Artists might choose to paint on paper instead of other surfaces like canvas or wood because it’s cheaper. You can experiment with new techniques without worrying about wasting an expensive canvas if all doesn’t go according to plan. While there are benefits to painting on paper, there are other concerns for artists working with the material.
Oil paint will destroy paper that has not been specially prepared for oil paint. If you want to use oil paint on paper, there are two things you must do: size and prime it before you begin painting.
Will Oil Paint Destroy Paper? 2 Things To Know: Continue reading to learn more about why oil paint will destroy paper and what you can do if you want to use oil paint on paper.
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Oil Paint Will Destroy Paper
Paper seems like a great surface to paint on, especially if you’re practicing or experimenting with new techniques since it’s relatively cheap. While it is acceptable to practice, the oil in the paint damages the paper.
This is because the oil penetrates the paper and weakens its structure. The oil also oxidizes the paper, causing the colors to become dull and brown.
You Don’t Have To Give Up on Oil Painting on Paper
Apart from being much cheaper, there are other advantages to painting on paper. It’s easier to carry since it is light and much easier to store since it takes up less space. It also offers a different painting experience to painting on wood or canvas since the surface texture is different.
Preparing Your Paper To Apply Oil Paint
While painting directly on ordinary paper is not a good idea, you can follow this easy process to make your paper suitable for using oil paint.
You will need to:
- Size or seal the paper
- Prime the paper
If you have ordinary paper lying around that you would like to use with oil paint, you can prepare the paper 
yourself to make it suitable for oil painting.
Sizing the paper will ensure that the oil is not absorbed into the paper, and priming it is the last layer that will give it texture, sheen, and absorbency. When this process is done correctly, the paper is sealed, preventing it from being damaged by the oil paint. It also allows the paint to bind and cure easily.
Start by stapling or pinning your paper to a board. This keeps it secure and flat, making it easy to work with and preventing it from folding or buckling. Once it’s secure, the first step is to size the paper. You can use any fluid acrylic medium you have.
Depending on the paper you plan to use and the finish you want, you can use a matt or a gloss medium. To see what works for you, experiment with both options. If you are going to prime the paper as well, you only need one layer of the acrylic medium. Apply it in one direction and wait for it to dry.
Prime Your Paper For Oil Paint
You can use acrylic gesso or an oil-based primer to prime your paper. Once the paper has dried from the sizing layer, you can apply gesso or primer in the opposite direction to the sizing layer. Let it dry completely and apply another layer, this time in the direction you applied the sizing. A benefit of acrylic gesso is that it adds texture to your surface.
If you don’t have a gesso or primer, you don’t need to rush out and buy some. Instead, you can add one or two layers of the acrylic medium that you used in the first step to size the paper. Again, there is no exact formula, and you might feel that you prefer just using the acrylic medium and not adding gesso or primer.
The Best Paper for Oil Paint
While you can experiment with sizing and priming any type of paper before applying oil paint, some types are known to work better than others. Choosing reasonably thick paper is a good option because it will be strong enough to hold the layers of sizing and primer.
Two common options that are easily accessible are:
- Natural white paper with a soft medium-textured surface for smooth printing practice
- Paper absorbs large amounts of ink and provides a durable performance
- Acid free and is made from high alpha cellulose wood fiber for longevity
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Watercolor paper is a terrific option since it’s heavyweight and has a relatively rough surface. When it comes to watercolor paper, you have two options: cold-pressed or hot-pressed.
- Acid-free
- Made in the USA
- Measures 9x12 inches
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Some artists prefer working with cold-pressed watercolor paper because it has a coarser surface than hot-pressed watercolor paper, but you can use whichever you have. The texture of the surface will change anyway, depending on how many layers of primer you apply and the thickness of each layer.
Another excellent type of paper you can use for oil painting is printmaking paper. It is thick enough to hold the layers of acrylic medium and gesso or primer, so you can size and prime the paper without worrying about it buckling. It is also acid-free, which prevents chemical reactions to the paint.
Oil Painting Paper
If you don’t want to take the time to prepare the paper for oil paint, you can buy prepared oil painting paper. As the name suggests, this paper has already been treated and prepared for oil paint, so you can get straight to work!
It is a bit pricer than regular paper, but it is durable, and paint cures on it beautifully. Many different options are available on the market, so look at what will work best for you.
Final Words
Oil paint creates beautiful art with deep, rich colors, but it will damage paper because of the nature of oil paint. If you want to paint on paper with oil paint, you need to prepare the paper first by sizing and priming it with an acrylic medium and either gesso or primer.
This will seal the paper and create a barrier. Then, you can paint the paper with oil paint without it seeping through and damaging it.
Sources
- The Spruce Crafts: Painting on Paper with Oils
- Jacksons Art: Everything You Need to Know About Oil Painting Paper
- Just Paint: Painting with Oils on Paper
- Blog Artweb: Tips for Oil Painting on Paper