Article - Paper testing with CP - layers and details

Paper testing with Prismacolor Coloured Pencil, August 2009, by Gill Knox
Paper	Layers	Advantages	Disadvantages
Unless otherwise specified pencils were sharp point   0-1 pressure	*Included - 1-2  layers of fixative (F), colorless blender (CB)  OR solvent (S)	Colors used: Crimson Red; Clay Rose; Deco Blue; Ultramarine. Each layer was done in a different direction, horizontal, vertical, 2 diagonals.
	Solvent  used = Chroma Archival Odorless solvent	Fixative = Micador workable matt fixative	Colorless blender = Prismacolor
Arches Hot Press 300gsm, cotton Rag	S =  30 layers   with burnishing effect at  28 layers	thick and archival	white only
Bockingford Premium Sketch Paper 120 gsm -Black	S =   23 layers  with burnishing effect at  21 layers	Acid Free, easily obtainable in  Australia, UK, NZ, great range of sizes	May not be easily available in other countries
Bockingford Premium Drawing Paper 110 gsm -White	**Using BLUNT POINT and 3-4 Pressure	Acid Free, easily obtainable in  Australia, UK, NZ, great range of sizes	May not be easily available in other countries
	( S = 13 layers, with burnishing effect after 10 layers);  CB = 15 layers;  F = 13 layers
Canson Mi -Tientes	Not tested; no paper available to me at time of test.	Colour range	(Previous use - The paper itself lifts too easily with sticky tack or knead- able eraser)
		(I recently found out they actually are the same manufacturers as Arches!! They have some nice new archival papers that are tough and worth looking at with a range of colors)	I personally will not touch this particular paper again, except with brush technique media.
Daler Rowney  Ingres Pastel Paper	Not tested, no CP artist will want to use this except with mixed media	some nice colours, but not recommended for CP use at all	There are grooves all through this paper;        I do not recommend it at all for CP.
Fabriano Tiziano Pastel paper ROUGH (right) Side	S =  23 layers - burnishing effect at 21 layers	Fabulous colours and size range.	the rougher side is harder to work on but takes a few more layers, the diagonal stroke fills the tooth better.
Fabriano Tiziano Pastel paper SMOOTH (reverse) Side	S =   23 layers -burnishing effect at 23 layers	Fabulous colours and size range.	Remember to check which side is smooth; the rougher side is harder to work on!
Fabriano Uno Hot Press, cotton Rag	S =    30 layers- burnishing effect at  21 layers	thick and archival	white only
Mylar Drafting film, SMOOTH & ROUGH sides	21 layers - burnishing effect at 20  layers	Layers go on super easily, v light pressure needed.	Funny thing! The solvent didn’t dry! So don’t use solvent.
	Solvent tested on plain film first , proceeded without solvent	The transparency: you can influence the finish/mood with coloured paper underneath. Half the layers can be on the reverse side, so the total layer number can be an interesting alternative to  Hot Press or Printing papers	You may need to choose lighter Pencil colors hue since the darks show up very well. Some may find it confusing to work on the reverse side. Can also develop irreversible creases if stored incorrectly

You may need to choose lighter Pencil colors hue since the darks show up very well. Some may find it confusing to work on the reverse side. Can also develop irreversible creases if stored incorrectly