Colored pencil artists, acrylic...?

Question

What is the best support for colored pencil and best support for very thin acrylic paint? Source?

Answer 1

Coloured pencil can be used on any heavyweight paper - 80 lb or more - choose one that's acid-free and has a bit of surface texture. Pastel paper such as Mi-teintes, Strathmore, Tiziano etc are good, also Stonehenge, Artists Bristol, and even watercolour papers.

If you thin your acrylics to a watercolour consistency, it reduces the effectiveness of the binders, so use watercolour paper so the paint will soak into it. Watercolour paper is "sized" to properly accept water media - other papers are not, and will wrinkle and warp from the water. Keep in mind you'll have to frame anything done on paper behind glass when it's done.

Have fun!

Answer 2

I have successfully mixed both acrylics and colour pencils, but they don't work very well on a canvas. You can paint the picture using acrylic on a heavy paper (Watercolour paper works well) and then when the acrylic is fully dried you can use colour pencils over the top. However, don't sharpen the pencils to a point because it'll only scratch into the dry acrylic, make sure the pencil is quite blunt and soft. Anyway, the best way to improve in art is through trial and error, if you finish this painting and don't like it, you'll know in the future that acrylic and colour pencils aren't your forte. Another good mix is watercolours and ink pens. You can either do a watercolour pencil and then when the picture is dry you can sketch lightly in the shadows with the ink pen. Or, you can draw the outline of what you want to paint using Waterproof ink pen (You can get these anywhere) and then use watercolours to paint over the top. Good luck! :D

Answer 3

bristol board for a smooth finish for a textured finish use 500 lb. watercolor paper