Art Materials Demonstration Series
“The Essentials of Paper” from Strathmore Paper

Strathmore Artists Paper will present “The Essentials of Paper”, a 90-minute hands-on presentation on Strathmore Drawing and Watercolor Papers in the Gallery. Attendees will participate in hands-on exercises, using a selection of papers and drawing materials.

The presentation will cover all aspects of fine art drawing papers including:
  • History of Writing Surfaces: parchment to papyrus to paper
  • History of Paper: from China to Europe
  • How Paper is Made: past and present
  • Handmade paper vs. Machine made paper
  • Components of Paper: fiber, watermark, surface texture, sizing, weight, permanence.
  • Environmentally friendly papers and alternative fibers
  • Types of Paper: newsprint, sketching, drawing, bristol, illustration, charcoal, pastel, watercolor, mixed-media
  • Grades of Paper: student, artist, professional
  • Paper Storage

Attendees will receive FREE:

  • Strathmore papers & literature
  • Selection of drawing materials

About the Presenter: Sarah Becktel lives in Jersey City, NJ and works out of her studio in Newark, NJ. She received her BFA in painting from the Tyler School of Art, and has continued her studies of representational drawing and painting at multiple locations including Studio Incamminati in Philadelphia and the Art Students League in NYC. Sarah worked as the Product Research Director for the Colored Pencil Society of America from 2009 to 2015, during which time she tested colored pencils for lightfastness and educated members on archival issues of drawing materials. Sarah is a member of the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) where she helps to revise and maintain standards related to colored pencils and lightfast testing. Since 2005, Sarah has actively exhibited both her works on paper and oil paintings throughout the U.S. As an Artist Educator for Strathmore Artist Papers and Gamblin Artist’s Colors, Sarah gives lectures on the attributes and uses of fine art materials. Her work can be viewed at: www.sarahbecktel.com.

This event is presented by the League’s Art Supply Store.

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