UArt Dark Sanded Paper Review
VERSATILE & AFFORDABLE ARCHIVAL PAPER FOR ALL ARTISTS
UART Premium Pastel Paper is constructed to provide pastel, color pencil and charcoal artists with a quality and reliable foundation. With seven paper grades from 240 to 800, our sanded pastel paper accepts a wide variety of media for underpainting without compromising the tooth. You can layer, correct and create without impairing the paper or your piece. In addition, our manufacturing process guarantees a consistent surface so your work looks flawless from corner to corner.
A demanding artist requires a partner that demands more from its paper. Our dedication to quality, dependability and value ensures you can create without compromise.
Taken from the UArt website -www.uartpastelpaper.com
CHARACTERISTICS
GSM: 135/250/300 |
ARCHIVAL:
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ACID FREE: YES |
LIGHTFAST: YES |
Costs: RRP From: £4.75 (full sheet) |
Product Information
As a Coloured pencil Artist, I enjoy working on Black paper, however it can be very difficult to find a Black paper that is archival.
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ADVANTAGES
* 4 different sanded grades (Fine - coarse) * PH Neutral, Acid free & Archival * Easily accessible in numerous countries inc. UK * Accepts all wet media |
DISADVANTAGES
* Sheets may be difficult to flatten * Easily marked (although marks easily erased) * Not a pure Black (Colourfix & Mi Tientes 'Touch' is) * Unable to create a smooth application, cannot work the pencil into the grain. |
GRADES: Lower the number, the coarser the grit - 400, 500, 600 & 800
A personal Review
Difficult to flatten the paper
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Warning note from company
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After looking through the SAA catalogue I came across this new, dark paper and as I like to try out new Art products (so I can write about them on this site) I thought I would try some out. As a Coloured pencil Artist, I chose the finest grain which was the 800 and purchasing from the SAA stated I had to purchase a minimum of 3 sheets (it may vary in other Art stores) and so I selected the 9" x 12" size not wishing to spend much money on a product I may not like (£2.30 per sheet March 2018). When I received them, they were wrapped in a clear, plastic bag, accompanied with a printed note explaining possible issues with marks on the surface. Each sheet had these marks but I found that they were easily erased leaving a clean surface behind. Being small sheets (A4) sadly they would not flatten down and I ended up rolling them the opposite way and placing an elastic band around them for 10 minutes - once unrolled, they were easier to work with and I was able to complete my practice piece without too much hassle.
Natural marks on paper
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Marks are easily erased
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My initial thoughts on this paper was it felt like Pastelmat on the surface and the back was a light sand tone, very much like the backing on sand paper you buy from a DIY store and then I noticed this paper is made by Uneeda for UArt, Uneeda is a company that makes coated abrasives specifically for the working trade, not the Art trade and the backing lacks the same kind of support that paper such as Pastelmat & Colourfix has that gives additional support which stops the paper from bending. This said, if framed correctly by a professional, it makes no difference to the final drawing/painting.
Coloured Pencil on UArt paper
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Textured
I decided to try a collection of Coloured pencils on this paper rather than just the one brand, just to see how well each applied. The 800 grade is a very fine grit and every colour from each brand gripped well to the paper and left behind, strong and vibrant tones. I was able to layer extensively although some lighter colours mixed together became rather difficult to differentiate from each other because of the vibrancy. As much as I tried, I was unable to completely saturate the paper with colour, which left little specks of the paper showing through. Coloured pencils on paper like this offers the appearance of Pastel pencils on grit paper, but due to the chalkier nature of pastels, you are able to fill the grain with them. A fixative can be sprayed over these initial layers and this will probably help to create a smoother appearance in future layers.
My thoughts:
I liked this paper, it is very much like Pastelmat who sadly do not have black in their colour range only a dark grey called Anthracite so maybe this could be a replacement if you like working on black paper. The downside to this paper is the struggle with trying to flatten the paper due to the backing, other papers are supported by a heavyweight watercolour paper which adds strength, minimising the possibility of bending - that said, once framed correctly, this won't be an issue.
My thoughts:
I liked this paper, it is very much like Pastelmat who sadly do not have black in their colour range only a dark grey called Anthracite so maybe this could be a replacement if you like working on black paper. The downside to this paper is the struggle with trying to flatten the paper due to the backing, other papers are supported by a heavyweight watercolour paper which adds strength, minimising the possibility of bending - that said, once framed correctly, this won't be an issue.
