The choice of paper is crucial to the quality and expressiveness of the painting. Below, I will use my personal experience and vision to introduce several common types of painting paper in detail.
Watercolor on paper. Watercolor paper is a kind of paper specially used for watercolor painting, which has the characteristics of good water absorption, delicate paper, and loose fiber. The surface of this paper has grooves, which can better absorb watercolor pigments, making the picture more uniform and natural. Watercolor paper is usually divided into two types: cold-pressed and hot-pressed, the surface of cold-pressed paper is smoother, and the surface of hot-pressed paper has obvious texture. When choosing watercolor paper, I usually choose a thicker texture and more pronounced texture, which can better express the texture and layering of watercolor.
Sketch paper. Sketch paper is a type of paper that is specifically used for sketch drawing, with a coarser texture and a thicker paper thickness. The surface of this paper has some texture that allows for better adhesion to pencil lines, making the picture clearer and more powerful. The color of the sketch paper is usually off-white or off-white, and it is suitable for expressing black and white sketches and pastel paintings. When choosing sketch paper, I choose a type with a coarser texture and a more pronounced texture, which can better express the sense of line and layering of the sketch.
Gouache on paper. Gouache paper is a kind of paper specially used for gouache painting, which has the characteristics of good water absorption, thicker paper, and looser fiber. The surface of this paper has some texture that allows for better adhesion of gouache paint, making the picture more uniform and natural. Gouache paper is usually divided into two types: fine lines and coarse lines, with the surface of fine lines being smooth and the surface of coarse lines having obvious textures. When choosing gouache paper, I choose a thicker texture and a more moderate texture, which can better express the texture and color of gouache.
Oil on canvas. Oil canvas is a material specially used for oil painting, with a thicker texture and strong oil absorption. Oil canvases are usually divided into cotton and linen, cotton canvases are softer and suitable for expressing soft colors and delicate textures;The hemp oil canvas is relatively stiff and stiff, which is suitable for expressing a strong sense of heaviness and three-dimensionality. When choosing an oil canvas, I choose a thicker texture and more pronounced texture, which can better express the texture and color of the painting. At the same time, I will also choose different textures of oil canvas according to the size of the picture and the needs to get a better performance.
Paper. Xuan paper is a kind of traditional Chinese handmade paper, which has the characteristics of good water absorption, thin texture and fine fiber. Xuan paper is suitable for the creation of traditional calligraphy and painting such as calligraphy and Chinese painting, and can show very delicate brushstrokes and ink color changes. When choosing rice paper, I choose a type with a more delicate texture and a more uniform texture, so that I can better express the brushstrokes and ink color changes of calligraphy and painting. At the same time, I will also choose different specifications and varieties of rice paper according to different creative needs.
Silk cloth. Silk cloth is a kind of high-grade art material, which has the characteristics of soft texture, good water absorption and fine fiber. Silk cloth is suitable for fine brush paintings, ladies paintings and other paintings that need to express delicate textures and textures. When choosing silk cloth, I choose a type with a softer texture and a more uniform texture, which can better express the delicacy and texture of the painting. At the same time, I will also choose different specifications and varieties of silk cloth according to different painting needs.
In addition to the above common types of painting paper, there are many other painting papers and materials to choose from, such as color cardboard, washed cloth, cardboard, and so on. Different papers and materials have different characteristics and scope of use, and I will choose the right paper and material according to different creative needs and painting types. At the same time, it is also necessary to pay attention to the protection of paper and materials during the painting process to avoid contamination and damage.