A new paper by Arches (Arches Huile) has recently appeared in the art supply stores. It very much has the look and weight of Arches 140lb. cold press white watercolor paper. Apparently this paper is treated with a barrier to protect its fibers from the destructive effects of acidic oil paints. I want to know if I can safely first paint on this paper with transparent watercolor, then after thoroughly dry, paint over the watercolor with oil paint. I wonder if the barrier material Arches uses (a resin or whatever it is) can be dissolved or weakened by the wet watercolor washes, and not then adequately protect the paper fibers from the acidic effects of oil paint. If you are unable to answer this please send contact information for the manufacturer. Thank you.
Hi Jim, I've been using this paper for about 4 years or so now. In talking to reps for WN, I've been told that yes, it is fine to use for water media as well as oil based media. It does have an alkyd resin impregnated into the paper fibers to prevent the acid from entering the paper. I've painted on it with acrylic, gouache, oil and oil pastel. Here's the spec page (although not much of a spec page) from the WN website. http://www.arches-papers.com/our-papers/arches-huile-oil-paper/ I find it slightly absorbent as it comes off of the shelf. So I like to tone it with a mix of pigment and some Liquin or other fast drying medium. More often, I use Krylon's Gallery/Conservation Series Re-Touch Varnish and give it a light spray before painting on it. Both cut down on the absorbency, and to me, make it a better painting surface. I'm no expert on the paper, but that's what I've been able to learn from others and from my own use.
Hi Marc, Thanks for your response and the helpful information based on your experience. I did eventually get in touch with someone who works with Arches. His comments were the same as yours. I suggested this paper to two of my graduate student painters. They LOVE it. It worked well for me as a watercolor and gouache painting on a stretched 30 x 40 inch sheet. I suspected that Arches use a synthetic resin to protect the paper fibers. Somewhere online there is a video demo that shows a guy starting a painting as you do to reduce the absorbency. Thanks again.
Arches Oil Paper is a fabulous Paper! It absorbancy has added a whole new dimension to my painting! The absorbancy allows colors to pop out from the depth of the layers giving new depth and surprising effects! I recently painted an entire body of works applying glaze after glaze off oils and contes to create a collection of dreamy, surreal images with a depth and clarity that rocked my vision! Thank you Arches! Donna Morrison
I've been using this paper for about 4 years or so now. In talking to reps for WN, I've been told that yes, it is fine to use for water media as well as oil based media. It does have an alkyd resin impregnated into the paper fibers to prevent the acid from entering the paper. I've painted on it with acrylic, gouache, oil and oil pastel. Here's the spec page (although not much of a spec page) from the WN website. http://www.arches-papers.com/our-papers/arches-huile-oil-paper/
I find it slightly absorbent as it comes off of the shelf. So I like to tone it with a mix of pigment and some Liquin or other fast drying medium. More often, I use Krylon's Gallery/Conservation Series Re-Touch Varnish and give it a light spray before painting on it. Both cut down on the absorbency, and to me, make it a better painting surface.
I'm no expert on the paper, but that's what I've been able to learn from others and from my own use.
Donna Morrison