Oil painting papers offer an accessible, affordable surface with some of the familiar feel of canvas but without the weight and bulk. Even better – these papers come pre-primed, so you can start painting right away without any prep time. Here we explore our range of oil painting papers, see how they differ from other art papers, and discuss how to prime standard papers to make them ready for oils.
When you first consider using paper for oil painting, you might think the two don’t mix well together. It may surprise new oil painters to learn that it’s totally feasible to use paper as a surface. While it’s true most papers will absorb oil and degrade over time, oil painting papers are specially treated to dramatically reduce this absorption from happening. Winsor & Newton confirm that oil paint is absolutely stable on properly prepared paper:
So as long as your paper is properly treated, there’s no reason at all why you can’t use it with oil paints. The only potential drawback is the flexible, less rigid quality compared to canvas or wood panels. Historically canvas and panels have been favored over paper, but today’s oil papers provide a reliable, permanent surface requiring minimal prep work. They’re also easier to store, transport and ship than bulky canvases. You can even prime other paper types you already own to make them suitable for oils. Read on for a full overview.
What is Oil Painting Paper?
Oil painting papers are specially treated to optimize performance with oil paints. There are two components which add up to make oil paint- the pigment and an oil-based binder. The oil binder is what causes issues when painting on a non-treated paper surface. With regular untreated paper, the oils would quickly get absorbed into the fibres, causing the paper to rot, the paint to dull and lose adhesion over time, and potentially even crumble off the surface eventually. Luckily, oil papers contain sizing that prevents this from happening.
Sizing Controls Absorption
Sizing acts as a barrier between the paper and any paints or mediums you apply to it. It dramatically reduces how much oil can absorb into the fibers, so you don’t have to worry about the longevity or integrity of your painting. While no paper is 100% resistant, quality oil papers minimize absorption to the point where it won’t significantly affect or degrade your work. This sizing ensures your paint will remain radiant on the surface, retaining its vibrancy and glossy finish.
Which Oils to Use on Painting Paper
You can use any type of oil paint on these papers – traditional oils, fast-drying alkyds, water-mixable oils, or even oil sticks and bars. If you thin water-mixable oils just with water instead of medium, you may notice some beading on the surface with very diluted applications.
Surface Texture & Composition
All oil painting papers have some degree of surface tooth and texture. Most are pressed with a linen-like pattern mimicking the look and feel of real canvas. Most range from bright white to a warm off-white color.
Why Use Oil Paper Instead of Canvas?
Paper offers many benefits compared to stretched canvas, canvas boards or wood panels. For beginners, the lower cost makes the paper much more accessible to test out oil painting without a big investment. You can practice and learn the ropes with fewer worries about wasting expensive materials. If you enjoy it, you can always move to canvas or panels later.
It’s also a fantastic option for artists who like the idea of painting on paper but don’t want to deal with priming other sheets themselves. Oil papers are ready to use right out of the package, so you can start creating whenever inspiration strikes.
Oil paper is also far easier to store, transport and ship compared to bulky canvases. This makes it ideal for plein air painting, travelling to classes, or any situation where portability is beneficial.
Paper surfaces can vary in color and texture. Canvas paper pads are another option that provide the familiar surface of real canvas but with the lightweight portability and affordability of paper pads.
Is It Necessary To Use Oil Painting Paper?
Not at all.! You don’t have to use a pre-made oil painting paper if you want to create oil paintings on paper. However, if you use a standard paper that hasn’t been properly treated, you’ll need to do some prep and priming work yourself first.
Without priming, the oil binder in the paint will soak into the paper leading to adhesion issues, dulling of color, and potentially crumbling or deterioration over time. Some artists feel the prep work is worth it to customize the surface to their preferences, while others prefer the convenience of a pre-primed, ready-to-use paper.
Using a non-oil paper gives you far more options in weights, textures and materials that aren’t available in most pre-made oil papers. You can choose hot press, cold press or rough surfaces too – textures that will remain even after sizing and priming.
While you’ll want to use a heavier weight paper for finished works, lighter papers can work well for studies and sketches
Preparing Paper for Oil Painting
If you do want to use a standard paper for oils, you’ll need to go through two key preparation steps: sizing and priming the surface. Sizing helps control absorption, while priming provides an actual ground layer with tooth for the paint to adhere to properly.
Other Papers for Oil Painting
You can prime almost any paper for oil painting if you’re willing to put in the prep work – from basic drawing paper up through professional watercolour sheets. What you choose depends on your needs and preferences for the finished piece.
For quick studies, colour sketches or casual practice, you could likely get away with using a lightweight drawing or printmaking paper treated with just a few coats of gesso if longevity isn’t a big concern.
For higher-quality finished works aimed to be archival, watercolour paper is an excellent choice for oil painting once properly sized and primed. Watercolour papers come in a wide range of weights, textures and quality levels. The drawback is that heavyweight 100% cotton sheets can get quite expensive, especially at larger sizes. More economical wood-based watercolour papers will also work well once prepped, though they may not have quite the same longevity.
For a more affordable option, cartridge or drawing paper can also work for oil painting once primed, though these papers typically max out at lower weights around 300gsm. Lighter-weight papers are more prone to buckling and warping during the sizing and priming process.
While they require more effort, sizing and priming your paper gives you full control over the weight, texture and material you want to paint on. Just be sure to follow proper preparation methods for an archival oil painting surface. Visit our online store at ArtistMaterial to get your oil paper today!
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