Welcome to my first blog post of 2025 and I thought I would start the year off by chatting about the best drawing papers for pet portraits in pencil. My top picks and guide! I quite often receive emails asking about the materials we both use and I received a few over the Christmas period. So I thought it might be good to begin a series of blog posts about our materials and ones we have used over the years. The photo below shows my current desk set up with my pencil portrait of Obi on and Lily on my seat! We will chat about Obi’s portrait later in the blog post, so lets get started!
What Makes the Best Drawing Papers for Pet Portraits in Pencil?
The right paper can elevate a pencil pet portrait by allowing for smooth shading, fine detail, and clean erasing. Smoothness is crucial, as a fine surface helps me achieve lifelike fur texture without unwanted grain interfering with details. A high-quality paper should have a slight tooth to grip graphite well, without creating excessive texture that could interfere with subtle shading.
Durability is another key factor. Heavier papers can withstand multiple layers of graphite, blending and repeated erasing without tearing or degrading. This is especially important for some of my really close up detailed pet portraits where subtle transitions between light and dark are crucial. Some papers hold up better than others under pressure, which is why selecting a reliable option is essential.
The ability to erase cleanly is also crucial. All of my drawings require precise detailing and corrections, so having a paper that allows for lifting highlights and refining small details without smudging or damaging the fibres is a game changer. Papers that hold up well to erasing, provide much more flexibility during my drawing process.
Additionally, I find papers that come in sheet form are much more easy to deal with. Larger sheets can be cut down to fit specific dimensions, allowing for complete control over the final composition. This is perfect for my commissions as I can create bespoke sizes for custom-sized artwork.
Understanding Paper Weights for Graphite Drawing
The weight of paper is important in how well it overall handles the graphite pencil, blending and erasing. Paper weight is measured in gsm (grams per square meter) or lb (pounds)—higher weights generally indicate thicker, more durable paper.
- Lightweight Papers (50-90 gsm / 20-40 lb) – These papers are typically used for quick sketches and practice work. They don’t hold many layers of graphite and can wear down with heavy erasing.
- Mid-Weight Papers (100-200 gsm / 50-90 lb) – A great balance between durability and flexibility. Cartridge papers and some sketchbooks fall in this category, making them ideal for refined sketches and studies.
- Heavyweight Papers (200-300 gsm / 90-140 lb) – Perfect for pet portrait pencil work. They allow for multiple layers of graphite, blend smoothly, and withstand repeated erasing without damage.
- Extra Heavyweight Papers (300+ gsm / 140+ lb) – Typically used for mixed media or when working with graphite and light washes. These are highly durable but may have more texture than ideal for fine graphite details.
For professional pencil pet portraits, I always recommend using at least 200 gsm (90 lb) paper to ensure smooth shading, depth, layering plenty of layers and the ability to correct details without damaging the surface.
Surface Texture – Finding the Right Balance
The texture of a paper, or its “tooth,” plays a big role in how graphite behaves on the surface. Too much tooth can result in a grainy look that makes it difficult to achieve smooth shading. While a paper that is too smooth can prevent graphite from adhering properly. I personally prefer a slight tooth—just enough to grip the pencil and allow for soft layering without the grain interfering with fine details.
Best Drawing Papers for Pet Portraits in Pencil – My Top Picks
Over the past 30 years, both Nicholas and I have worked with a wide variety of papers. Whether it has been for commissions, sketching, creating mock-ups (before computers did that for us!!) and general craft work. You can’t really go wrong with the established brands. They are often the most reliable for the specific techniques they were designed for. I’ll share some of the papers I’ve used over the years and my top recommendations. Although I have to say it is all personal preference, so do try papers out and experiment.
1. Fabriano Hot Pressed Watercolour Paper – My #1 Choice!
So my absolute favourite paper for my pencil pet portraits is Fabriano Hot Pressed Watercolour Paper 300gsm. The close up photo above is of one of my sheets of paper. I bought back samples of Fabriano when I visited Florence, Italy when I was a student. I have loved it ever since. It is a dream to work on! The surface for me makes it relatively easy to create soft shading, delicate fur textures and precise details, yet it still has enough tooth to grip the graphite. I love that you can buy it in large sheets and cut it to bespoke sizes. That makes it perfect for my commissioned drawings. I usually buy mine from Jackson’s Art but I’m sure you can get it many other art shops.
📌 Buy Fabriano Hot Pressed Watercolour Paper
2. Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Board – Perfect for Ultra-Smooth Details
Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Board is another excellent choice, especially for artists who prefer an extra-smooth surface. I have a 14 x 11 inch pad but it doesn’t allow me to use it for large commissions. To be honest I have always struggled to find larger pads, but if you can get hold of them, great! I would probably use this paper more if it was available in sheet form. This paper does allow for precise pencil strokes and soft shading, making it great for hyper-realistic pet portraits. However, it is very smooth and has less tooth than the Fabriano, so blending requires a careful approach. If you enjoy working with mechanical pencils or ultra-fine details, Bristol Board is an excellent choice. Here is a link to Jackson’s Art if you would like to check them out.
3. Winsor and Newton Cartridge Paper – Good for Sketching
Winsor and Newton Cartridge Paper – or even every day printer paper is a versatile option. I often use both for preliminary sketches and practice work. Cartridge paper has a slight grain that holds graphite well and is more affordable than premium papers, making it a great choice for beginners to practice with. Even printer paper is good for sketching and cheap too. While neither of these offer the same refined finish as thicker papers, they are both a great option for rough studies or quick sketches. Plus you can buy them anywhere!
📌 Buy Winsor and Newton Cartridge Paper
4. Strathmore 400 Series Drawing Paper – Fun to Use
Strathmore 400 Series Drawing Paper is a fantastic option for artists who love rich shading and smooth blending. This heavyweight paper has a fine-tooth surface that grips graphite well, allowing for both subtle transitions and deep tonal values. It’s durable enough to handle multiple layers without buckling, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer to build up texture gradually. It is good for practice work for me. Strathmore do an amazing range of different sketchbooks aimed at various dry mediums that are really fun to play with. Jacksons sell them in sketchbook form so take a look at the link below. You can get to their whole range from there.
📌 Buy Strathmore 400 Series Drawing Paper
5. Canson XL Series Sketch Paper Pad – Versatile and Reliable
Finally have a play around with the Canson XL Series Sketch Paper. It is a medium-tooth paper that provides just enough texture for blending while still being smooth enough for fine details. It’s an affordable and versatile option. Perfect for both beginners and experienced artists who want a reliable surface for graphite work. The paper is available in pads and again you can get them at Jackson’s.
📌 Buy Canson XL Series Sketch Paper
Pressed vs. Cold Pressed – What’s the Difference?
The key difference between hot pressed and cold pressed watercolour paper is the surface texture. Hot pressed paper has a smooth, fine-grain surface, making it ideal for detailed work, such as graphite pet portraits, where precision and clean shading are essential. It allows for fine pencil strokes, smooth layering, and easy erasing without damaging the fibres.
Cold pressed paper, on the other hand, has a more textured surface with a slight grain. While excellent for watercolour and mixed media, the extra texture can make it harder to achieve fine graphite details. If you’re working on highly detailed pet portraits, hot pressed paper is the best choice for a crisp, refined finish.
Graphite Pencil on Fabriano: Obi’s Pencil Portrait
In 2024, I had the pleasure of creating a beautiful pet portrait of a dog named Obi. This 18 x 14 pencil drawing was commissioned as a Christmas present. I of course created it on my favourite Italian Fabriano Hot Pressed Watercolour Paper. As you can see from the photo below, particularly in the background, the paper still has some tooth, which is important for me. Although I am looking for a paper that allows me to create a realistic portrait, my drawing doesn’t need to look like a photo. The owners have the photo for that! So my artwork needs to look realistic but still like a piece of artwork.
There are many other papers out there on the market that allow you to achieve a similar effect. Ideally when you are starting out, it would be beneficial to sample as many papers as you can to see which you prefer to work on. It’s a very personal choice but whatever paper you use. It needs to feel like second nature when you start drawing.
Bevas Vitamin-Infused Coffee Illustrations
Fabriano paper is not only perfect for pet portraits but also for professional illustration work. I used it for my Bevas Vitamin-Infused Coffee Illustrations, where its smooth surface allowed for the detailing and controlled shading. Plus many amendments! The erasing and multiple amendments always that come with illustration and publishing work and this paper performed well. You can read more about that project here.
Best Drawing Papers for Pet Portraits in Pencil
I hope you have enjoyed reading about my Best Drawing Papers for Pet Portraits in Pencil. If you want to create stunning, lifelike pet portraits in graphite, choosing the right paper is essential. My top recommendation is Fabriano Hot Pressed Watercolour Paper. Mainly thanks to its smooth texture, durability, and ability to be cut to custom sizes. However, Bristol Board is an excellent alternative for ultra-smooth rendering, and Cartridge Paper is a great budget option for sketches and studies. I’ll be diving deeper into my favourite pencils, erasers, and blending tools in another blog post soon! If you’re curious about which other materials help bring our pet portraits to life, stay tuned for that.
📢 Have you tried any of these papers? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments! If you’d like to commission a pet portrait or see more of my work, visit Pencil Pet Portraits.
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