Paper surfaces – for Acrylics and Oils
This week Jane looks at paper for Acrylics and for Oils. This follows from the previous review of paper for watercolours. Also see the review of papers for pastels and chalk drawing.
Paper for Acrylic Paints
Unlike standard paper, acrylic paper is much thicker and comes with a textured surface for your paint to adhere to. The textured surface is very much like canvas it’s has a linen effect.
You don’t have to use acrylic paper to use acrylics on. As long as you’ve chosen a high quality acid free paper, you can paint acrylic directly onto the surface. Also when painting with acrylics you don’t have to prime your paper first.
Another alternative is a mixed media paper, which is a good weight and has a great surface and both smooth and rough paper can stand acrylics. The heavier the paper the less it will wrinkle, although stretched paper is ideal and will stay flat. Another great surface for acrylics is, of course, canvas and canvas boards, these come in a variety of sizes.
I’ve also used board to paint on and watercolour paper stuck to a piece of mount board, so acrylic is great on any surface.
Paper for Oil Paints
This is interesting – I didn’t know this but although watercolour paper isn’t suitable for oil paint it can be prepped to protect it from the oils.
To prepare watercolour paper for use with Oil Paints all you have to do is apply two coats of white gesso on the front, leaving to dry in between each coat and one coat on the back. Once dry it’s ready to paint on with oils.
Of course you can buy pads of oil paper already prepped to paint on to as well .
The other alternatives for oil paint are canvas and canvas boards. These generally come primed but you always have the option of adding another coat of gesso if desired.
More information
I’m sure there are areas I haven’t covered so do please feel free to contact us via our website or on Facebook and we will try to answer your questions.
Gadsby’s sell all of the art materials and supplies mentioned above.
