{"id":983,"date":"2026-01-21T13:37:23","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T13:37:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jasminasusak.com\/blog\/?p=983"},"modified":"2026-03-22T18:20:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-22T18:20:33","slug":"7-reasons-to-draw-on-toned-paper-to-improve-your-drawings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jasminasusak.com\/blog\/7-reasons-to-draw-on-toned-paper-to-improve-your-drawings\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Reasons to Draw on Toned Paper to Improve Your Drawings"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Jasmina Susak<\/a> \u2022 Updated on March 21, 2026 \u2022 Includes FREE drawing tutorial<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drawing on toned paper<\/strong> has many benefits. If you haven\u2019t drawn on toned paper yet, I hope I can convince you to try it. In this blog, you\u2019ll discover 7 reasons to draw on toned paper, along with a free drawing tutorial to help you learn and improve your drawing skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. The drawing looks more realistic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In 2014, when I started using colored pencils<\/strong> after drawing only with graphite<\/strong>, I tried gray toned paper<\/strong> and quickly noticed that my drawings looked more realistic and eye-catching. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s a real example. I drew the same orca <\/strong>twice using the same reference photo (just flipped horizontally), the same tools, and the same skills. One drawing was on white paper<\/strong>, and the other on gray paper<\/strong>. The white paper version looked okay, but the toned paper made everything feel more alive<\/strong>. Highlights stood out better, shadows blended in naturally, and I could even show the water foam from the orca\u2019s splash – something that got lost on white paper. The paper alone made all the difference in how realistic the drawing looked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Graphite<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Colored<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. You can Start Drawing with White, which is very Interesting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve spent most of your time drawing <\/strong>on white paper, you\u2019ll find it\u2019s pure fun to start with white<\/strong> instead. So grab your white, black, and cool gray colored pencils – Prismacolor Premier has great options, and Polychromos offers Cold Gray shades with different values. But even one gray pencil will do the job if you change the pressure on it and blend it well with white.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

FREE Step-by-Step Drawing Tutorial \u2013 How to Draw a White Car with Colored Pencils<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

So, I drew this car on grey paper because this Audi is white, and I wanted to
achieve a strong contrast between the grey background and the white car. Below
is the reference photo<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"reference<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Draw a light outline of the car with a graphite pencil using the grid method<\/strong>. You can read more about how to use the grid method on the GriDraw website<\/a>. You have to decide for yourself which lines you need in your drawing. Some artists sketch out every main line, while others only draw a few basic outlines and add the details later.
In the next image, you can see my pencil sketch<\/strong>. If you don\u2019t have gray paper yet, just download my sketch and print it on your own paper to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"step1<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

sketch<\/a>Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Sketcher \u2013 Sketch Maker for Artists<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you Struggle with Sketching – Sketcher <\/a>Turns Your Images into Sketch Lines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Interactive Tool for Artists, Hobbyists, and Professionals<\/h4>\n\n\n\n



Sketcher<\/a> is a web application with interactive controls that converts reference photos into clean pencil-style sketch lines on white, gray, black paper, or as a transparent PNG<\/strong>. Sketcher<\/a> creates precise outlines you can print, project, trace, engrave, stitch, or color, without guessing proportions or struggling with tracing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With Sketcher<\/a> you get:<\/p>\n\n\n\n