Arches Huile Oil Painting Paper Pads

An oil paper that looks like watercolour paper - no 'canvas' texture. I am really impressed with it. Suitable for a huge range of techniques, dilute paint with turps for washes, use paint thickly from the tube as it is or with medium, palette knife, rub with cloth, draw with pencils or charcoal or coloured pencils or pens in conjunction with oil paint. Perfect for students or those new to oils but used to water based media on paper. Easy to cut, roll and store. Both sides can be used. Paint doesn't 'sink' into the paper but remains wet and blendable. A great product.

It gives too great absorbency . Once the paint is on, you can hardly move it. Such a shame as, otherwise it would be a great product.

I haven't yet tried a complete picture with standard oil-paints on this paper and had purchased a pad initially to try with Oilbars, since framing under glass is often recommended for them.
The paper feels and looks just like watercolour paper; but applications of light turps washes do not bleed through and the paper remains flat on its board.

Oilbars run smoothly over the paper surface and blending is easy. The colours are touch-dry in a couple of days and also retain any texture-marks. I was able to add touches of tube oil-paint with a small painting-knife, with no difficulty.

Whether this paper will take heavier textured paint, I don't know---it probably will---but for the smoother painting styles, it seems absolutely fine. For oilbar work I'd recommend a larger size pad, or sheets.