Paper Suitable for Different Art Mediums
Creating art is a lot like building a house. The foundation matters and it can make or break what you are working on. When you build a house on unstable ground, the house can go tumbling down no matter how beautiful the design is or how skilled the builder is. The same goes for art and here the paper is the foundation. If your paper isn’t suited to your medium, your art work can bleed like rain seeping through the walls or warp under pressure.
Choosing the right paper is the key to making your art work look vibrant and last for a long time. It’s not just about durability; it’s about unleashing your fullest artistic potential. The right paper can enhance the whole process of creation. You can focus on your vision, free from the distraction of compensating for the poor paper material. With the right paper, you can let your creativity flow, knowing your paper will rise to the challenge.
Acid free Papers
Before we delve into each medium separately, it’s important to make sure that the paper you choose is acid free. Regular paper contains acids, often from the wood pulp or chemicals used in the manufacturing process, which can cause it to yellow and deteriorate over time. Acid-free paper resists the natural aging process that causes discoloration and weakening. It also helps maintain the original vibrancy of your medium. They are of archival quality, that will keep your work intact for a long time.
1 Watercolour
Watercolour being the most water based, transparent medium, requires a carefully chosen paper to bring out its fullest potential. The choice of your paper will define how the water and pigments flow, blend, the techniques you can use and how your painting will appear once dry.
Cotton is the most suitable for watercolour because it is durable and can handle lots of water. It will let you use multiple washes of paint and also use techniques like wet on wet. Use at least 300 GSM Watercolour paper to avoid the paper buckling or warping during the painting process.
Sizing is also important when it comes to watercolour paper. The best option is the Menorah dual texture watercolour paper that is both internally and externally sized. The internal sizing which is done during the paper making process enhances the strength of paper fibre and the external sizing which is done once the paper is made, controls the absorption of the paper. This makes sure that the paper doesn’t absorb too much water and the pigment stays on the surface of the watercolour paper, vibrant and beautifully.
2 \ Acrylics
Acrylic is a water soluble, fast drying medium. It is very versatile, durable and vibrant looking. Acrylics can be used with Mixed media sketchbook having paper of 140-240 GSM. This paper will have a slight toothy texture to which the pigment will adhere to well. Mixed media papers have good absorbency allowing you to layer, blend and create detailed works of art. Its versatile nature lets you combine acrylics with other dry medium like pencil, charcoal etc.
Acrylics can also be diluted with water and used like watercolours. In this case watercolour paper will be your perfect choice.
Gouache
Gouache is an opaque and heavy medium that is used for painting. While it shares similarities with watercolour in being highly reactive with water, it differs in texture and finish. When you add a new layer of gouache, it reactivates the bottom layer, much like watercolour. However, gouache is thicker and heavier, giving a matte finish once dry. Because of its unique properties, choosing the right Gouache paper is essential to support its weight and enhance its performance.
Gouache is best suited with mixed media paper ranging from 140 GSM- 240 GSM. The subtle texture and the controlled absorbency that is perfect as it shouldn’t get absorbed excessively or too quickly.
You can use watercolour paper if you are planning to use many layers of Gouache. if you want to try something a bit more different, using black paper with gouache can give your artwork a bold, striking look and make the colours really pop.
4 Charcoal
Charcoal is a dry medium available as a pencil or powder. It is a little tricky to work with as it tends to fly around smudges easily. A textured paper is the best for charcoal as it helps the medium adhere to the surface, allowing blending and creating other details.
The 140 GSM Wireo Sketchbook from Menorah is a good choice for charcoal. The paper has an off white shade that adds more depth and enhance the final appearance of your art work.
The 180 GSM sketchbook is also a great choice. The thicker paper allows you to use tools like kneaded erasers without the risk of fraying or damaging the surface.
Markers
Alcohol markers are made with an alcohol solvent, giving them their strong, vibrant hues. They are likely to bleed through thin paper, so it’s best to use them with thicker papers, like those around 300 GSM, to get the best results.
On the other hand, non-alcohol markers are water-based, making them perfect for casual sketches and lighter work. If you're using these markers, the 180 GSM Mixed Media paper is a great option. The thick paper helps with blending and layering, while its slightly textured surface keeps the ink from feathering, allowing you to make flawlessly smooth and clean lines.
Selecting the right paper for your artwork is crucial to achieving the best results and ensuring that your creative process flows smoothly. The paper you choose isn’t just important, it’s everything. It plays a vital role in enhancing the process and also how your artwork endures over time. So, next time you are getting ready to crate, take a moment to choose the perfect paper. It could make all the difference!