Artist's Papers |
With water based products, achievable results rely almost as much on the paper surface as on the quality of the colour used. The paper is an intrinsic part of the work. This is also true for oil based paintings. It is essential therefore that the artist has a range of papers at hand which are of equal quality to his/her colour. This article discusses the criteria and terminology of artists’ papers to enable you to obtain Paper Criteria Paper Terminology Rag Content Mould-Made and Hand-Made Hand made paper has these advantages but is relatively expensive. The deckle is the frame which forms the outer edge of the paper sheet. Four deckle edges is an accepted term to indicate the sheet is mould made. Sizing External sizing is a layer of gelatine on the surface of the paper, resulting in the water colour film laying on the surface, looking brighter and allowing it to be sponged off if desired by the painter. Gelatine gives a harder surface which also allows scraping and rubbing without damaging the paper itself. External sizing is also known as gelatine surface sizing. A low level of size makes the paper more malleable, particularly for intaglio work and also more absorbent, pushing the ink into the fibre and assisting drying. Buffering Surfaces Rough is the heaviest texture, embossed from the surface of the blanket between which the sheet is dried. Not or Cold Pressed is a Rough sheet which has been cold pressed to flatten out the texture. Hot pressed, is just that and produces a smooth sheet. ‘Not’ water colour paper is the most popular. The three surfaces are relative to each other within each manufacturer’s range, ie. Rough from one brand could be smoother than Rough in another. ‘Not’ is the most popular as it contributes a modest texture to the water colour painting. Rough is used by water colour painters who rely more on granulation and texture to emphasize the surface. Hot Pressed papers are used by illustrators and minaturists where a smooth finish blends with the image more comfortably. ‘Not’ paper gives the brightest water colour paintings because its increased surface area holds more colour and therefore reflects more light.
The ‘Right’ Side Painting on the back of a finished painting will save using a new sheet but this practice cannot be widely recommended. A painting which is felt to be unsuccessful today may appear entirely different in the future, you could end up with two good paintings on only one sheet of paper. Paintings may also appear less bright if there is a dark painting on the back of the sheet and may not stay flat. Weight A heavier paper is more resilient to tearing/general storage, being stronger simply because there is more interwoven fibre in a heavy sheet. Heavier papers are preferred by many water colourists as they are able to take heavier washes without cockling. Lightweight papers should be stretched if substantial amounts of water are to be used. Cockling is the wrinkling of the sheet when substantial amounts of water are used. Heavier sheets used in printmaking should be soaked long enough to ensure suppleness, a 300lb sheet should be submerged for at least 20 minutes. |
Canvas Printing |
Printing on canvas is incredibly versatile and a great way to create a ready-to-hang image or artwork. Every canvas that we print is protected with a UV coated acrylic finish to guard the print from dust, moisture and fading. Do you want your canvas stretched on bars or non-stretched? Framed or unframed? Customize the work to make it truly your own. |
Art of Photography |
Photography is an amazing art form. A photograph album is a catalogue of life's history as seen through the camera. People, animals, nature, holidays, celebrations and even disasters are captured instantly and recorded as part of history. It is through the powerful presentations of photography that we better understand the progression of time and life. Hampton Photo Arts has over twenty years of experience working with photographers as they seek to capture and preserve the history of families and communities. When families get together, both children and adults love to look through photograph albums. They enjoy seeing the childhood photos of older family members and compare themselves to ancestors who lived a hundred or more years ago. Photos are among the most important treasures of every family. They should not be faded and dull. They contain the smiles, tears and emotions of generations. The staff members at Hampton Photo Arts display excellence in the art of photography reproduction. They work with the highest quality materials. They know how to create family memories that will be just as beautiful one hundred years from now as they are today. |
Learning to Paint Watercolors |
Watercolor is an easy, fun medium for creating art. Color theory, composition and design can be explored freely with watercolor paint, paper, and brushes. Several techniques may be used with watercolors for varying effects including painting wet on wet, wet on dry, layering washes, and more. Watercolor paper comes in cold press, hot press, and rough. Rough paper has the most texture, and its hills and valleys can result in interesting effects when paint is added. Hot press is the smoothest and has the finest texture. Cold press has a moderate amount of texture and is the paper most commonly chosen by watercolor artists. Watercolor paper comes in several weights ranging from 90 lb. to 300 lb. based on the pounds per ream of paper. Most artists prefer to use at least 140 lb. paper. Papers vary somewhat between manufacturers, so sampling different papers is advisable. Paper can be purchased in pads, in blocks or in large sheets. The large sheets are usually the most economical and can be torn into whatever size is desired. |