Drawing Paper Recommended for Realistic Pencil Drawing

This drawing technique video shows the type of drawing paper I recommend to create extremely realistic pencil drawings. In this tutorial you will also info on keeping your drawings clean, how to avoid smudging and other pencil drawing tips and techniques
UPDATE: 2/2023 I still have a few seats left for my upcoming Realistic Portrait Drawing Workshop. Go to www.jdhillberrytutorials.com/... for all the details.
Make sure you check out the other tutorial subjects available. I’d love to help you learn to get the realism in your drawings you’ve been wanting.
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[@JDHillberry1]

Make sure you check out the other tutorial subjects available. I’d love to help you learn to get the realism in your drawings you’ve been wanting. Visit: www.jdhillberrytutorials.com/tutorials.html

[@bubbapinks5175]

I've taken a few art classes through my life and no one has really ever addressed this stuff. A lot of people who call themselves art teachers do not have the attention to detail to teach anything important to a serious artist. I've had to explore the internet to find people who talk about these kinds of topics. Thanks for posting this video.

[@GilgameshMorningstar8]

My art teacher could not draw, not even Manga

[@The72challenger]

For me... I use both Strathmore 500 series cold-press illustration board and Crescent no. 100 medium and heavy weight cold-press illustration board, both acid-free and archival. I use Sanford mechanical pencils which hold the thicker 3mm leads ranging from 2B to 6H. I use a thicker heavier paper towel folded in 1/4 even size squares to keep my palm off the paper surface. This way the paper towel absorbs any moisture and oils from the skin. I also use cotton balls for larger areas and q-tips for smaller areas to achieve soft and even tones while also using a kneadable eraser for highlights. With these tools and techniques I can achieve hyper-realistic pencil drawings.

[@fakecubed]

I've never used Strathmore 500. Is it really worth the price difference from the Strathmore 400?

[@BillMcSwain]

JD, the information you give is monumentally important! Who knows, maybe someone was thinking of giving up drawing, then they came across your channel. They watched, listened, and took notes. They said to themselves, "I bet I'll be as good of an artist as he is, if I follow his instructions.

[@JDHillberry1]

lol! I wasn't exactly "playing" with the bird. He seemed real nice until I tried to pick him up. After I grabbed him, he turned his head around and really clamped down on my finger. My wife kept yelling, "Let go! Let go!" I said "Tell him that!" He was the one that wouldn't let go.

[@Petra-R]

i know its 8 years ago... but i can imagine you wanna let go and the bird grabbing your finger 😂😂👍

[@davetv4705]

Thanks for these wonderful tips.

[@anitamonaldi2118]

what a CLEVER idea to attach the paper to your hand! thanks fir many helpful tips!

[@louismat319]

I change techniques depending on the paper and medium. Its always helpful to master more than one technique.

[@KevBounce]

This has helped me IMMENSELY! I feel like I just took one art class and the teacher instructed me on how to fix every issue I’ve ever had. Thank you so much!

[@j.a.6087]

4 years later and it still hurts me by just looking at your band-aid :( Thank you very much for these videos. Learned a lot :o)

[@jameswburke]

For tonal range studies, prior to watercolour painting, I find toned paper is great. You can highlight using white pastel and do the dark with a 2B or 3B pencil.

[@katferments]

I'm so glad I found this video. I recently bought a new sketching pad and it said "drawing paper" but its texture was too rough for my drawing style. I didn't even think of trying the backside until now. So thank you for that thought! :)

[@JDHillberry1]

I'm glad you found it helpful. One of the reasons I didn't review any other papers is that I have done nearly all of my artwork for the past 24 years on the ones recommended and I only draw on white.

[@404fulmike]

This a perfect video for those wanna learn drawings. It covered everything. Thank you so much Sir for sharing! I will look forward to your next or upcoming tutorial.

[@junemcdonald6464]

Thank you so much. I decided I would like to go back to drawing, but was not sure which would be the best paper. You helped me to think it through. Good idea about keeping your fingers off the paper, would not have thought about that.

[@CFdeedee]

This is very helpful .. I never was able to pick the right paper to draw on, but after watching this I know exactly what to pick .. Thanks

[@JDHillberry1]

You can tape it down with drafting tape so it doesn't move. Just make sure you put tape anywhere you are going to draw because it can alter the texture of the paper.

[@sarasherman5979]

thank god for this video! I use the tortillian & it never seems to work as good as I want it to. but now I know other ways I can get smoother blends. you've been a big inspiration for me since we learned about you in my drawing class in school last year. you were a major inspiration for my teacher and the class itself, a lot if our assignments were based off of your drawings! you never fail to amaze me! love your work & thank you for these helpfully videos :)

[@ArtExtreme526]

Thank you for these tutorials, I do a lot of artwork with graphite and I have had a lot of issues with getting the contrast that I want to achieve as well that that graphite glare "shininess". I found your tutorial on that issue was very interesting as well as this one on paper. I find myself to be an above-average artist, but still have a lot to learn and try. After the holiday season I will have to definitely have to pay a visit to your online store. Your stuff is great! Thanks again. -JDSwimm

[@marangelliramos]

Thank you JD, this information was very, very useful to me!

[@quinto]

Great video, very informative. I never thought about the oils from my hands but as I get closer to moving over to better quality paper, I now know to be careful.

[@AnaTirolese]

Thanks, JD! This is an extremely informative video. I passed it on to several young people that will also find it informative and helpful. I also want to thank you for helping that cockatiel. It is fortunate for him, and his human, that you were there to help. (My husband has had many such bites on his fingers too.)

[@naiyuki21]

Thank you so much for these videos so far!! Please Please Please keep them coming :) One of these days hopefully soon I'll be able to go to one of your workshops!

[@elsagrace3893]

Wow, so good to see the fingerprint example! Hope that having the knowledge prevents me some problems.

[@Hoifei]

Thank you so much for the first tip about the oil on our hand. I never notice that. Thank you.

[@richarddevine3489]

What do you think of Stonehenge paper or Fabriano Artistico papers for carbon pencil drawings? Is there any difference in paper choice for carbon pencils versus graphite pencils? I use Stonehenge for colored pencil paintings but have used Arches for colored pencil as well.

[@stormyg1945]

I think it was good, but you spent 8 minutes telling us about keeping your hands off the paper, instead of talking about the paper. I wish you had shown more papers - such as Bristol, as well as using different pencils to get different values.

[@JDHillberry1]

Keeping your hands off the paper is the biggest mistake I see my students make so I think it is extremely important to explain why. I don't particularly like or use Bristol so I don't have much to say about it. There will be other videos soon that will explain how I use different pencils to create different values. I didn't think it belonged in this video about paper.

[@TheLondonForever00]

I think the keeping your hands off the paper could have been done in another separate video tbh. I totally agree

[@mariasanchez6040]

JD Hillberry yeah, but it just didn’t really correspond with the title-

[@Happyhippy70]

Thanks, you saved 8 min. Of paper talk.

[@goliath257]

Really great tips, many thanks.

[@miriamrivera8241]

Thank so much for this video!!!! You are an awesome teacher🍎

[@JDHillberry1]

The safest place for an original drawing is framed under glass. Using any other method will create the possibility of smudging unless a fixative is used. I suggest you experiment with the fixative before you spray it on a finished drawing to make sure it isn't going to alter your values. Also it's best to spray lightly using several coats rather than on heavy one. I don't suggest using a fixative on very light weight paper either.

[@sunriseboy4837]

Another wonderful tute, JD. Thank you. A light cotton glove is effective on the left hand.

[@stellalange9442]

Thank you - I can not believe how much information you share ... Useful all of it

[@TheNighttrain16]

awesome video JD...very informative even after attending the workshops ...thanks again for all your help

[@sj123549]

I can't wait for your next video

[@JDHillberry1]

I never recommend hairspray. It contains alcohol which will eventually degrade the paper. It will become yellow and brittle. I suggest an archival fixative that is made for charcoal and graphite drawings.

[@forgottenstarscape]

JD very thankfull for you videos. im just getting back into drawing after almost 20 years of not. i looking to work my wayy up to portraits and will be subscribing to you. again thank you very much

[@raghunaut]

Amazing JD Hillberry! I can't thank you enough for your tips! I love the sticking of paper to the palm! You have been magnanimous in sharing this critical tip! Thanks!

[@abyhamouda3813]

Thank you so much for this video, it's very informative. I love your work so much

[@jericlamb2676]

JD Hillberry u are very generous guy!!u shared ur ideas to everyone..ur great!

[@Sketchbookseries]

I had the problem of the finger print mark and I was unable to find why this is happening. Thank you for solving my problem..

[@neehaglee7249]

Great teacher Great Art! thanks for sharing with us.

[@mikedonovan8811]

The fingerprint could be an airship or a flying saucer coming through the clouds on a rainy day.

[@joeallen2286]

Michael Donovan bob Ross says there are no mistakes. Only happy trees.

[@franciscogomez3245]

On a baby's face tho lol

[@WildLombax]

@@franciscogomez3245 how about a birth mark :)

[@janshamer5321]

Thankyou so much for sharing your wonderful tips for the pencil drawings and the papers to use . Your work is so realistic and so beautiful. The time spent on these drawings shows in your wonderful work. Again thankyou so much and have a wonderful day.

[@virginiaholliday6952]

Thanks so much for the tip about sticking the paper to the hand! That's very helpful.

[@JDHillberry1]

I'm glad that tip helped. BTW, very slick paper (without much texture) works best.

[@dkcorderoyximenez3382]

A simply excellent lesson...

[@shubutaxy]

Very informative. Thank you for taking the time to share your skill and talent.

[@nigeldonaldson1647]

VERY eye opening advice, especially about the value darkness on one paper compared to another, ive often wondered if that made a difererance to both darkness and the revealing of the paper grain & it does it seems. thanks for the advice

[@jayeshwadekar]

Motivating and informative. The way you illustrate your point is very effective. Eagerly waiting for the next one. Till then won't mind to go back and watch a few over again.

[@MilliePat]

Very good information I just completed introductory drawing class and instructor never explained paper types for graphite

[@StuartCindy]

Wow I love the idea of sticking the piece of paper to your hand with duck tape. Very clever. I am a huge fan of your work, I too use Arches for most of my graphite pencil realism drawings. Thankyou for great little tips on your videos.

[@ShellCyan]

I love you man. I have learned so much from a tiny little video and now I'm paranoid about the many times I may have left my fingers on my sketchbook paper haha.

[@frenlyneybur7544]

That smudging tip is golden!!

[@JDHillberry1]

I'm glad you liked it!

[@didmybest6714]

This video is perfect 👌

[@Reem.H.A]

This video was really helpful thank you :)

[@user-ej1vj7rq3v]

Your channel is a treasure ,thank you so much

[@LJP12330]

your advice is amazing

[@davidsilverhawk3732]

Thank you so much for this valuable information. I have been looking for this information without so much success! Thank you thank you!!!

[@JDHillberry1]

I'm glad you found this video helpful.

[@creekishere]

thanks for the video. liked it very much

[@beckyholt]

This is excellant advice for all beginners.

[@floradempsey7235]

So very pleased I found you. You're the best. So informative. Wish I had found you sooner. It's so gratifying to find such a great instructor who, not only informs, but explains. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and inspiring us.

[@JDHillberry1]

Thanks Flora, I think people learn easier when they know WHY to do something a particular way, instead of just being told WHAT to do.

[@ArcherCJS]

wow really informative, i never knew about the finger situations before and how much of a drastic affect it can have when drawing. very good demonstrations and lessons thank you for sharing!

[@Destinyl0l]

Wow I never knew that! Thank you for education me!

[@royrepie61]

Thank you for the tips 🙏 I never thought a tip on finger can ruin drawing... you are the best teacher and so kind/nice 🙂 I saw a few of your video tips, nice information. God bless you... Subcribed.

[@JDHillberry1]

I Roy. Thanks for subscribing!

[@foxkat88]

I love the duck tape to the hand idea!

[@bryanmartin9420]

Thanks, excellent!

[@blubeten]

videos are pretty helpful and good. Thanks for sharing these.

[@OscarMaya212]

Thank you very much for putting so much of your time t these videos. I am learning so much from you. You are very intuitive and informative as well as informative. Thank you.

[@JDHillberry1]

+Oscar Maya Thank you Oscar. Im' so glad you are enjoying my KZbin videos. If you are really interested in my techniques I have full length tutorials here: www.jdhillberrytutorials.com/drawing-tutorials.html. The one that will make the biggest impact on your ability to draw realistically is the "Realistic Drawing with Light, Texture and Contrast. Keep Drawing! JD

[@psriram2416]

EXELLENT art work

[@BeepBeepAndVanillaBean]

This is very helpful.

[@gaynorwilliams4033]

Great idea to stick the paper to you hand!

[@pamwillis19]

That's very helpful. Thanks

[@LynnePriceStudio]

This is an excellent video. Thank you.

[@cameracartwright]

Superb video really helpful information, many thanks

[@erika71classic]

Mr. Hill I love your videos and subscribed to your channel. I would like for you to do a video showing the drawing, shading and blending techniques you use when drawing people of color. Thank you

[@stinapettersson9421]

Wow... just awesome! Thank you!

[@JDHillberry1]

I'm glad you liked the video

[@kinghadu9611]

incredible video wow never would have thought of this

[@BushcraftOnFire]

Hey My Brother.. It's so good to see you putting videos up again! Excellent treatise on papers.. Many Blessings!!

[@JerryOrtiz19]

Nice tutorial vid, thanx!

[@Ishkiia]

Loved the video. I once did a project on the back side of a gesso canvas. It was a challenge but it kept the graphite from getting shiny. In my ignorance I didn't know some of these things you are talking about in that video. It turned out beautifully and it was somewhere around 2 ft x 3 ft and I stopped counting the hours at 144. What was interesting about this particular project is that I found I could manipulate the tooth of the canvas to my advantage. Try it sometime

[@CrashKunio]

thanks , very informative :)

[@Lmomjian]

thank you

[@choochoochooseyou]

Many thanks, that's really helpful.

[@joyceedwards3336]

Excellent information!! I’m new and this is the greatest help ever! 🙏🏻 Thank you so much Sir!

[@JDHillberry1]

I'm so glad you found this video helpful, Joyce!

[@BarbaraDick-r5]

Great job of really explaining the reality of handling paper!

[@JDHillberry1]

Thank you!

[@Ishkiia]

by the way, I see these videos are rather old but I sure hope you keep doing them. Your videos have touched me in ways I won't explain here but I appreciate what you are doing

[@JDHillberry1]

I've never used that particular paper, so I can't really answer that question. You will see a difference between the blending materials and techniques I recommend but I don't know if the textures will be the same on that paper

[@Purpleyoshi81]

The finger print part was very helpful. It was a big problem for me in the past

[@ASMRyouVEGANyet]

I learned a lot from this video. Thank you.

[@marioCazares]

Awesome video.

[@JDHillberry1]

I use workable fixatives and they can help to prevent smudging. Make sure it is a non-yellowing, archival fixative. However, the safest place for a drawing is framed under glass.

[@raymondtrinidad1153]

If you put it under a glass you wont need to put a fixative first? Newbie here. Thanks

[@JDHillberry1]

@@raymondtrinidad1153 As long as there isn't a lot of loose charcoal or graphite sitting on the surface of the paper, framing without using fixative is fine.

[@franciscorgonzalez5058]

Excellent tutorial...

[@ernestomurillo2383]

Is the Strathmore sketch notebook not good enough for nicely detailed drawings? I got these smudges after shading but don't seem to be from my hands...

[@marlen8926]

Very helpful! Thx

[@timeisgold7793]

Wow thank you really helps

[@sj123549]

Thank you

[@carmelbrownqueen]

Hi, I have dreamed of drawing professionally. I been drawing since I was very young. My high school art teacher told my that I would never make a living at it because I wouldn't draw the way he told me. He said was only one way it suppose 2 be done, not free handed. So I stopped trying 2 go further & just draw 4 a hobby/stress relief. Now I was thinking about going 2 art school to enhance my talent but I was thinking I would be discouraged again. I like to find out more about your classes.

[@TheMysticAngel]

Dont listen to your teacher go for it

[@robartdesigns]

this video showed me a lot about paper, and I've seen the drawing you made of the man ripping out of the page before somewhere, excellent stuff. I will try to apply this for my drawings on my art channel. You have been subbed. Take care. ; )

[@TheChoclateTaco]

Wow! interesting...

[@jumanas4012]

i love strathmore drawing paper its smoothest i ever seen !

[@swapnilmaslekar9065]

I just can't find the correct configuration of that paper..

[@robertalexander3067]

Great stuff! Thankyou! Fruit is the trick for the stray bird

[@JDHillberry1]

Good to know. He seemed to like the tortilla chips though. :)