Wallis and oils?

[Chris Saper]

Dear Jim,

As to the "why", I suddenly found myself at the end of a large roll of Belgian linen (the linen that used to be offerred through ASOPA) that had lasted me years - when I called to re-order it, I found the company had gone out of business.

Having tried several of the Claessen's varieties without satisfaction, I threw my hands up in the air.

At the same time I had just about stopped painting pastels, and had at least 2/3 of a large roll of Wallis paper on hand. And that was that.

I have since tried several other Claessen's varieties from New Traditions, and really love them, so I am happy to have the linen option as well.

What I particularly like about the Wallis paper is that oils are so controllable, and it offers a wide variety of surface texture. It can be as painterly as you wish, or extremely smooth and finely detailed. The grit is so fine, that there is no weave to interfere with even the tiniest stroke.

PS And, no, I am not on the Wallis payroll.