great intermediary surface<\/strong> should you be testing out new techniques, subjects, or just generally looking to pinch a few pennies on your monthly artistic budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBut it goes beyond just saving a few pennies\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026if you are a budding artist in a highly dense area like NYC where every square inch of real estate is fought over\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026or\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026find that your studio is bursting at the seems even if you live in a bit more spacious of an area, paper is a huge space saver<\/strong>, especially if you are coming from a background of regularly using stretched canvas.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhile the compact and light form factor of paper makes this a surface that is quite alluring, we would be remiss if we didn\u2019t at least mention a few key drawbacks<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen it comes to acrylic paints on paper, you MUST select one that is the right weight<\/strong>\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u2026and this is a point worth stressing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Well too heavy of a paper and you are likely going to be wasting your money on a couple of fronts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First off, heavy weighted paper does tend to cost a fair bit more<\/strong> than those of lesser weights.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBut secondly, and perhaps most importantly to you is the waste of acrylic paint<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOverly absorbent papers will completely suck up all the paint<\/strong> that is loaded on the end of your brush much quicker than a primed canvas<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTherefore, you will want to make sure that you check out our suggestion below on some papers that we found work better for most folks that use acrylic regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now just a quick word for artists who like to take their wares on the road with them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Paper surfaces are great for plein air paintings. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nTheir naturally lighter weight make it perfect for any portable studio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, there\u2019s a catch:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When outdoors, you have to make sure you always have a few other supplies with you on hand at all times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s the essentials:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A board to keep your paper lying flat while you paint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tape or clamps to ensure your paper doesn\u2019t fly away while you are painting (this happened to me once and I never forgot tape when leaving the house ever again<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\nBut once you are aware of these common traits of using your beloved acrylic paint with paper, you will be ready to begin painting some of your best work immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\n