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Sharon Knettell · 10-01-2002, 09:58 AM

Doreen,

The fact that the paper is archival will not save it from the damaging effects of turpentine or turpenoid. Archival, to put it simply, means that the paper is balanced between acid and alkaline components. 6.5 to 7.5 is within the range of neutral pH, a situation of balance between acid and alkaline components that prevents deterioration in paper. The numbers below 7 (center of the pH scale) contain more acid; above are more alkaline. Papers may aquire acidity by frequent handling or improper storage.

Turpentine or turpenoid leave an oily residue which affects that balance. There are few oil wash drawings that have survived because of the damage to the unprotected paper. It is better to use a faster drying solvent like benzol (rubber cement thinner). People have the mistaken notion that archival means the paper can protected from any kind of abuse. There are a few ways paper can be protected, gesso, oiling etc. Wallis archival is indeed fine and has a surface that protects the paper substrate.

10-01-2002, 09:58 AM	#8
Sharon Knettell Approved Member Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 1,730	Archival paper Doreen, The fact that the paper is archival will not save it from the damaging effects of turpentine or turpenoid. Archival, to put it simply, means that the paper is balanced between acid and alkaline components. 6.5 to 7.5 is within the range of neutral pH, a situation of balance between acid and alkaline components that prevents deterioration in paper. The numbers below 7 (center of the pH scale) contain more acid; above are more alkaline. Papers may aquire acidity by frequent handling or improper storage. Turpentine or turpenoid leave an oily residue which affects that balance. There are few oil wash drawings that have survived because of the damage to the unprotected paper. It is better to use a faster drying solvent like benzol (rubber cement thinner). People have the mistaken notion that archival means the paper can protected from any kind of abuse. There are a few ways paper can be protected, gesso, oiling etc. Wallis archival is indeed fine and has a surface that protects the paper substrate.