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Illustration Board or paper?

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Rose Lissa

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Sep 16, 1998, 3:00:00 AM9/16/98
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Can anyone tell me the benefits of using illustration board verses paper? I am
an artist, not a designer, but I was wondering if anyone in this group might be
familiar with this particular product. Can it be used with a variety of media
(watercolors, pastel)? I am interested in using it for "fine art" greeting
card design. I would appreciate any advice you can give. Thanks

E-mail Roselissa@aol

Jim K

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Sep 16, 1998, 3:00:00 AM9/16/98
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As in anything else, it all depends on specifics. There are many types
of illustration board and even more types of paper. Depending on the
specific product you have in mind the answers are yes and no.

In general, illustration board is heavier than paper, but both come in
many - many, weights.

rose...@aol.com (Rose Lissa) wrote:

I got one them stupid * in my name
Jim Kajpust - Personal Freedoms - Michigan
http://www.concentric.net/~jkajpust

David

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Sep 17, 1998, 3:00:00 AM9/17/98
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Rose,

There are some pretty tuff papers out there as well as illustration board.
You can for the most part catagorize them by the type of finish. For
instance, a paper or board with a cold press would mean that the surface has
a slight toothy texured feel to it. This is especially good for grabbing
whatever medium you are using. If the paper or board has a hot press
finish. This would be a surface that is very very smooth and slicker to
work on. I think the general population prefers "cold press." I am an
illustrator who also does gallery pieces from time to time and I would think
as a fine artist you might enjoy a nice paper as opposed to illustration
board. They both have their strong points. There are papers that you can
beat the heck out of (i.e., scrape, sand into, scrub) and are just as tuff
as illustration board cause we are talking about the surface here.

Strathmore makes a 4ply (heavyweight) paper with what they call a "kidd
finish", kinda like a cold press. It has a slight toothiness to the surface.
It a very bright white and takes very well to most dry or waterbased
mediums(i.e., charcoal, acrylics, guache, pastels). It's very very durable
and very nice!!!

If you are gonna use watercolor? I would suggest Arches 140lb cold press.
It a beautiful paper and can be used with pastels as well. It specifically
design for the medium so you'll get the best all around results. It's
available in many different weight and finishes. There is even a watercolor
board. I believe it's 300lb cold press. At least thats the only one I have
seen. It basically an illustratio board for watercolor (very thick paper)!

Illustration board! If your gonna use it? You might as well get the best
you can find. Look at the different manufacturers. There are variation in
the in the white of boards. I always look for brightest white I can find.
It gives a much better contrast between your art work color and the board.
You'll probably want a heavy weight cold press. Again, cold press has a
toothy surface and will probably grab your pastels much better.

Important.....if you decide to use oils........prime the suface with
gesso!!!!!!!! If not the paint will get sucked right into the paper or
board. Personally, I work in oil on wood panels

Anyhow, I could ramble all day about this stuff. I hope I have helped and
not confused you!


Regards,

David
Los Angeles


Rose Lissa wrote in message <19980916170339...@ng117.aol.com>...

Russell DiBenedetto

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Sep 18, 1998, 3:00:00 AM9/18/98
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Illustration board is a lot more durable. Especially when using
watercolor or airbrush acrylics. The paper tends to get soggy when you
lay on to heavy of a wash. Another benefit is the texture of the
board. I don't know what kind of paper you are currently using
(watercolor,pastel) but I love the consistant rough tooth of the
illustration board. Try some out see what you feel more comfortable
with. Both board and paper have advantages.
--
Russell Jay DiBenedetto
webd...@earthlink.net

Russell DiBenedetto

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Sep 18, 1998, 3:00:00 AM9/18/98
to Jim K
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