Richard

[Chris Saper]

This is my first experiment painting in oil on Wallis sanded Pastel Paper. I have used the Wallis for many years for pastel work, and decided to try it out for oil, since my large oil-primed linen roll came to an abrupt end, without possiblity of replacement.

I learned very quickly that sable brushes get eaten up by the paper, but synthetic brushes do fine.

What I love about the surface is that you can lay down a rough, painterly stroke or get as smooth as you'd like, since there is no weave to contend with.

Richard, 18" x 14", oil on Wallis.

[Chris Saper]

Here is the detail. I will take an extreme detail when I can get the painting in hand.

[Elizabeth Schott]

Chris I really like this, very dramatic.

Did you let any of the Wallis paper come through or cover it all like a canvas that had not be toned. Did you have to mount the paper on a gator foam or some kind of surface like a linen panel? I would love to hear how you came up with the idea to experiment with this. Okay, one last question - did you add any mediums to your oils?

[Chris Saper]

Hi, Beth!

No, I covered the whole surface. The first layer really absorbed the paint (like a sponge), but once it was down, I had much more flexibility. When I get a few moments, I'll post a mini-demo.

I mounted the Wallis onto Masonite, just as I do my canvas (Demco glue http://www.demco.com , Masonite). That's only because I prefer a rigid surface. I don't think that would be necessary unless you were working quite large, or just preferred a mounted surface. I see that Tim at http://newtraditionsartpanels.com offers gatorboard-mounted Wallis paper.

There are two reasons I got started on this:

1. I ran out of my favorite linen and had no happy alternative waiting, and wouldn't you know, I had a desperate moment;

2. Kitty Wallis says that her paper is suitable for oils. When I was doing pastels, the Wallis paper was absolutely my first choice.

The second reason was a lot more important than the first. I don't know if you have ever contacted Kitty, but working as much as you do in pastel, you might have done so. She is a wonderful, friendly person, and a very fine painter as well. I think her paper is fantastic, and archival.

The only medium I used was Rob Howards' http://studioproducts.com Maroger, which as you know Bill W made us try, and without which I have not gone a single day.

I varnished this piece with Gamvar, but I have since mixed up a batch of Gamvar with a bit of beeswax, (which I learned here) and I think I will give it a final coat of the wax-softened goop.

Since this painting, finished about 4 months ago, I have completed about four more on the Wallis surface. It is a lot of fun.

Thank you for your interest. Best wishes,

[Carl Toboika]

Originally Posted by Chris Saper

I mounted the Wallis onto Masonite, just as I do my canvas (Demco glue http://www.demco.com , Masonite). That's only because I prefer a rigid surface.

Very cool painting Chris. Which glue at Demco did you use? They have a good number of them.

[Chris Saper]

Thank you, all.

Carl, I use the Demco NeutralBond. It is a permanent bond. I originally had a big jug of Miracle Muck, but switched some years ago to the Demco glue because the Demco is pH neutral. The people at Miracle Muck weren't exactly sure whether their product could be made pH neutral, but recommended I talk to a chemical lab...long story short, the chemical folks suggested something that sounded suspiciously like the stuff that was used in the Oklahoma bombing, and inquired about the type of safety facility in which I was planning to use this volatile substance. That did it for me.

However, I think that I may go back to the Muck. I like the idea of heat reversability. The Masonite gound isn't pH neutral anyway, do I'm not sure if I am operating on overkill or not.

Sharon,

He went for the shirt because I didn't give him a choice. And everyone out here wears these shirts all the time, so it's not an unusal Arizona thing,

[Carl Toboika]

Originally Posted by Chris Saper

Thank you, all.

Carl, I use the Demco NeutralBond. It is a permanent bond. I originally had a big jug of Miracle Muck, but switched some years ago to the Demco glue because the Demco is pH neutral. The people at Miracle Muck weren't exactly sure whether their product could be made pH neutral, but recommended I talk to a chemical lab...long story short, the chemical folks suggested something that sounded suspiciously like the stuff that was used in the Oklahoma bombing, and inquired about the type of safety facility in which I was planning to use this volatile substance. That did it for me.

However, I think that I may go back to the Muck. I like the idea of heat reversability. The Masonite gound isn't pH neutral anyway, do I'm not sure if I am operating on overkill or not.

Chris,
I read somewhere recently a fellow talked to the Muck people and they said the heat reversability was temporary in that after a certain period of time (less than a year if I remember it accurately) it was no longer reversable with heat. I did not pay further attention as at that point I decided against Muck. However, since It was read quickly in passing I may be mistaken. It would probably be a good idea to inquire about this before ordering a bunch of it (in case I do indeed have the correct information).

Thanks for the glue lead.

[Linda Brandon]

Chris, this is a wonderful painting with terrific wall presence. I love it!

Carl, I have both the Demco glue and Muck. It's been a while since I used either but I remember thinking that the Muck took a longer time than the Demco to "set", which is a good thing if you suddenly find a small hard clump of something betwixt linen and panel - you can peel off, remove irritant and reposition.

[Richard Huante]

A beautiful portrait, Chris. Great color harmony throughout.

I saw this piece hanging at Scottsdale Artists School, and was amazed at the detail you captured on such a small surface. !Excelente

Sincerely,

[Jimmie Arroyo]

Beautiful as always! Love the depth of the eyes. He almost looks depressed, like he's lost someone.