Paper

Using paper for portraits

The range of papers for artists to create their images on is vast. There are papers that are just designed for drawing on, such as cartridge paper and there are some that can take the addition of water.

Watercolour papers are made specifically for the use of watercolour paints. These papers come in smooth surfaces known as ‘hot pressed’, or rough textures known as ‘not’ surface. Different manufactures have their own style of these surface textures and it’s a matter of choice as to what suits the artist.

Paper is generally made from wood pulp or rag. Wood pulp papers have a certain amount of acidity in their make up and so will discolour with age and deteriorate over long periods of time. Cheaper papers show signs of this very quickly, but most good quality art papers are manufactured to a high standard to minimise the ageing process. The rag papers will last longer under normal room conditions and would not show any signs of ageing or discolouration for many years, if at all. This is because the rag papers are generally of a better quality and acid free, so longer lasting.

There are many coloured papers for artists to use with varying surface textures. Pastels are the predominant medium to use on coloured papers. However charcoal, conte’ or coloured pencils are also often used with these papers. Coloured papers are ideal for monochrome (single colour) work as their colour instantly adds a tint to a simple one colour image.

Smooth papers coated in china clay such as Bristol board, are perfect for ink work and light washes of a water based medium. Very fine detail can be achieved on these types of paper. A certain amount of scraping on the surface with a sharp knife or scalpel is possible, without damaging the surface texture.