ARCHES® Huile

The prestigious paper that makes painting with oils so much easier

Oil painting is a classic and popular artistic technique, which has been for centuries by innumerable famous artists. When it brought out a paper specifically designed for oil painting in 2012, ARCHES® Huile, the Arches paper mill revolutionised and simplified the practice for many artists who like to use oil paints. Before, they had to prime their substrate before starting to paint.

Today ARCHES® is still the only brand offering an oil paper made on a cylinder mould. Its watermarked sheets and deckle edges give it all the distinction expected by demanding artists.

ARCHES® Huile, a high-end Fine Arts paper

• Made with 100% cotton, ARCHES® Huile contains long fibres that give the paper great mechanical strength. It is naturally white.
• Made on a cylinder mould in the purest tradition, it has a harmonious natural grain and an inimitable soft, supple touch.
• It is a permanent paper that meets standard ISO 9706 Its acid and OBA-free composition guarantees excellent longevity without yellowing or degrading.
• Every sheet is hand torn and has 4 deckle edges.
• A watermark guaranteeing the origin of the every sheet is visible when it is held up to the light.

ARCHES® Huile, a paper specially designed for oil paints

• Being made on a cylinder mould means the paper is homogeneous, with a flatter surface and better wet strength and stability, giving the artist more control.
• Its balanced fine grain, comparable to a stretched canvas, makes for very comfortable working. The artist is able to play with the surface, to obtain shadow and light effects.
• The paper features sizing and a barrier coating that are absolutely unique, which prevent greasy rings forming and protect the fibres against oxidation in contact with the paint. It is very tolerant to solvents.
• Its weight and thickness (300 gsm) make it both suitable for applying paint in layers to form glazes and resistant to heavy impasto. The paper is resistant to scratching.
• Its semi-absorbent surface allows fast drying and the paint to stay on the surface for an excellent rendering of the colours.
• Ideal for oils and oil pastels. Perfect for mixed media projects.

ARCHES® Huile paper is extremely practical

• It is a ready-to-use paper, simple to use, requiring no prior preparation. This saves time and eliminates the risk for the artist of damaging the paper in the preparatory phase.
• The sheets are strong and lend themselves well to marouflage. They are easily rolled up for transport or cut to the desired size.
• The blocks glued on the short side are ideal for painting outdoors and roving artists.