Are You In a Paper Rut? Try This!

mini pastel 2.5x3.5    ©Karen Margulis

Are you in a paper rut?  Do you always use the same paper for every painting?  Do you have papers you love or maybe even dislike?  It may be time to shake things up and try some new paper!

It is always a good idea to stick with a paper or surface for awhile so you can get to know it. If you are always working on a new surface it is hard to learn what the pastels do on each type of paper. But sometimes it is good to change it up and try or revisit some other papers. I have an idea to make it easy and fun....

Have a PAPER SWAP!

Get together with your pastel friends and have everyone bring 10 pieces of different papers all cut to ATC size of 2.5 x 3.5 inches.  Have everyone write the paper type on the back if they know.  You can use your paper scraps for these.  If someone doesn't have a variety of papers they can tone them or perhaps do random watercolor washes (on sanded papers)  Even non traditional paste papers are fun to try.

Put all the papers together and have everyone chose 10 pieces.  Now everyone has 10 new surfaces to try. Continue the fun by having a 'Painting Bee' where everyone sits around a table with a box of pastels painting on these miniature papers.

A pile of miscellaneous pastel papers all cut to 2.5x3.5 inches