The History of Paper

May 3rd, 2011

Paper originated in China in about AD 105. It reached Central Asia by 751 and Baghdad by 793, and by the 14th century there were paper mills in several parts of Europe. The invention of the printing press in about 1450 greatly increased the demand for paper, and at the beginning of the 19th century wood and other vegetable pulps began to replace rags as the principal source of fibre for papermaking.

Prior to 1798, Nicholas-Louis Robert created the first paper-making machine. With a moving screen belt, it was made only one sheet at a time by dipping a frame or mould which has a screen bottom into a vat of pulp. Several years later the brothers Henry and Sealy Fourdrinier improved Robert’s machine, and then in 1809 John Dickinson invented the first cylinder machine.

Although almost all steps in papermaking have become highly mechanized, the basic process has remained essentially the same. First of all, the fibres are separated and wetted to produce the paper pulp, or stock. The pulp is then filtered on a woven screen to form a sheet of fibre, which is pressed and compacted to squeeze out most of the water. The remaining water is removed by evaporation, and the dry sheet is further compressed and, depending upon the intended use, coated or impregnated with other substances.

Differences regarding grades and types of paper are decided by several factors: the type of fibre used; the manner in which pulp is prepared, which is either by mechanical (groundwood) or chemical (primarily sulfite, soda, or sulfate) methods, or by a combination of both; by the adding of other materials to the pulp, the most commonly used being bleach or colouring and sizing, the latter to impede penetration by ink; by conditions under which the sheet is formed, including its weight; and by the physical or chemical treatments applied to the finished sheet.

Although wood is the principal source of fibre for papermaking, rag fibres are still used for paper of the greatest strength, resistance to mould, and permanence. Recycled wastepaper (including newsprint) and cardboard are also important sources. Still other fibres used include straw, bagasse (residue from crushed sugarcane), esparto, bamboo, flax, hemp, jute, and kenaf. Some paper, particularly specialty items, is created from synthetic fibres.

Weight or substance per unit area, called basis weight, is measured in reams (now commonly 500 sheets). Paper is also measured by caliper (thickness) and density. The strength and durability of paper is determined by factors such as the strength and length of the fibres, as well as their bonding ability, and the formation and structure of the sheet. The visible properties of paper include its brightness, colour, opacity, and gloss. Among the most important paper grades are bond, book, bristol, groundwood and newsprint, kraft, paperboard, and sanitary.

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Four Essential Art Supplies for Professional and Budding Painters

November 28th, 2010

Before you can create the best artworks that reflect your unique painting style, you must secure four essential art supplies that can help you express your deepest feelings onto the canvas. Once you have obtained these important tools, you are ready to explore the world of art without any inhibitions or reservations. Here are the most important supplies that can inspire you to create your very own masterpiece.

Paintbrushes
Every painter needs a brush to convey a sensation to his or her audience. Start finding different types of brushes that can assist you while you are exploring different painting techniques. Start with a flat synthetic brush to create simple works of art. As your skills continue to improve, search for other art supplies such as flat bristle brushes, Filbert brushes, and sable brushes (and think outside of the box, trying items such as rubber wedges, potato/lino cut shapes}. All of these tools can add variety to every idea you were able to put into paintings.

Palettes and palette knives
While you are experimenting with oil-based paint, you will need to use a wood palette to hold them. Do not forget to clean your palette at the end of all your painting sessions. If you want to use acrylic paints, use a paper palette or any plastic surface instead of a wooden palette.

You can use palette knives to mix the paint on your wooden or paper palette. Try to find trowel-shaped palette knives that you can use to remove the paint from your canvas or palette.

Oil paint and special mediums
Oil paint is one of the most common art supplies used for painting pictures with beautiful textures. Their versatile nature can help you use thin and thick textures for your paintings. Since they tend to dry slowly, you will have plenty of time to work the oil paint on the canvas and to scrape some of the paint off for revisions.

You will also need special mediums to thin the oil paint when it becomes too thick. You can also use it for cleaning your brushes and using special techniques such as glazing.

Artist’s canvas
When buying canvases, you should have the option to purchase a stretched canvas or a canvas board. Stretched canvases are conveniently mounted on stretcher bars, that can be displayed on walls even when they are not framed.

If you have a limited budget, try using canvas boards as an alternative to high-end stretched canvases. Although they are cheaper than stretched canvases, they can deliver better performance with their durable card panels and versatile surfaces.

With these four key art supplies, you can share the beautiful images you have visualised by preserving them into an exceptional work of art.

If you are looking for art supplies, including school art supplies, make sure you check out Discount Art. The range of art supply specials is extensive and as a member you get a 10 percent discount.

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