How to choose your sketch and drawing paper
When choosing Clairefontaine sketch or drawing paper, several criteria matter: the technique used, the level of detail you want, paper weight, grain and shade.
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A light, smooth paper is ideal for quick sketches, preparatory drawings and precise lines in pencil, pen or fine marker.
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A thicker, lightly grained paper resists erasing better, supports shadows and textures, and suits charcoal, sanguine or pastel pencils.
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Paper colour also affects the result: white adds luminosity, ivory creates a warmer feel, and tinted papers help with contrasts.
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Choosing a pad or a sketchbook, as well as format and binding type, depends on whether you work in the studio or on the go.
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For light washes or slightly wet techniques, prefer a higher paper weight.
Discover our ranges
Clairefontaine pads, sketchbooks and papers for sketching, drafting and structuring your ideas in pencil or charcoal.
CRAY'ON®
Extra-white 100% cellulose paper with a very fine grain. Dedicated to dry techniques at 120g, its 160g and 200g versions also suit India ink, gouache and paint. This paper withstands repeated corrections by scraping or erasing without pilling.
CARB'ON®
Black fine-grain paper, mass-tinted and lightfast. Designed for dry techniques: pencil, felt-tip, chalk, sanguine, pastel and pigmented marker. It also suits white-ink highlights and gouache.
SKETCH
This "bulky" paper with a very light, even grain is especially well suited to dry techniques (pencil, charcoal, chalk, pen, sanguine). It allows quick drawings without fear of pressing, blending or erasing. Essential for all artists and especially art-school students.
KRAFT BRUT
Plain kraft
This brown kraft paper is raw on both sides. A perfect multi-technique paper suited to dry and wet techniques.
KRAFT VERGÉ
Laid kraft
Paper that is smooth and glossy on one side, matte and lightly grained on the other. Its 100% natural look is 100% biodegradable and recyclable. Unique mechanical strength, flexibility and printability allow many dry and wet uses. Ease of use, raw character and versatility make it a much-appreciated paper.
CROK'BOOK®
Its slim profile is an asset for slipping everywhere and keeping sketching or note-taking close at hand! PEFC sketch paper available in white, ivory or black, with a wide choice of Maya 270g card covers.
GRAF'BOOK 360°
Its sober, timeless look combines tradition and modernity while offering unique features that make it a multi-purpose notebook! Smooth 100g paper. Authentic singer-stitch binding on a raw spine reinvents sketching with perfect flat opening, up to 360° for instant drawing with no support! Assets that make it an ideal companion at all times — a notebook you will never leave behind!
GRAF'IT
Simple, modern & economical, GraF'it: micro-perforated pads, glued and stapled at the head. Available in 22 cover colours and 2 distinct designs, so you can free your creative imagination.
ZAP BOOK®
Zap Book, the reference! The sketch and note-taking book. Ecological with its recycled paper without de-inking. Clean with its coloured cover and unforgettable name. Practical because it slips easily into a pocket. The Zap Book is simply indispensable!
DESSIN À GRAIN
Grained drawing paper
This pronounced-grain paper is more marked on one side; its natural colour gives it great versatility. The pronounced grain holds pigments well and offers very rich greyscale possibilities.
DESSIN CROQUIS
White drawing sketch paper
This paper with a very light, even grain is ideal for drawing and sketching. Intended for dry techniques (pencil, felt-tip, charcoal, chalk), its heavier weights also allow gouache.
PETIT GRAIN
Drawing paper / Sketch pad
Natural white paper well suited to dry techniques (pencil, charcoal, chalk, pen…) with a medium-fine grain that will delight even the most demanding professionals. Its surface works well for shadows and greyscales, for finer blending. These simple, refined pads offer excellent value for money.
ALBUMS ESQUISSE
Sketch books
This spiral album is elegant thanks to its black imitation-leather cover. Its ivory bulky paper has a very light grain and is particularly suited to dry techniques. It allows quick drawing without fear of pressing, blending or erasing.
STILLMAN & BIRN
Premium sketchbooks
Stillman & Birn sketchbooks bring together seven series of heavy, durable papers from 150 to 270gsm: medium grain, fine grain or smooth surface, in white, ivory or toned black, grey and beige (Nova Series). Perfect for dry and wet techniques, ink, watercolour and mixed media, they come as softcover, wirebound and hardbound sketchbooks and as loose sheets.
Find where to buy
Discover our product catalogue and browse our products to find the one that best matches your needs.
Catalogue
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