ArchesOil Pad, 12x16, 12 Sheets - Professional Art Paper for Oil Paint, Acrylic, Pastel

This from Arches was an exceptional unexpected find...What a wonderful experience working once again with oil paints on this fine surface. Looking back some on my better oil paintings that are in private collections those oils I painted were on prepared masonite board. Smooth to work and wonderful results. The Arches art paper does remind me in many ways of that masonite surface of past efforts. I did tire working on prepared canvas boards and their many textures coming through. And, when I Googled this Arches oil paper I must say I once again fell in love with the positive "ratings.">>I mounted these paintings with painters tape onto a stiff board to then set on my easel. Once the painting was dry I removed the tape and had a nice white boarder. Herein note: I haven't yet mounted these paintings on a solid surface- they've stayed as is an oil professional art paper.>>About the attached paintings:>>The Harbor Scene was painted with traditional hogs hair brushes using a full sheet (12 x 16) with boarder. The paint was brushed on in a smooth feel for the subject. Later once all was dry, I scratched-in with a pen knife on the bottom white grasses adding to the brown grass.>> The small oil painting of a Forgotten Punt was rendered in a "thin wash" and painted with some of my older watercolor brushes. Once I sketched in my subject, I gave the surface a light wash of paint thinner wetting the entire surface before working with my oils (perhaps a watercolor habit of wet-to-wet) The painting is on a 1/2 sheet (8 x 12) along with a boarder. I'm excited with this wash- mainly due in the fact that I've worked in watercolors for many years. It felt a bit different- but still I felt as though I controlled this "free flowing wash " style in oils.>> I really like the surface as experienced in both paintings...no gesso prep work whatsoever. And as I look back on a new start in oils I can then mount each on a solid board for hanging...or just store these flat in a drawer for future referencing...Think I can even roll these up for another way of storage.>> Arches is a name that is trusted...an unexpected wonderful find for oil painting:)

Great quality, I didn't know before I got it but this paper doesn't need to be primed so I don't have to wait forever to start painting 10 out of 10

If you want to apply oils to a thin flat surface, this Arches pad is among the most expensive options, but it's also the best available.

I paint in Oils and Gouache, when I need choice paper I always choose Arches.Various sizes and weights have traveled with me to Italy and France, I’ve never been disappointed by this brand.I often use these papers in my professional-size inkjet printer to help make outlines and color chart squares which I fill in with oil and gouache colors.More expensive? Yes, but we’ll worth the additional cost.

GREAT PAPER FOR OIL PAINTING. I USE IT INSTEAD OF CANVAS TO PLAY A ROUND ABD DECIDE WHAT COLORS I WANT TO USE.

There is no better around. Period.

This paper is fine. I’ve done acrylic gouache and found this paper works fine in that medium.I suspect oil pastels will work well with it and I shall see as the colder months settle in and the oil pastels don’t melt.😊

Arches is gold standard!