What is the ideal paper for drawing a sketch (portrait)?

The ideal paper for drawing a portrait sketch depends on the artist's preferences and the desired effect, but some common choices include:

Drawing Paper (Smooth or Medium Texture): This type of paper is versatile and works well for various dry media like graphite pencils, charcoal, and colored pencils. It offers a good balance of smoothness for detailed work and enough tooth (texture) to hold multiple layers.

Bristol Board: Bristol paper is heavyweight and has a smooth surface, making it excellent for detailed portrait work with pencils or ink. It provides a clean and crisp finish to the artwork.

Watercolor Paper (Hot Pressed): Hot-pressed watercolor paper has a smooth surface, ideal for detailed pencil portraits. It can handle wet media like watercolor or ink washes if the artist wants to add color or shading.

Toned Paper: Toned papers, like those in shades of gray, tan, or blue, can add depth to portrait sketches. They allow artists to work with both dark and light tones effectively.

Sketchbooks with Heavyweight Paper: Some artists prefer sketchbooks with thicker, heavier paper to create portraits. These sketchbooks often have paper suitable for a variety of media and can be convenient for drawing on-the-go.