Sketching Pads

Sketching pads - Get creative with dry media

Sketching pads are a basic art supply in the creative process for practising, experimenting, preliminary drawings, visual journals and quick studies. Sketching paper is generally lighter in weight (50lbs/74gsm - 60lbs/89gsm) compared to drawing paper which is intended for a finished artwork.

But when it comes to art sketching and drawing supplies, you do get heavier duty professional artist sketch pads (140lbs/300gsm) that are hot-pressed, lightfast, acid-free and archival.

Dry media - graphite pencils and charcoal - are best suited for sketching pads. (Coloured pencils and pastels are best suited to drawing paper or heavier duty sketching pads or sketchbooks). However, some sketch pads are specialized for multimedia such as markers, inks and light washes. A smooth-surfaced sketching pad is ideal for line and technical drawings. Medium-surfaced sketching paper is suited to all dry media.

3 reasons to use a sketching pad:
1. For practising: Sketching paper is for having fun, experimenting and trying out new skills without any pressure.
2. For creative expression: Ideas beget ideas; the more you practice and let your ideas run wild in a sketchbook, the more ideas will flow and the more you will be inspired. (it’s like visual art brainstorming).
3. For sharpening your drawing skills: As you practise and experiment, you grow in confidence as an artist.