Painting in Oil on Paper
The first time I painted in oil on paper I fell in love. Like most people, I used to think that oil paintings live on canvas and wood panels (and they’re not wrong) but paper offers something a little different.
Paper holds paint in a way that feels effortless and soft. The texture is smooth and delicate in a way that canvas isn’t and that ease ends up in the work itself.
I work with archival, professional-grade papers. The key is sizing, which basically seals the paper so oil doesn’t seep through and ruin the fibers over time.
Most papers I use are pre-sized by the manufacturer (Arches and SMLT are my favorites), but occasionally I’ll hand-prepare cotton rag in the studio using acrylic mediums.
The exact materials are always listed on the back of each piece.
You might notice that I list acrylic ground on the back of some pieces. This isn’t a sealing layer. It’s simply a first wash of color in acrylic (rather than painting straight onto white). I do the same thing in oil, but only note the acrylic layer since it can be important for conservation down the line.
Once a painting is dry I seal it with Gamvar gloss varnish. This protects the surface from dust, light marks, and fading. It’s the same varnish I use on canvas and panels as well.
Oil on paper is quite durable when it’s treated well, and all of the usual things meant to care for any artwork still apply: keep your piece away from moisture, out of direct sunlight, and be mindful of extreme temperature changes. If it needs dusting a light hand with a soft, dry cloth works well.
As for framing:
Paper needs an acid free, hard backing board, and even though I love the look of oil paintings without glass, being behind glass adds extra protection (especially in bright or high-traffic spaces). That said, it’s definitely worth it to consult a local framer who knows how to handle original work.
Thanks for taking the time to read through! I love painting this way. It feels effortless and simple and that ease and softness ends up in the work.
You can see current work here, in my shop.
All the best,
Laura
