Comparing Bristol Paper | Smooth vs. Vellum

[@nataliamedina2577]

Finally someone who explains it simple and straight to the point thank you so very much! Wonderful drawing as well

[@thomaspitilli]

I'm glad that was helpful for you, Natalia!

[@johnjones928]

Another problem with smooth bristol is when you use softer grades of graphite (to get darker values) the can smear easier than on vellum.

[@yorutsumetai]

You really shouldn’t use graphite on smooth Bristol. You’re just wasting materials at that point. Smooth is best for ink/markers.

[@damaracarpenter8316]

​@@yorutsumetai smooth bristol is my preferred surface for my graphite art for almost 2 decades now. No wasted materials!

[@yorutsumetai]

@@damaracarpenter8316That is good. But I have my doubts that you can get extremely deep, dark values on that smooth of paper. (Don't get me wrong, I love smooth Bristol, but certain mediums just out-perform each other in compatibility.)

[@c1m2m3]

When making protraits using colored pencils, what paper do you recommend? Something a bit affordable but really good quality. Thank you.

[@thomaspitilli]

I'd say Bristol Board would work well for colored pencil. Probably the Vellum finish would be best. Any other kind of mixed media paper should also be fine!

[@rufusbrown8637]

I know this is an older video so you might not see this, but I must try and ask: Do you feel a difference when it comes to pencil smudging? If you draw a line with a mechanical pencil and rub with your finger, is there a noticeable difference? Is one more difficult to smudge than the other? Thanks for the very clear explanation and video, you did an awesome job! And your drawings looked incredible as well, a cool intro to your channel! :D

[@fairyli9870]

Man, your illustration though😍... Do you make drawing tutorials?

[@thomaspitilli]

Thank you! And yes, I have plenty of tutorials on my channel and I also have Skillshare classes available:)

[@fairyli9870]

@@thomaspitilli I'll be sure to check them out👍🏼

[@Adsmak]

Thank you. I was pretty nervous because I intended to buy a smooth Bristol but accidentally bought vellum. I’m new to the arts so I was stupid enough to not notice. I should be ok to sketch in this with normal pencils and fine liners right?

[@thomaspitilli]

You'll be more than ok! Vellum is perfect for that kind of drawing. Have fun!

[@kozzietea]

Thank you for this information :)

[@meyu1468]

I’ve constantly heard Vellum be recommended for graphite, but most graphite artists i’ve seen use/prefer smooth. I’m attempting hyperrealism so there would probably need a lot of heavy sections filled in. Recommendation?

[@hasancaneker6366]

Have you tried vellum? How is it?

[@meyu1468]

@@hasancaneker6366 yes i ended up going with vellum for my project. It’s honestly what i’d consider extremely smooth, so i can’t imagine just how smooth ‘smooth’ would be. I recommend you go with vellum for any graphite projects

[@hasancaneker6366]

​@@meyu1468 Thanks for reply, i will get vellum then.

[@tarunpalsingh4709]

@@meyu1468 I use Bristol smooth for realistic drawings. What's your insta?

[@SS.Sylwianti]

the vellum paper bends or is rather stiff and hard?

[@Tilr701]

For charcoal which one is good? Smooth or vellum?

[@sunnycharacter]

Do you recommend using any setting sprays on either paper after using colored pencils, inks or watercolors? And which would you say is best for alcohol inks?

[@sageartchannel3363]

But startmote has Bristol vellum paper also maybe it d be good to compare the same brand.

[@ruthballardart]

Nice, thank you for a short concise and helpful video! I hear that vellum is good for markers. Would you use markers on vellum?

[@thomaspitilli]

Glad you enjoyed it! And yes, markers would work well on Bristol. There are other papers made specifically for marker use though, so if you're looking to use markers predominantly, I'd look into those 👍

[@ruthballardart]

@@thomaspitilli Thanks for taking the time to reply!

[@aaronmoe5830]

I noticed you said ink does well on vellum does that include fineliners ink as well?

[@thomaspitilli]

Sure. Most any pen or brush will work on vellum surface. 😊

[@bera1871]

what the papers u recomend for colored pencils ? strathmore bristol 300s very expensive here. i have prismacolor

[@thomaspitilli]

Perhaps you can find a generic brand of Bristol. Strathmore is the best, but sometimes I buy a cheaper version instead.

[@qqqq4164]

I was wondering, which one is better to draw hyper realistic on and get a clean result?i use prisma color btw

[@thomaspitilli]

Either one would probably give you different effects, but I'd say with marker, you'd want to use a smoother surface.

[@qqqq4164]

@@thomaspitilli thank u very much

[@ivanhegel8393]

Very good vid! What ink and brush did you use here if you don't mind? I'm a newbie.

[@thomaspitilli]

Thank you! And that's Winsor Newton Black India Ink, with a #2 watercolor brush :) Check out some of my other tools of the trade and I inking vids for more info on my supplies!

[@jamesharden8324]

Are they both Good for Color pencils

[@thomaspitilli]

Yes! But they might smudge a little on the smooth finish.

[@Clumsybaboon]

Which do you recommend for doodling

[@thomaspitilli]

I consider bristol to be more for finished artwork. You can totally doodle on either the vellum or smooth finish though. But for doodling there are much cheaper options like sketchbook paper.

[@boomerangerful]

have you tried using sakura glazed pens on the smooth one? it has that raised effect when it dries. i am blind and i am looking for a sketchbook that is super smooth

[@thomaspitilli]

I haven't used those pens, but I've heard great things about Sakua pens in general. I would say any smooth Bristol would be your best bet because the thickness plus the smoothness gives it that raised effect. Good luck with it all!

[@boomerangerful]

@@thomaspitilli thank you sooo much! 😁 #excited

[@thomaspitilli]

@@boomerangerful Anytime! 😊

[@afonsoaguilar8748]

Wich one would you recomend for color pensils?

[@thomaspitilli]

You can use either, but I feel like Velum might smudge less 👍

[@sweatyasparagus5179]

what ruler do you use in the video?

[@thomaspitilli]

That's a T-square ruler 😊

[@sweatyasparagus5179]

@@thomaspitilli thanks a lot :)

[@kimyoh5303]

What paper do you recommend for WaterColor, Mr?

[@thomaspitilli]

Any kind of watercolor paper :) Strathmore cold press is a good one, but there as so many others as well.

[@kimyoh5303]

@@thomaspitilli Kamsahamnida!!

[@johnjones928]

I've done watercolor on vellum bristol, it works for light washes but color doesn't lift as well as it will on watercolor papers.

[@mrfreehdx9069]

So i wanna ask something, which is better for colored pencil??

[@thomaspitilli]

I'd say either. Smooth would probably be good for blending and smudging whereas with vellum the colored pencil might sink into the bristles of the paper more.

[@mrfreehdx9069]

@@thomaspitilli thx for the reply :D keep up the nice artwork

[@angeliqueroux3017]

What about Conte 1710B carbon pencils?

[@thomaspitilli]

I don't have personal experience using those, but I would guess that they would work best on a vellum finish if you wanted to use bristol. Otherwise, perhaps a charcoal paper?

[@mariot1374]

I would like to comment but i don't want to criticize.,