Can you paint on paper with oil? Absolutely, and once you see how, you might wonder why you didn't start sooner. Unlike other mediums, oil paint can seep through and destroy paper if you're not careful, so I'm walking you through everything you need to know: the right surface to use, how to prepare your pages, and why sketchbooks have become one of my favourite places to paint.
If you'd prefer a video tutorial, I've linked my full YouTube video below:
What Paper Should You Use for Oil Painting?
The number one question I get asked, especially when I flip through my sketchbooks, is what book that is. I've been painting in sketchbooks for years now and have collected a fair number of brands along the way, so let's go through them.
1. Check the paper weight. Reputable sketchbooks and watercolour papers will state the weight right on the packaging, either in lbs or gsm (grams per square metre). All you really need to remember is the higher the number, the thicker the paper. If you're planning to paint in thick, heavy applications, go for the extra weight so the paper doesn't buckle.
2. Understand hot press versus cold press. When paper is made, it gets pressed between rollers. Hot rollers steam out the texture and leave a smooth surface. Cold rollers leave the paper's natural fibrous texture, which is a bit pebbly. Cold press is more absorbent, so it's great for watercolour and gives you those soft, loose dried edges. Hot press is smooth and closer to canvas, which makes it better for oil since you don't actually want the oil sinking into the page. That said, the best supply is the one you already have on hand, and it's completely fine to use cold press for oil if that's what's in your studio.
3. Think about paper colour. White is the default, but plenty of sketchbook lines come in beige, grey, and black too. I love this option if you like working on a toned surface instead of starting from a blank white page.
4. Pick a sketchbook you actually enjoy using. My go to right now is the Stillman & Birn Zeta series. It's 270gsm hot press paper, and I can tone it with acrylic inks before I even start painting. I also have their Beta series in cold press that I haven't tried yet, and I'm about to test their Nova, which is lighter at 150gsm with a gorgeous tan colour. Outside of Stillman & Birn, the Strathmore watercolour journal (300gsm, cold press) and multimedia journal (190gsm) are both solid, and Moleskine, Hahnemühle, and Arches are worth a look too. Arches even makes a paper pretreated specifically for oil, which saves you the sealing step altogether.
How to Prepare Paper for Oil Painting
Sealing your paper before you paint is hands down the most important step in this whole process. Oil paint will slowly destroy an unprepared page over time. You might not see it right away, but the oil eventually eats into the fibres and turns the paper brittle. I learned this the hard way after rushing a colour wheel onto an unsealed page. It took a few weeks, but a big oil stain showed up on the other side, and that page is no longer archival.
1. Choose your sealant. I've tested spray shellac, acrylic matte medium, and Michael Harding non-absorbent primer, and all three create a barrier so the oil can't sink through to the paper.
2. Try spray shellac if you want a fast, fortified finish. Shellac is a natural resin, which is why you'll find it at the hardware store more often than the art store. It dries into a smooth, slightly glossy finish that almost hardens the page. You can apply a second coat after 30 to 60 minutes and paint over it within 24 hours. The catch is the smell, so spray outdoors only, and it can darken a little over time.
3. Reach for matte medium if you want something affordable and indoor friendly. This is probably the most commonly used option, and I apply mine with a foam brush in two to three even coats, since it's easy to miss a spot. Pages tend to buckle a bit more with matte medium than shellac since it takes longer to dry, so clip or tape your paper down while it sets.
4. Try Michael Harding non-absorbent primer if colour brightness matters most to you. This one has a bit of a cult following for good reason. It's a non-absorbent ground, so it prevents sinking, which is when your first oil layer goes dull because the paper soaked up the binder. Your colours stay bright without needing to oil out later. It does have a slightly gritty texture compared to shellac or matte medium.
5. Use gesso only if it's your only option. Gesso is more porous than the other three, so it can cause uneven drying and some sinking. It's still better than nothing though, so do a few coats. If you want the texture of gesso with a fully sealed surface, layer matte medium first and gesso on top.
Why I Paint on Paper with Oil instead of Canvas
Painting on paper is fun, plain and simple. It's low stakes, low pressure, and if it doesn't turn out, who cares?
Sometimes inspiration is like an itch. You're out for a walk, you see a fallen leaf on the ground, and you think that would be fun to paint. A sketchbook lets you scratch that itch right away and keep the brush moving.
Not every idea deserves a canvas or a spot on the wall. I painted a plate of doughnuts from a local bakery recently because I thought they looked pretty, not because I wanted them hanging in my house or thought they'd sell. My sketchbook let that idea exist without committing to more than that. A lot of my landscapes live there too, just for the sake of practising colour combinations and experimenting without pressure.
I also use sketchbooks for studies before a larger painting, which master artists have done for centuries. Over time, mine have become a kind of scrapbook I can flip through, a little record of who I was in that exact moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use regular sketchbook paper for oil painting?
Yes, as long as you seal it first. Left unsealed, the paper will absorb oil over time and become brittle or stained. Hot press paper works especially well since it mimics the smooth, non-absorbent surface of a canvas.
What is the best sealant for oil painting on paper?
Matte medium is the most accessible and affordable choice for most people. Spray shellac dries faster and gives a more fortified finish, while Michael Harding non-absorbent primer keeps colours the brightest, though it costs a bit more.
Can you use gesso to prepare paper for oil paint?
You can, but gesso is more porous than shellac, matte medium, or a non-absorbent primer, so it can lead to uneven drying. If it's all you have, apply several coats, or layer matte medium underneath it first for extra protection.
How many coats of sealant do you need before painting in oil on paper?
Most sealants need at least two coats, and matte medium often benefits from a third since missed spots can be hard to spot. Let each coat dry fully before adding the next.