Besides drawings with graphite, pastels or inks, paper is a noble substrate for paintings. It gives artists a different range of possibilities.

Claire Murray explains:

I enjoy working on a variety of substrates, mainly because each surface reacts differently to the paint.   Also, a big part of my practice involves mark-making with pencil and crayons (dry media), and this works very well on paper, allowing me to achieve fine lines and a delicacy that is more difficult to create on canvas.  To achieve the lines on the canvas requires a different approach - the ‘drawn’ line is so instant and can be full of character.  A line made in paint has a different character, and I have found that using acrylic inks work beautifully to achieve a lightness of touch, and a quality that I like when painting on canvas.

When working on paper I use a smooth, heavy paper, primed with gesso first.  The paper is wonderful, as the paints can be spread thinly, absorbed in an interesting way on the paper, and gradually built up in transparent layers to produce depth and intensity.  This works so well on this paper as it is strong and robust, and able to withstand manipulation.  The smoothness allows me to draw into the painting, under, within and on top of the layers of paint, trapping fine and delicate line between areas of colour and depth.   The finish of the paint is deep and luxurious, and this method allows me to create more complex layers.

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