Hello all,
I’m doing Matts coloured pencil course on Udemy. There he is suggesting to use Bristol paper. I tried canson and strathmore, I had to abandon both projects as after third layer the paper started to look dirty… I completed my projects on watercolour and pastel papers.
What am I doing wrong on Bristol paper?
I’m brand new to all of this:)
Tia
That is a good question. I’m sorry I don’t have an answer.
I had smooth Bristol from winsor newton and while I’m not a fan of this it’s good paper imo but the downside is layering is a bit difficult.
I’m using steathmore 400 bristol vellum for the first time now, and I have the same issue as you. Both the crumbs from erasing and from the pencil application itself stick to the surface, no matter what I do. I thought I had bought a bad patch bc my paper also tore while getting it out of the binding.
Really curious what answers you will get
Hi Tia,
if I remember well Bristol is very smooth surface with little tooth. Wax based (soft sort) coloured pencils like Prismas can work realy well if used in light layers to avoid damaging the tooth. Use of odoreless mineral spirits (OMS) is encouraged after about five layers, where there is enough of pigment on the surface. This helps to create an even cover and preserves tooth for yet another amount of applications over it. For oil based pencils (Faber Castell - Polychromos) as they are rather hard, pastelmat or any sturdier paper is better. Just remember to work light, build your layers patiently. Coloured pencils are considered to be very slow medium, especially if you aim for realism. I hope this makes some sence. Good luck and don’t forget to share your beauties 
Janar
Oh yes and use paper under your hand to avoid any smudges
Brigita,
I find it easier to work on the Strathmore 400 series multimedia paper for colored pencils. They also have them in a steel grey, tan, white, and blue to help with value after learning.
When first starting it is difficult to decide on a paper that you like but with practice and trying different papers you will find the one that works best for you.
It is important to remember that Matt’s suggestions are just that, suggestions and he does it that way for newer artist to explore a variety of papers and find what works best.
The same with the colored pencils. We will all have a preferred pencil brand, for me I only use Faber-Castell Polychormo pencils as they are oil-based, and I did not like working with the waxy build-up of wax-based pencils.
I hope this helps you to not get frustrated. and remember it is all a learning process, and there is so much to learn and explore.
Teri
Hi @Brigita,
I have some experience with Bristol smooth paper. I have tried Winsor and Newton Bristol Board, Fabriano Bristol ekstra smooth and Strathmore 500 Bristol plate surface (100% cotton, archival). All these super smooth surfaces requires a very delicate touch. I am naturally heavy handed and working with these papers has tought me to go easier. It is extremely important to work with super sharp pencils and to work with light layers, as there is not much tooth to these papers. Remember always use a soft brush, like a blusher brush, to wipe stuff of the surface. Never the hand and use either some glassine or tissue under your hand so as not to smudge. And make sure the paper under your hand is clean. I have also found it helpful to have a cottoncloth to wipe the pencils clean after sharpening. And I always check to see if they have picked up residual color from the sharpener. Like if I have sharpened a brown, and then a yellow, it is not uncommon that the yellow comes out with some brown dust on it, which then shows up as unwanted smudges on the paper. I hope that helps.