The Everything Art Handbook

SURFACES & SUPPORTS

Over the years, paper has become an invaluable tool for record keeping and making art. Today a variety of papers are both affordable and readily available. Because drawing paper can vary widely, artists generally describe a paper using the following properties: material, weight, texture, finish, brightness, and color.

Papers made from cotton rags are called “rag paper;” these strong sheets are made up of the longest cotton fibers. Aside from art, rag paper is used for important documents that need to last or withstand wear ...