For artists, the quality of your paper can make a significant difference in your final artwork. Fabriano, one of the oldest and most respected paper manufacturers in the world, offers a wide range of high-quality papers that cater to different artistic needs. Whether you’re working with watercolour, graphite, or ink, understanding the different Fabriano paper options can help you choose the best one for your creative practice.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the different types of Fabriano paper, their pros and cons, and which mediums or techniques they are best suited for.
1. Fabriano Artistico Watercolour Paper
Fabriano Artistico is one of the brand’s most popular papers, known for its exceptional quality and durability. It’s a 100% cotton paper that’s specifically designed for watercolour painting but also works well with other wet media like ink and gouache.
Pros:
- 100% cotton: The cotton fibers give the paper strength and durability, allowing it to handle multiple layers of paint and washes without warping.
- Archival quality: Fabriano Artistico is acid-free and chlorine-free, making it resistant to yellowing and deterioration over time.
- Various textures: It comes in three different textures—hot press (smooth), cold press (medium texture), and rough, giving you flexibility based on your artistic style.
- Absorbent surface: It absorbs water well, allowing for vibrant color application without too much pooling.
- Available in multiple weights: You can choose from different paper weights, with 300gsm and 640gsm being the most common. The heavier weights can handle more water without buckling.
Cons:
- Price: It’s one of the pricier options for watercolor paper, which might not be ideal for beginners or those on a budget.
- Texture variation: The cold press and rough textures may not be ideal for artists looking for very fine detail work, especially with pens or pencils.
Best for: Watercolour, gouache, ink, wet-on-wet techniques, and heavy layering.
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2. Fabriano Accademia Drawing Paper
Fabriano Accademia is a versatile drawing paper made from high-quality cellulose. It’s designed primarily for dry media, such as pencil, charcoal, and pastel, but can also handle light ink washes.
Pros:
- Smooth texture: The surface of Accademia is relatively smooth with a fine tooth, making it excellent for detailed drawing work, including shading and sketching.
- Cost-effective: It’s one of Fabriano’s more affordable papers, making it a great choice for students or artists who need high-quality paper without breaking the bank.
- Versatile: While designed for dry media, it can also handle light washes of ink or watercolour without much warping.
- Good erasing ability: It holds up well to erasing, which is ideal for sketching and fine-tuning drawings.
Cons:
- Not cotton-based: Unlike the Artistico paper, Accademia is not 100% cotton, meaning it’s not as durable when exposed to large amounts of water.
- Limited to lighter media: It may not handle heavy washes of watercolour or ink, as the paper can start to warp or pill when overworked.
Best for: Pencil, charcoal, pastels, coloured pencils, and light ink or watercolour sketches.
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3. Fabriano Tiziano Paper
Fabriano Tiziano is a textured, coloured paper designed for pastels, charcoal, and other dry media. It comes in a wide variety of colours, making it ideal for creating vibrant artwork or experimenting with toned surfaces.
Pros:
- Wide range of colours: Tiziano is available in over 40 colours, allowing you to experiment with different backgrounds and tones in your artwork.
- Good tooth for pastels and charcoal: The textured surface is excellent for holding pastel, charcoal, and other dry media, allowing for layering and blending.
- Acid-free: The paper is acid-free, ensuring the longevity of your artwork.
- Multipurpose: It works well with a variety of media, including pencil, graphite, and ink, though it’s best suited for dry media.
Cons:
- Not ideal for wet media: While it can handle light washes, it’s not designed for heavy use of water or wet techniques, as the paper can buckle or degrade.
- Texture may not suit detailed work: The pronounced texture may make it difficult for highly detailed work, especially with fine lines or smooth shading.
Best for: Pastels, charcoal, chalk, coloured pencils, and mixed media with minimal water usage.
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4. Fabriano Bristol Paper
Fabriano Bristol is known for its ultra-smooth surface, making it ideal for detailed work, particularly with pens, markers, and pencils. The paper is heavyweight and designed to handle a variety of media without bleeding or warping.
#### Pros:
- Smooth surface: The ultra-smooth finish is perfect for fine detail, making it a favorite among illustrators, architects, and graphic designers.
- Bleed-resistant: It handles ink and markers well without bleeding, which is ideal for technical drawings, illustrations, and inking.
- Heavyweight: The thick paper can handle multiple layers of ink or pencil without warping or buckling.
#### Cons:
- Limited for textured techniques: The smooth surface isn’t ideal for techniques that require texture, such as pastel or charcoal.
- Not great for wet media: While Bristol can handle light washes of ink or watercolor, it’s not designed for heavy wet media, and too much water can cause it to warp.
#### Best for: Pen and ink, markers, technical drawing, detailed illustration, and fine pencil work.
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### 5. Fabriano EcoQua Paper
Fabriano EcoQua is an eco-friendly paper made from 100% post-consumer recycled materials. It’s widely used for sketching and note-taking, and it comes in notebook form with a variety of bindings and sizes.
#### Pros:
- Eco-friendly: Made from recycled materials, it’s a great option for artists looking to reduce their environmental impact.
- Smooth surface: The surface is smooth, making it ideal for quick sketches, notes, or light pencil work.
- Affordable: EcoQua is one of the more budget-friendly options from Fabriano, making it accessible for students or artists who go through a lot of paper.
- Portable notebooks: Available in a range of sizes, EcoQua notebooks are convenient for sketching on the go.
#### Cons:
- Not archival quality: Since it’s made from recycled materials, it’s not acid-free and may not be as long-lasting as other papers.
- Limited to light sketching: It’s best suited for light pencil work or quick sketches, and it may not hold up well to heavier media or erasing.
#### Best for: Quick sketches, light pencil drawings, and note-taking.
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### 6. Fabriano Rosaspina Printmaking Paper
Fabriano Rosaspina is specifically designed for printmaking, including etching, lithography, and relief printing. It’s made from high-quality cellulose and has a smooth, durable surface.
#### Pros:
- Excellent for printmaking: The paper’s smooth, thick surface makes it ideal for printmaking techniques, allowing for clear impressions and crisp details.
- Durable: It can withstand the pressure of a printing press without tearing or damaging the surface.
- Versatile: Rosaspina is also suitable for drawing or dry media, particularly for large, expressive works that require a durable surface.
#### Cons:
- Limited for wet media: While it can handle some wet techniques, it’s not ideal for watercolor or ink washes due to its absorbency and tendency to warp.
- Price: It’s a higher-end paper, which may be cost-prohibitive for beginners or those working on smaller projects.
#### Best for: Printmaking, etching, lithography, relief printing, and large-scale dry media works.
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### Final Thoughts
Choosing the right Fabriano paper depends on your artistic medium, style, and specific project needs. Whether you’re looking for a smooth surface for fine details, a durable option for heavy watercolor layers, or a textured paper for pastel work, Fabriano offers high-quality options for every type of artist. By understanding the pros and cons of each paper, you can select the one that best suits your creative process and helps you achieve the best possible results in your artwork.