OIL PAINTING ON PAPER

   One way to improve your oil painting skill quickly is to paint on paper instead of canvas. There are several reasons why paper is favorable among art learners and professional artists. The main reason for this is that paper has the ability to absorb the drying oil (commonly linseed oil) in the paint, which in turn help to speed up drying time. Another reason why artists may prefer  because of the paper's texture and drag. Some art students may also choose paper for experimenting and painting with oil because of its availability and cheap price. Instead of spending money on an expensive piece of stretched canvas, these artist can now use papers for their daily oil sketches.

Gazing, Multimedia on paper, 50 x 70 cm

  The portrait shown above is an oil painting on paper I just finished recently, and it is one of my very first attempt to paint oil on the surface of paper. After just a few day working with paper, I was able to finish the artwork quickly and effectively. The rough and beautiful pattern on paper is perfect for me to test out different types of brush strokes, and the old, yellowish color of the paper create a perfect background for the painting...

   After completing this portrait of a little girl, I realized just how much fun working with paper would be. However, in order to preserve the quality of your artworks, it is also important to keep in mind that having a high quality piece of paper is critically important. Not only should you choose the paper that is thick enough to carry the paint, but also to cover its surface with a thin and even layer of gesso. For this portrait, I used a piece of Canson paper to paint and acrylic gesso to further preserve my work. I also mix my paint with a little bit of turpentine oil to make it thinner and easier to use.