Toned Drawing Paper

Toned paper is available at most art stores. I like to use the tan and the grey toned papers, and they are well suited for most dry mediums like graphite, charcoal, pastels and colored pencils to create portraits, still lifes and more. The tan paper as shown in the couple’s portrait on the left gave me a great head start as the tan shows through and all you have to do is add the peaches, pinks and browns for your subject’s skin tone. The grey tone paper is good for monochromatic works like the young man and the man leaning on the vintage truck. They were both done almost entirely in French grey, with black, white and cream and then I added a contrasting cool grey for the sky. Toned paper is great for new artists because you can get great results with just a little practice to give yourself the confidence you need to spur you on.

Tip: Drawings make great small format prints or frame your originals with a complimentary mat under glass or keep a journal of your drawings in the wire ring tablets that came from the art store as a portfolio.