Introducing Jackson’s Paper Guide

We are proud to present our Paper Guide, a studio companion for artists working with paints, printmaking or drawing.

Paper has been used by artists for drawing, painting, and printmaking for centuries, and the production of today’s art papers benefits from centuries-old traditions, as well as state of the art modern technologies. Because of this, papermakers are able to consider the various working methods of modern artists and produce papers that are tailor made.

The Paper Guide contains the history of paper and the methods of making it, in addition to explanations of the various factors that determine how paper behaves, such as ingredients, surface texture, absorbency, and weight.

You’ll find sections dedicated to watercolour, drawing, pastel, printmaking, oil, and acrylic painting, covering the characteristics which make certain papers suitable for these mediums. This information is the culmination of years of experience as well as months of in-house tests and research, supported by expert advice from paper makers and suppliers. While the majority of artist papers are purpose-made for specific media, many are also compatible with other materials; the Paper Map diagram shows where you can break with convention.

As well as helping you choose the best paper for your painting, drawing, and printmaking, the guide also includes practical advice how to care for paper, including how to store it, how to stretch watercolour paper for a buckle-free finish, how to varnish finished artworks on paper, and the best way to tear paper down to size.

The glossary at the end of the guide is a useful reference tool to navigate the terminology of paper. Understanding the difference between acid-free, lignin-free, and archival, for example, can help to really understand the materials you are working with and help you to choose the right paper for your next project.

Jackson’s Paper Guide is now available at jacksonsart.com. We hope that you enjoy reading it and that it might inspire your next idea!