Kim Eshelman Fine Art

The Color of Light: An Artist's Blog

7/15/2020 7:31:36 AM

Gritty paper and sanded fingertips

Kim Eshelman / 2 Comments

Sunset study VI, 12" x 9"
Sunset study VI, 12" x 9"

I recently pulled out a sheet of Wallis Belgian Mist archival paper to paint on. It's a gorgeous surface to work on but sadly is no longer manufactured so I don't use it often, as I have a limited supply. This paper is very gritty and holds many layers of pastel. For my fellow pastellists who can't get their hands on it, I'd compare it to UArt 240. 

 

I'm working on a sunset series and my technique for creating a smooth and gradated sky includes blending much more than I do with other subjects. While I love Wallis paper, I learned a hard lesson this week when I chose it for a sunset painting that required blending - very raw fingertips! I wasn't aware of how rough on my fingers this paper was being during the process of painting. It wasn't until the next day that I saw (and felt!) how my ring and pinky finger were cut and raw. 

 

In the future I'll save my beloved Wallis paper for still life, trees, or some other subject that doesn't require blending.

 

 

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2 Responses to Gritty paper and sanded fingertips

I too am a fan of Wallis paper and I have a stash. With some of the heavier grit papers (yes I have sanded my fingerprints off LOL) I found if I took another small piece of sand paper I could smooth the coarser grits down a bit by simply sanding the paper and still have my beloved Wallis paper. No ill effects noted when painting or underpainting.

Posted by Mary Light · via kimeshelman.com · 75 months ago

Hi Mary, That's an interesting technique, thanks for sharing! I'll have to give it a try. Kim

Posted by Kim Eshelman · via kimeshelman.com · 75 months ago

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