
The above experiment is the repetition of small negative circles making holes with concentric larger positive circles making shapes that kind of look like overlapping cymbals of various sizes. These are paired with a set of strait diagonal non-intersecting lines highlighted on the top side and shaded on the bottom side interacting with the cluster of cymbal forms. The whole image is shaded and highlighted to give a strong sense of space. Looking closely you will see a wide variety of different approaches to dealing with the interactions between the forms and the diagonal lines leading to many different variations. On the outsides of the cluster are some of the small negative holes without concentric circles that just interact with the lines.
Because of the limited number of elements the composition is highly dynamic yet cohesive and seems orderly while creating an incredible amount of variation.
Different Mediums Lead to Different Imagery
The difference between making studies for paintings using collage and making studies from drawings leads to completely different outcomes. During the 1980’s and 90’s, I gradually made a switch to using collage as my way to generate imagery for paintings and that led away from certain ways of working and chains of thinking that had been influenced by drawing as a way to generate and think out my imagery.
It is actually just in the last two or three years that I had the insight that there is a fundamental and significant difference in outcomes in terms of what kind of trail an artist will follow based on the use of different mediums for exploring an idea. In fact even the ideas change into other ideas based on the practicalities and responses to a particular medium.
The way I work out my main experiments related to visual musicality is through drawing rather than collage. So as I work on my visual musicality winter project I’ll be posting a lot of drawing studies and the resulting paintings.
Western style painting up until recent decades typically started with making studies and preparatory works to work out ideas and composition on paper or in sketchbooks since the time of Cimabue and Giotto in Florence when the first Italian paper mills were getting started in Fabriano in the 1260’s and soon the sketchbook was invented. It could be argued that artists sketching in affordable and accessible paper sketchbooks was the technology that allowed artists to experiment and develop their artistic skills at a much faster pace through drawing and sketching from nature and this set the stage for the Italian Renaissance in art.
Fabriano celebrated their 750 year anniversary in 2014.
Brief History Italian Paper Making
In both drawing and collage, paper is an extremely important element so I thought it might be fun to research paper a bit. Paper in the western part of the world starts in Italy. The history of paper in Italy is deeply intertwined with the broader development of paper manufacturing in Europe. Paper itself was invented in China around 105 CE and spread along the silk road through the Arab world before reaching Europe. Italy, particularly the regions of Fabriano and Amalfi, became significant centers of paper production in the medieval period, playing a key role in shaping the European paper industry.
Early Introduction (8th–12th centuries)
Paper arrived in Italy via trade routes from the Islamic world, particularly through Sicily and Spain, where the Moors had established paper-making industries. The first recorded paper mill in Italy was in Amalfi, a port city with strong connections to the eastern Mediterranean and the Arab world, during the 12th century. Paper at that time was still rare in Europe, with parchment (made from animal skins) being the dominant material for writing.
Rise of Fabriano (13th century)
The most significant development in Italy’s paper history occurred in the town of Fabriano, located in the Marche region. By the 13th century, Fabriano had become a leading center of paper production in Europe. The paper makers of Fabriano introduced several important innovations:
Water-powered mills: The use of water wheels to power hammers that pulverized the linen and cotton rags, which served as the primary material for paper.
Wire mesh molds: Fabriano artisans perfected the use of wire mesh molds for shaping and drying paper, making the sheets more uniform and durable.
Watermarks: Fabriano craftsmen invented the watermark, a design embedded in the paper during its production, initially used as a form of branding and later as a security measure.
Renaissance and the Spread of Printing (15th century)
The development of paper production in Italy coincided with the advent of the printing press in the mid-15th century. Italian paper was prized for its high quality, and it became the preferred medium for books, manuscripts, and artworks during the Renaissance. Venice, one of the major trading hubs in Europe, became a center for book printing and publishing, relying heavily on paper from Fabriano and other Italian mills.
Paper also played an essential role in the flourishing of Italian arts during the Renaissance, including works of prominent artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, who used high-quality Italian paper for their sketches and designs.

Later Developments (17th–19th centuries)
By the 17th century, paper production in Italy had spread to various regions, and the Italian techniques had been adopted by other European countries. However, with the industrial revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries, new methods of paper production, such as the use of wood pulp and machine-made paper, began to supplant traditional hand-made paper techniques.
Despite this shift, Italy maintained its reputation for high-quality artisanal paper production, particularly in regions like Fabriano, where hand-made paper mills continue to operate to this day, preserving centuries-old traditions.
Modern Times (20th century–present)
Today, Italy remains a respected producer of high-quality paper, particularly for art and archival purposes. Fabriano paper is still renowned worldwide for its craftsmanship, especially among artists, printmakers, and calligraphers. The town of Fabriano was even designated as a UNESCO Creative City for Crafts and Folk Art in recognition of its historical and cultural contributions to paper-making.
Conclusion
Italy’s role in the history of paper is significant not only for its early adoption of paper-making techniques but also for its innovations, such as watermarks and mechanical improvements. The legacy of Italian paper continues to influence the art world.
In my own case I have consistently use Fabiano paper for many years as well as Arches watercolor paper as mounts for my collages. Arches paper also has a storied history dating back to 1492, when the Arches paper mill was established in the village of Arches, in the Vosges region of France. This makes it one of the oldest and most renowned paper mills in the world. The mill initially produced paper for books and manuscripts, and it quickly gained a reputation for its exceptional quality.
The paper gained prominence in the 19th century, when artists such as Eugène Delacroix, Édouard Manet, and Vincent van Gogh began using it for watercolor, sketching, and printmaking. The paper’s superior quality, durability, and ability to hold pigment made it a favorite among artists, and it became widely used for fine art, especially watercolor and printmaking.
Here is the Wikipedia article on History of Paper
In college we got to visit a paper-making place where we got to make our own and imprint it with flat things, sort of like a watermark. When I was a child, I had a cousin who's husband worked in a paper mill and he'd often bring us all sorts of cool papers we'd use to draw on or do origami with. While I don't use paper for my assemblages, I do have a collection of all sorts of paper that I'll do spontaneous drawings/paintings on to use up leftover paint on. And with the use of technology, I still prefer paper for my life and appreciate it (writing checks, stamps, boxes, hand-writing letters, catalogues, etc). To me, paper is romanticized compared to a computer screen (which has its own uses for sure).