Paper used in oil pastels

Oil pastels are a great medium that can be used on various surfaces, but I would like to focus mainly on using them on paper. There are also several types of paper, and among them, I have found paper that is suitable for drawing with oil pastels.

• Paper absorbs the oil content of oil pastels, allowing it to dry over time when touched and enabling additional colors to be applied on top. If the paper lacks absorbency, the oil may remain on the colored areas for a long time, causing the oil to seep out to the sides or the front, which can lead to color smudging. Therefore, it is recommended to use paper with good absorbency. This way, the oil pastels can layer properly, dry effectively, and be easily used in framing.

• Based on this, there are specialized papers for oil pastels that have good absorbency, but I personally enjoy using watercolor paper, which also has quite good absorbency. Therefore, using oil pastels on various types of paper allows for a range of textures and effects, making it great for artistic paper studies.

  
  

◇ CLAIREFONTAINE PASTELMAT Paper and Board

This paper provides a unique surface and texture for oil pastel painting. However, it may not be suitable for oily Sennelier oil pastels. This is because the paper tends to feel like the oil pastels are sitting on top rather than being absorbed, and it is more appropriate to use harder oil pastels instead of the oily ones. The surface of this paper resembles that of sandpaper, which means that once the oil pastels fill the surface, it may become difficult to add more color. Additionally, it is available in various colors, which is an advantage, as it consists of dark and medium tones that can make brightness adjustments easier during painting and encourage diverse exploration.

Personally, when I fill in colors, the textured surface appears smoother than any other paper I have seen, which is why I use it frequently.

◇ SENNELIER OIL PASTEL PAD

This paper is specially designed for oil pastels and provides a spiral pad. When using oil pastels on this paper, the surface is relatively smooth, allowing for good color application even when layering additional oil pastel on top. This paper is on the pricier side, and it contains glassine paper between the sheets, making it easy to store the pad itself.

Personally, I prefer to use it when drawing completed works rather than for practice.

◇ LANA WATERCOLOUR PAPER - HOT PRESSED

This paper is a heavyweight watercolor paper made using the hot-pressing method, meaning it is suitable for oil pastels and pairs well with any type of paper, just like fine-textured watercolor paper. It is made from 100% cotton, which is good for oil absorption, and most importantly, it is not overly smooth, allowing for a delicate texture with just the right amount of surface irregularity. Watercolors with too much texture, such as rough paper, struggle to achieve delicate texture expression and color blending.

This paper has a thickness of 300gsm, making it excellent for oil absorption. Personally, I tend to enjoy using oil pastels for both practice and artwork in a useful way.

◇ ARCHES WATERCOLOUR PAPER - HOT PRESSED

This paper is a fine-textured watercolor paper made using the heat-pressing method, as shown above. It has a smoother surface compared to Lana watercolor paper. Among the options available, I prefer to use paper that is treated with a fine texture on only one side. In terms of price, watercolor paper with fine texture on just one side is generally more affordable. It has excellent oil absorption properties, and this paper is also 300gsm in thickness.

Personally, I enjoy using it when I want to use watercolor paper or primarily for practice, or when I want a texture that is a bit smoother than Lana paper.

◇ STONEHENGE COLORS

This paper comes in three different sizes, making it suitable for drawing with oil pastels as well as for practice and finished works. Stonehenge paper is available in various options, and among them, we use colored paper. This is because the slightly toned-down colors of the paper make it easier to control light and shadow when drawing with oil pastels. The color tones of the papers are composed of warm hues, including gray and light muted shades. The surface texture is not rough and is similar to that of fine watercolor paper, making it pleasant to draw on. Additionally, its oil absorption is excellent, allowing for smooth texture rendering. The thickness of the paper is 250 gsm.

Personally, I usually use 9*12 inches for practice, and 11*14 inches when creating artwork.

◇ Selection of Paper Color Based on Painting Surface

When you want to create a work composed of bright and vivid colors, the bright colors of oil pastels are somewhat translucent, making white or light gray paper ideal. Using bright pastels on dark gray or brown paper may result in the artwork appearing less vibrant.