Paper and Cardboard

Introduction

There is a huge amount of Paper and Cardboard available now which comes in various thicknesses and colours to suit the job in hand. Most people presume that Paper is made only from wood pulp but you may be surprised to know that your paper could also include synthetic fibres such as Polypropylene. Some papers also include vegetable fibres such as linen and rice. Cardboard is usually made by machine by layering up paper pulp.

Some examples of specific kinds of paper available are Cartridge paper, Watercolour paper, Tracing paper, Transfer paper and Photographic paper. Some examples of Cardboard are Mountboard, Posterboard, Mirrorboard and Foamcore.
Another type of Paper that is now quite widely available is Handmade paper. It originates form India and South East Asia where cotton fabric is made. The main characteristic of this kind of Paper is that it doesn't originate from wood pulp, but instead is primarily made from cotton, bananas, rice straw, silk, jute or straw. Sometimes the papers are dyed, embroidered or embossed to give different effects.

Techniques

Drawing and Mark Making:

One of the first skills you learn as an Artist is Drawing and Mark Making. You can use either Pencils, Crayons, Chalk, Charcoal, Ink, Pastels or Oil Pastels to make a variety of different strokes. Examples of Mark Making are crosshatching, broken-hatching and stippling to produce shading an varying effects of tones. Chalk Pastels and oil pastels are great for smudging and produce some really wonderful effects when combined with a more dense, hard mark on top. Often the subject matter helps when choosing a certain mark making technique. For example, when drawing hair you are more likely to use long thin wispy stokes rather than a stippling effect.

The main thing is to choose a medium and have a go!

Model Making:

Paper, and in particular, Cardboard is widely used by Model Makers. Model making is a fantastic skill as it really enables the Sculptor to work out and test their desired idea before actually committing to the real medium they wish to use. Paper and Card miniatures or maquettes are great tests for larger pieces made from similar sheet materials such as wood or metal. Other useful tools for making makkets with Paper and Card are cutting tools and adhesives. General office supplies such as scissors, stanley knives, masking tape, blue tack and UHU glue are all essential tools for the Model Maker.

Scrap Booking:

Scrap booking is a fairly new form of Craft that is growing in popularity in this country. In essence it is preserving your memories in a visual form through journals, memorabilia and photographs. Most Artists do this in their sketchbooks, but Scrap Booking is more about display than collection, although it can be both. Their are some great techniques you can borrow from other forms of art to make your scrapbooks come alive, such as using inks, pastels and marker pens. Some of the other tools used in scrap booking are die cut templates, shaped hole punches, rubber stamps and embossing tools.

Handmade Cards:

Handmade cards are a wonderful way to send greetings to your friends, family and acquaintances. I have been doing it for years and its great to receive the appreciation for a little extra thought and time. Simple techniques of scoring, folding and assembling allow you to create an endless array of designs. You can use a multitude of materials on your cards for visual effects. Try different kinds of paper and card layered up together or different fabrics displayed in a fan. Borrow from art forms such as drawing and painting and create landscapes and portraits of the person the card is addressed to. The possibilities are endless....give it a go today!

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