Let’s talk about something that often gets overlooked in our coloured pencil journey, but honestly? It can make or break your drawing. I’m talking about your surface. The paper. The board. The film. That humble foundation you’re working on isn’t just a background player, it’s the stage your pencils are performing on.

This week’s blog is all about uncovering how different surfaces behave, and more importantly, how they affect your art. And believe me, once you get this, your whole drawing process can shift from struggle to flow.

Why Surfaces Matter (More Than You Realise)

Ever had that frustrating moment where your colours just won’t build up, or your fur looks more like felt? Maybe your layering turns muddy or your eraser smears instead of lifts? It’s tempting to blame your pencils—or worse, yourself—but often, it’s the surface quietly causing the chaos.

Each surface has its own personality. Some are absorbent and grippy, others are smooth and resistant. Some let you layer to your heart’s content, others demand a delicate touch.

A Quick Peek at Some of my Favourites

In my quick video below, I walk you through a few go-to surfaces and how I use them:

• Pastelmat: Oh, the creamy grip of this one! Ideal for building up depth, texture, and those luscious soft blends. Perfect for fur, backgrounds, and more.
  
• Drafting Film: This one’s slick. It’s not for everyone, but if you love a smooth, almost paint-like finish and don’t want to fuss with paper tooth, this could be your new best friend. Great for detailed work and fast layering.
  
• Hot-press Watercolour Paper: Great for line work and crisp details, but can be a bit stubborn with layering if you’re not used to its temperament.
  

And there are plenty more where that came from! What matters is learning how to work with your surface, not against it.

So, How Do You Choose?

Here’s the golden rule: match your drawing surface to your subject and your style.
Are you going for soft animal fur or bold botanical detail? Do you love smooth blending or strong texture? Think about the feeling you want your final piece to have, then test a few surfaces that might support that vision.

The best thing you can do is experiment. Make notes. Create little test patches. It’s not about finding “the one” perfect surface—it’s about building a relationship with each and knowing what they’re best at.

Your surface is more than just something to draw on—it’s part of your toolkit, your creative partner. The more you understand its quirks and gifts, the more control and joy you’ll feel when you sit down to draw.

Watch my full video below for a more in depth deep-dive into surfaces 

Where to Buy My Favourite Drawing Surfaces

P.S. I get most of my surfaces from Jackson’s Art—they’ve got a fab selection and I’ve used them for years. If you’re thinking about trying a new surface, you can use the link below. It won’t cost you anything extra, but it helps support what I do 💛

Click Here!