Grafix Dura-lar paper is combines one of the best options of Mylar and Acetate to supply a extremely versatile polyester movie that won’t tear, soak up moisture or discolour with age. On this Artist Evaluation of the Month, Kolkata based mostly artist Rupam Gupta shares how he makes use of the warmth resistant, acid-free and archival paper with a wide range of moist and dry media.
Artist Evaluation of Grafix Dura-lar Gummed Pads
by Rupam Gupta
Grafix Dura-lar is a novel portray floor. It’s like a sheet of thick plastic that you could draw and paint on. It’s non-absorbent and easy, which feels fairly completely different from most substrates, but it surely one way or the other nonetheless accepts most artwork media. An ideal floor for oil paint sketches as you may simply begin portray with none preparation! I discover it nice for fast periods and small research because it’s a very no-fuss product. These tremendous light-weight sheets may also be used for portray en plein air.
Nonetheless, since it’s plastic, It would really feel bizarre to color on at first, particularly in the event you work in skinny layers and undoubtedly in the event you use artificial bristle brushes. However because the layers construct up, or in the event you paint thick, you received’t discover a lot distinction between portray on this to any of the common easy surfaces.
Grafix Dura-lar additionally works nice with dry media and for graphite or charcoal sketches. It doesn’t really feel the identical as paper with a tooth, but it surely doesn’t really feel tremendous slippery as nicely. I discover pastel pencils don’t smudge as a lot on this floor, which is a plus in my eyes. You may paint and draw instantly or mount the sheet on a inflexible floor for higher safety, I’d say mounting is a should for framing although.
Its semi-transparent movie is nice for copying the underdrawing instantly with out the effort of transferring the art work utilizing switch paper or a projector. You may both sketch instantly on the floor or if in case you have a most popular floor for drawings and/or want to preserve the drawings separate on the market, you are able to do your drawings in your most popular floor after which simply place the Dura-lar paper over your drawing to principally hint it on this portray floor instantly, such as you would utilizing a lightbox however with out utilizing a lightbox! And you then paint nevertheless you usually would, you may repair your drawings utilizing a fixative or with a clear wash of acrylics must you so select.
One factor to notice is that you just want an opaque background to have the ability to see/choose the colors when portray. As soon as the sketch is traced, you may both paint the again of the sheet with opaque paint or gesso or use a clean sheet of paper beneath it if you paint and show.
You can even experiment with completely different colors of paper behind your portray for fast temperature or worth shifts, there are not any limits! General, I actually like this product and completely advocate it if you wish to strive a novel substrate on your subsequent mission or simply need to experiment and make some enjoyable artwork.
About Rupam Gupta
Rupam is an impartial illustrator at present based mostly in Kolkata, India, who works primarily within the horror and science-fantasy genres. His artwork is outlined by its emotional darkness and its emphasis on characters and story. Though he completely adores oil paints, Rupam’s old flame, and medium of selection, is gouache and poster colors.
Additional Studying
Contained in the Sketchbook of Frances Ives
The Making of The Peasants, a Painted Movie
In Dialog With John Cogley, Daniel Smith
Store Grafix Dura-lar Gummed Paper Pads on jacksonsart.com
