Drawing Resource 5?
Hello everyone,
This blog will discuss paper (and a very mild mention on other surfaces). Did you ever want to draw multiple layers, using oil pastels, for example, but you're not getting any more than two to three layers? Did you want your charcoal drawing to stay on the paper, but instead, it blows away from the slightest breath/wind? Are your drawings not lasting as long as you liked? Well, it all may be based on the paper (or other surface) you're using. The paper's surface may determine how many layers you can apply before the layers start to either fall off, smear, or blend into other portion of your artwork, for instance. Some surface papers may even deteriorate if you're using some sort of turpentine wash or varnish. Thin paper surface is clean, but limited to the number of layers you can apply (for example, one can put about 3 to 4, maybe 5 layers before there are issues), while paper that has a rough surface (i.e., "tooth") will give you the ability to add multiple layers (and may withstand varnish!). If you want your paper, and your artwork to last a while, try to purchase paper that is "acid free," because there is a greater possibility that your artwork will last longer to natural deterioration (e.g., exposure to dust, dirt, or even sunlight) than paper that will react to solvents and/or art medium.
However, this does not mean that you shouldn't try using other forms of paper. Also, you can use varnish finishes to protect the surface of your art piece (saved for another post in the future!). In addition, when you are considering your paper, you should also consider the color of the paper. If example, if you are drawing the night sky with stars, would you choose white paper, or black paper? The paper's color can set not only the ease of the artwork (always debatable), but also the tone of the art piece, too. Consider the setting of your art work, tone, and style.
Don't forget to experiment with other surfaces, including museum mats, cloth, rigid surfaces, and even thin metal sheets (if you're working with oil pastels, for example)! Below are some links to the surfaces mentioned. Experiment! Your art work shouldn't be limited by the surface alone! Be creative! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask! I hope this was informative:
Michaels selection is great:
http://www.michaels.com/Paper-Boards/products-artsupplies-paperandboards,default,sc.html
Dick Blick's selection is wonderful, too:
http://www.dickblick.com/categories/papers/
What I have used for charcoal, acrylic paint, pencil, ink, and oil pastels:
-Canson XL 18x24 Mix Media Pad-This is a great pad if you're trying to use multiple mediums. This brand does come in different sizes, especially if you're looking for smaller sizes. I've used this for oil pastels and charcoal, and haven't had any issues yet!:
http://www.michaels.com/XL-18x24-Mix-Media-Pad/fa1932,default,pd.html?cgid=products-artsupplies-paperandboards
-Strathmore Watercolor Paper-Class Pace-I use this for my water color medium. It's nice, because the paper absorbs the color very well.:
http://www.michaels.com/Strathmore%C2%AE-Watercolor-Paper----Class-Pack/fa2290,default,pd.html?cgid=products-artsupplies-paperandboards
-Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Smooth Artist Trading Cards-Stiff card-like paper, I use this with pencil and fine point pen and ink. Absorbs and stays on very well:
http://www.michaels.com/Strathmore%C2%AE-300-Series-Bristol-Smooth-Artist-Trading-Cards/fa1228,default,pd.html?cgid=products-artsupplies-paperandboards
-Strathmore 400 Series Acrylic Pads-Since my primary medium is acrylic, this was a treat when I worked with this paper. Great quality:
http://www.michaels.com/Strathmore%C2%AE-400-Series-Acrylic-Pads/fa1156,default,pd.html?cgid=products-artsupplies-paperandboards
-Strathmore 300 Series Mixed Media Pads-Another mixed media paper pad set, smaller and more convenient for on-site art work:
http://www.michaels.com/strathmore-300-series-mixed-media-pads/fa1993,default,pd.html?cgid=products-artsupplies-paperandboards
-Strathmore Windpower Bristol Smooth Pads-Great to use for ideas. This thin surface is ideal for sketching with pencil, charcoal, or ink. You might even find this at Walgreens!:
http://www.michaels.com/Strathmore%C2%AE-Windpower%E2%84%A2-Bristol-Smooth-Pads/fa1165,default,pd.html?cgid=products-artsupplies-paperandboards
P.S.-If you want more detailed information on paper and other surfaces, I would suggest you to purchase the following books (they are excellent!):
-Oil Pastel: Materials and Techniques for Today's Artists by Kenneth Leslie-Great section on paper and other surfaces (and of course, on oil pastels (the next post will discuss oil pastels!):
http://www.amazon.com/Oil-Pastel-Materials-Techniques-Todays/dp/0823033104/ref=sr_1_24?ie=UTF8&qid=1393653892&sr=8-24&keywords=oil+pastels+books
-Oil Pastel for the Serious Beginner: Basic Lesson in Becoming a Good Painter (excellent information on both surfaces and oil pastels!):
http://www.amazon.com/Oil-Pastel-Serious-Beginner-Becoming/dp/0823033112/ref=sr_1_28?ie=UTF8&qid=1393653892&sr=8-28&keywords=oil+pastels+books
-V.V.
This blog will discuss paper (and a very mild mention on other surfaces). Did you ever want to draw multiple layers, using oil pastels, for example, but you're not getting any more than two to three layers? Did you want your charcoal drawing to stay on the paper, but instead, it blows away from the slightest breath/wind? Are your drawings not lasting as long as you liked? Well, it all may be based on the paper (or other surface) you're using. The paper's surface may determine how many layers you can apply before the layers start to either fall off, smear, or blend into other portion of your artwork, for instance. Some surface papers may even deteriorate if you're using some sort of turpentine wash or varnish. Thin paper surface is clean, but limited to the number of layers you can apply (for example, one can put about 3 to 4, maybe 5 layers before there are issues), while paper that has a rough surface (i.e., "tooth") will give you the ability to add multiple layers (and may withstand varnish!). If you want your paper, and your artwork to last a while, try to purchase paper that is "acid free," because there is a greater possibility that your artwork will last longer to natural deterioration (e.g., exposure to dust, dirt, or even sunlight) than paper that will react to solvents and/or art medium.
However, this does not mean that you shouldn't try using other forms of paper. Also, you can use varnish finishes to protect the surface of your art piece (saved for another post in the future!). In addition, when you are considering your paper, you should also consider the color of the paper. If example, if you are drawing the night sky with stars, would you choose white paper, or black paper? The paper's color can set not only the ease of the artwork (always debatable), but also the tone of the art piece, too. Consider the setting of your art work, tone, and style.
Don't forget to experiment with other surfaces, including museum mats, cloth, rigid surfaces, and even thin metal sheets (if you're working with oil pastels, for example)! Below are some links to the surfaces mentioned. Experiment! Your art work shouldn't be limited by the surface alone! Be creative! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask! I hope this was informative:
Michaels selection is great:
http://www.michaels.com/Paper-Boards/products-artsupplies-paperandboards,default,sc.html
Dick Blick's selection is wonderful, too:
http://www.dickblick.com/categories/papers/
What I have used for charcoal, acrylic paint, pencil, ink, and oil pastels:
-Canson XL 18x24 Mix Media Pad-This is a great pad if you're trying to use multiple mediums. This brand does come in different sizes, especially if you're looking for smaller sizes. I've used this for oil pastels and charcoal, and haven't had any issues yet!:
http://www.michaels.com/XL-18x24-Mix-Media-Pad/fa1932,default,pd.html?cgid=products-artsupplies-paperandboards
-Strathmore Watercolor Paper-Class Pace-I use this for my water color medium. It's nice, because the paper absorbs the color very well.:
http://www.michaels.com/Strathmore%C2%AE-Watercolor-Paper----Class-Pack/fa2290,default,pd.html?cgid=products-artsupplies-paperandboards
-Strathmore 300 Series Bristol Smooth Artist Trading Cards-Stiff card-like paper, I use this with pencil and fine point pen and ink. Absorbs and stays on very well:
http://www.michaels.com/Strathmore%C2%AE-300-Series-Bristol-Smooth-Artist-Trading-Cards/fa1228,default,pd.html?cgid=products-artsupplies-paperandboards
-Strathmore 400 Series Acrylic Pads-Since my primary medium is acrylic, this was a treat when I worked with this paper. Great quality:
http://www.michaels.com/Strathmore%C2%AE-400-Series-Acrylic-Pads/fa1156,default,pd.html?cgid=products-artsupplies-paperandboards
-Strathmore 300 Series Mixed Media Pads-Another mixed media paper pad set, smaller and more convenient for on-site art work:
http://www.michaels.com/strathmore-300-series-mixed-media-pads/fa1993,default,pd.html?cgid=products-artsupplies-paperandboards
-Strathmore Windpower Bristol Smooth Pads-Great to use for ideas. This thin surface is ideal for sketching with pencil, charcoal, or ink. You might even find this at Walgreens!:
http://www.michaels.com/Strathmore%C2%AE-Windpower%E2%84%A2-Bristol-Smooth-Pads/fa1165,default,pd.html?cgid=products-artsupplies-paperandboards
P.S.-If you want more detailed information on paper and other surfaces, I would suggest you to purchase the following books (they are excellent!):
-Oil Pastel: Materials and Techniques for Today's Artists by Kenneth Leslie-Great section on paper and other surfaces (and of course, on oil pastels (the next post will discuss oil pastels!):
http://www.amazon.com/Oil-Pastel-Materials-Techniques-Todays/dp/0823033104/ref=sr_1_24?ie=UTF8&qid=1393653892&sr=8-24&keywords=oil+pastels+books
-Oil Pastel for the Serious Beginner: Basic Lesson in Becoming a Good Painter (excellent information on both surfaces and oil pastels!):
http://www.amazon.com/Oil-Pastel-Serious-Beginner-Becoming/dp/0823033112/ref=sr_1_28?ie=UTF8&qid=1393653892&sr=8-28&keywords=oil+pastels+books
-V.V.
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