On Ink and Paper - My Top 5 Papers For Ink and Marker Art Work
I cannot tell a lie, I have a paper obsession. Yes I'm a paper geek. I'm constantly experimenting with different papers, much to the chagrin of my bank account.
I've tested my Micron pens on countless different paper - bristol, vintage paper, mixed media, watercolour, Japanese sketch paper, rice paper, mylar, Japanese washi paper and most recently, vellum.
I've read online that vellum is regularly used by botanical artists and was also used in creating the stunning Illuminated Manuscripts. This paper when used with marker gives an ethereal feel - the surface glides perfectly as I draw with ink. Same with Japanese Washi - it requires more ink but the results on this textured paper are amazing. The way the paper feels and the immediate impactful effect makes it worth the cost. (note that there are many different kinds of washi paper)
So here are my favourite papers for microns - Until I try Copic markers. Still I wonder if Copic markers are worth the hype?
5) Mylar - This surface is transparent and smooth and brings out gouache, pastel, pencil and acrylic colour beautifully. But my Micron pens smudge easily on it. I would like to experiment further with it. You can actually erase ink and any medium you use, really, so that's a big plus. Perhaps I'll invest in some Copic markers to see how they react on this near perfect surface.
4) Japanese Sketch Paper - this paper is white, very textured, and has fibres on one side, and smoother on the other. If you like drawing thicker lines with your black ink, this paper is for you. It absorbs ink like no other paper. The results for me are hit and miss - I love this paper but the lines it produces are too thick for my work. Plus the fibres are hard on my .15 and .20 microns. But it gives a beautiful effect when you're after thick lines and are doing less detailed work.
3) Rice Paper - This paper is delicate but durable. The semi transparent paper gives a dreamlike quality to intricate, detailed work. I like it best when using the finest Micron tips (.15 and .20 pens)
Downside, it is difficult to mount.
2) Vellum - There is no limit to what you can do with vellum - since it's transparent, you can layer images for specific effects. The surface is smooth but not so your pen slips - the experience of drawing on vellum is a pure delight and the results are beautiful, delicate and interesting. I'll most certainly experiment with more of this paper. The second photo on this post was drawn on vellum, backed with a white paper, to cover the transparency.
1) Japanese Washi paper - I consider this to be luxury paper, in cost and experience. There are countless different kinds of washi, but I have yet to meet a washi paper I did not like! It feels like mistakes don't matter as much on this paper, since the fabric-like beauty of the paper and the way the it absorbs ink is compensates for imperfections.
Right now I have a paper called Uwa Senka and Mura Bobuku, which I believe is comparable or the same as Mulberry paper. Instead of cutting this paper, it is best to tear it with a ruler to get the imperfect frayed edges - it's just more beautiful to see the fibres framing you illustration or drawing. Every time I make a trip to the Japanese paper store, I'm like a kid int he candy store. The first photo in this post was drawn on Japanese washi paper. Run don't walk to your Japanese paper store and spoil yourself all you paper geeks!
Honourable mention: Bristol board. Stark white, this paper is well loved by marker, pen and ink artists everywhere.
I've also read that the Copic sketchbooks are great.
Recomemdations welcome!
Below is one of many in my Water Lily Leaf series, or Lotus leaf Series. More to come!
Japanese Washi Paper:
Vellum paper:
I've tested my Micron pens on countless different paper - bristol, vintage paper, mixed media, watercolour, Japanese sketch paper, rice paper, mylar, Japanese washi paper and most recently, vellum.
I've read online that vellum is regularly used by botanical artists and was also used in creating the stunning Illuminated Manuscripts. This paper when used with marker gives an ethereal feel - the surface glides perfectly as I draw with ink. Same with Japanese Washi - it requires more ink but the results on this textured paper are amazing. The way the paper feels and the immediate impactful effect makes it worth the cost. (note that there are many different kinds of washi paper)
So here are my favourite papers for microns - Until I try Copic markers. Still I wonder if Copic markers are worth the hype?
5) Mylar - This surface is transparent and smooth and brings out gouache, pastel, pencil and acrylic colour beautifully. But my Micron pens smudge easily on it. I would like to experiment further with it. You can actually erase ink and any medium you use, really, so that's a big plus. Perhaps I'll invest in some Copic markers to see how they react on this near perfect surface.
4) Japanese Sketch Paper - this paper is white, very textured, and has fibres on one side, and smoother on the other. If you like drawing thicker lines with your black ink, this paper is for you. It absorbs ink like no other paper. The results for me are hit and miss - I love this paper but the lines it produces are too thick for my work. Plus the fibres are hard on my .15 and .20 microns. But it gives a beautiful effect when you're after thick lines and are doing less detailed work.
3) Rice Paper - This paper is delicate but durable. The semi transparent paper gives a dreamlike quality to intricate, detailed work. I like it best when using the finest Micron tips (.15 and .20 pens)
Downside, it is difficult to mount.
2) Vellum - There is no limit to what you can do with vellum - since it's transparent, you can layer images for specific effects. The surface is smooth but not so your pen slips - the experience of drawing on vellum is a pure delight and the results are beautiful, delicate and interesting. I'll most certainly experiment with more of this paper. The second photo on this post was drawn on vellum, backed with a white paper, to cover the transparency.
1) Japanese Washi paper - I consider this to be luxury paper, in cost and experience. There are countless different kinds of washi, but I have yet to meet a washi paper I did not like! It feels like mistakes don't matter as much on this paper, since the fabric-like beauty of the paper and the way the it absorbs ink is compensates for imperfections.
Right now I have a paper called Uwa Senka and Mura Bobuku, which I believe is comparable or the same as Mulberry paper. Instead of cutting this paper, it is best to tear it with a ruler to get the imperfect frayed edges - it's just more beautiful to see the fibres framing you illustration or drawing. Every time I make a trip to the Japanese paper store, I'm like a kid int he candy store. The first photo in this post was drawn on Japanese washi paper. Run don't walk to your Japanese paper store and spoil yourself all you paper geeks!
Honourable mention: Bristol board. Stark white, this paper is well loved by marker, pen and ink artists everywhere.
I've also read that the Copic sketchbooks are great.
Recomemdations welcome!
Below is one of many in my Water Lily Leaf series, or Lotus leaf Series. More to come!
Japanese Washi Paper:
Vellum paper:
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