<p>There are many types of paper finishes and each have their own unique characteristics you, the artist, can decide which you want to use. With that in mind, there are some guidelines you can use to select the best paper for your project:</p>

<p><strong>Paper for Graphite</strong></p>

<p>Smooth Bristol (Strathmore) papers are ideal for graphite drawings. They provide a smooth surface ideal for pencil drawings. some others include <em>Stonehenge</em>, <em>Pastel Paper (Strathmore)</em>, and Strathmore 400 and 500 series drawing paper.</p>

<p><em>Stonehenge Paper:</em></p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/9iHii.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/9iHii.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p><strong>Paper for Colored Pencils</strong></p>

<p>Colored pencils require a little texture to the paper to effectively draw and blend colored pencils. There is a much wider variety of viable papers in this category, but some include: <em>Stonehenge</em>, <em>Illustration Board</em>, <em>Suede</em> and <em>Artagian</em> paper (Strathmore).</p>

<p><strong>Paper for Charcoal</strong></p>

<p>Charcoal is a chalky and generally messy medium. It requires a porous or textured paper to effectively hold the charcoal particles on the paper. Simple quick charcoal sketches are often done on Newsprint paper due to its lightly porous nature, and its low cost (sketching can burn through paper).</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/vilJN.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/vilJN.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>For finished works using Charcoal there is <strong>Laid Paper</strong> which has an old "hand made" style and feel to it. This finish contains horizontal and vertical lines on the paper which create small grooves that are good at catching bits of charcoal and keeping charcoal on the page where it was placed.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/w7SHl.gif" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/w7SHl.gif" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-02T19:28:11.930Z
2016-05-02T19:28:11.930Z
leigero
<p>Type of paper may have an effect on the medium of drawing used.</p>

<p>Which kind of paper should be preferred for graphite, charcoal, and pencil colors, respectively?  </p>

<p>Also, please mention the standard name for said paper type. (This will be helpful while purchasing the paper).</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-02T16:19:13.987Z
I don't know what appearance will I get with what paper and what medium. It can be a personal preference of someone who has used many types of mediums and knows what he is doing. This can be known only after experience which I don't have any. @CreationEdge
Aquarius_Girl
<paper><drawing><pencils><charcoal><colored-pencils>
Which kind of paper should be selected for graphite, charcoal, and pencil colors?
Aquarius_Girl
# Which kind of paper should be selected for graphite, charcoal, and pencil colors?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-05-02)

Type of paper may have an effect on the medium of drawing used.

Which kind of paper should be preferred for graphite, charcoal, and pencil colors, respectively?

Also, please mention the standard name for said paper type. (This will be helpful while purchasing the paper).

**Tags:** paper, drawing, pencils, charcoal, colored-pencils

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I don't know what appearance will I get with what paper and what medium. It can be a personal preference of someone who has used many types of mediums and knows what he is doing. This can be known only after experience which I don't have any. @CreationEdge  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-05-02. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

There are many types of paper finishes and each have their own unique characteristics you, the artist, can decide which you want to use. With that in mind, there are some guidelines you can use to select the best paper for your project:

**Paper for Graphite**

Smooth Bristol (Strathmore) papers are ideal for graphite drawings. They provide a smooth surface ideal for pencil drawings. some others include *Stonehenge*, *Pastel Paper (Strathmore)*, and Strathmore 400 and 500 series drawing paper.

*Stonehenge Paper:*

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/9iHii.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/9iHii.jpg)

**Paper for Colored Pencils**

Colored pencils require a little texture to the paper to effectively draw and blend colored pencils. There is a much wider variety of viable papers in this category, but some include: *Stonehenge*, *Illustration Board*, *Suede* and *Artagian* paper (Strathmore).

**Paper for Charcoal**

Charcoal is a chalky and generally messy medium. It requires a porous or textured paper to effectively hold the charcoal particles on the paper. Simple quick charcoal sketches are often done on Newsprint paper due to its lightly porous nature, and its low cost (sketching can burn through paper).

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/vilJN.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/vilJN.jpg)

For finished works using Charcoal there is **Laid Paper** which has an old "hand made" style and feel to it. This finish contains horizontal and vertical lines on the paper which create small grooves that are good at catching bits of charcoal and keeping charcoal on the page where it was placed.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/w7SHl.gif)](https://i.sstatic.net/w7SHl.gif)


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