Well if your just practicing the basics I would use a sketch pad with the newspaper type paper. Cheap and works good to practice your brush strokes on. I use a poster paper I got at Michael's. But I usually try to paint on a metal surface. I found the metal 'For Sale' signs and 'No Trespassing' signs you get at Wal-Mart are cheap, like 90 cents, and good to prep like you would any automotive surface. I scotchbrite then primer, paint, airbrush,and clear. I know you asked about paper but thought I would throw it out there as another option. They have holes in the corner as well to hang your art up.