Sizes in the art world mix inches, letters and numbers that are not quite standard between makers. These are the ones we use on our listings, measured on our own stock.
Paper sizes
| Name | Inches | What we sell in it |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5 x 5.5 | Pocket sketchbook | |
| A5 | 5.8 x 8.3 | Mixed media journal |
| Half letter | 5.5 x 8.5 | Leather cover refills |
| Letter | 8.5 x 11 | Hardbound sketchbook |
| Block | 9 x 12 | Cotton watercolor block, toned pad |
| Large pad | 18 x 24 | Newsprint, drawing board, portfolio |
Paper weights
Heavier paper takes more water before it cockles. Match the weight to the wettest thing you plan to do on the page.
- 32 lb / 52 gsmNewsprint. Charcoal warm-ups only.
- 80 lb / 118 gsmToned drawing paper. Dry media.
- 100 lb / 150 gsmGraphite, colored pencil, fineliner, a little water brush.
- 110 to 120 lbInk, light washes, dry brush.
- 160 lb / 250 gsmGouache, collage, moderate washes.
- 140 lb cotton / 300 gsmWatercolor, wet in wet, glazing.
Pencil degrees
H means hard, B means black. HB sits in the middle. Each step changes the lead noticeably: a 4H barely marks, a 6B smears if you breathe on it.
A sensible starting four
2H for construction lines that disappear later, HB for general drawing, 2B for shading and 6B for the darkest accents. Add a 4B when you find yourself pressing hard with the 2B.
Brush sizes
Brush numbers vary between makers. As a guide for our rounds, a size 2 has a belly about 1.5 mm across and is for details, a size 8 is about 4 mm and does most of the work, and a size 10 lays large washes. Flats are sold by width in inches.
Caring for brushes
- Rinse in clean water as soon as you finish, never leave a brush standing in the jar.
- Gently reshape the point with your fingers.
- Dry flat or bristles up. Never store a wet brush tip down.
- Once a month, wash with plain soap and lukewarm water.
Wood, canvas and leather
Wipe walnut and beech with a dry cloth and oil once a year. Brush dried mud off waxed canvas and rewax with a bar of fabric wax and a hair dryer when it stops shedding water. Rub a thin coat of plain balm into leather once or twice a year, and let it dry naturally if it gets wet.
Not sure which size you need? Email [email protected] with what you draw and we will suggest a paper and a pencil.