NPS Sketchbook Club

A question we often hear is: why do we distinguish between sketchbooks and drawing books? Aren’t they essentially the same? Image Courtesy of Tt Pen The answer is no—there is an important distinction. Sketch paper is designed for practice, experimentation, and quick studies. Drawing paper, on the other hand, is meant for refined, finished artwork  and supports a wider range of techniques. They simply serve different moments in the creative process. Drawing Book (Versatile & Durable): Made for Finished Art:  The substantial weight and durability allow for extended work, repeated erasing, and fine detail. Superior for Dry Media:  Its "toothier" surface grips graphite, charcoal, and pastels brilliantly, enabling richer darks, greater depth of color, and more dramatic contrast. Handles Light Washes:  While not a dedicated watercolor paper, its weight and treatment can support light ink work, markers, and light acrylic or watercolor washes for mixed-media pieces. Form...

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 Pres...

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. T his blog series will go deeper than a quick Google summary, as we will ...