Clairefontaine mixed-media drawing paper: how to choose the right pad for your artistic practice

Looking for a surface for pencil, ink, gouache or markers, but all the pads seem to have the same descriptions? Clairefontaine mixed-media drawing paper is available in several weights, sizes, shades and textures. Choosing the wrong type can lead to tide marks, buckled sheets or a surface that starts to shed fibres after repeated corrections.

Before buying a Clairefontaine drawing paper pad, there are three pitfalls to avoid.

• Assuming paper weight guarantees versatility: 250 g/m² art paper will generally handle more mediums than a lightweight sheet, but that does not mean it is designed for large amounts of water.
• Underestimating texture: textured Clairefontaine paper provides more grip for mediums and adds depth, while a smooth surface is better suited to precise lines, inking and manga illustrations.
• Forgetting the background colour: white paper reproduces colours neutrally. With black paper, on the other hand, you need to use white pencils, metallic inks or light-coloured paints to create contrast.

Criteria to check before buying

1. Choose the paper weight to suit your technique

Paper weight refers to the weight of the paper per square metre. It provides an initial indication of the sheet’s rigidity and resistance, but its composition and sizing also play a decisive role.

• 250 g/m²: a good compromise for drawing, markers, ink, gouache and some acrylic applications. The Paint’ON pads available in A4, A3 and A5 fall into this category.
• 300 g/m²: a more suitable weight for washes and watercolour. 300 g watercolour paper, such as Aquapad, benefits from double sizing, which improves its performance when exposed to water.
• Lighter weights: suitable for sketches and sketchbooks, but they show their limitations more quickly when used with wet mediums.

Even thick paper can warp when it absorbs a lot of water. For generous washes, it is best to secure the sheet with masking tape or stretch it beforehand.

2. Examine the grain and surface finish

Texture directly affects the appearance of your lines and how well the medium adheres to the paper.

• Pronounced grain: provides clearly visible texture and is well suited to textural effects, expressive solid areas and dry techniques.
• Light grain: offers an appealing balance between texture and precision, particularly for pencil, felt-tip pens or nib pens.
• Smooth Bristol surface: makes clean outlines, fine details and repeated corrections easier. This is the preferred finish for Bristol manga paper and ink or marker illustrations.

Some Paint’ON pads offer two different sides: one with a pronounced grain and the other with a light grain. This allows you to adapt the surface to your project without changing pads.

3. Consider the size and protection between sheets

The A5 size is ideal for quick studies, travelling and small sketchbooks. A4 provides a versatile working area for school projects, illustrations and regular practice. A3 gives you more freedom for compositions, manga pages and posters.

When using alcohol markers, check that a protective sheet is included. It limits transfer onto the next page, although it does not completely eliminate the risk of bleed-through: place it underneath the sheet you are working on. For projects intended for long-term preservation, also look for acid-free and pH-neutral descriptions, found on some Clairefontaine Bristol papers.

Our selection based on your profile

Recommended for:  Beginners on a budget

CLAIREFONTAINE Aquapad, glued pad A4, 50 sheets, 300 g

Why this choice suits this profile:  With its A4 size and 50 sheets, this pad lets you practise watercolour, gouache or washes regularly without having to buy several specialist paper pads.

How this product avoids the pitfall

Its 300 g/m² weight and double sizing make it more suitable for wet techniques than lightweight drawing paper.

Main benefit and key strengths

Natural white paper, medium to fine grain, 100% cellulose composition, acid-free and vegan.

Recommended for:  Premium art enthusiasts

CLAIREFONTAINE Paint’ON, glued textured pad A4, 20 sheets, 250 g

Why this choice suits this profile:  This pad is designed for artists who like to move from detailed drawing to exploring textures without changing their surface.

How this product avoids the pitfall

Its two differently textured sides save you from having to settle for a single finish when your projects range from precise sketches to more expressive drawings.

Main benefit and key strengths

A4 size, 250 g/m², extra-white cellulose, pronounced grain on one side and light grain on the other.

Recommended for:  Specialist uses and intensive users

Clairefontaine, glued Illustration Manga pad A3, 250 g

Why this choice suits this profile:  Its large size makes it easier to create manga pages, detailed illustrations and compositions intended for digitisation or display.

How this product avoids the pitfall

Its smooth Bristol surface and protective sheet meet the demands of alcohol markers and repeated corrections.

Main benefit and key strengths

Extra-white 250 g/m² Bristol paper, smooth surface, acid-free and pH-neutral paper, with protection against transfer.

Recommended for:  Artists looking for a contrasting background

CLAIREFONTAINE Paint’ON, black head-glued pad, 20 sheets, 250 g, A3

Why this choice suits this profile:  Black paper is ideal for graphic artwork, lettering and illustrations created with light or metallic mediums.

How this product avoids the pitfall

Do not expect the traditional look of white paper: its deep shade is designed to make white pencils, light-coloured inks and gouache stand out.

Main benefit and key strengths

A3 size, 250 g/m², cellulose, lightly rough grain, compatible with pencil, pen, marker, ink, gouache and acrylic.

Which technique should you pair with which paper?

For gouache and acrylic, choose a sheet of 250 g/m² or more, and avoid applying too much water if the surface is not specifically designed for watercolour. For ink and markers, a smooth or lightly textured surface makes it easier to achieve clean outlines. If you enjoy combining several mediums, a mixed-media pad with two different sides can be particularly practical.

The size should also suit the intended use: A5 for studies and travelling, A4 for everyday practice, and A3 for pages and large compositions. The Paint’ON MIX11 pad, available in A4, A5 or A3, can be used to test different surfaces and shades before choosing your final paper.

FAQs about Clairefontaine mixed-media drawing paper

Is 250 g/m² paper suitable for watercolour?

It can be suitable for moderate washes, but it is less specialised than 300 g/m² watercolour paper. For substantial layers of water, 300 g/m² Aquapad offers better stability. When using a very wet technique, securing the sheet is still recommended.

Which surface should you choose for manga and markers?

A smooth 250 g/m² Bristol surface is generally the most practical choice for achieving clean outlines, working on details and making several corrections. If your pad includes one, place the protective sheet underneath the page you are using to limit marker transfer onto the next one.

How should you store an art paper pad?

Store it flat in a dry place, away from moisture and direct sunlight. Close the pad properly after use and avoid leaving damp sheets stuck together. For artwork intended for long-term preservation, acid-free and pH-neutral papers are preferable.