DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.19951#0014
4
PAPER.
weigh 90 lbs., 110 lbs., and 140 lbs. each to the ream.
The first of these three may be characterized as a paper
generally serviceable for drawings of small dimensions ;
for paintings, however, requiring the elaborate and severe
manipulations of modern art, the second is well adapted;
the third being a still thicker paper for more decided
objects and emergencies.
Thus paper is distinguished by its weight; but a still
more important distinctive characteristic is in the texture or
the grain of its surface. This texture is greatly varied in
different papers; but the following remarks will enable
the learner to make his selection, according to the object
he has immediately in view. For most drawings it is
requisite that the surface should not be too rough ; yet
that it should have sufficient texture to take and retain the
colour. If it be too fine and smooth, there frequently
results an unartistic flatness and a want of brilliancy in
the work; if, on the contrary, it be too rough, the effect
is often harsh and coarse, and the details of the picture
cannot be executed with sufficient clearness and precision.
Yet it must be carefully observed, that for slight sketches
these rough surfaces are extremely favourable, the spark-
ling lights and shadows caused by the mere projections of
the material of the paper, aiding the effect in a peculiarly
agreeable manner.
The proper sizing of Drawing Paper is a consideration
of great importance in its manufacture, and is a process in
which failure often occurs. If paper be sized too strongly,
colour will not float nor wash well upon it, but will appear
hard and streaky. If it be sized too little, the colour is
absorbed into the fabric, and it will appear poor and
dead.
It is impossible to urge too strongly the importance
and advantage of procuring paper of first-rate quality.
Every artist of eminence is unsparing of pains and expense
in this particular; since in the saving of time in over-
coming any subsequent difficulties, the superior bril-
PAPER.
weigh 90 lbs., 110 lbs., and 140 lbs. each to the ream.
The first of these three may be characterized as a paper
generally serviceable for drawings of small dimensions ;
for paintings, however, requiring the elaborate and severe
manipulations of modern art, the second is well adapted;
the third being a still thicker paper for more decided
objects and emergencies.
Thus paper is distinguished by its weight; but a still
more important distinctive characteristic is in the texture or
the grain of its surface. This texture is greatly varied in
different papers; but the following remarks will enable
the learner to make his selection, according to the object
he has immediately in view. For most drawings it is
requisite that the surface should not be too rough ; yet
that it should have sufficient texture to take and retain the
colour. If it be too fine and smooth, there frequently
results an unartistic flatness and a want of brilliancy in
the work; if, on the contrary, it be too rough, the effect
is often harsh and coarse, and the details of the picture
cannot be executed with sufficient clearness and precision.
Yet it must be carefully observed, that for slight sketches
these rough surfaces are extremely favourable, the spark-
ling lights and shadows caused by the mere projections of
the material of the paper, aiding the effect in a peculiarly
agreeable manner.
The proper sizing of Drawing Paper is a consideration
of great importance in its manufacture, and is a process in
which failure often occurs. If paper be sized too strongly,
colour will not float nor wash well upon it, but will appear
hard and streaky. If it be sized too little, the colour is
absorbed into the fabric, and it will appear poor and
dead.
It is impossible to urge too strongly the importance
and advantage of procuring paper of first-rate quality.
Every artist of eminence is unsparing of pains and expense
in this particular; since in the saving of time in over-
coming any subsequent difficulties, the superior bril-