Xuan vs Presentation Paper

I happened to have some presentation paper (Epson) laying around so I decided to try to paint on it.

In a sense the presentation paper is more akin to normal paper, especially the way it curls when wet.

Then I wanted to paint the same dog on regular Xuan.  Anticipating that it would be difficult, for me anyways, to have good control of the void space, I decided to not incorporate the negative spaces into the animal.  Except, perhaps, by the trailing tail, hinting at the presence of a body.

I think the Xuan version is more fluid, allowing a more intricate transition of tones.

Another Try At Glossy Photo Paper

Adhering to the dictum "strike it while it's hot" I attempted another dog painting on the HP paper.

I chose to do just a headshot this time.

Painting on photopaper is almost like doing watercolor on glass.  The surface provides no traction at all, so the tactile feel of the brush is sorely missing.  Water coalesces at its own will, yet the track is revealing as it pertains to how the hair in the brush is lined up.  In fact, when I find any traction at all, that's an indication that the coating on the paper is getting gel like and is ready to peel if I'm not careful.  It makes the task of rendering a tonal difference from a single stroke almost impossible.  It forces me to pay attention to my brushstrokes.

so the trick is to add each layer laboriously, all the time being mindful that the previous layer could be peeled off because the surface coating is weakened by the wet brush.