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Mat / Mount Board All the tutorials in this book are created using different brands and colors of mat board. Mat board, or mount board as it is called in the United Kingdom, is a wonderful option if you prefer working on a colored surface and like a surface that can take quite a few layers while still allowing for fine detail. Artists new to colored pencils sometimes find a blank piece of white paper intimidating; using a colored board enables you to have fun with color without worrying about how to handle the background. If you find it difficult to source mat board or prefer to do the tutorials on a white surface, Stonehenge, vellum Bristol board, archival illustration board, or even hot-pressed watercolor paper will yield similar results. Mat board comes in a range of surfaces and textures. I mostly work with smooth mat board; however, some types are more receptive to colored pencil than others, so it’s best to try to get a sample first before spending money on larger sheets. If you’re a beginner looking for an affordable but hardy surface to experiment with, mat board may be the perfect option, because you can oen purchase inexpensive cuts from local framers. However, if you plan to show or sell your work, it’s best to ask your framer for acid-free and, when possible, museum-quality or conservation boards. Most colored mat boards are acid-free but are not completely archival because of the lignin content in the board. Museum-quality boards are oen available only in gray, white, black, and ivory. You don’t need fancy equipment to cut mat board to size—I use a metal ruler and a cra knife with a cutting mat.