I just stumbled upon something fascinating that I had to share with you all! While watching a YouTube video by the talented Emma Colbert, I discovered that you can actually create your own pastel paper at home. To be honest, I had no idea this was even possible.
The idea is that you apply a special primer or a mixture with tooth to a sturdy surface like heavy paper or board. This creates a texture specifically designed to grab and hold the pastel pigment.
My Personal Opinion 🧐
After watching the process closely, I do have some reservations. One thing I noticed is that you can often still see the brush strokes in the dried primer. For the way I work, especially when creating detailed pet portraits where the entire paper is used for the drawing, those visible lines could be quite distracting. I prefer a perfectly smooth and even surface for my wildlife art to ensure every detail of the fur looks just right.
The Question of Longevity ⏳
Another important thing to consider is how this DIY surface holds up over time. When creating art for clients, I always prioritize archival quality. With professional papers like Pastelmat, we know they are acid free and designed to last a lifetime. With a homemade mixture, I am not entirely sure how the bond between the primer and the base holds up after many years. For professional commissions, I would always stick to proven, high quality materials.
Extra Tips and Tricks 💡
If you do decide to experiment for practice pieces, here are some extra things to keep in mind:
Prevent Buckling: Use a very thick paper or even a wooden panel. If the base is too thin, the wet mixture will cause the surface to warp and bend.
Avoid Brush Strokes: To get a smoother result, you can try using a small foam roller instead of a brush. If you still see lines after drying, you can very lightly sand the surface with fine sandpaper to even it out.
Heavy Layering: One big advantage of a DIY sanded surface is that it can often hold many more layers of pastel than regular paper because the texture is so deep.
Tint Your Paper: You can mix a drop of acrylic paint into your gesso mixture. This way, you immediately have a colored background.
Watch Your Tools: Homemade sanded paper can be much more abrasive than professional brands. This means your pastel pencils might wear down faster.
The Secret Recipe 👩🎨
If you are curious about the how to part, here is a basic recipe to create a surface at home:
Mix two parts Acrylic Gesso with one part water for a smooth consistency.
Add about one tablespoon of Fine Pumice Powder to the mix and stir well.
Apply a thin, even layer to your base using a foam roller or wide brush.
Let it dry completely.
Availability in the Netherlands
For my fellow artists in the Netherlands, materials like the Amsterdam (Royal Talens) Fine Pumice Medium are very easy to find at shops like Van Beek Art Supplies.
If you want to see the master at work and judge the texture for yourself, you can find Emma Colbert's tutorial here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2Wp9RmsTMo 🎥
It is always wonderful to learn more about the technical side of art. Whether I will actually start mixing my own primers remains to be seen because of those visible textures and long term durability, but it is a great trick to have in the back of my mind! 🤩✨
Please follow my blog to stay updated on my artistic journey!
With all my love💗
Arty by Esther
Add comment
Comments