Types of paper

[bobalmond]

Copy/pasted from 'brianw':

Hello all

Just wanted to get some opinions on what type of paper to use.

For submission work, I am currently using Strathmore 500 smooth and sometimes 400 smooth. For practice I use the 300 smooth. I get these from Bill Cole Enterprises.

I have also seen the blue line Pro boards, but have read a few articles that state they have a tendency to bleed.

Recently found www.Eonprod.com but the only description is 110lb art board. Not really sure what that describes as I am used to the Strathmore paper.

Just looking for opinions here regarding what you all use and why.

Thanks for the help

B

[bobalmond]

Copy/pasted from 'brianw':
Re: types of paper
« Reply #1 on Oct 21, 2008, 2:54pm »
This past weekend, I evaluated three different types of board from Bill Cole enterprises www.bcemylar.com/CAS/artboards.cfm

I inked on the 200 400(smooth) and 500(smooth) series.

200 series: described as "student" grade. vellum/rough texture-esque but not quite as bumpy. Tough to ink with a crowquill as the paper has a tendency to get into the nib. Great with brushes as the rough texture makes for very interesting lines.

400 series: "advanced" grade. Great surface with very little bleed. Held up well to the pens (technical and dip). Brushes glide over the surface nicely

500 series: "professional". Performed identically to the 400 series. Slightly smoother surface but seems to need the most time drying. Good paper , but not worth the extra expense IMO.

[bobalmond]

Copy/pasted from 'Jimmyt':
Re: types of paper
« Reply #2 on Oct 21, 2008, 9:45pm »
Brett uses decent paper for Eon. It would be equal to about a 400 Strathmoore.

400 and 500 are preferred either with or without tooth depending on your preference.

The 300 and under has a loose fiber and will not be as crisp using pancils or ink.

400 has a very tight fiber and hold quill and brush very well and is pretty much the more popular paper used.

500 is the best you can get for illustration work with ink. I know it is a tad expensive now and people like Terry Dodson uses it exclusively.

2 ply holds up well and makes the resale a little bit easier, as it stands up well over time if the inker does not use sharpies or acidic ink on the page.

Some people buy the strathmoore 400 series pads on sale at 14X18 and cut them down for use.

Best to store any paer with a dehumidifier in the area as once the fibers gain moisture they will swell and drying them out is ok but not quite as good as fresh dry paper.

One of the commissions I did recently was shipped in a sealed envelope by a concientious collector. Nice of him.

Best!

Jimmy T

[Brian W.]

An update to my original post

I have become quite the fan of the plate surface 500 series Strathmore. I have come to the conclusion that I am a bit more heavy handed than most and the 500 seires is holding up well...actually...better than the crowquills!!

Also holds up great to erasing. The 400 series is still great, don't get me wrong, but the 500 is the one for me now

[justice41]

I use both. I use the 500 series like an Illustration board, to do my paintings on. I like vellum, not crazy about smooth. I like a little tooth to my paper. Same with the 400 series. I buy the 4-ply stuff. Anything else is not worth the bother.
Eon boards are Strathmore. Brett at Eon is a nice guy trying to accommodate artists needs for great paper and reasonable prices. Only issue I've ever had with Eon was from an earlier paper that didn't allow for complete erasers of pencils. He fixed that. Not sure now what type of Board he has. Thing about eon is it's a thick heavy board similar to what Image used to use way back when. I buy the large 40"x30" boards and cut them down. Having preprinted rules and borders is not an issue for me.