Does anyone use Daler Rowney cartridge pads?

[ShinyShimmy]

Hello!

I've think I read somewhere that someone here uses Daler Rowney pads? I can't remember which member but I am looking for a pad to buy. I saw this pad (below).

I want a really fine grain but not as thick as board, BUT my main issue is....

is it bright white? Slightly off-white? Or creamy white?

If anyone here knows I'd be grateful if you could answer this! Thank you!

(I havent got any artshops nearby to try out stuff! *nightmare*!!)

[michaeleric]

That would have been me. It is off-white, lightly creamy. I have not tried the fine grain one illustrated. I guess my paper must be a 'normal' grain so a fine grain should be quite interesting.

[ShinyShimmy]

Thanks Michael. One thing I've come to realise with art is that learning curves are expensive! (In my case anyway!!!)

I bought a PITT OIL BASE graphite Faber-Castell medium today aswell. I'm going to try that out. Not sure what it's best for? LOL But we'll see I guess.

Anyone else used this pencil and had good results and for what?

[michaeleric]

Yep, learning curves can be expensive but they're also fun. It's all about priorities. I drive a very modest car, for instance, because there are so many other things that give me far greater pleasure.

The Oil Base FC draws a bit colder than the graphite, I guess because it is more black, but also more matt, so you don't get the shine of graphite. They're not as soft as graphite so I'm sure how well they would draw on smooth surfaces. Here is a portrait I did using them on a pretty toothy local paper.

[michaeleric]

I checked out DR website and the ones I have used are the heavyweight (purple cover) and plain cartridge (yellow cover). It seems as thought they describe them as smooth. I have no idea whether fine grain would be considered smoother or less so than smooth. http://www.daler-rowney.com/en/sketching-pads-sheets

[ShinyShimmy]

Thanks Michael! That portrait is beautiful!!!!! And info is great too. :-)

In regards to the paper, I might end up ordering an A4 pad (around a fiver GBP) (I'm British). I would have guessed it's more smooth than medium but not as smooth as 'smooth' paper??? I have no idea.
I just want a paper that is similiar to sketchpaper, but total white and around 165gsm. I can't seem to find this easily. Dammit, I wish I had an artshop nearby!!!!

[michaeleric]

Have you looked at Canson Drawing Paper? It's about 180gsm and very white. It does have more tooth than DR though. DR cartridge will disappoint on the whiteness.

[ShinyShimmy]

Thank you Michael for telling me that. I would have bought the DR otherwise... so I have taken the plunge and ordered some of these Canson ones (below):

Oh!! And I've now tried the PITT oil base faber-castell graphite (brown wooden casing) and I LOVE IT!!! It's blacker than an 8B and with less shine, AND I found it will go over other graphite with ease. I have actually found something I like!! Wohoooo! Happy dance! Fingers crossed for this paper then!
Thanks Michael!!