Painting Papers and Pads
Watercolor art is generally created on paper, while canvas or painting panels have historically been the substrate of choice for oil paintings and acrylic paintings. Although canvas and panels are preferred for archival works of art, another alternative for oil and acrylic painters is painting paper with a surface texture that resembles canvas, or actually is canvas that has been cut into sheets and assembled into a pad.
Blick offers a large selection of high-quality painting papers and pads for watercolors, oils, acrylics, and mixed media. Single sheets are a great way to experiment with a variety of art papers without committing to buying a full pad. Pads come in a range of sizes, weights, paper colors, and types, and offer a convenient way to carry multiple sheets of paper out of the studio and into the field. Most painting papers, whether watercolor, oil, or acrylic, have been sized to allow the paints to sit on the surface of the paper without being absorbed.
Whatever type of painting paper or pad you choose, at Blick we go to great lengths to ensure that the delicate papers, pads, and boards we stock reach you in the condition you expect. For more information about our specialized approach to storing and shipping paper, visit our Expertly Shipping Delicate Paper Products Page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is oil painting paper?
Blick carries several types of paper for oil painting. These textured oil painting papers (available in pads, rolls, and individual sheets) have a coated surface that mimics canvas and also offers many of its working characteristics. Use this paper with oils, acrylics, and other wet media. You may also find oil painting paper more affordable and portable than a stretched canvas or painting panel.