My last blog post dealt with the types of paper I like to use for both monotype (gelplate printmaking) and collage. In this blog I am discussing transparency. Why? I like to use transparent and translucent papers in my collages to reveal the papers underneath. This adds depth and history which creates a more interesting piece of art. I can build layers of patterns, colours, and designs that all allow what is underneath to show through. There are many ways to add transparent layers to your work, you can use a very lightweight paper like Abaca tissue that will go transparent when it is glued down. Alternatively you can make a number of papers transparent or translucent by using gel medium. When the process is complete, only the printed areas remain visible. Here are a few examples of where I have used transparent papers. It is particularly effective using stencils and photographic imagery, but it is also lovely for mark making.
But not all papers can be made transparent or translucent, it depends on their inherent level of absorbency. The papers strength is less important for this technique than its absorbency. The application of gloss medium makes weak papers strong as you are essentially plasticising it. Rice or Sumi paper varies in its absorbency, the most absorbent is called ‘raw’ as it has not been treated. If this is something you are interested in then I suggest you gather a range of papers and do a similar test.
In this video I test eight papers as follows. I have included USA suppliers but suppliers from other countries can be found on my page SUPPLIES and LINKS
- Copy paper
- Yasutomo HoSho paper available in UK HERE and USA HERE
- Jacksons Sumi paper UK HERE
- Artway Rice paper UK HERE also available throughout EU on Amazon
- Toddy Coffee Filter bags USA HERE
- Teabag paper UK HERE very reasonable shipping costs
- Wet strength Tissue UK HERE
- Logan Deli paper UK HERE USA HERE
In the video I show you a very thin 9gm abaca fiber tissue that will become transparent just by the process of gluing down with a wet glue (not pritt stick) Supplies of that can be found in my supplies page. You would need to print or make marks on your papers BEFORE making them transparent, I have used plain papers for the test. I used my gelplate at is releases the paper easily but you could hang your papers up to dry.
But what if you want opaque paper? It is easy to make any thin paper opaque, just coat the back with an opaque paint like titanium white, yellow ochre etc. All makes of paint have a guide on the tube to show how opaque or transparent they are. A transparent paint can be made more opaque by mixing it with an opaque paint…… but you cannot make an opaque paint transparent!
All of this and much, much more I teach and use on my online courses; Monotype; Materials & Methods , Cover to Cover part 2 and Collage Creations.
Hope that helps! Do feel free to ask any questions…
Thanks Sally.
Oddly, my order for teabag paper arrived this morning – never used it before – so your video was well-timed and very helpful.
I bought it (for the same price as your example) from an artist called Naomi Southon.
Cheers, Caroline
Ah, she’s the ebay seller! (Same photo) thanks!
My jaw dropped. I’m trying to work and now I can’t stop imagining working with the giant Toddy teabags for collage but also other things. What a great and unusual carrier for a lightweight present which you can paint/print/draw on beforehand. Could also put leaves and other things in the bag along with fusible powder and iron to make unique papers where the contents are protected. Or maybe just use gel medium overall. My brain is filled to capacity!
Oh my yes!!! Thanks 🙂
Perfect illustration of transparency ,loved all of that. I had ordered the Artway, they made it all the way from the UK and then both packages ( which I ordered separately so if one got lost I would still at least receive one) were somehow lost here in the US😒I did order the Toddy paper today after seeing this so thank you so much for that information too.
how annoying! The uk teabag supplier will ship to USA for only £5.30… but the Toddy bags are amazing!
Hi Sally
thanks so much for this information — it is so helpful!! Do you ever use vellum? I have used it in a number of collages but I’m never quite sure what adhesive to use……. I’ve tried Pritt glue stick; 3M spray adhesive,
cold wax, etc. They work initially but after 6 months or so, I’ve noticed that they start to loosen…… If you do use vellum, what adhesive have you found to be effective??
I have only used it with oil and cold wax medium as it really doesn’t want to stick with anything waterbased.
I use Jackson’s acid free tissue.
Yes any regular tissue is good too. 🙂
Sally, this was so very helpful & useful. Thanks so much, Melanie 🌈👏
My pleasure 😊
I was asked on IG where in Europe they can get papers as now the UK is not in EU they have to pay import duties. I found these, if anyone has others then let me know.😊
My favourite rice paper is here… available on Amazon EU
https://www.amazon.nl/Artway-2302287-Chinees-sumi-rijstpapier-blok/dp/B07ZRRWYBT/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=artway+rice&qid=1690731953&sr=8-1
This is thicker, less transparent but strong
https://www.gerstaecker.de/hahnemuehle-sumi-e-papier.html
This is cheap so worth experimenting with, similar to the Jacksons sumi
https://www.gerstaecker.de/chinapapier-wenzhou-in-rollen.html
Very thin Tenchugo similar to Abaca.
https://www.schmedt.com/japanese-paper-bib-tengujo-non-ageing-weight-12-gsm/11451003
Same here
https://japico-shop.eu/627-240-Bib-Tengujo-12-gsm-in-sheets-100-Manila-size-48-x-75-cm
Another thin but strong Japanese paper. Like wet strength tissue
https://japico-shop.eu/616-170-N-JAPICO-Longfiber-wet-strength-13-g/sqm-white-wet-strength-in-sheets-100-Manila-size-75-x-100-cm
The teabag supplier in UK will send worldwide cheaply her EU postal rate is £4.35 for 8mtrs
https://nimanoma.co.uk/collections/paper/tea-bag-paper
Fantastic resource. Thanks Sally for your generosity in sharing this. Doreen
Thanks Doreen:)
Hello Sally, I am in Australia and managed to get some Toddy coffee filter paper on Amazon and I also found some Tea Bag paper on Etsy. Do you know if these papers are archival? I printed on the Toddy Coffee Filter paper yesterday. Have not collaged with it yet. The Tea Bag paper is arriving this week. I am participating in both Materials & Methods and Collage Creations. You are to be congratulated on both programs! I am doing a trip to the States soon. I see that Walmart sells those coffee filters at a lower price!
Hi Carmel, I’m 99% sure on the basis that a)neither contain wood fibers and b)under US law all papers in contact with food must be acid free (I found that out about deli paper a while back) Light to bring home in you’d suitcase too 😊😊
Wonderful, informative video! Thank you! And wondering, could one use matte gel medium instead of gloss? I’m not partial to shiny. Would some transparency be lost?
Hi, Yes the matte is not transparent, you can use that to your advahtage if you want a wax effect. Remember it is only the final sheen that we see, gloss layers under a final matte will resuly in a matte sheen. 🙂
Hi Sally, I love all of your information, thank you for your generosity! I’m in California and have been using wet strength from carnival, I love its size and durability as I dye it with watered down acrylic. It’s the main material in my workshops and no longer available! What do you think is the best similar paper?
Hi. Thanks!
I gather they are restocking so it will be available soon. But there are alternatives. You are looking for a strong, lightweight paper around 20gm… Head to my supply page and seek out Tengujo, Toddy Coffee bags, there’s a UK supplier of Teabag paper who ships to usa. For large work I’ve been enjoying Patterntrace Swedish tracing paper but not sure if it’s available there.
Extremely interesting, thank you for sharing and pointing me to this. Logan deli paper is my current ‘go to’ because I find it goes extremely transparent with gluing, but the Artway rice paper is a revelation! So nice for us to have some ‘easy to get’ UK products, lol! Will definitely be getting some and comparing it to the Logan in my own work. How do you find the newly discovered Swedish tracing paper compares to all these?
Thanks! The STP is lovely, about the same weight as wet strength tissue and very absorbant so transparent. Just had an email from Pattertrace UK . Buy off their site and use SallyH for 10% discount.
Thank you Sally, that was great. Is there anything we can coat the final product with to use the papers with encaustic medium or will they stick with the gloss medium
Hi Jean I’m not sure what you mean? Encaustic is hot and will melt acrylic?
Carmel Campbell As you’re Oz try using Coles Greaseproof Paper 30metres for $2 — great substitute for deli paper!
I have used this paper, but unfortunately it’s not transparent when wet.
Thanks for this tutorial, I learned so much. I also found wet strength tissue here in Australia from a hairdressing supplier. They are perm papers or end papers. Quite small, but very cheap and they work really well with the gloss medium. Great for small collages.
Sounds great! Is it transparent when you apply the gel medium?