hin-torinoko (new torinoko) paper is a Western paper made with machines imitating the texture of torinoko paper. Because it is made of wood pulp and can be mass produced, it is relatively inexpensive and is often used for test printing woodblocks and

The term yoshi refers to paper that was introduced or imported from the West, as opposed to washi which refers to paper made domestically in Japan. Yoshi is also a general term for machine-made paper. The majority of drawing paper, Kent paper, waterc

Washi, is a generic term for paper that has been used extensively in Japan from long ago as an integral part of life. It is made from distinct raw materials and developed through unique techniques. Even today, various types of hand-made washi are pro

Croquis books are thin sheets of paper with smooth surfaces bound into booklets and mostly used for Croquis, Esquisse (preliminary sketches) and sketching ideas. The paper is generally high-quality writing paper and non-wood pulp paper (made from

A gel medium is an acrylic resin with water soluble properties. It is used in a variety of works to bring out the luster and add volume to acrylic paint, adjust the transparency, etc., fix collages and produce texture. The main ingredient of gel m

When making a sketch or pictorial composition, an artist uses an easel to hold the support medium, carton, or other similar object in place at a comfortable height. Although there are many types of easels designed for different sizes of support me

Torinoko paper—literally “hen’s egg” paper—is a hand-made washi of a lustrous, smooth, and intricate texture whose chief ingredient is gampi (diplomorpha sikokiana). It is used as a support medium in Japanese art, block-print paper in woodcut printin

A sketchbook contains drawing or watercolor paper bound like the pages of a notebook between front and back covers made of cardboard. The sketchbook is portable and has paper that resists tears, making it ideal for sketching outdoors. The bound paper

Illustration boards are surfaces made by giving paper for different purposes with specific usage such as watercolor paper or color paper a backing made of thick paper (cardboard or posterboard). In addition to being a medium for illustrations and ren