Best Paper For Colored Pencil – It’s All In The Tooth

If you have landed here to read about the best paper for colored pencil, it might be that you are less than satisfied with your colored pencil work.

You may have some of the best colored pencils—Faber-Castell Polychromos, Prismacolor Premier, Koh-i-Noor, to name a few.

Also, you may have the basics down: layering, blending shading, etc., but somehow you feel you can do better.

Maybe you wonder about the paper you’re using. Do you have the right paper to maximize results?

This post will give you information on the best kind of paper to use for optimal success in colored pencil art.

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Gotta Be “Toothy”

So, won’t any old drawing or sketch paper do? After all, we are using a colored pencil. Umm…. no.

Yes, you are using a colored pencil, but I like to think of colored pencil art as painting with a pencil point.

To that end, the surface of the paper you choose needs to have some “tooth”.  Without tooth, all the best techniques in the world will produce a lack-luster piece of work! And I think all colored pencil artists would agree on that.

Tooth simply means the surface is textured to an extent—with “hills and valleys”. And there is great variation of this brand-to-brand.

Bristol Vellum

Colored pencil artists may disagree is on which brand offers the best tooth. I have heard many times that the Bristol Vellum Pad 300 series made by Strathmore is the one you want (the vellum surface, that is; the smooth surface is not suitable for colored pencil).

Have I done work on Strathmore’s Bristol Vellum? Sure. But I have to admit it’s mostly because it’s a quality product, which artists consider to be professional grade, and top artists sing its praises.

I save it for the special work—professional work or commissions—so I don’t use it every day. When I do pick it up to use it, honestly, it’s like I have to get used to it all over again.

In fact, I began a commission recently using it and as usual, wasn’t enjoying it at first. I thought, “Press on, after all, it IS a professional grade paper.” I finished the commission and it turned out great.

So, what don’t I like about it? Well, I just don’t think it’s toothy. It claims to have tooth but, in my opinion, it’s minimal, and it’s too smooth for my liking for colored pencil (even the vellum surface). When I layer, I find have to adjust my technique to accommodate it.

I can use it successfully, but I just don’t prefer this paper. But I do want to go on record as saying it is very sturdy and is a thick, heavyweight (100lb) quality paper. It takes erasing quite well, too.

Here is the link so you can check it out for yourself: Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Pad .

Again, it comes in two surfaces—be sure to choose the vellum, not the smooth, since the smooth is better suited to pen and pencil.

The Ideal Paper Should Not Be Too Toothy

Is there such a thing as too much tooth? Yes, I think so. For example, do not use pastel paper. This paper has significant tooth and is

specifically made for the use of chalk pastels to “grab and hold” the color.

Trying to complete a colored pencil piece on pastel paper would take forever. You’ll be layering and layering and layering.

The pic to the right shows a single layer of colored pencil applied on Pastel paper—on the left vs. my favorite vellum paper on the right to illustrate my point (ooo sorry for the unintended pun!)

Not that it can’t be done on the pastel paper, it can. And if you like lots and lots of layers, then go for it. But it really is meant for pastel use, not colored pencil—they call it “pastel paper” for a reason. The same goes for cold press watercolor paper as well, not good for colored pencil use.

Here is an additional resource on the topic of papers/surfaces; a great article from The Virtual Instructor –“All About Drawing Papers and Surfaces”. Just click on the article title to check it out.

Technique IS Important, Too

Basic colored pencil techniques are important, too, even if you have the best paper. By that I mean, remember it is always crucial no matter what paper you use, to begin all your projects with glazing (light) pressure. This allows the tooth to do its job helping you achieve optimal color-mixing, layering and blending.

[Here is my post on “Basic Colored Pencil Techniques” if you’d like to brush up on my tried-and-true techniques!]

Why is this important? Well, consider this… If you start off with a heavy pressure right off the bat, think about what that does to the tooth of the paper. Basically, you will fill in the “valleys” of the paper, but you will also flatten the “hills” (essentially damaging the tooth) and may even create unwanted grooves. This will prevent the tooth from grabbing any subsequent layer and mixing properly.

The result? You will see streaks, unevenness, grooves or obvious strokes in your work. Also, colors won’t mix properly because it will most likely keep hitting those unwanted grooves or simply lay on the top of the layer underneath and mix unevenly.

Go lightly and build up layers

In contrast, let’s consider going lightly to start off with. The tooth of the paper will grab the first light-pressure layer you apply.

Your color will deposit nicely into the “valleys” of the paper while leaving plenty of room for the paper to accept other colors as you layer additional colors.

When you apply additional layers this way, the tooth will gradually fill up consistently and with optimal mixing. (As the tooth fills up, I am gradually increasing my pressure, fyi.)

Tip: You can achieve light pressure layers more easily by holding your pencil away from the point as shown in this pic.

Remember, the tooth is there to help your art, so don’t squash it!

My Recommendations

The amount of tooth in the paper is a preference thing.
I would go with the Strathmore 400 Series Colored Pencil Pad, for a professional quality paper that does have a good tooth. This paper is specifically made for colored pencil.

Since I just finished up my pad of Strathmore Bristol Vellum, I will get a pad of this next.

But my favorite is the Neenah Paper Exact Vellum Bristol. This is a great everyday paper.

I may not use it for a commission where I will physically hand over the original piece of paper, but it is great for everyday art. It’s also just fine if you create colored pencil art and upload the image to sell prints of it online—the thickness or sturdiness of the paper is a moot point for that use.

I really like this paper and have used it for many projects. In my opinion, it has just the right amount of tooth for my style, and I have used it for years.

It is also very affordable. At just 3 cents/sheet (yes, I said $.03!), you can’t beat it. Compare this to 24 cents/sheet for the Strathmore brand colored pencils paper or the 33 cents/sheet for the Strathmore Bristol Vellum.

The Neenah Bristol vellum comes in a 250-sheet ream so you won’t run out anytime soon.

Drawbacks? It is a lighter weight—67#, a far cry from the sturdier 100# weight of the Strathmore Bristol Vellum. Also, it comes in a ream wrapped in paper so you will need to store it in some type of hard container to protect the paper.

But I consider these things small trade-offs for the affordability and performance!

Grab Some Tooth!

Hope this clears up a few things for you regarding choices for the best colored pencil paper.

OK, I know I’m harping, but tooth is very important in working with the medium of colored pencil. Make sure you have that no matter what brand paper you choose.

If you have been using a paper you like for colored pencil, please share in the comment box below.

And no worries, your email will never be shared.

You may also be interested in my post on blending: “6 Ways for How to Blend Colored Pencil” -===>Click here to read.

Have an artful day!

Elaine