Quick Test On Four Tracing Papers

[j.a.j.]

I have been in the process of finding new tracing paper. I have used Tervakoski for long time but it is so absorbent that line widths get very thick on it. I have attached the results of a quick test on four papers.

All have their own merits, for now i am sticking with Tervakoski because i have long history with it and it dries fast. Next i am thinking about trying Strathmore, Schoellershammer and Clairefontaine tracing papers. I have not yet found reasonably priced sources in Europe for Bienfang or Seth Cole tracing papers.

GAS Tracing paper – Paper kindly provided to me by FPN user Mangrove. NOS paper that feels very nice on hand and has a coarse surface. Line width about 1 steps wider than on regular paper.

Tomoe River – Can be used as tracing paper on some design tasks – and when it can be used it’s very pleasant (until you smear the ink that is still wet).

Canson Calque – Line width about 1 steps wider than on regular paper. Very nice for sketching with lead holder or mechanical pencil. For some weird reason some two of my ED pens like to burp on it.

Tervakoski 25g Sketching Paper – Very absorbent. Line width about 1.5 – 2 steps wider than on regular paper. Fast dry time. With very wet pen you can get ink stains on the original from bleed through. Ripples when it gets a lot of ink.

On the smear test first line is 40 sec and last 5 sec, others something between that.

Please notice that the colors are a bit off on the photos.

[Pickwick]

I would be very interested to know Why you use ink on tracing paper. I do a lot of artwork, and only use tracing paper to transfer a design on to paper for the finished work.

 

I know certain tracing papers can be used to produce a finished design. But primarily this paper is designed for one particular purpose.

[j.a.j.]

I do not use sketching paper that often, maybe a few time per month. If i would be more practised on it's use i might have different process.

When designing symbols on paper i can easily do five iterations, some of them drawn on tracing paper over older iterations, some fresh. When drawing over old iteration i often redraw interesting bits (of one or multiple sketches) with pencil trying to "find a new angle", place the pencil sketch on top of blank paper and redraw with black ink trying to create something unique. This somehow keeps the line i draw more interesting.

 

Also i am dabbling on designing letterforms where strong contrast is a must.

[PaperDarts]

I sometimes use tracing paper as a substitute for onionskin or airmail paper. Not all are suitable for this purpose but I have found several that work very well - Borden & Riley technical vellum, Calque/Trazado Trace, and Borden & Riley Parchment Tracing paper. Now Tomoe paper has taken their place!

Thanks for this interesting review!

[Mangrove]

Interesting that the vintage 50 gsm G.A. Serlachius (GAS) paper is more transparent than the contemporary 25 gsm Tervakoski paper!