One of the biggest differences is that if you are using paper with white edges over something else, the exam paper melts more seamlessly into the under layer.
My daughter bought a roll of pattern tracing paper for sewing. It is very crinkly and smooth. I'm thinking they could be the same type of tissue. And yes, Nova paints are beautiful to work with.
Thank you! Gives me more confidence that my "life time" supply of exam paper was a great investment! I gel printed with it and it worked well and yesterday tinted a bunch with inks and watercolors (loved it)...and now have to experiment with layering them all in my sketchbook!
Thank you, Marabeth for the side by side comparison of these papers. Have you had a chance to paint botanicals on the exam paper yet? I would be curious about the results of that.
Oh, I am so glad I found this video. Thank you for sharing the comparison of papers. I viewed another video earlier when you painted over an old painting and then created a vase of flowers. I didn't see that you mentioned anything about the paper you used, so I commented on that. Love this video. ❤
Med exam paper doesn't perform very well on a gel plate (you have to pull fast while it's wet, don't let it get a little dry). It falls apart really fast but my tissue paper will hang in there will I pull prints.
The tissue paper was just some I bought on amazon-I probably didn’t link it because once it got in my studio, I took it out of the bag and don’t have the brand name anymore. I rarely buy straight up tissue now, as the medical exam paper does so well in its place.
This topic was on my radar. Your video has been timely and very helpful, thank you. I purchased some Nova paints for an abstract class. I haven't tried them yet, but I look forward to checking them out.
Hi Mari Beth. First, love your channel. It has inspired and informed me so much. QQQ Do you see a difference in transparency of the unpainted area over a background between the Wet strength tissue and medical exam paper? Meaning which one is less likely to leave a halo? Busy season for me (work) but I will be taking you class. Also I LOVE your palette exercises. Thanks for sharing! Jan
Hi Jan! it will be great to have you in class 😊 I haven’t ever worked with the wet strength tissue, so I can’t speak to that, but if I’m comparing regular tissue to the med exam paper, I don’t see much difference there. I’m super happy with the medical exam paper and don’t even buy tissue anymore.
So pretty ...I refrain from cutting my papers into quadrants because I want to frame something as my end product . I don't want to " waste " my time & energy but I probably need to experiment more and accept cutting up my work .
Buyer beware! Not all medical exam papers are born equal. I bought two rolls after watching this video thinking they would be the same. Instead hey we’re absolutely useless desolving into a soggy mess. I am in the UK and would love to know exactly which medical paper works. That said Marabeth I love love your work and your style of teaching . Thank you. Looking forward to an answer.
Oh no, sorry to hear that! I have the brand I use on my website in my favorite products list here: www.marabethquinart.com/favorite-art-products I’ve had a really great experience with it, even use it on the gelli plate!
would you use this in place of the Abaca paper ? or just instead or normal tissue paper. Does the abaca have specific qualities that would be better than the exam paper.
They are different from one another, so I use both for different things. But the medical exam paper is a nice substitute for tissue and the ways that I use tissue. They are extremely similar but there are even some things about med exam paper that I like a bit better.
Thanks for telling me about that, Ilene! Here’s an accurate link amzn.to/3Lg4GyK (this is an affiliate link so I get a small commission at no extra cost to you, but you can just search for them on Amazon yourself without using a link as well)
Depends on the tissue-there’s so many different brands of tissue, it’s hard to group them all into one category at times. But I would say that it compared pretty evenly with the particular tissue I was doing the experiement with. Probably a lot less strong than a wet strength tissue though.
Question about how the papers tear. I notice when I use the tissue paper, it tears in fairly straight strips in one direction, but but resist tearing in the opposite direction. Did you find that exam paper reacted differently?
I know, some of the tissue I’ve bought tears just how you described, and other kinds will tear easily in any direction. Fortunately, the medical exam paper is the latter and tears easily in any direction. One thing that helps with that tissue that only tears easily in one direction is if you take a small brush and just run water where you want it to tear, then it will easily give way. Just recently discovered that.
@@marabethquinart Thank you for letting me know. I did take your intro into collage class and got frustrated with the tissue paper, as the paper petals were too ragged for me. Do you still use tissue paper in the new class and is the new class an expansion of the into into collage class? Also, I know you use watercolor in the new class, which makes me question if the glazing fluid smear the watercolor when you begin layering?
Hello… I’m so glad I found your channel! The YT algorithm worked, yay! I adore mixed media and anytime I can get my hands into a medium is a good time for me 😊. I’ve used tissue, mulberry, and other papers but never thought of exam paper! Thank you! (My order is arriving Thursday, lol.)
Sorry I didn’t see this question sooner! I use some tissue, but also some other papers in the Layered Botanical class. Some of the main differences in the new class is that it’s more focused on botanicals, you don’t have a paint base layer, you paint onto the papers and just layer them to make your painting. It’s quite a different process.
Interesting. Where does one purchase this medical exam paper??~~~oh update: I found it in your 'amazon favorites' page.~~hummm~~another item to add to my Christmas wish list!!
you’re probably just running the brush over it too many times-it takes a bit of practice to learn how much is ‘too much’ and it also just needs to be babied a little bit, so keep working with it and you’ll get the feel for it!
Marabeth - I love that you did this color experiment with the medical exam paper! Great test 🥰
So glad it’s helpful-I always love to see side by side comparisons.
The Nova colors are gorgeous. Thank you for doing the experiment as I have been traveling and not able to do so myself. ❤
You are so welcome! I think you’ll be happy with the paper, Jill. And yes, the Nova Color paints are just wonderful…
One of the biggest differences is that if you are using paper with white edges over something else, the exam paper melts more seamlessly into the under layer.
Yes I have been delighted to see this as well! Could not be happier with this quality. Thanks for the comment 😊
Thank you, Marabeth.
You are so welcome! 🤗
My daughter bought a roll of pattern tracing paper for sewing. It is very crinkly and smooth. I'm thinking they could be the same type of tissue. And yes, Nova paints are beautiful to work with.
I wonder-it really could be very similar. Where do you find that paper? I might have to experiment with that too… 😊
Thank you! Gives me more confidence that my "life time" supply of exam paper was a great investment! I gel printed with it and it worked well and yesterday tinted a bunch with inks and watercolors (loved it)...and now have to experiment with layering them all in my sketchbook!
It sounds like you’re having a ball with that lifetime supply! 😆 I really am enjoying the way it performs.
Thank you, Marabeth for the side by side comparison of these papers. Have you had a chance to paint botanicals on the exam paper yet? I would be curious about the results of that.
Yes and it does great!! I will try to do a video on that soon…
Just found you. Thank you so much for all your help tonight. Hope to take your classes very soon.
My pleasure! Let me know if I can help you find the best class for you :)
Oh, I am so glad I found this video. Thank you for sharing the comparison of papers. I viewed another video earlier when you painted over an old painting and then created a vase of flowers. I didn't see that you mentioned anything about the paper you used, so I commented on that. Love this video. ❤
You're welcome! Med Exam paper is a great substitute for tissue.
I have a big roll of the medical paper I used to trace my sewing patterns onto. Now I have something to use it for. Thanks.
oh how wonderful!
Med exam paper doesn't perform very well on a gel plate (you have to pull fast while it's wet, don't let it get a little dry). It falls apart really fast but my tissue paper will hang in there will I pull prints.
Thanks for the info! I don't think I've tried it with the gel plate yet...
Hi Marabeth, this is a great video (as all of yours are). Question: what kind of tissue? Regular wrapping type or a bit heavier artist tissue?
I used the regular wrapping type (white, not color) for this comparison
Hi! Thank you for sharing. I didn’t see the tissue paper you used in the video listed in your supplies link? Is it the teabag paper? Thank you!!
The tissue paper was just some I bought on amazon-I probably didn’t link it because once it got in my studio, I took it out of the bag and don’t have the brand name anymore. I rarely buy straight up tissue now, as the medical exam paper does so well in its place.
This topic was on my radar. Your video has been timely and very helpful, thank you. I purchased some Nova paints for an abstract class. I haven't tried them yet, but I look forward to checking them out.
Glad it was helpful! I’ve used my Nova paints very little as well, but I can tell I already love them. Can’t wait to do more.
Hi Mari Beth. First, love your channel. It has inspired and informed me so much. QQQ Do you see a difference in transparency of the unpainted area over a background between the Wet strength tissue and medical exam paper? Meaning which one is less likely to leave a halo? Busy season for me (work) but I will be taking you class. Also I LOVE your palette exercises. Thanks for sharing! Jan
Hi Jan! it will be great to have you in class 😊 I haven’t ever worked with the wet strength tissue, so I can’t speak to that, but if I’m comparing regular tissue to the med exam paper, I don’t see much difference there. I’m super happy with the medical exam paper and don’t even buy tissue anymore.
@ Thank you! Bought some and will test it. Appreciate all you share
So pretty ...I refrain from cutting my papers into quadrants because I want to frame something as my end product . I don't want to " waste " my time & energy but I probably need to experiment more and accept cutting up my work .
It can be freeing sometimes, for sure. 😊
Thanks for the video! I’ve been curious about medical exam paper. The link for it on your website is not working.
Thanks so much, Suzen! It’s working now, thanks to you xoxo
Buyer beware! Not all medical exam papers are born equal. I bought two rolls after watching this video thinking they would be the same. Instead hey we’re absolutely useless desolving into a soggy mess. I am in the UK and would love to know exactly which medical paper works. That said Marabeth I love love your work and your style of teaching . Thank you. Looking forward to an answer.
Oh no, sorry to hear that! I have the brand I use on my website in my favorite products list here: www.marabethquinart.com/favorite-art-products I’ve had a really great experience with it, even use it on the gelli plate!
would you use this in place of the Abaca paper ? or just instead or normal tissue paper. Does the abaca have specific qualities that would be better than the exam paper.
They are different from one another, so I use both for different things. But the medical exam paper is a nice substitute for tissue and the ways that I use tissue. They are extremely similar but there are even some things about med exam paper that I like a bit better.
Hi ... I went to order the set of Grabbie watercolors but Amazon doesn't seem to carry it anymore . Any other recommendations?? Thank you !
Thanks for telling me about that, Ilene! Here’s an accurate link amzn.to/3Lg4GyK (this is an affiliate link so I get a small commission at no extra cost to you, but you can just search for them on Amazon yourself without using a link as well)
Couldn't find your Amazon link😢! Give me a hint!! 😊
It was a glitch but it’s working now-you can find it here about half way down the list
: www.marabethquinart.com/favorite-art-products
Is the exam paper stronger than tissue paper?
Depends on the tissue-there’s so many different brands of tissue, it’s hard to group them all into one category at times. But I would say that it compared pretty evenly with the particular tissue I was doing the experiement with. Probably a lot less strong than a wet strength tissue though.
Question about how the papers tear. I notice when I use the tissue paper, it tears in fairly straight strips in one direction, but but resist tearing in the opposite direction. Did you find that exam paper reacted differently?
I know, some of the tissue I’ve bought tears just how you described, and other kinds will tear easily in any direction. Fortunately, the medical exam paper is the latter and tears easily in any direction. One thing that helps with that tissue that only tears easily in one direction is if you take a small brush and just run water where you want it to tear, then it will easily give way. Just recently discovered that.
@@marabethquinart Thank you for letting me know. I did take your intro into collage class and got frustrated with the tissue paper, as the paper petals were too ragged for me. Do you still use tissue paper in the new class and is the new class an expansion of the into into collage class? Also, I know you use watercolor in the new class, which makes me question if the glazing fluid smear the watercolor when you begin layering?
Hello… I’m so glad I found your channel! The YT algorithm worked, yay!
I adore mixed media and anytime I can get my hands into a medium is a good time for me 😊. I’ve used tissue, mulberry, and other papers but never thought of exam paper! Thank you! (My order is arriving Thursday, lol.)
Sorry I didn’t see this question sooner! I use some tissue, but also some other papers in the Layered Botanical class. Some of the main differences in the new class is that it’s more focused on botanicals, you don’t have a paint base layer, you paint onto the papers and just layer them to make your painting. It’s quite a different process.
So happy you’re enjoying the channel and the medium!
Interesting. Where does one purchase this medical exam paper??~~~oh update: I found it in your 'amazon favorites' page.~~hummm~~another item to add to my Christmas wish list!!
Oh good, glad you found it! If you like using tissue paper, it will be a purchase that makes you very pleased.
Do you use the medical exam paper to adhere to canvases for mixed media art?
Yes, I use it in place of tissue paper now. It works great.
@@marabethquinart thanks for your response! And sharing your wisdom with us all
My pleasure!
When I paint the tissue paper I can’t pick it up. It falls all to pieces….what am I doing wrong?
you’re probably just running the brush over it too many times-it takes a bit of practice to learn how much is ‘too much’ and it also just needs to be babied a little bit, so keep working with it and you’ll get the feel for it!
Love this comparison! I have found that wetting the exam paper before laying it on the acrylic medium gives even more transparency. 😍
That’s so interesting-I wonder why that works…I’ll have to try that.
@@marabethquinart I don't know. I say Jackie Benardi do it and it worked great!