7 Best Papers for Colored Pencils: Artist-Reviewed Surfaces
Choosing Your Colored Pencil Paper: A Strategic Guide
Selecting the right paper transforms your colored pencil experience. After analyzing professional artist Matt's 20+ years of experience, I've identified key factors that matter most: tooth texture dictates layering potential, surface color affects value range, and paper weight determines durability. Your choice directly impacts blending smoothness, detail precision, and archival quality.
Bristol Vellum: The Detail Specialist
Bristol's vellum surface offers moderate tooth for controlled layering. Its rigid cardstock-like weight (typically 100lb+) prevents buckling under pressure. Advantages include widespread availability and cost efficiency - ideal for beginners. However, its smoothness caps layers at 5-7 applications.
Pro Tip: Use Bristol when rendering fine details like animal fur or botanical illustrations. Its white-only limitation means you'll need to deliberately build dark values.
Canson Mi-Teintes: The Color Strategist
This dual-texture pastel paper features distinct sides: one heavily textured, one moderately so. The game-changer? 40+ color options let you strategically choose mid-tone bases. The rougher side demands 10+ layers for full coverage but delivers unparalleled depth.
Texture Comparison:
| Side | Layers Supported | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Rough | 12+ | Dramatic landscapes |
| Smooth | 8-10 | Portrait studies |
Clairefontaine PastelMat: The Luxury Performer
With its velvet-like sandpaper texture, PastelMat holds more pigment than any paper Matt tested. The 360gsm weight handles aggressive burnishing, while 30+ colors provide tonal flexibility. Expect to sharpen pencils frequently - the trade-off for exceptional blending.
Cost Insight: At $3-5 per sheet, reserve this for final artworks. Its unique surface works wonders with mixed media, especially when combining pencils with soft pastels.
Stonehenge: The Professional's Choice
100% cotton Stonehenge balances luxurious softness with pronounced tooth. This archival-grade paper withstands 15+ layers without wax bloom. Available in warm/cool whites, its 250gsm weight suits large formats. While premium-priced ($2-3/sheet), it outperforms cheaper alternatives for gallery work.
Duralar Mylar: The Revisionist's Dream
Duralar's non-porous surface enables complete pigment removal - a rarity with colored pencils. Use solvents or erasers without damaging the surface. Its semi-translucency simplifies tracing, but the ultra-smooth texture limits layering to 3-4 applications. Ideal for preliminary studies.
Marker Paper: The Mixed Media Ally
When combined with alcohol markers, this thin paper (around 70gsm) becomes a time-saving base. Apply markers first for quick coverage, then add pencil details. The smooth surface isn't ideal for pencil-only work but shines in illustration workflows requiring speed.
Beyond the Video: Emerging Trends
While Matt covered traditional papers, I've observed rising interest in two surfaces:
- Clay-coated boards like Ampersand Pastelbord - their rigid surface accepts 20+ layers
- Synthetic sanded papers like UArt - their abrasive texture mimics pastel paper at lower cost
Test different textures with this quick checklist:
- Rub pencil sideways to check tooth depth
- Layer 5+ colors to test blending limits
- Burnish a section to check surface integrity
- Attempt erasure to assess correction ease
Professional Resource Guide:
- The Colored Pencil Artist's Handbook by Jane Strother (covers paper chemistry)
- Colored Pencil Society of America forums (real-user paper reviews)
- Colorfin sanded paper sampler pack ($15, tests 6 textures)
Final Recommendations
For botanical artists: Bristol Vellum
For portraitists: Stonehenge Warm White
For experimental mixed media: Clairefontaine PastelMat
Your paper choice should match both artistic goals and practical constraints. As Matt emphasized, there's no universal "best" - only what's best for your specific approach. Which paper's texture best solves your current blending challenges? Share your experiences below - your insights help fellow artists navigate these essential choices.
