This is going to be a short post but I have to talk about the super cheap bulk newsprint I purchased recently, it’s awesome!
UPDATE
The link below from Global Industrial no longer works but you can get cheap newsprint from Blick.
Art supplies always come with a premium. There are many of items on the market that are labeled for artists that cost multiple times more. Just look at the prices of tape for an artist versus tape at the hardware store.
Knowing this and looking for a better environmental practice with my newsprint paper I began to search for bulk newsprint sheets. Even if I could purchase newsprint for the same price per sheet but get it in bulk I would help the environment on CO2 and possible less paper if I get a stack without a cover and a backing like pads have.
Well I have found something amazing!
I found a website Global Industrial, out of New York, selling 50 pounds of newsprint for less than $50. That is around 1666 sheets of newsprint! The amazing thing is that this is smooth newsprint also.
To put that in perspective. If you go to amazon and purchase a pad of smooth newsprint by Strathmore it will cost you $17 for 50 sheets. That is 34 cents a sheet. The smooth newsprint I just got is .03 cents per sheet. It’s like buying a pad of 50 sheets of smooth newsprint for only $1.50!!
Checkout this video for details on me testing the paper and to see the HUGE stack of paper I have now. I’m so happy about this. OH and it’s RECYCLED! Whoot!
For Dr Who today I continued to work on his eyes. I’m trying to get the form perfect here. I want to really get deep into the shape of his head and describe it well through value.

Previous Dr Who Drawing Posts
- How is Your Focus?
- Starting Over and Striving for Excellence
- Daily Commitment is Not a Highlight Reel
- Show Up, No Matter What
- Commitment to my Art Practice
- Break it Up to Keep Motivated
- Limit Your Value Range
- Reverse Gestures
- The Tenth Doctor Started
Warm-up
The normal 15 minute warm-up in graphite.

Long Gesture Study
The more I do this exercise from the The Natural Way to Draw book the more I love it. After doing this drawing today on my super awesome new super cheap newsprint, yeah I’m kinda happy about this, I’m having a ton of fun.

What went well, what was awesome! Celebrate It!
The new super cheap bulk newsprint I purchase is workout out spectacularly and I’m happy to have enough practice paper to last me for all of 2021.
What needs work? What did you learn?
I lost focus today and was easily distracted so I’m rushed writing this post.
How am I going to Optimize moving forward?
Keep the focus going and keep checking in every 20 minutes.
Way to optimize your budget to provide a great resource for spiraling up your soul force goal. I love your enthusiasm and sharing it with other artists.
Haha! I feel like a kid at Christmas getting a new toy.