Anyone else like really TOOTHY paper. Rougher than rough vellum only?

[vrblknch]

Hey need help finding super bumpy rough bristol. Any suggestions? I know it may not hold india ink as well as a smooth plate, but my pencils are so heavy handed, I think I can manage. I have tons upon tons of moleskin type/big black saddle stitched bound sketchbooks and the bone white, pale yellow rough texture in them has spoiled me the point that plate board doesn't have enough tooth. Currently I have Canson recycled and even the vellum ply is not cutting it. Strathmore 400 series is sitting unused as well.

Again, I appreciate any feedback at all.

[dfbovey]

Depends on what medium I'm using. I definitely like more tooth for painting, but then I tend to use either illustration board or actual watercolor block.

Don't like a whole lot of tooth for pencils though. I use 500 series Strathmore most of the time. The jump in quality from 400 to 500 is pretty noticeable. It's not incredibly toothy but it's substantial if that makes any sense.

[InkDrop]

Canson XL Series Mix Media Pads
I have several sizes of these that I sketch, draw, ink and paint in. The paper is heavy weight, 98lb, with a decent amount of tooth. I highly recommend them for anyone you dislikes the cheap feel of most sketchbooks.

http://www.dickblick.com/products/canson-xl-mix-media-pads/

I also have an 18 x 24 watercolor pad. 140lb with quite a bit of tooth, but the paper can take quite a bit of wear & tear and is quite forgiving.

http://www.dickblick.com/products/canson-xl-watercolor-pads/

Bee Paper Aquabee
Super toothy paper. Nice heavy weight paper.

http://www.dickblick.com/products/bee-paper-aquabee-super-deluxe-sketchbook/

[vrblknch]

Thanks for the advice, I'll order the 500 series first as a test and then go looking for some mixed media boards. I think the timing is almost pitch perfect, put a nice watercolor set on my Christmas list...

[Smitty]

What we like to draw on is irrelevant. The question is what the inker likes. I'm not man enough for the toilet paper companies provide. I buy my own 500 plate. I despise drawing on it but, I love it for ink. I can't tell you how many top flight pros (Terry Austin, Joe Rubenstein, George Freeman...) have asked me where I got that magical paper and how they hated going back to the company stuff.

Now if your inker likes toothy (and some do) go for it.

[vrblknch]

What we like to draw on is irrelevant. The question is what the inker likes. I'm not man enough for the toilet paper companies provide. I buy my own 500 plate. I despise drawing on it but, I love it for ink. I can't tell you how many top flight pros (Terry Austin, Joe Rubenstein, George Freeman...) have asked me where I got that magical paper and how they hated going back to the company stuff.

Now if your inker likes toothy (and some do) go for it.

If you are self publishing, or making sequential art for your own distribution, you can draw on whatever you want. Assembly line creative workflow is so 2011. My bad for thinking I didn't have to state what I'm working on is a singular vision made by me singer/songwriter style. If it garners exposure somehow cool.

[Smitty]

You can "draw on whatever you like" in the pros too. There are pros doing finished work on Xerox paper. Draw on paper the inker can't handle and you're screwed regardless of arena. Now, if you're inking yourself, the choice is yours. If using another inker, do your work the favor of letting the inker choose. The artists work doesn't go to press, the inkers does. Give the inker what they need for best results.

[InkDrop]

Pencils can be scanned; Inker's can print blue line on whatever they like.

[Symson]

If you are inking yourself, it's best to just go to your local art store and buy some paper to experiment with and find what works for you. Toothy may not be the answer.

if someone else is inking your work, then you have no choice but to buy a paper that accepts ink well. Don't make someone else's life difficult.

[vrblknch]

If you are inking yourself, it's best to just go to your local art store and buy some paper to experiment with and find what works for you. Toothy may not be the answer.

if someone else is inking your work, then you have no choice but to buy a paper that accepts ink well. Don't make someone else's life difficult.

I guess it's just the nature of the beast, but why is everyone so possessed with INKING? I prefaced with "it may not hold india ink" meaning that all I'm concerned with are pencils. Don't get me wrong inking is wonderful, it really helps me loosen up and unwind but seriously rather than jump from one function to another I'd rather get my lead on.

I can draw to manipulate digitally, OR I can scan a sketch... there are too many interesting tools to play with to be stuck drawing on smooth plate bristol. That's like telling Adam Hughes he could probably work faster with a stylus than a mouse. Yes, but he digs the mouse. I've gotten some great feedback, I'll keep it all in mind.

[autowagon]

i've been experimenting too. I haven't found anything rougher that i like yet. It doesn't want to hold the pencil. I keep having to go over the same stuff again and again.

The inker is secondary to the penciller, but the quality of inks may diminish if they are forced to scan and reprint, or light-box. It is just your own preference toward quality control. Personally, it all works out if you concentrate on keeping your work professional (clean and clear). Don't produce a grainy scratchy looking multi-tonal thing and expect it to look that way in b&w.