[duttonart]

Wanting to combine charcoal and pastel. Any advice on the best paper? I prefer a heavier look

 

[TerryCurley]

I want to welcome you to the forum. I pretty much only do oil painting, but there are many excellent graphite artists here that will answer your question. I don't do charcoal or pastel -- well sometimes I use pastel to draw a picture on canvas to paint but that's about the extent of it.

 

[cjm1972]

I use Strathmore Bristol board for all my Graphite work.
I don't actually do charcoal or Pastel work, but if no one else has any ideas, I would try Strathmore.
They do paper, specifically, for Charcoal & Pastel.
They do different grades 300/400/500 series.

The site I use can be found here, but it is in the UK. I guess you can get it elsewhere.
https://www.artistpapers.co.uk/Fine-Art-Papers/Charcoal-and-Pastel

 

[duttonart]

Thanks for the help guys! I have Bristol board. It's pretty good, but I may try a different grain to get the effect I'm looking for.

 

[just]

I used the Strathmore 500 series of charcoal paper for my hands picture I just finished. It was mostly charcoal I did use watercolor pencil too. I highly recommend it. I'm not going to use bristol with charcoal again. It falls off.

 

[indianpainting]

cjm1972

Thanks it was helpful.

 

[Bushcraftonfire]

I, too, use the Strathmore 400 series.. but I also do watercolor.. and have found that the grain on Arches Watercolor Paper gives a really nice effect with charcoal.. You might buy a single sheet at your art store and try it out..

D