Just permit a idea well-nigh fine art into your mind and you lot volition immediately flick a big sheet covered in a thick layer of oil paint.

Just there is a medium that has no less amuse equally sail, but is somehow, to my signal of view, quite underestimated.

I am talking about paintings and drawings on newspaper, or as people from the art world call them — works on paper.

This blog mail is about everything you demand and desire to know nearly these charming artworks — starting from definition, techniques, value, display and care. So permit's swoop in!

Works on paper: definition

Shortly speaking, works on paper and art on paper are synonyms and these terms encompass all artworks that were created on paper as medium, whether the artwork was drawn with pencils or charcoal, painted with oil or dripped with acrylics, created with ink or pastels.

Works on paper also include prints, collages, photography and fifty-fifty artist's books. Whatever the technique, it is the medium — paper — that classifies the artwork nether the term "work on paper".

A very clear definition of works on paper is provided by ArtNet.com:

"Works on Paper include artworks drawn, painted or otherwise created on newspaper using a variety of media."

This leads united states to the side by side very common question.

Black and white abstract art

Sign No. 28, Gina Vor, Ink on Paper

Is artwork on paper a drawing or a painting?

The elementary answer would be — if information technology was fatigued, it'south a drawing and if information technology was painted, it is a painting.

Drawings would be created with dry media: chalk, charcoal, pencils, crayons, graphite and pastel.

Paintings are created with various tools and paint — acrylic, oil, watercolour.

Of course, contemporary paintings may be created with non traditional painting tools, like homo hands and artists may use non traditional media, such equally vino or coffee.

I personally find ink a very interesting and charming — depending on how it was applied, an artwork can be either an ink drawing or an ink painting.

What I would like to point out, is that paintings on paper may be created with same paint as artworks on canvas and that ways they will be equally rich in colour and texture!

Styles, materials and techniques

As a medium paper does not set any limitation to artistic styles. Artists have created and are creating on paper in multifariousness of genres: from detail realistic drawings, to expressive abstract paintings.

I have already mentioned pop techniques and media'south used to create art on paper, only just for your convenience, I will listing them all one time more than in alphabetical social club:

  • acrylic;
  • chalk;
  • charcoal;
  • collage;
  • coloured pencil;
  • commercial and industrial paints;
  • crayon;
  • gouache;
  • graphite;
  • ink;
  • mixed media (several medias used creating a single work of art);
  • non traditional dry out and wet media;
  • oil paint;
  • pastel;
  • chalk pastels;
  • oil pastels;
  • tempera;
  • watercolour
  • wax.

These are just the nigh common techniques for drawing and painting on paper, of class there are many more and new ones are constantly being offered by suppliers or invented by artists themselves.

Abstract Art on Paper

Waterfall 1, Gina Vor, Acrylic on Paper

Why collect art on paper?

Paintings and drawings on paper definitely deserver fine art collectors attention and those who are experienced in art collecting certainly do own artworks on paper.

These are the top reasons, in my opinion, why artworks on this medium deserve to be in your fine art drove.

1. Art on paper offers a glimpse into creator's listen

We should definitely start with answering a question why artists are creating art on paper get-go of all.

Well, many of them utilise it equally starting point to generate ideas and quite frequently artworks on paper are a their showtime step into something bigger — it may develop into a large painting on canvass or even into a completely new creative genre.

That is why most oftentimes we associate art on paper with sketches.

Only as we are taking notes to document our ideas, artists are creating drawings and paintings in smaller formats to document their inspiration.

It is a very important get-go step in the artistic process, so no wonder it offers yous, as a collector, a very intimate connection with the artist, a glimpse into his/her creative heed, on opportunity to witness the stroke of inspiration, birth and the result of creativity.

2. Works on paper are perfect for those you are just starting an fine art collection

When yous are starting an fine art collection, you are nearly to detect the concept, your favourite artists and art styles. That being said, you will need to acquire several artworks before yous observe out what is it you really similar and want.

Art on paper is perfect for those who are only starting an fine art collection, because it does not require too much space and is more affordable. That leads me to the side by side important statement.

3. Art on paper is affordable

Paintings and drawings on newspaper are more than affordable than paintings on canvas. Of grade, it depends who created it, just even if you lot take a look at the artworks, created by the aforementioned creative person — be information technology a celebrity or a rising start — you lot will discover that works on newspaper are cheaper.

Why? Considering they are created in smaller formats and so did not crave and so much time and paint like large works on sail.

iv. Drawings and paintings on newspaper are valuable artworks

The value of the artwork is defined diverse criteria, I volition not dive too much into particular what makes the artwork valuable, but volition provide some statistics instead.

You lot volition probably agree that curators, who make up one's mind which artworks should be in a museum collection, are really knowledgable experts.

And so allow'due south take a expect at some stats and where do works on paper stand at the virtually prestigious art collections.

TATE

  • Total number of artworks: 77,6 thous.
  • Works on paper, including prints: 68,3 thous.

MoMA

  • Full number of artworks: 200 thous.
  • No of drawings: 11 thous.
  • No of prints, books and multiples: 60 thous.

KUNSTHAUS ZÜRICH

  • Total number of artworks: 99 thous.
  • No of prints and drawings: 95 thous.

I guess numbers speak for themselves, the value of artworks created on paper is defined and there are no more comments needed :)

How to take care of your art on newspaper

I believe that at this point I have persuaded yous to own an artwork on paper, so it is important to tell you how to take care for information technology.

Yes, artworks on paper are more frail than paintings of canvas, merely if they are handled and cared for properly — they will definitely final for generations to come!

Drawings and paintings on newspaper are sensitive to humid, temperature changes and light, but mod conservation technologies and few simple steps volition remove all concerns and volition allow you to enjoy art on this charming medium for many years.

1. Avoid paper-skin contact

Paper absorbs fat, so even if 60 minutes hands are clean, I would advice to clothing gloves before touching artwork on paper.

two. Frame your painting or cartoon

Professional person framing will protect the artwork from grit, humidity, sunlight and mechanical harm. Brand certain your framer is using archival materials, cull UV-protected glass if necessary.

3. Displaying your fine art on newspaper

Avert strong direct sunlight, humid premises or very dry places (e.yard. exercise not hang the artwork in a higher place the radiator).

Black and white art on paper

Small Sign No. 21, Gina Vor, Ink on Newspaper

Where to buy abstract art on paper?

I am a fan of abstract art and if y'all are too - I would like to invite you to my online gallery where y'all will discover contemporary, charming, original and affordable abstract paintings on paper and limited edition prints.

I hope y'all found this article useful, please SUBSCRIBE for monthly tips on buying fine art.

Whatever questions? Only drib me a line!