The medium of oil pastel empowers artists to create stunning and vivid art using a range of techniques. However, the choice of paper is crucial in achieving the best results. This article will assist you in picking the most suitable paper for oil pastels.
When it comes to oil pastel paper, there are several factors to consider. The most important factor is the surface texture of the paper. Oil pastels require a paper with a toothy texture that can hold the pigment and prevent smudging. Another critical factor is the weight of the paper. A heavier paper will prevent warping and buckling caused by the oil in the pastels.
Additionally, the quality of the paper can impact the longevity of the artwork. Using a low-quality paper can cause the artwork to fade or deteriorate over time. Therefore, it is essential to choose a paper made from high-quality materials.
When selecting the best paper for oil pastels, we recommend considering the texture, weight, and quality of the paper. In the next section, we will review the top paper options for oil pastels and provide a detailed analysis of each one.
Best Paper for Oil Pastels
We have researched and tested various types of paper to bring you the best options for oil pastel artists. Oil pastels require a specific type of paper that can handle the thickness and texture of the medium. The right paper can enhance the vibrancy and texture of your artwork, while the wrong paper can cause smudging and fading. After careful consideration, we have compiled a list of the top paper choices for oil pastel artists.
1. Strathmore 400 Series Pastel Pad
We highly recommend the Strathmore 400 Series Pastel Pad for anyone looking for the best paper for oil pastels.
Pros
- Made in the USA with high-quality materials
- Glue binding allows for easy removal and showcasing of artwork
- 24 sheets of assorted, subtle colors in a textured finish
Cons
- Not sanded, so it does not accept thick layers of pigment
- Colors are not very saturated, affecting only the warmth or coolness of the resulting artwork
- Not ideal for artists used to working with sanded papers
We found the Strathmore 400 Series Pastel Pad to be an excellent choice for oil pastel artists of all levels. The paper’s superior sheet formation and harder surfaces make it an ideal surface for producing beautiful works of art. The 80lb weight of the paper provides a sturdy surface that can withstand multiple layers of oil pastels.
The glue binding of the pad allows for easy removal of pages, making it simple to showcase your artwork. The pad contains 24 sheets of assorted, subtle colors in a textured finish, providing a wide range of options for artists to experiment with.
While the paper is not sanded, it still provides a toothy surface that can hold multiple layers of pigment. However, artists used to working with sanded papers may find it challenging to work with. Additionally, the colors in the pad are not very saturated, affecting only the warmth or coolness of the resulting artwork.
Overall, the Strathmore 400 Series Pastel Pad is an excellent choice for anyone looking for high-quality paper for their oil pastel artwork.
2. Zenacolor Oil Pastel Paper Pad Set
We highly recommend the Zenacolor Oil Pastel Paper Pad Set for artists who want to create stunning art effects with their oil pastels.
Pros
- The paper is smooth textured, which is perfect for creating stunning art effects with oil pastels.
- The sketchbook contains 16 sheets of thick paper, which is ideal for drawing and painting.
- The pad offers 4 different neutral-toned paper colors that naturally enhance your masterpieces.
Cons
- The paper may be too toothy for soft pastels.
- The paper may curl with wet washes if not taped down.
- The paper may not be suitable for all types of media.
The Zenacolor Oil Pastel Paper Pad Set is perfect for artists who want to create stunning art effects with their oil pastels. The smooth textured paper is ideal for highlighting your hard, soft, and oil pastel masterpieces. The sketchbook contains 16 sheets of thick paper that has the perfect texture for drawing, and the pad is bound at the top, making it easy to express your creative side comfortably and conveniently.
The pad offers 4 different neutral-toned paper colors, including white, tan, grey, and black, that will make your art pop and naturally enhance your masterpieces. The vellum finish sketch paper in your art book is the perfect canvas for oil pastels, but also for colored pencils, graphite, charcoal, and other media.
If you’re looking for a high-quality oil pastel paper pad set, the Zenacolor Oil Pastel Paper Pad Set is a great choice. With 100% satisfaction guarantee, you can be sure that you’re getting a product that will meet your needs.
3. GR DZPLUS Oil Pastel Pad
If you’re looking for a reliable oil pastel paper, the GR DZPLUS Oil Pastel Pad might be a great option for you.
Pros
- The paper is heavyweight and can handle multiple layers of oil pastels.
- It has a dual-surfaced texture, which means you can experiment with different effects.
- The paper is acid-free and pH balanced, making it safe for your artwork.
Cons
- The size of the paper is relatively small, which means you may need to purchase multiple pads for bigger projects.
- The texture of the paper may be too rough for some artists.
- The paper may curl up if you use too much water or wet media.
We recently tried the GR DZPLUS Oil Pastel Pad and were impressed with its quality. The paper is thick and can handle multiple layers of oil pastels without tearing or smudging. We also appreciated the dual-surfaced texture, which allowed us to experiment with different effects and techniques.
One thing to note is that the size of the paper is relatively small, so you may need to purchase multiple pads if you’re working on a bigger project. Additionally, the texture of the paper may be too rough for some artists, so it’s important to consider your personal preferences before purchasing.
Overall, we would recommend the GR DZPLUS Oil Pastel Pad for artists looking for a reliable and affordable oil pastel paper. Its heavyweight texture and acid-free composition make it a great option for beginners and professionals alike.
4. U.S. Art Supply Premium Pastel Paper Pad
If you’re looking for a high-quality, affordable paper for oil pastels, then the U.S. Art Supply Premium Pastel Paper Pad is definitely worth considering.
Pros
- The paper is acid-free and neutral pH, which means it won’t yellow or deteriorate over time.
- The pad contains 4 sheets each of 4 different natural colortones, which gives you a variety of options to work with.
- The paper is ideal for use with graphite pencil, colored pencil, charcoal, sketching stick, hard or soft pastel, oil pastel, and other mixed media.
Cons
- Some users reported that the darker sheets were ripped.
- The paper may not be suitable for a final product.
- The paper may not have the same quality as more expensive pastel paper.
In our experience, the U.S. Art Supply Premium Pastel Paper Pad is an excellent choice for artists who want a high-quality paper that won’t break the bank. The paper has a good “tooth” to it, which means it has enough texture to hold the pastels in place without being too rough. The variety of natural colortones also makes it easy to create different moods and effects in your artwork.
One thing to keep in mind is that the paper may not be suitable for a final product, especially if you’re looking for a more professional finish. However, for practice or experimentation, it’s definitely a great option. Some users also reported that the darker sheets were ripped, so it’s important to handle the paper with care.
Overall, we highly recommend the U.S. Art Supply Premium Pastel Paper Pad for anyone looking for a high-quality, affordable paper for oil pastels. It’s versatile, easy to work with, and produces great results.
5. Paul Rubens Art Supplies Drawing Paper
We highly recommend the Paul Rubens Art Supplies Drawing Paper for anyone who wants to create oil pastel artworks.
Pros
- The paper is smooth enough for an oil pastel painting of clean application and correction, and the texture is fine for better picture appearance.
- It is an acid-free, high-quality paper that is ideal for oil pastel artworks. It’s also strong enough to hold and build color.
- The texture of the paper is fine, the paper is smooth, the colors will be bright on the paper which make it easy to build and layer different oil pastel shades.
Cons
- The paper size is limited to 5.8 x 8.3 inches (A5 size).
- The paper is not suitable for wet media.
- The paper may not be suitable for artists who prefer a rougher texture.
We were impressed by the quality of the Paul Rubens Art Supplies Drawing Paper. The fine texture of the paper allows for clean application and correction, while also providing a great surface for layering different oil pastel shades. The acid-free paper is strong enough to hold and build color, ensuring that your artwork will last for a long time.
One downside is that the paper size is limited to 5.8 x 8.3 inches (A5 size), which may not be suitable for larger artworks. Additionally, the paper is not suitable for wet media, so artists who prefer to work with watercolors or other wet media may need to look elsewhere. Finally, the paper may not be suitable for artists who prefer a rougher texture.
Overall, we highly recommend the Paul Rubens Art Supplies Drawing Paper for anyone who wants to create beautiful oil pastel artworks. The paper’s smooth texture, high-quality construction, and bright colors make it a great choice for artists of all skill levels.
6. Ctosree 100 Sheets Oil Pastel Paper
We highly recommend the Ctosree 100 Sheets Oil Pastel Paper for anyone looking to purchase the best paper for oil pastels. This paper is a practical choice for painting lovers and is made of quality paper materials that are smooth for you to draw on and do not easily break.
Pros
- The package includes 100 coloring paper that come in 4 different colors, each color has 25, making it a practical choice to combine the 4 colors for those who find a neutral color collocation.
- The thickness of oil pastel paper is about 180G/98lb with the size about 5 x 7 inches, making it convenient and simple to change the size of the paper depending on your use needs.
- The oil painting paper is suitable for use with graphite pencils, charcoal and sketch sticks, providing you with a nice using experience.
Cons
- Manual measurement may result in slight errors on size.
- The color may exist a slight difference due to different screen displays.
- The kraft colored paper is warped.
The Ctosree 100 Sheets Oil Pastel Paper is a great choice for anyone who loves drawing. It is perfect for exercising your hand abilities and promoting your imaginations. You could also send the paper for painting as gifts to your family members, colleagues, friends and many other people who love drawing.
The neutral pH value of the paper is non-acidic, and it comes in 4 different colors of drawing paper, providing enough kinds to meet your use needs and replacements. With a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars and 8 ratings, this paper is a reliable and practical choice for any artist.
7. Floit Papelsino Sketchbook
If you’re looking for a reliable paper for your oil pastels, the Floit Papelsino Sketchbook might be the perfect fit for you.
Pros
- The vellum surface of the paper is perfect for dry media like oil pastels, colored pencils, and pencil drawing.
- The heavyweight paper is thick and smooth, allowing you to blend colors easily and create vibrant, detailed artwork.
- The 2-pack of sketchbooks offers great value for money.
Cons
- The off-white color of the paper might not be to everyone’s liking.
- Some users have reported that the paper is not suitable for wet media like watercolors.
- The A4 Spring size might be too small for some artists.
We recently tried out the Floit Papelsino Sketchbook for our oil pastel artwork, and we were impressed with the results. The vellum surface of the paper provided the perfect amount of tooth for the oil pastels to grip onto, allowing us to blend colors together seamlessly. The heavyweight paper also meant that we could layer colors without worrying about the paper tearing or buckling.
One thing to note is that the paper is off-white in color, which might not be everyone’s preference. However, we found that it didn’t affect the vibrancy of our artwork at all. Some users have reported that the paper is not suitable for wet media like watercolors, so keep that in mind if you plan on using multiple mediums in your artwork.
Overall, we think that the Floit Papelsino Sketchbook is a great choice for artists looking for a reliable paper for their oil pastels. The 2-pack of sketchbooks offers great value for money, and the heavyweight paper and vellum surface make it easy to create detailed, vibrant artwork.
8. Sennelier Oil Color Pastel Pad
If you want to create beautiful oil pastel artwork, then the Sennelier Oil Color Pastel Pad is a must-have product.
Pros
- The machine-made, bright white paper provides a perfect base for oil pastels, allowing you to create vivid and vibrant artwork.
- The acid-free paper ensures that your artwork will not yellow or fade over time, ensuring your work remains as beautiful as the day you created it.
- The heavyweight textured surface of the paper provides a great tooth for oil pastels, allowing you to create detailed and intricate artwork with ease.
Cons
- The paper is very absorbent, making it difficult to work on. It can be challenging to blend colors, especially with Sennelier oil pastels.
- The pad is smaller than expected, measuring only 6.25″ x 9.5″, so you may need to purchase multiple pads if you plan on creating larger artwork.
- Some users have reported receiving white paper instead of the beige paper they ordered.
The Sennelier Oil Color Pastel Pad is an excellent choice for anyone looking to create beautiful oil pastel artwork. The paper is of the highest quality, providing a perfect base for your artwork. The acid-free paper ensures that your artwork will last for years to come, and the heavyweight textured surface provides a great tooth for oil pastels.
In conclusion, if you are looking for a high-quality oil pastel pad, then the Sennelier Oil Color Pastel Pad is an excellent choice. The paper is of the highest quality, and the pad is designed specifically for oil pastels, ensuring that your artwork will look beautiful for years to come.
Buying Guide
When it comes to choosing the best paper for oil pastels, there are a few key features to consider. Here are some factors to keep in mind when making your selection:
Surface Texture
The surface texture of the paper will greatly affect the final appearance of your artwork. A rougher texture will produce a more textured, grainy look, while a smoother surface will result in a more polished finish. Consider the style of your artwork and choose a paper with a texture that complements it.
Weight and Thickness
The weight and thickness of the paper will affect its durability and ability to withstand the application of oil pastels. A heavier weight paper will be more durable and less likely to tear or buckle under the weight of the pastels. Additionally, a thicker paper will be able to handle more layers of pastel without becoming saturated or smudging.
Acid-Free
It is important to choose a paper that is acid-free to ensure the longevity of your artwork. Acidic paper can deteriorate over time, causing discoloration and damage to your artwork. Look for papers that are labeled as acid-free or pH neutral.
Additional Features
Some papers may have additional features that can enhance the use of oil pastels, such as a coating or sizing that helps the pastels adhere to the paper. Others may have a specific color or tone that complements the colors of oil pastels. Consider these features when making your selection.
By considering these factors, you can choose the best paper for your oil pastel artwork. Keep in mind that experimentation is key, and trying out different papers can help you find the perfect surface for your unique style.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is mixed media paper suitable for oil pastels?
Mixed media paper can be used for oil pastels, but it may not be the best choice. Mixed media paper is designed to handle a variety of mediums, including wet media such as watercolors and acrylics, which may not be suitable for oil pastels. Oil pastels require a paper surface with a certain level of tooth, or texture, to hold the pigment in place. Mixed media paper may not have enough tooth, resulting in the oil pastels smudging or smearing.
Which surface is the best for oil pastels?
The best surface for oil pastels is a paper with a heavy weight and a rough texture, such as pastel paper or drawing paper. The rough surface provides enough tooth for the oil pastels to adhere to the paper and prevents smudging or smearing. The heavier weight of the paper also prevents the oil pastels from bleeding through to the other side.
What is the best sketchbook for oil pastels?
The best sketchbook for oil pastels is one that has heavy weight paper with a rough texture. Some good options include Canson Mi-Teintes Pastel Pad, Strathmore 400 Series Pastel Pad, and Fabriano Tiziano Pastello Pad. These sketchbooks come in a variety of sizes and page counts, making them suitable for different needs and preferences.
What is the recommended GSM for oil pastel paper?
The recommended GSM, or paper weight, for oil pastel paper is between 160-300 gsm. This weight provides enough thickness and durability to handle the heavy application of oil pastels without bleeding through or tearing. It also provides enough tooth for the oil pastels to adhere to the paper.
Is Frisk pastel paper a good option for oil pastels?
Frisk pastel paper is a good option for oil pastels. It has a heavy weight and a rough texture, which provides enough tooth for the oil pastels to adhere to the paper without smudging or smearing. It also comes in a variety of colors, allowing for more creative expression.
What is the difference between Sennelier oil pastels and other brands for paper selection?
Sennelier oil pastels are known for their high-quality pigments and creamy texture. They are softer than other brands, which means they require a paper surface with more tooth to hold the pigment in place. Other brands of oil pastels may not require as much tooth, but they may not have the same level of pigment quality as Sennelier. When selecting paper for oil pastels, it is important to consider the brand of pastels being used and their unique characteristics.
