Making paper look old

I sort of like grunge. But only sort of. Actually I like old, worn, rusty, but not too old or worn or rusty. There's a 'used' feel for something where either mine or other people's hands and time have softened the edges and made it lived in and then there's the rust and decay of neglect. Don't like that at all.

But this is about paper and making paper look and feel old. But not in the sense of making a forgery.

The first thing is to select your paper carefully. You need a mildly absorbent paper, cheap, thick paper seems to work the best, although I have had starling results with quite expensive rag water-colour paper. Paper that doesn't absorb colour evenly is good. Coated papers are poor generally and if you need to size the paper, then doing that afterwards is a very good idea although the results maybe unpredictable.

Secondly your staining medium. Most people will say cold tea at this point and they would be right. I have tried all sorts of paint, stains, inks, dyes and so on, but at the end cold PG Tips seems to come out the best. I do however use Winsor and Newton burst seinna and raw umber as well.

To apply, first soak the paper and let let dry to a heavy dampness. Then using a tea bag as hot as possible, wipe it all over. Finally tear the teabag open and sprinkle the tea leaves all over the paper. Sprinkling with salt will give a grainy feel to the paper and make crusty little bits. Leave to dry, and then brush off tea leaves and salt if you've used it.

If you want a deckle edge, buy paper with a deckle edge. Tearing doesn't look the same.

Here's a picture I drew of a beetle on our wedding anniversary that illustrates the paper.

Here's some close ups of the paper surfaces:

This is a general view of the surface.

Here you can see the effect of a tea leaf stain. This one diffused.

The beetle's foot, drawn with water soluble pencils, contrasts nicely and feels the same as the paper itself.

Here's a salt stain. The paper is crusty at this point, which makes it tactile.