Oil painting paper and pads for studies in oil

Oil painting paper as an alternative to canvas

Paper for oil painting is specially treated so the oil paint stays on the surface and doesn't soak through. On regular paper the oil seeps into the fibers, leaves rings and makes the sheet brittle over time. Oil painting paper is a handy, affordable alternative to canvas.

When oil painting paper is worth it

Oil painting pads are great for color studies, sketches and composition drafts before the big painting, for your first practice in oil and for painting outdoors when weight and space matter. Small finished pieces that you plan to frame later also work well on oil painting paper. Many pads have a textured surface that resembles canvas and takes the brushstroke in a similar way.

Look for a high enough weight so the sheet stays stable even with impasto, and choose the size to suit your project. Whether a paper also works with other paints is stated on each pad.

• Oil painting pads in A4, A3 and other sizes
• Weights from about 240 to 300 g/m²
• Textured surfaces with a canvas feel
• Small sizes for studies, larger ones for finished paintings

Tip: Lay finished sheets flat to dry and only stack them once the paint is dry to the touch. Depending on how thick the layers are, this can take several days.