DRAWING PAPER.

The first thing to be considered in selecting drawing paper is the kind most suitable for the proposed plan. Paper may be purchased in sheets 22 × 30 inches, that make four exercise sheets 11 × 15 inches; this may be of several grades and tints.

The qualities that constitute good paper are strength, uniformity of thickness and surface, neither repelling nor absorbing liquids, admitting of considerable erasing without destroying the surface, not becoming brittle nor discolored by reasonable exposure or age, and not buckling when stretched, or when ink or color is applied.

The sizes and names of paper made in sheets is as follows:

Cap13×17ins.
Demy15×20„
Medium17×22„
Royal19×24„
Super Royal19×27„
Imperial22×30„
Atlas26×34„
Double Elephant27×40„
Antiquarian30×53„

For large drawings paper is made in rolls. “Detail paper” is especially made for marking out new designs; it is made in rolls 36, 42 and 54 inches wide; it has excellent erasing qualities and takes ink and color with facility.

When working by artificial light it is desirable that the paper be of a light-brown color, which is less trying to the eyes than a pure white.

If it is a shop drawing or sketch not to be preserved, use detail paper, which is the most economical and will stand a great deal of handling without becoming soiled. If it is a detailed plan, finished drawing or a picture, use the best white drawing paper to be obtained, so that your drawings can be preserved indefinitely without danger of fading, which is due either to the paper being poorly made and discoloring with age, or being of poor fiber and absorbing the ink or color, and the drawing consequently losing its brightness.

After deciding on the size of paper most suitable for the work, then carefully select the paper embracing the most qualities of value for the proposed drawing.

Fig. 208.

Fig. 209.