Other supports for OP?

[Mettaphorica]

Hi all
I am new to OP. My question is, has anyone used either velour, suede or Stonehenge paper with OPs?
If so, was the expense worth it in terms of results? Did the results differ (positively), significantly enough from, say, normal Canson Mi Tientes or cheaper supports?

Also, has anyone use HP paper, or does that not have enough tooth?
thanks for your replies
cheers
Donna

[gakinme]

Hi, Donna, I've used velour once or twice. They are posted in the Oil pastel sketch thread but I can't remember which month.

Here is one from my blog - the March 31st entry. It has a very soft look to it and I think it's especially good for hazy subjects.

From what I remember, Stonehenge does not present itself any more special than any other paper. There's not much texture as compared to sanded surface or even coarse paper like Bogus Kraft Paper from Bee company. But I don't usually use coarse surface for oil pastel either. A lot of my stuff are on scrapbook cardstock which is very smooth. Normal sketchbook paper for dry media works for me too. I use anywhere from 70 lb to 180 lb sketchbook acid free paper and when they turn out well, they go into frames.

[halthepainter]

Hi Donna, glad to have you joining our forum. I hope you'll show us your work.

I haven't used any of your mentioned papers. I like a sturdier surface. I scrub my oil pastels in with paper stumps, especailly on the bottom layer and the lighter papers don't hold up to my technique.

I paint on 140# watercolor paper, which I gesso; on masonite, which I also gesso adding some marble dust in the final gesso layer; and on canvas panels which I often tone with colored gesso (Matisse ground colors).

On the masonite (hardboard), if I want to leave the natural warm undertone of the masonite, I use clear gesso which has a good tooth.

[RainySea]

I've tried oil pastels on lots of surfaces, including some flimsy ones like regular ledgers and have not had bleeding through which I thought was cool. I did that one months ago.

I have never tried using the velour or suede though for oilies, although I have used it and like it for dusties. Interesting how you used it, Hal!

[Pat Isaac]

Hi Donna and welcome....
I tried the velour paper awhile back and didn't like it at all. I couldn't seem to move the OPs the way I wanted. However, some artists really like it. It's just a matter of preference.

Pat

[Mettaphorica]

Hi all
Thank you all for your suggestions--I guess I will save my Stonehenge for things that do well with it, like CP.

I have a few sheets of velour and also suede..the velour is expensive and I bought it to have a go with dry pastels, which I'm not very familiar with, either, but I was curious.

The only paper I've tried so far is Mi Tientes Mi-Tex--I just thought the sandy texture would be what's called for.

I'm unfamilar with gessoing, but I guess I can learn. I have a stack of different sorts of papers at home...a lot of NOT 300gsm Watercolour paper, and also Strathmore 500 smooth plate,which is good for graphite, but perhaps too slick for OP? And the same thing in Vellum, which is more toothy, I also have Mi Tientes (regular, one side honeycomb, the other side smoother) , and Fabriano Artistico, which is good for CP and a bit like Stonehenge, and Fabriano Watecolour. Yes, I'm a regular paper warehouse! .
Some of the papers and boards mentioned I'm not really familar with.

I am also in Australia, so equivalent brands may differ, though I have bought a lot of my paper from DB and Jerry's.

I will post what I've done so far
cheers
Donna