How to Trace Using Only Tracing Paper and Pencil Lead for Visual Artists

Co-authored by Kathy Leader

Last Updated: October 5, 2023

Did you know that tracing paper is regular paper treated to produce a translucent paper? If you're in a pinch though, typing paper could be used in its place. To get the best outcome from your tracing project, follow these suggestions.

Steps

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Place it so that the tracing is face down and the blank side of the paper is facing up.
6
Coat the whole blank side of the paper with graphite (lead). Do this using your pencil.
- To coat the blank side of the tracing paper, hold your pencil almost completely sideways with the lead touching the paper and move your pencil lead back and forth to create an even coat of gray or black surface.
You may secure it in place as well.
10
Trace the image, with pressure, onto the drawing paper.
- The aim is to press hard on the lines so that the graphite transfers to the paper.
You will now have your transferred drawing on your desired surface.

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Question

What If I want to make the drawing bigger than the original?

Community Answer

Scan the image and increase its size, then reprint it. Then trace the bigger image.

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Question

Can we use butter paper instead?

Community Answer

Yes, you can. Parchment paper or baking paper also works like tracing paper.

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What if I don't want it to be mirrored?

Community Answer

If you follow these steps, it won't be mirrored. If you skipped the step where you coat the back side with graphite and used your first set of lines to trace over, it would be mirrored.

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Tips

If it is a drawing with a small amount of detail, it would be quicker to graphite coat only the areas that need transferring to another surface.

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You may need to sharpen your pencil often.

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You may want to put a blank sheet underneath the tracing paper while applying graphite to backside of it to protect your work surface and to make your tracing lines more visible.

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Warnings

If you are wearing a long-sleeved shirt, you will want to roll up the sleeves to prevent lead from transferring onto them.

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You may want to wear clothes that you won’t mind getting dirty.

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