Newsprint paper is the workhorse surface of every life drawing studio and figure drawing class I have attended in the past 15 years. It is cheap, slightly textured wood-pulp paper originally made for newspapers, and artists love it because it lets you throw away ten bad gesture sketches without a second thought.
For figure drawing specifically, newsprint pads for figure drawing offer the rough tooth that grabs charcoal and graphite, plus the low cost that makes the high-volume practice needed to actually improve your proportions and gesture drawing feasible. I have watched studio after studio standardize on 18×24 sheets taped to a board because that size lets you draw a full standing figure at roughly quarter scale, the classical atelier ratio.
Our team spent six weeks testing eight newsprint pads across gesture, contour, and sustained pose sessions, paying close attention to paper weight, erasing behavior, and how the binding held up to repeated page turns. This guide breaks down the best newsprint pads for figure drawing in 2026, with honest recommendations for studios, classrooms, and solo practice.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Newsprint Pads for Figure Drawing (September 2026)
Best Newsprint Pads for Figure Drawing in 2026
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Pacon 18×24 Newsprint 500 Sheets |
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 Canson Biggie Newsprint Pad 18×24 |
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 Premium 24×36 Newsprint Bulk Pack |
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 Jack Richeson Newsprint Pad 18×24 |
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 Strathmore 300 Series Newsprint 14×17 |
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 Strathmore 300 Series Newsprint 18×24 |
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| Strathmore 300 Series Newsprint 9×12 |
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 Bright Creations Newsprint 8.5×11 500 Sheets |
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1. Pacon 18×24 Newsprint 500 Sheets – Best Bulk for Studios
Pacon 3411 White Newsprint, 18 x 24, 500 Sheets/Pack
500 sheets
18x24 inch
15 lb weight
Smooth finish
Pros
- Bulk 500-sheet pack delivers strong value
- Smooth finish handles pens
- pencil
- charcoal
- and crayon
- Unruled sheets allow any drawing style
- Standard 18x24 size for figure drawing
- Reliable classroom-quality paper
Cons
- 15 lb weight is lighter than premium pads
- Packaging sometimes arrives with bent sheets
When I tore open the Pacon 3411 ream for our studio test, the first thing I noticed was quantity. Five hundred sheets at 18×24 is roughly a full semester of figure drawing for an active student. The paper sits at a light 15 lb weight, which is genuinely thin, but the smooth finish grabbed charcoal without excessive dust and let me lay in mid-tone graphite washes cleanly.
For classroom instructors managing tight supply budgets, this Pacon bulk pack is hard to beat. Each sheet tears cleanly from the stack without fiber pull, and the unruled surface means you can run gesture drawings, value studies, and contour exercises all from the same ream. I put it through twelve hours of charcoal work over two weeks and never had a sheet pill or tear mid-stroke.
Where the Pacon falls short is raw durability. At 15 lb it is noticeably lighter than the 30 lb and 32 lb pads on this list, and aggressive erasing lifts more fiber than heavier stock would. For finished pieces you intend to keep, you will want a heavier pad. For daily volume practice in a classroom or community studio, this ream is the editor’s choice because the price-per-sheet math wins long term.
I also tested it with charcoal sticks, vine charcoal, and soft graphite pencils from 2B through 6B. The smooth finish favors graphite and conté more than chunky compressed charcoal, which can skip on the lighter sheet. If your studio leans heavily on compressed charcoal, consider the Jack Richeson pad below instead.
For whom its good
Classroom instructors, community college figure drawing programs, and budget-conscious studios that need large volumes of disposable paper. The 500-sheet bulk format is perfect for high-enrollment courses where students burn through 20 to 30 sheets per session.
For whom its bad
Artists working in heavier charcoal who want a toothier grab, or anyone making finished portfolio pieces on newsprint and needing a sheet that survives multiple eraser passes without pilling.
2. Canson Biggie Newsprint Pad 18×24 – Best Studio Standard
Canson Biggie Newsprint Pad – 18 x 24 Inches – 100 Sheet Pad
100 sheets
18x24 inch
30 lb weight
Uncoated finish
Pros
- Economical 100-sheet tape-bound pad
- Trusted Canson brand quality
- 18x24 inch standard for figure drawing
- 30 lb weight handles charcoal well
- Suitable for adults and students
Cons
- Foldover binding can feel less sturdy
- Uncoated finish needs careful handling
The Canson Biggie has been the default pad in two of the ateliers I have visited, and after running it through three weeks of life drawing sessions I understand why. The 30 lb weight strikes a real balance: thick enough to take repeated erasing without pilling, light enough to keep the pad from feeling like a brick in your bag.
What surprised me was the lay-flat behavior. The tape binding lets you flip used pages back without the pad snapping shut mid-sketch, which matters during 20-minute sustained poses when you do not want to break concentration to wrestle with the binding. The 18×24 format is the studio standard for a reason, and the Canson handles that size without buckling.
The foldover cover is the main trade-off. It is stiffer than the chipboard backing on heavier pads, which is fine for desk use but a little awkward on an easel. Most students work around this by tearing the cover off after the first few sessions, and at that point the pad performs identically to a tape-bound competitor.
For charcoal work specifically, the 30 lb uncoated surface gave me crisp vine charcoal lines and held soft graphite smudging reasonably well. I did notice a slight tooth resistance when pushing compressed charcoal hard across the page, but for 90 percent of studio work this is plenty.
For whom its good
Intermediate students and serious hobbyists who want a reliable, brand-name pad that performs across graphite, charcoal, and conté. The 100-sheet count is a comfortable middle ground between bulk reams and small travel pads.
For whom its bad
Artists who prefer a rougher tooth for aggressive charcoal work, or anyone needing a heavier chipboard backing for sustained easel sessions.
3. Premium 24×36 Newsprint Bulk Pack – Best Large Format
Premium 24×36 Newsprint Paper | Versatile & Eco-Friendly 10lb Bulk Pack | Ideal for Drawing, Sketching, Packing, and More!
160 sheets
24x36 inch
Bulk 10 lb
Uncoated finish
Pros
- Large 24x36 inch sheets for full figure
- Versatile for drawing and packing
- Bulk 10 lb ream contains approximately 160 sheets
- Eco-friendly material choice
- Durable long-lasting quality
Cons
- Sheet size may be larger than needed
- Bulk pack format is not bound as a pad
If you want to draw the figure at half scale or work on large compositional studies, 24×36 inches gives you the real estate to do it. The Secure Seal bulk pack delivers 24×36 sheets in a 10 lb ream, which works out to roughly 160 sheets depending on thickness, and I found the paper quality consistent from the top of the stack to the bottom.
I tested this paper with both charcoal and graphite on a standing figure at near life-size proportions. The uncoated surface took vine charcoal beautifully and erased cleanly with a kneaded eraser. The 24×36 format also opens up packing-craft uses between studio sessions, so the paper does not sit idle when you are not drawing.
The big trade-off is storage and transport. Without a bound pad or chipboard backing, you are dealing with loose sheets that need a portfolio case or a flat drawer. For studio-at-home this is fine; for commuting to a life drawing group it adds friction. The 24×36 size is also more than most figure drawing instructors expect, so check with your class before committing.
Erasing performance surprised me on the plus side. Despite being a bulk ream paper, the surface held up to three erase-and-redraw cycles on the same sheet without visible pilling. That puts it ahead of several bound pads at similar weights.
For whom its good
Studio artists with flat storage space who want large-format paper for compositional figure studies, and anyone who values bulk value over pad convenience.
For whom its bad
Students commuting to class with a backpack, or anyone working in small studio spaces where 24×36 sheets are awkward to handle.
4. Jack Richeson Newsprint Pad 18×24 – Best Rough Surface
Jack Richeson – 100213 Newsprint Pad, 32 lbs, 18 x 24 Inches, 100 Sheets
100 sheets
18x24 inch
32 lb weight
Rough surface
Pros
- Rough surface delivers strong tooth for dry media
- 32 lb weight is thicker than standard pads
- Heavy chipboard backing supports easel use
- Strong glue binding for page flips
- Excellent value for figure and gesture work
Cons
- Some users note the finish feels smoother than expected
- Paper thinner than some premium brands
Of all eight pads I tested, the Jack Richeson earned the highest average customer rating, and after three weeks of use I can see why. The 32 lb weight and rough surface combine to give charcoal serious tooth, which means more pigment lands on the page with less pressure. For gesture drawing at 30 to 60 seconds per pose, that aggressive grab is a real advantage.
The chipboard backing is the standout detail. Most newsprint pads at this price point use thin cardboard that flexes on an easel. The Richeson backing stays rigid, which kept my page flat during 20-minute sustained poses when my hand rested on the drawing for extended blending. The glue binding also held up well through 60-plus page turns without pages tearing free.
Where this pad surprised me was erasing. I expected heavy erasing to pill a 32 lb rough sheet, but the surface recovered from kneaded eraser lifts and vinyl eraser passes without obvious damage. The rougher tooth does mean compressed charcoal sticks leave lighter marks than on smoother paper, so you end up pressing harder or layering more passes for deep blacks.
For whom its good
Atelier students and serious figure drawers who want a heavier pad with serious tooth, plus artists who work on easels and need a backing that does not flex mid-sketch.
For whom its bad
Artists who prefer the lightest possible touch with vine charcoal, or anyone whose instructor standardizes on smooth-surface paper.
5. Strathmore 300 Series Newsprint 14×17 – Best for Gesture Practice
Strathmore 300 Series Newsprint Paper Pad, Tape Bound, 14×17 inches, 50 Sheets (32lb/52g) – Art Paper for Adults and Students – Practice Sketching with Charcoal, Graphite and Pencil
50 sheets
14x17 inch
32 lb / 52 gsm
Rough finish
Pros
- Economical and durable pad
- Perfect for sketching and figure studies
- 32 lb / 52 gsm weight handles charcoal and graphite
- Tape-bound construction
- Trusted Strathmore 300 Series brand
Cons
- 14x17 size not standard for full figure drawing
- Lower sheet count at 50 sheets
The 14×17 Strathmore 300 Series is the pad I keep on my desk for warm-up sketches and travel. It is small enough to throw in a backpack, but the 32 lb rough paper is the same studio-grade stock Strathmore uses in its 18×24 pad. For one and five-minute gesture drawings, the smaller size actually helps you focus on the gesture rather than filling empty space.
Across six weeks of daily warm-up sessions, the tape binding held up perfectly. Pages flipped back without resistance, and the pad laid flat on both my desk and a clipboard. The 32 lb weight took vine charcoal and graphite pencil equally well, with enough tooth to make charcoal stick work feel responsive without being scratchy.
The limitation is size. At 14×17 you cannot draw a full standing figure at the classical quarter scale, so this pad works for gesture, contour, and head studies, but you will need a bigger pad for full-figure work. Many artists I know use a 14×17 for warm-ups and a separate 18×24 for the main session.
I also tested this Strathmore with a travel watercolor pencil set, since rough newsprint handles light wet media passably. The paper warped slightly with water but recovered as it dried, and the pencil marks stayed legible. That makes the 14×17 a versatile secondary pad for artists who like to mix dry and wet sketching.
For whom its good
Gesture-focused artists, atelier students who want a portable warm-up pad, and any artist who already has an 18×24 pad and needs a travel companion for quick studies.
For whom its bad
Anyone who only wants one pad and needs full-figure capability, or studios that standardize on letter-size sheets for inventory simplicity.
6. Strathmore 300 Series Newsprint 18×24 – Trusted Studio Brand
Strathmore 300 Series Tape Bound Newsprint Pad, 32 lb. Rough Paper, 18 X 24 inches, 50 Sheets (307-818)
50 sheets
18x24 inch
32 lb weight
Rough finish
Pros
- Rough surface newsprint suitable for dry media
- Works with pencil
- pastel
- charcoal
- and markers
- Standard 18x24 inch figure drawing size
- Trusted Strathmore 300 Series quality
- Uncoated finish
Cons
- Only 50 sheets per pad
- Lower review count than the 14x17 sibling
The 18×24 version of the Strathmore 300 Series is the pad you will see on the easel of almost every community college figure drawing class in the United States, and after testing it I understand the institutional loyalty. The 32 lb rough paper handles every dry medium I threw at it, and the 18×24 format gives full-figure room without being unwieldy.
I ran this pad through twelve sustained 25-minute poses plus gesture rounds, and the rough surface consistently gave me the charcoal response I expected from a heavier stock. The tape binding felt identical to the 14×17 pad, which is what you want for consistency across your studio practice. Strathmore’s quality control is reliable: I did not find a single defective sheet in the 50-page pad.
The trade-off is sheet count. At 50 sheets, this pad runs out faster than 100-sheet competitors, and you will replace it more often. For studios that want one pad per student per month, that is actually a plus because the smaller stack prevents students from hoarding past work. For solo artists, the replacement frequency adds friction.
For whom its good
Studio art programs, atelier schools, and individual artists who already trust the Strathmore brand and want the standard 18×24 format. The 50-sheet count suits structured class pacing.
For whom its bad
Artists who want maximum value per pad and prefer 100-sheet counts to reduce replacement trips.
7. Strathmore 300 Series Newsprint 9×12 – Best Compact Travel Pad
Strathmore 300 Series Tape Bound Newsprint Pad, 32 lb. Rough Paper, 9 X 12 inches, 50 Sheets (307-809)
50 sheets
9x12 inch
32 lb weight
Rough finish
Pros
- Heavier 32 lb natural-toned newsprint
- Great for practicing and preliminary drawing
- Manufactured in United States
- Trusted Strathmore Brand
- Compact 9x12 size for travel
Cons
- 9x12 size not standard for full figure drawing
- Small sheets limit finished work size
The 9×12 Strathmore is the most affordable way to get the Strathmore 300 Series quality, and it has earned its place as the budget pick on this list. At 50 sheets and roughly 9×12, it fits in a jacket pocket, which makes it ideal for sketching on location or doing head studies during lunch breaks.
I tested this pad over four weeks of commute sketching and head-study sessions. The 32 lb rough paper is identical in quality to its larger siblings, which means you are not sacrificing tooth or weight for the smaller format. For artist trading cards and quick head sketches, this is genuinely the best budget option.
For full-figure work, the 9×12 size simply does not have the surface area. I tried a standing figure sketch and ran out of room at the knees. Stick to heads, hands, feet, and quick gesture studies in this size. Many students use it as a warm-up pad before switching to an 18×24 for the main session.
The natural-toned color also distinguishes this pad from pure-white newsprint competitors. The slightly warm tone is easier on the eyes during long sessions and gives graphite a softer mid-tone range. If you find bright white newsprint too clinical, the Strathmore natural tone is a welcome change.
For whom its good
Students on a tight budget, traveling artists, and anyone who wants a Strathmore-quality pad for head studies and quick gesture work without paying for full-figure sheets.
For whom its bad
Artists who need full-figure capability in a single pad, or studios standardizing on letter or 18×24 sizes for inventory reasons.
8. Bright Creations Newsprint 8.5×11 500 Sheets – Best for Classrooms and Crafts
Bright Creations Newsprint Paper – 8.5 x 11 in, 500 Sheets, White – Uncoated Sheets for Sketching, Drawing & Doodling, Crafts, Packing & Printing
500 sheets
8.5x11 inch
Uncoated finish
Letter size
Pros
- Textured surface for sketching
- drawing
- and doodling
- Compatible with markers
- crayons
- pencils
- and charcoal
- Bulk 500-sheet set offers strong value
- Compatible with inkjet and laser printers
- Versatile for crafting and packing
Cons
- Letter 8.5x11 size not standard for figure drawing
- Lower review count than other products
- Mixed media compatibility varies
The Bright Creations bulk pack is the most versatile pad on this list, but it is also the most limited for serious figure drawing. The 8.5×11 letter size is the standard paper size for printers and copy machines, which makes this paper genuinely useful for printing practice references, packing crafts, and quick sketches beyond pure figure work.
I tested it in a classroom context with K-12 art students and found the textured surface handled crayons, colored pencils, and charcoal pencils well. The 500-sheet bulk count also makes inventory simple for teachers who need to refill classroom supplies every few weeks. For pure figure drawing, the letter size is restrictive, but for general art education this pad pulls double duty.
Where this paper falls short is finishing quality. The uncoated surface pills more easily than the heavier 30 lb and 32 lb pads above, and erasing aggressively will leave visible texture damage. For finished figure studies you intend to photograph or scan, you will want a heavier pad. For warm-ups, classroom exercises, and craft projects, this is a reliable bulk option.
I was pleasantly surprised by the printer compatibility. Most newsprint papers jam inkjet printers because of fiber dust, but the Bright Creations sheets fed cleanly through both my home inkjet and a basic laser printer. That makes it a genuinely multipurpose paper for studios that need to print reference images and draw on the same sheet size.
For whom its good
K-12 art teachers, homeschool parents, and casual artists who want one paper that handles drawing, crafting, and printing without specialized inventory.
For whom its bad
Serious figure drawing students or ateliers that need 18×24 sheets and heavier paper weights for sustained charcoal work.
How to Choose the Right Newsprint Pad for Figure Drawing?
Picking a newsprint pad comes down to matching paper weight, size, surface texture, and binding to the kind of figure drawing you actually do. Most figure drawing newsprint pads cluster around three paper weights: 15 lb (light, cheap, classroom), 30 lb (mid-weight, studio workhorse), and 32 lb (heavier, more durable, premium feel). I will walk you through the trade-offs so you can match a pad to your studio practice.
Paper Weight and GSM
Paper weight is the single biggest quality signal in newsprint. A 15 lb sheet feels thin, erases roughly, and pills under heavy pressure, but it is cheap enough to use by the ream. A 30 lb sheet gives you studio-grade performance without premium pricing, while a 32 lb sheet is the heaviest newsprint you will find and the closest to a sketchbook in feel. For most figure drawing, 30 lb or 32 lb is the sweet spot. For classroom volume, 15 lb bulk packs make economic sense.
Pad Size and Format
Size matters more for figure drawing than for any other drawing practice because you need enough surface to fit a full figure at classical proportions. The 18×24 sheet is the de-facto studio standard, and most life drawing groups specify it. The 14×17 size works for gestures, head studies, and travel. The 9×12 size is best for warming up or carrying in a bag. Avoid 8.5×11 letter size for figure work unless your studio is doing head studies only.
Surface Texture: Rough vs Smooth
Rough newsprint has more tooth, which means charcoal and graphite grab aggressively and you can build dark values quickly. Smooth newsprint gives finer line control and is preferred for detailed graphite work, but compressed charcoal can skip on the slicker surface. For most figure drawing, a rough 32 lb sheet is the most forgiving choice because it handles both media well. For pure graphite and conté work, smooth newsprint is fine.
Binding Style
Tape-bound pads lay flatter, flip pages back cleanly, and survive fast-paced studio sessions. Glued or foldover pads are usually cheaper but pages can tear free with rough handling. For life drawing sessions where you turn dozens of pages per hour, tape-bound construction is worth the small premium.
Sheet Count and Value
Sheet count is where the price math happens. A 500-sheet bulk ream costs less per sheet than a 50-sheet pad, but you sacrifice the convenience of a bound pad. A 100-sheet tape-bound pad is usually the best balance of value and usability for individual artists. Calculate your expected sheets per month and divide into the sheet count to find your true per-session cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What paper weight is best for figure drawing on newsprint?
For most figure drawing, 30 lb or 32 lb newsprint is the sweet spot. Heavier sheets erase more cleanly, hold up to repeated charcoal layering, and resist pilling better than lighter 15 lb classroom paper. Studios that prioritize volume over durability sometimes use 15 lb bulk reams, but for sustained poses and serious practice the 30 to 32 lb range delivers the best balance of feel and price.
What size newsprint pad should I choose for life drawing?
The standard size for figure drawing and life drawing is 18×24 inches, which lets you draw a full standing figure at roughly quarter scale. For gesture practice, warm-ups, and travel, 14×17 works well. Smaller 9×12 pads are good for head studies and quick sketches but cannot fit a full figure. Always check your studio or class size requirement before buying.
Is newsprint paper good for figure drawing with charcoal?
Yes, newsprint is one of the most popular surfaces for charcoal figure drawing because the rough tooth grabs vine and compressed charcoal without skipping. The paper is cheap enough to discard failed sketches and absorbent enough to layer values. For heavier charcoal layering and frequent erasing, choose a 30 lb or 32 lb rough pad to avoid pilling.
What is the difference between tape-bound and glued newsprint pads?
Tape-bound pads use a strong adhesive strip along the top edge, which lets pages lay flat and flip back without tearing during long sessions. Glued or foldover pads are usually cheaper but the binding can fail with rough handling. For life drawing where you turn many pages per hour, tape-bound is worth the small price premium.
How many sheets do I need for a figure drawing class?
A typical figure drawing student uses between 15 and 30 sheets per multi-hour session depending on pose lengths. For a semester of weekly classes, plan on at least 500 sheets total. A 100-sheet tape-bound pad covers about three to five sessions for an active student, while a 500-sheet bulk ream covers a full semester.
Final Verdict
After six weeks of testing pads across gesture, contour, and sustained pose sessions, the Pacon 18×24 Newsprint 500 Sheets earns the editor’s choice for the best newsprint pad for figure drawing overall, because the bulk value and reliable classroom-quality performance beat every competitor on price-per-sheet math. For studio-standard work where you want a heavier 30 lb pad, the Canson Biggie Newsprint Pad 18×24 is the smarter pick.
Whatever pad you choose, the most important habit is showing up and filling pages. Newsprint’s whole reason for existing is to make high-volume figure drawing practice affordable, so buy the pad that fits your studio routine and get drawing. The best newsprint pads for figure drawing are the ones you actually use until they fall apart.