In this article, I want to take you with me on a little journey into the world of oil painting, but with a slightly unexpected twist: oil on paper!
I tried painting with oil on paper for the first time, as I’m used to painting with oil on canvas in a studio. It had also been a while since I last painted with oil, so I’ll tell you how it went.
Traditional Oil Painting
Oil painting has a rich and fascinating history. Originating in Northern Europe in the 15th century, it quickly spread thanks to its versatility, the brilliance of its colors, and the possibility of slow working, which allowed artists to create incredible nuances and minute details.
Think of the Renaissance masterpieces! The traditional technique involves using powdered pigments mixed with an oily binder (such as linseed oil) and thinners (such as turpentine or white spirit) to spread the color onto a prepared canvas.
Materials for Painting with Oil on Paper
For my experiments and trials, I used these materials:
- Maimeri Classico oil colors
- Talens odorless solvent
- Lefranc Bourgeois acrylic chalk
- Fabriano 1264 block – 300gr/m2
- Windsor&Newton oil painting paper
- various papers
- various spatula and pointed brushes
But why try painting with oil on paper? Well, curiosity was my driving force! I read here and there about female artists experimenting with this technique and wanted to try it myself. Also, to avoid taking up space in my small home with an easel and canvas.
Oil painting paper exists, specially treated to resist oil without warping or getting damaged; I used Windsor&Newton oil painting paper
So, armed with my oil paints and a few sheets of specific paper, I embarked on this creative adventure right here in my home studio. I must admit, the beginning was… interesting!
My Experience with Oil Painting on Paper
First of all, let’s be clear: the charm of oil paints is undeniable. Their rich consistency and the vibrancy of the pigments are truly a pleasure to spread. However… here’s the first “but”: the smell! 😅
Painting with oil paints at home, especially if the space isn’t very well ventilated, can become a somewhat intense olfactory experience. The mix of the smell of the paints and the thinner was noticeable, and not in the most pleasant way.
Another aspect to consider is the slow drying time typical of oil painting. While on the one hand, this characteristic allows you to work on the painting for a long time, blend, and correct, on the other hand, it can become frustrating if you’re in a hurry to see the final result or if you have little space to let the works dry without them getting dusty.
Let’s just say that patience isn’t my strong suit, and seeing my experiments “sticky” for days wasn’t the easiest!
First, I also decided to prime my sheets with acrylic gesso to prepare the surface of the paper and regulate its absorbency.
Female painters in art history also prepared canvases or panels with a preparation made of rabbit-skin glue and Bologna chalk, which they spread in numerous layers to even out the surface before painting. I’ll tell you more about this on my Patreon.
Despite these minor difficulties, the experience of oil painting on paper was still stimulating. I appreciated the reactivity of the color on the smoother surface of the paper compared to canvas, and I tried to exploit this difference to achieve particular effects.
Curious to See My Attempts?
If you’re curious to discover in detail how I fared with oil on paper, what my experiments were like, the successes (few! 😉) and the failures, I invite you to take a look at my exclusive video on Patreon!
There I show you my works up close, tell you more about my impressions, and share some tricks I learned along the way.
I can already tell you that the advantages I found are:
- brilliance of colors
- possibility of blending easily (I love it)
- possibility of “second thoughts,” correcting brushstrokes, hues, and shades even several days after application
- the colors on the palette maintain exactly the same tone when dry
Here, instead, are what for me are the disadvantages of oil painting on paper:
- the smell of the paints themselves, so it’s a technique not suitable (in my opinion) for use at home
- long drying times that don’t allow you to put away the finished work until several days later
- the use of solvents to clean brushes (I was terrified of ruining them)
For me, the brilliance of oil colors is both a pro and a con, because sometimes I can’t stand having to move the painting because it creates that glossy reflection! Other times, however, I love that effect.
And you? Have you ever tried painting with oil on paper? What is your favorite artistic technique? Leave a comment below and tell me about your experience! I’m super curious to know what you think and if you have any advice for my next experiments.
