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Home | Exhibitions | Barocci: A lesson in drawing | Barocci Drawings: SupportsIt is hard to judge whether the brown colour of the paper seen today is original or if it is caused by the degeneration of the organic components of its materials. Artists used this type of paper extensively as it was suitable for any kind of technique and it also offered a mid-tone for chiaroscuro. To obtain this colour they would occasionally prepare the surface of the sheet with a brown wash or brown coloured ground.