Save Your Money on Paper

Thrift Thursday

Paper cheaper by the ream/bundle

Paper plays an important part of art, whether you are sketching or drawing. Quality paper is important but if you are just sketching or working out ideas, a ream of heavy weight copy paper is a good alternative to buying a sketchbook or art paper. It’s much cheaper per sheet than a sketchbook from an art store and it holds the drawing media just fine. Wet media does not work as well but you could still use markers, ballpoint pens or sharpies.

If you want to keep all of your sketches together or want a handy way to hold all of the paper while you are out and about sketching hole punch the copy paper. Put all of the loose sheets of paper in a cheap binder and you are all set.

cheap-paper2.jpg
cheap-paper1.jpg

Paper Basics:

  • Paper weight - how thick the paper is.
    Heavier weight = thicker paper (example: 20lb. thin paper - 80lb. thick paper)\

  • Paper brightness - how bright the paper is, brighter paper appears whiter.

  • Paper surface - the finish or texture of the paper.
    Hot press = smooth surface
    Cold press = slightly bumpy, textured surface

color pencil on copy paper (two pieces taped together)

color pencil on copy paper (two pieces taped together)

Thanks for stopping by, until next time keep drawing.