Professional artists opt for archival paper which is naturally acid-free. Most pads today come with acid-free paper which lasts much longer. This means that your artwork is prone to fade over time. Acidic paper has a shorter life expectancy.

This characteristic is bound with the life expectancy of paper. There are plenty of in-betweens, so you can experiment with different types of paper Acidity of paper (or pH value). Be mindful that such paper can eat up your pencil faster and require you to sharpen it more frequently.

Smooth paper is a good solution for those who draw with markers and watercolor, while pastel and charcoal prefer highly textured surfaces. There are several types of paper textures: smooth (hot pressed), moderate (cold pressed), and highly textured (rough). Not all the media work great on the same type of surfaces. Keep in mind that ink and pens can be also watery and may require thicker paper Paper tooth (texture). (less than 100 gsm) is suitable for dry media only.

paper (or 200 gsm and above) is able to support watercolors without rippling or buckling. If you don’t want to be bothered with technical details, just remember that the higher the number is, the thicker the paper is. The weight can be measured in pounds (lb.) or grams per square meter (gsm). What is it? This is how thick your paper is. There are also extremely portable palm-sized ones which can fit in your pocket, but they can be too small for intricate drawings Paper weight. They are more comfortable to work with when laid on a surface (table, etc.). However, these books are heavier and require a larger bag. This can also be the right choice if you like to work with watercolors and ink. Larger areas require more time for drawing. If you like to draw details and want to up-size, choose an A4 sketchbook which opens up to a working area of A3. Beginners may start with an A5 sketchbook which is used for general purposes. When you try to choose a sketchbook size, think what size inspires you and what your drawing style is.

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