Drawing Boards
A high-quality drawing board is a fundamental tool for producing exceptional drawings. In this review, I will explore several cost-effective alternatives that can significantly enhance the quality of your artwork.
Why You Need A Drawing Board
A suitable drawing surface with a hard and smooth texture is essential for creating your artwork. This will provide you with the necessary stability and assurance to confidently apply your pencil, charcoal, or other drawing tools. Opting for a uniform drawing surface is particularly advantageous for novice artists, as it ensures predictability and reduces the stress associated with learning to draw.
Drawing without a drawing board underneath the paper may result in inadvertent gouges and indentations on the drawing paper. These incisions may not be immediately noticeable during the initial stages of the drawing process, but may become apparent towards the later stages, causing confusion and frustration. In the case of working with a pad of paper, these gouges may even damage the paper below, compromising the quality of subsequent drawings. It is therefore advisable to use a drawing board to prevent such occurrences and ensure optimal results.
Using a drawing board also makes moving your drawing around quite simple. Your drawing can be safely rotated and worked on from any angle once it has been taped down. You may also prop your drawing up and take a closer look at it by taping it to a drawing board. This is an essential practice for all artists.
Store-bought vs. Homemade Drawing Boards
There is a wide variety of drawing boards available for purchase online or at local art stores, encompassing various features such as clips, metal edges, handles, rubber bands, bells, whistles, and more. The price range for these boards varies, with simpler models costing approximately $14, while larger and more elaborate ones can exceed $100.
Although the expensive drawing boards are likely of high quality, I have never personally owned one. Instead, I have been utilizing homemade drawing boards for an extended period, possibly spanning decades. These boards are extremely affordable and can be tailored to any desired dimensions. Allow me to outline the process of creating your own drawing board.
Making a Drawing Board
Any substance that possesses rigidity and a lightweight nature, coupled with a remarkably smooth surface, has the potential to serve as a drawing board. One may visit any home improvement store that retails wood and explore various options for creating a homemade drawing board. Tempered hardboard is an exceptional wood that can be utilized for this purpose. It is recommended to opt for a thickness of 1/4 inch to ensure sturdiness and resistance to bending.
A 8-foot by 4-foot sheet of quarter-inch hardboard can typically be purchased for less than $15. It is worth noting that this single sheet of wood can be utilized to create numerous drawing boards.
I devised a method wherein I utilized a piece of graph paper to meticulously calculate the required cuts to divide the 8×4 foot hardboard sheet into various sizes of drawing boards, capable of accommodating different paper dimensions with ease. This blueprint of cuts was then taken to the store, where the hardboard was precisely cut according to the specifications outlined on the graph paper.
Consequently, I left the store with a collection of drawing boards in different sizes, all of which conveniently fit into my vehicle. This eliminated the need to transport and personally cut the cumbersome 8×4 foot sheet at home, providing a great sense of relief.
Using Your Drawing Board
When using your drawing board, it is advisable to secure your paper onto the surface. Personally, I prefer employing drafting dots for this purpose. However, in the event that drafting dots are unavailable, blue painter’s tape can serve as a suitable alternative. In dire circumstances, regular masking tape can be utilized, albeit with a precautionary measure of adhering and detaching it from clothing a few times to reduce its adhesive strength.