Since I sketch freely and put my layout together afterwards, I don't need particularly good paper. I buy Canson's A3, 120-page sketch pads. The paper is 90g/m2 which is not fancy to the point I'd feel I'm wasting it, but still nice enough to keep and showcase if need be. Sketchbooks are convenient for me because I can sit down and work with them anywhere, they have their own hard back. I very rarely pencil at my work desk, somehow I need to be outdoors for that kind of work!

I'm just like Jason...i use cheap paper that i can get in reams. Most cities have paper stores like Xpedex or Kelly Paper in Socal that will give you more by the ream options than Staples for a good price.

I have some odd artist issue, where i can't use supplies that are expensive. I get really nervous about "wasting materials" and never do my best work because i'm so neurotic about the expense of the supply. Starving Artist Neurosis?

I've even made my own sketchbooks out of scrap paper..one of my best ever!

[quote="Chris"]I have some odd artist issue, where i can't use supplies that are expensive. I get really nervous about "wasting materials" and never do my best work because i'm so neurotic about the expense of the supply. Starving Artist Neurosis?quote]

Chris, one of the things I remember from my very first painting class in college was our teacher sending us all to the campus bookstore to buy a $15 sheet of watercolour paper. When we got back he made us tear it into pieces and throw it out. Then he said, "Luck, you've just wasted your first sheet of paper, get over it, it's going to happen a whole lot more." One of the best lessons we got that year! Mistakes happen, it's part of being an artist.