag him on Instagram and that would, ''guarantee him more clients''. The tag, however, never came. After a few years of being “paid in appreciation,” as you'd imagine, the joy started to fade. The creative burnout hit- the quiet, sneaky kind that makes even your favourite pencil feel heavy. He was officially in a creative lull, and his sketchbook was gathering dust in a corner. How His Sketchbook Saved Him One random afternoon, out of sheer bored...
Read more

Sketchbook Myths That Are Killing Your Creativity: The Truth About A Brand New Sketchbook

-
Image
  Hey tribe, Let’s be a little honest today, few things are as intimidating a brand new sketchbook. How many of you have a beautiful, brand-new sketchbook sitting on a shelf, its pages still utterly new? You pick it up, feel the potential, and then… a wave of pressure hits. You put it back down. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. I’ve been there too. The problem isn’t you; it’s the myths we’ve been told about what a sketchbook should be. It’s time we bust them wide open. Myth #1: “Every Page Has to Be Perfect” This is the big one, the creativity killer. No, it doesn't! The Truth: Your sketchbook is a lab and not a museum. It’s where you make the messy, "failed" experiments that lead to your breakthroughs. That smudged charcoal drawing? It taught you about light. The color palette that turned to mud? It showed you what doesn’t work. Embrace the messy sketchbook. This is the core of developing a daily drawing habit without pressure. The goal is progress, not perfection. Try ...
Read more

Nurturing The Young Artist Free Ebook

-
Image
Nurturing your child’s artistic side is not just about creating beautiful things; it’s about building a resilient, creative, and confident human being. It can open future career doors in a rapidly evolving global economy where innovative thinking is paramount. This is why we have created a guide that is designed to help you, the parent of an artistically gifted child aged 4-12 years, recognize, support, and champion your child's unique talents. Whether you are just discovering your child's artistic gifts and don't know where to begin, or you have been nurturing their passion and are seeking new avenues for growth, this guide is for you. In this guide, we will provide you with the basic foundation and insights to become your child's most powerful advocate, ensuring their creative spark not only survives but flourishes. Here's how to get started: Get the Guide:  Click here to get the book for free. Find Your Tribe: Connect with other parents on the same journey in o...
Read more