The Art Paper Series: Toothy, Smooth, or Textured? The Artist's Guide to Paper Surface

Why Paper Texture Matters (More Than Most People Realise)

You are struggling with graphite that won't go dark or coloured pencils that just won't layer. The issue is likely your paper's texture, not your skill.

Every sheet of paper has a “personality,” and that personality is defined by its tooth. Tooth therefore determines how well the paper “holds” the medium you’re using. 

Understanding this one concept helps you stop blaming your skills and start choosing paper that actually supports your style of art.

Let’s Break It Down: What Is “Tooth”?

Tooth, simply explained is, the paper’s grip.

More tooth = rougher texture → holds more pigment, creates depth
Less tooth = smoother texture → clean lines, crisp detail, predictable flow

The Three Main Paper Textures (and When to Use Each)

If you’ve been following our Art Paper Series, you know we’ve been exploring different paper textures in the last two posts. Here’s a quick, friendly recap to bring you up to speed: 

1. Hot Press (Smooth):

Paper that has been pressed through hot, polished rollers.

Texture: Very smooth, minimal tooth
Best for: Ink, detail work, coloured pencil realism, technical illustration
Why: Medium sits on top of the paper, giving sharp, crisp results

If you like clean lines and gentle blends, this is the right choice of paper.

2. Cold Press (Textured/Medium Tooth)

Paper that has been pressed through cold rollers.

Texture: Has noticeable tooth, but is also not too rough
Best for: Watercolour beginners, graphite, charcoal, coloured pencil, mixed media
Why: This is the most versatile surface; it handles both detail and texture beautifully

3. Rough (Heavily Textured)

Often a more pronounced version of cold press, with deep valleys and high peaks.

Texture: Deep ridges, dramatic texture
Best for: Expressive watercolour, pastels, bold strokes, granulation effects
Why: Pigment settles in the valleys, creating magical textures and depth

This is for artists who love movement, energy, and expressive marks.

Matching Your Medium to the Texture:

• Graphite & Charcoal: Cold Press or Rough is is the recommended option. The tooth catches and holds the graphite particles, allowing for deeper darks, richer shading, and easier blending. Smooth paper can lead to shiny, reflective patches and limits your value range.

• Colored Pencils: It depends on your style! Smooth (Hot Press) is ideal for fine detail, photorealism, and building many thin, glossy layers. Cold Press is perfect for more expressive work, faster layering, and achieving a richer, more granular look. The tooth holds more wax or oil-based pigment.

• Ink (Pen & Wash/Fountain Pen): Smooth (Hot Press) or very fine-grained Cold Press. A smooth surface prevents nib catching and allows for crisp, clean lines. For ink washes, a slight tooth helps control the flow.

• Pastels (Soft & Oil): Rough or Specialized Pastel Paper is non-negotiable. You need aggressive tooth to hold onto the thick layers of pigment. These papers are often coated with a pumice-like ground to act as sandpaper for the pastel.

• Watercolor: This is where texture truly performs. Rough paper gives you bold texture—perfect for dry-brush effects and soft and grainy colour patterns. Cold Press is the reliable all-rounder: has a beautiful flow, easy lifting, and just enough texture for most techniques. Hot Press is smooth and perfect for detailed illustrations and clean washes, though wet-into-wet can be a bit harder to control on it.

How Texture Changes Your Technique

Technique	On Smooth Paper	On Textured Paper
Shading	Soft, gradual build of tone, clean	Rich, deep tones with natural texture
Layering	Fewer Layers	Many Layers as it has more grip
Blending	Seamless blends	Vibrant, optical & deep blends

Community Knowledge: Your Tips & Experiments

We'd like to hear from you, post in the comments:

1. Your medium & your go-to texture
2. A texture fail & what you learned
3. Your Texture Hack