2009 marks the 200th anniversary of the invention of tracing paper by Canson. A bit of trivia you might not ponder on a daily basis but it is interesting non-the less. Used since its invention, by artists, architects, engineers and draftsman. Tracing paper and tracing vellum has become a staple in every design, architectural and fine art studio.
Canson developed tracing paper in 1809. No one is sure exactly how the concept came about or how much trial and error was involved in the development. One medieval recipe involved marble dust, fish glue and garlic. So glad we improved on that! To this day Canson's technique for making tracing paper is kept secret. All that is divulged is that the transparency is achieved in the pulping stage of the process.…
Continue reading…
