Which Paper is Best for Charcoal Gesture Drawing

This video helps you decide which paper is best for charcoal gesture drawing. If you’re wondering about paper for charcoal gesture drawing, charcoal gesture drawing, then I’ll explain how you can choose paper best suited to your drawing style. There is a big difference between compressed charcoal versus vine charcoal, and so if you want to know how to use vine charcoal, how to use compressed charcoal, then this will help you because the type of paper really has a big impact on your drawing.
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Here is a list of my preferred drawing materials. These are affiliate links, so if you pick up any of these items via my links it means you'll be supporting this channel, and that you are awesome ❤️
- Fixative
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- Newsprint Paper
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- The Compressed Charcoal that I use:
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- Alternative Charcoal (I don't use but also popular):
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- Willow Charcoal
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- The ROLLS ROYCE of Charcoals (Nitram):
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- Kneaded eraser
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For drawing a longer, more finished piece I use good quality paper such as:
- Fabriano Paper
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- Hahnemuhle Paper
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[@Drawing-Life]

Thanks for watching! Hope it was helpful with your drawing - let me know if you have a specific type of paper that you work with, leave a comment below! :)

[@Vicerium]

I mostly draw on 120 gr paper or 200 gr mix media. May say that 200 gr Mix Media paper was the thickest i ever had and best also. I draw as a hobby -pencil,ink,charcoal-. Thanks for the video

[@user-kx8zp7rt9n]

Uso papel gris delgado con algo de porosidad en una cara. Muy económoco y puedo resaltar brillos de luz con tiza simple. Los trazos vuestros son bellos y modernos !

[@noah295463]

Amazingly done video. Very nice as always.

[@Trylobyte]

Useful info -thanks!

[@Drawing-Life]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching

[@user-od7lf5yh1y]

Thank you.

[@christopherkalu7258]

Really informative, thanks for the tips. Helped a lot

[@Drawing-Life]

So glad that it was helpful Christopher! thanks for watching :)

[@arkansasgrizzly]

Thank you for this! Someone told me watercolor paper would be great, and it is… not. 😂 Going tomorrow to get some vellum. Thanks again!

[@ElizabethSampson]

I love experimenting with paper and sketchbooks. Great video, Siobhan! Mixed media paper is great for practicing with all sorts of mediums.

[@Drawing-Life]

So true! Mixed media paper is a great standard to go by, i'm usually stuck for paper to draw on in my studio, and so often draw on whatever i have to hand... I need to stock up!!

[@irvingtrejo]

Very usefus!!!ll thanks!!!

[@Drawing-Life]

Thanks Irving! Thank you for watching :)

[@mariecrowe8843]

Great advise, I’ve been really struggling to find this quality of information…..gratitude ❤

[@Drawing-Life]

Ah thank you!! That's great to receive this feedback, it's very encouraging to keep me going!😅

[@user-jp7vj2ky4r]

I prefer the watercolor paper..personally I think the paper texture enhances the look...but I’m no expert

[@cliffberry1900]

Great video as always. You really have helped me out of a myriad of issues regarding materials alone. No more vine charcoal for me-at least for now. And this cleared up a lot of confusion I've had regarding paper. Thanks-Plus you have the most lovely smile.

[@Drawing-Life]

Haha thank you Cliff, this is a wonderful comment. So glad to know that it helped in terms of materials! Experimenting is all well and good, but it's better to know what you're dealing with. Let me know if you have any questions

[@rolfarnquist8343]

Hi Siobhan, thanks for another great, helpful video. When I was in college (and even today) I used just plain brown wrapping paper a lot. The university provided it so the price was right and it is an inexpensive option even for use today. Compressed charcoal and conte crayon seem to work well on it and even crayola crayons (when I was really poor in college) worked OK. Thanks again for doing these videos!

[@Drawing-Life]

Oh yes, I used to draw on brown wrapping paper too, it's a wonderful paper to switch to when feeling too precious about drawing on expensive paper, it's very freeing to do that !

[@josephugbomor658]

It's cool

[@alejandrooliverosv.8555]

Hi Siobhan!! I really enjoy your videos and love the way you draw. I use bristol paper to do charcoal drawings.

[@Drawing-Life]

Ah, cool, glad to hear that.Thanks for watching Alejandro :)

[@kalpanaartwork4230]

Awesome

[@Drawing-Life]

Thanks for watching! :)

[@antondiffering4727]

Glad I've foound/discovered you today Lady

[@Drawing-Life]

I'm so glad you found me too!! :) thanks for watching!

[@LenesCreativeVirtue]

Hello Siobhan, I have been struggling to find a good paper for my art style. This video very helpful. Subbed done

[@Drawing-Life]

Thank you so much! 😊 glad this was helpful - subbed you back! ✊

[@JustinAndNicoleAdventures]

New subscriber from Philippines 😊

[@Drawing-Life]

Yay! Thanks for joining! :) 🇵🇭 👍

[@mikemor6005]

NICE

[@Drawing-Life]

Thanks Mike!

[@drawninwardart]

I use Sugar Paper which has a really nice texture for willow charcoal and pastels but I also use sheets cut From a Fabriano Accademia roll of 120 gsm paper.

[@Drawing-Life]

Yes! I also use Fabriano from the roll, it's great paper to work on. It doesn't like ink wash though, which I often use, but for charcoal it's super. I forgot to mention that one!! :) thanks for dropping that here, it's an excellent recommendation

[@stephengreico2810]

Love your figure an portrait lessons At the risk of sounding greedy......MOOOOORRRRE lol I really enjoy them :)

[@Drawing-Life]

Thanks so much! Haha yes I'm trying to put more content out! Definitely would like to share more portrait work as well, thanks for the comment! :)

[@akshayacreations6186]

Beautiful art...you are amazing ......❤❤💓💓👍😊🤩🤝🙏🔔........ It's very difficult art...😍😍👍🙏🤝

[@Drawing-Life]

Thank you so much 😀 thanks for watching

[@jeffshepherd927]

I recently discovered there's a big difference between rough and smooth newsprint. I like to use wax based color pencils for gesture drawing, and they work beautifully on rough newsprint but fail completely on the smooth -- to make a mark, you really have to dig in.

[@Drawing-Life]

@jeffsheperd wow, I've never come across rough newsprint! I'll have to seek it out and give it a try. That's really interesting to find out, thanks!

[@bersisdumann5876]

Hi

[@anastassiyakim7041]

Hi, there. It s just a joy to watch ur videos. As per me I find it a little bit scary to draw on expensive paper or sketchebooks, because of a fear to mess up and waste a high quality thing . So usually I have my warms ups (just some lines, scribbles, rounds, gesture drawings) on used A4 print paper (trying to be mindful of nature) on clean side and really have fun drawing on it, probably because I do not feel any mental burdens and limits for drawing to be nice. And do some studies on newsprint paper. But of course, for every artist it s important to find his/her perfect pair of media+paper.

[@Drawing-Life]

I totally agree! There is always going to be your own paper that you love to use, and that is something personal that you can discover through practice. I didn't think about using used print paper for warm ups ... that's a great idea. I've also used soooo much of good quality paper where the drawings didn't work out, so I'm nervous about that myself :) I tend to keep good quality for commissions or drawings that I plan out so that I have an idea of what the final outcome will look like. Thanks as always for watching :)

[@user-kx8zp7rt9n]

Ese deanudo fue viendo modelo viva o de memoria?

[@eswardora6563]

I love you mam

[@lynda8852]

Thank you again Just what I needed I have charcoal pencils And willow charcoal and didn't know what paper to use them on What fixative is best to buy please Best wishes Lynda

[@Drawing-Life]

In my opinion, this is one of those things where the more expensive ones are usually the better ones. A cheap fixative is not worth buying in the long run, so if you can afford it, then it's good to go for the more expensive option. Ask in the store what brands they carry and they'll give you a good recommendation.

[@KarenDodo9]

Great tutorial, thanks Siobhan, the search for the perfect paper that is similar to newsprint but archival continues, its strange since I feel like newsprint is fine and smooth, but when I use a fine and smooth cartridge paper it doesn't take the charcoal the same way?

[@Drawing-Life]

I personally find that smooth cartridge paper has a hard surface that makes the charcoal slide over it, whereas newsprint tends to be softer and charcoal seems to melt into it more. Don't know if that makes sense, but that's the only way i can describe it! So, yes, the search continues!! .... 😅

[@rajivmenon100]

Very useful information, i was trying charchol in the same 300 gsm watercolor paper😔

[@Drawing-Life]

Thanks for you comment! So glad to hear this was helpful. I can totally relate!! I love watercolor paper, but wow, it's not the easiest to work on with charcoal. You miss out on all the variations and dynamic range of the medium when the paper is too thick. Try a smoother, lighter paper. Let me know how you get on! :)

[@elimeleshsanchez4122]

Is castle art sketch book meant for charcoal 🇵🇷♥️♿

[@raymondgealolo8994]

Kind I ask ma'am what paper do you use in making charcoal art?

[@Drawing-Life]

Newsprint paper

[@HerradaJulio]

I normally use sketchbook, Thanks.

[@Drawing-Life]

That's cool, do you draw with charcoal or pen in your sketchbook? Thanks for commenting, and watching!

[@HerradaJulio]

@@Drawing-Life I draw with soft graphite , sepia and white. White and tone paper, I like thick paper and for practice 50 lb sketchbook paper and 17x11 copy paper. Thank for reply.

[@ravasuwandi8398]

Can i used Bristol paper for Charcoal Pencil ?

[@Drawing-Life]

Yes you can! :) You might still need to fix your drawing though (spray it with Fixative) so check first if your charcoal pencil smudges a lot on the paper.

[@djvedits]

Hi I love working with fine white paper.

[@francescobiancardi9922]

Ciao Siobhan, I usually use A4 size printer paper, which I can tear off without too many worries if I don't like the result and for other types of paper I prefer the smooth 100 or 150 gr. I would like to ask you: can you make a pen and ink video? I'd love to see your technique. Please do it! Thanks.

[@Drawing-Life]

I'm going to try printing paper - I hadn't really used it much before! Thanks :) I would love to make a video about pen and ink... not something I'veworked with but I'd be very interested to explore that. Will let you know!

[@gothelvis3541]

DONT USE CARTRIDGE PAPER FOR CHARCOAL Bristol and or normal acid free paper but not cartridge. I can't explain enough how much hassle and terror I've had applying shade on it, the surface is far too grainy, it sticks, it's not fluid or attractive by any means. As an artist that focuses on realism it's by far the worst paper I've used by a long shot.

[@LELOOSHIAN]

Hi there! Very informative regarding what type of paper is best for different sketches. However, I’m having trouble to find that very large roll of charcoal drawing paper that you rolled on the floor with your dog walking over it.😂What is the name and where can I get it. I have several projects to complete and of course looking for relatively the best paper to accomplish the project. Your help would be highly appreciated. NOVELLIAN

[@Drawing-Life]

Hi! The large roll of paper is Fabriano and I think it’s 160g, I’ll have to check. In the art store near me they sell Fabriano on the roll like that and I’m sure it is available in different weights. That one in the video in particular is great for charcoal or pencil drawing, but not for wet media like ink. Hope this helps!! Good luck with the projects!

[@bassist41]

What about cold-pressed illustration board.

[@Drawing-Life]

Ah, yes! That's a great option, cold pressed usually has better texture to draw on for sure

[@basilabdulsalam1590]

Hi! Strange! you are drawing the same photo which I do. 🤔

[@Drawing-Life]

Ha! that's a great coincidence, how did your drawing turn out?