ARCHES® papers and the different drawing techniques
Drawing occupies an essential place in the history of art and today continues to be a mode of expression favoured by many artists. To go beyond the line, capture the light, play with shadow and shade, choosing the right medium is as crucial as choosing the right tools. Among the papers most popular with artists, ARCHES® papers’ exceptional quality and adaptability to multiple drawing techniques put them in a class of their own.
Drawing, the art of the line and light
The French word for drawing, dessin, comes from the Italian disegno, meaning graphic representation. Above all, drawing means visually representing the shape of an object or figure, emphasising the lines and shading rather than colour. It is a practice that encompasses numerous techniques: charcoal, graphite, sanguine pencil, colour pencil, pen, felt tip pen, pastel, etc.
ARCHES® papers: 3 undisputed papers of choice for drawing
Among its drawing range, ARCHES® offers three outstanding papers, each with specific characteristics capable of adapting to every requirement. What they have in common is that they are all made on a cylinder mould in the purest ARCHES® tradition and that they are permanent papers, that is to say acid and OBA-free, which guarantees excellent longevity without yellowing or degrading.
1. Velin BFK Rives®
An exceptional paper, Velin BFK Rives® is made from 100% cotton linters.
Its qualities:
- A soft grain and smooth surface: ideal for revealing the minutest details, obtaining shadow and light effects and accentuating contrasts. It is perfect for graphite or lead pencil but also for pens and felt pens.
- Wide variety: available in sheets in 9 sizes, 7 grammages (115 to 300 gsm), and 8 colours, it is the ARCHES® paper that offers the broadest range of colours.
- A touch of prestige: watermarked sheets, hand torn (4 deckle edges).
- Practical blocks: 16 sheets of extra white Velin BFK Rives® in size 23 x 31 cm.
2. Velin d’ARCHES®
Every bit as noble a paper, Velin d’ARCHES® is also made of 100% cotton linters.
Its appeal:
- A very soft grain: much appreciated for academic drawing and refined sketching. Perfect for all kinds of relief effects.
- Easy to erase: erasable without leaving marks or linting, making it the ideal medium for precise work requiring repeated corrections.
- A great range: watermarked sheets with deckle edges in 5 sizes, 5 grammages (160 to 400 gsm) and 3 colours (natural white, cream, black).
- Cream block: 16 sheets of Velin d’ARCHES® in size 23 x 31 cm.
3. Ingres d’ARCHES MBM®
The iconic Ingres d’ARCHES MBM®, containing 75% cotton, is particularly popular in fine arts schools all over the world thanks to its unique properties.
Its particular features:
- Laid paper: the structure of the laid lines gives the paper a subtle relief, ideal for capturing the nuances of charcoal, pastel or graphite and emphasising depth in a drawing.
- Suppleness and strength: it renders strong, bold strokes and delicate lines equally well.
- Multiple variations: watermarked sheets with deckle edges available in 3 sizes, 3 grammages (85, 105, 130 gsm) and 2 colours (white, cream).
- Blocks of laid paper: 20 sheets of Ingres d’ARCHES MBM® in size 23 x 31 cm.
Choosing the best ARCHES® for your technique
- For elaborate drawing, attention to detail, sharp contrasts: prefer Velin BFK Rives®.
- For academic drawing, studies and sketching, work liable to require a great deal of erasing, choose Velin d’ARCHES®.
- To create values in shading and for dry techniques like charcoal and pastel, when seeking a qualitative traditional effect, Ingres d’ARCHES MBM® is the paper you need.
ARCHES® papers offer each artist a medium that respects their vision whilst enhancing their skills. Whatever your preferred technique, there is an ARCHES® paper that will bring out all the best in your drawing.
