Also, how do you go about drawing before painting? Thanks again! What stretching your paper means, as most of you may know, is to wet it and attach it to a surface to keep it from buckling when you paint on it. What stretching your paper means, as most of you may know, is to wet it and attach it to a surface to keep it from buckling when you paint on it. Find out what the Strathmore SERIES numbers mean? Posted by DryFlyWaters.com at 9:49 AM No comments: Labels: gator board, Gator board foam, gatorboard, gatorfoam, Stretching Watercolor Paper. Learn techniques from experienced artists through online videos and downloadable instructions.register today! But not everyone has a convenient tub or even a large basin that can hold water that fits a large piece of paper. The method of stretching the paper is very important to avoid tearing or ripping the paper; it is first stretched lengthwise then across its breadth. It takes a little longer to stretch because you are only soaking one side so allow extra time. Many artists soak or stretch their watercolor paper prior to painting. Soak the watercolor paper with clean water. You can stretch the paper by getting a board larger than the paper, wetting it, and using gum … If you’ve ever painted a beautiful watercolor scenery only for your paper to buckle and warp as it dries, then you’ve experienced the frustration of every beginning watercolor artist. Place the blotted paper onto your foamboard taking care to ensure it lays flat. Smaller paper sheets can be taped down as they are, without going through a stretching process. One of the hardest concepts to grasp as a beginner was WHY I would want to stretch watercolor paper. Stretching watercolor paper is not super necessary, but it may help tremendously. Your moist mediums, such as spray paint and airbrushing, could make the paper buckle while you are working on it so I would definitely try stretching your paper first, especially on larger works like a full sheet. All emails include an unsubscribe link. Visit Strathmore Artist Papers's profile on Pinterest. If the board is too thin, the pressure created by the paper shrinking will actually warp the board. There are four faults that are the most common reasons for failure when stretching paper: The paper has not soaked long enough. Soak the sheet in a tray of clean, cold water. Using a large brush, saturate the front of the sheet completely with water (you can’t use too much, so be generous). Reply Delete. Stretching watercolor paper keeps it from buckling while you are painting on it. When I removed the plastic pieces from the groves, the watercolor paper popped off the stretching board. Watercolor paper mounting supplies. Use at least 140# paper, 90# paper will puddle & get damaged no matter what you do. I will lay my paper on a board, wet the tape and secure 1/2 inch of the paper to the board for all four sides. Lay the soaked watercolor paper on top of your paper towels, then put one more layer of towels on top of the paper. Here is how to do it. Just curious. Cut away from the painted side. It is not necessary for 300-pound paper, but lesser weights of paper will immediately start buckling as soon as you add a wash to them. If your entire sheet does not fit inside the tray, hold the sheet at both ends and dip one end into the water. If you see it beginning to dry, spray it again to keep it moist. Jerry's Lightweight Watercolor Boards - Gatorfoam Board Made of 3/4" thick extra sturdy boards which feature a white coated paper surface on both sides and a foam center. I also used paper tape on the base foam core and whenever the stretched watercolor paper pulls as it dries, I try countering by spritzing the paper tape at the back. Also, if I know what I'm painting will not involve lots of loose, wet paint, I'll skip it. Gator board foam is a great way to stretch watercolor paper. You have to ways of mounting watercolor paper on board: You can do it with your white paper,let it dry and then paint afterwards.This technique has the advantage of stretching your paper at the same time you are mounting it. Either way works. Just gently move the water over the surface and you shouldn't lose the sizing. It totally depends on what weight paper you use and whether the paper buckling while you paint bothers you. By Michelle Morris in Art Tutorials > Painting Tutorials In my last article on watercolor supplies I forgot to include a mounting surface in the supply list. In this lesson I would like to show you two methods of stretching watercolor paper. Hi Paula, I don't find the sizing is removed from the paper even if soaked for longer periods of time but it may depend upon the paper (I use Arches and Saunders Waterford). I want to do a water color illustration and I have some questions. I kept some of the smaller prototypes. Soaking the paper for more than 10 minutes could wash away all the sizing. How To Stretch Watercolor Paper With Paul McCormack. Pull the sheet through the water multiple times until each part has been fully submerged and the sheet is evenly soaked. Tilt your paper to see if there are any dry spots and correct those. The comfort of painting on a flat surface and having a flat painting when it’s finished is worth all the preparation. Get it as soon as Mon, Jan 25. If you didn't stretch your paper to begin with and have annoying wrinkles in your otherwise fabulous painting, I use the spray bottle procedure only on the back of the painting and stretch it that way. artist 69 It is not necessary for 300-pound paper, but lesser weights of paper will immediately start buckling as soon as you add a wash to them. Hope this helps. Hello! Is there a reason you use tracing paper other than the fact that it erases easy? Hello! I'll either staple the edges down or sometimes I just use push pins from an office supply. Then follow steps 3-5 above. It works really well for relatively small pieces. Then – wet your paper with a large 2in soft brush and allow it to dry before painting directly onto the board. I'm a beginner to watercolor; My instructor told us to purchase Arches 140 cold press paper, to soak it and then stretch it using staples to hold the paper in place. I’m looking for suggestions for a good board to stretch watercolor paper on. Running paper under the tap will not be sufficient to soak it. Lightweight, durable polystyrene foam core with moisture resistant veneer. You don't have to stretch it. I know some of my materials won't compromise with water, but a select few will. But this paper is far more expensive. I’m looking for suggestions for a good board to stretch watercolor paper on. Use a clean paper towel or sponge to blot excess water from the sheet. Sketch out your final drawing on dry paper. I started out using lapboards as a stretching surface, but have found corrugated plastic Gatorboard (like political sign boards) to be superior- non absorbent, will not splinter, lightweight, very cheap, can easily … See our. Do you draw it first and then trace it on your watercolor paper? Funnily enough, when the paper tape does its own pulling or shrinking, it kind of straightens the top portion too. When paper is thoroughly soaked, lay it on the Gatorboard. You can stretch the paper a day in … Turn the paper over and do the same on the back side. Two, I don't want paint to seep under the paper edges. 2. I spray it and brush it just as before while being careful not to let the water run under the edges of the paper and ruin the front painting. I didn’t do it for a very long time, but it really may change your watercolor painting experience. Hi Judy! Stretching Watercolor Paper. The first thing you need to stretch your paper is to saturate your paper with water---I'm talking saturate to the point that it feels like limp fabric. If varnish protects the front, will the paper still conform to what it's being stretched to? Gator Board Natural/Kraft 18"x24" 3/16" 10 … Sizing is usually added within the paper and not just on the surface. Square the paper on the board and make sure any air pockets under the paper are eliminated. It looks flat when dry but still cockles when painted on. I kept some of the smaller prototypes. You need: paper (I use Arches 140# hot press). GATORBOARD FOME BOARD - The watercolorist's choice for stretching paper. What is Watercolor Canvas? Check this box if you want email updates when people comment on this post, Watercolor Designs, LLC ~ Judy Mudd ~ (502) 550-1827, Paint Yourself a Valentine! After 20 minutes of spraying as needed and brushing, you should have a strong sheen to the paper that stays there and no longer soaks in. Stretching watercolor paper keeps it from buckling while you are painting on it. The main consideration for your board is that it’s waterproof and sturdy. Stretching Paper on a Wood Frame by Marvin Chew (mchew) The last one shows how to make an inexpensive wood frame to use with your paper. When paper is thoroughly soaked, lay it on the Gatorboard… Monday, February 1, 2010. This can be difficult for the artist to work with because the paint pools in valleys on the paper. And three, I just like a clean, white edge once the painting is complete. The answer is, you don't. You can stretch your paper as Elizabeth has mentioned by brushing water on both … The comfort of painting on a flat surface and having a flat painting when it’s finished is worth all the preparation. 3. I was looking up different types of boards to use for stretching paper using staples and came across your blog. The more affordable the better for me I’m mostly starting out with 10×14 sheets but would like to get a bigger board for when I move on to larger paintings. Simply soak your paper for 5-10 minutes. Fredrix® Watercolor Canvas Tips and Techniques by Anne Brodie Hill ASMA, GWS. ® used under license from Mohawk Fine Papers Inc. We do not sell your information or use it for any other purpose than to email you our quarterly Artist Newsletter. 300 pound paper gets expensive, so many watercolor artists buy 140- pound paper and stretch it to a hard surface. I personally have several boards including one made of plexiglas from a DIY store and I use 1.5–2″ masking tape to hold my 140 lb. Hey, I was wondering if this would work for mixed media projects as well. First, if you plan to paint a drawing of your subject, create your drawing on the paper first. © 2021 Strathmore®, a division of Dixon Ticonderoga. The advantage of stretching you paper ... Today I am going to show you how to stretch your watercolor paper so it will stay perfectly flat when you paint on it. BUT HOW DO YOU STRETCH YOUR PAPER. If you want a crisp drawing, doing it after the paper has been stretched, stapled and dried is the best way to go. That's very helpful. Lay it on your board and dry the top surface of the paper completely with a paper towel. She suggested we may want to use gatorboard. 1 decade ago. I turn the board, and do the next side, stapling 1 inch on either side of the center staple. I'm often asked if I stretch my watercolor paper and I have to admit that I don't all of the time. So, when I do get wrinkles in a painting that is worth keeping, I have a stretching remedy that I'll share at the end of this tutorial. Just a small slit that would allow you to insert the blade in between the paper and the gatorboard.. x ... A sturdy, flat board that is bigger than your sheet [Polystyrene, Gatorboard, Plexiglas, etc.] So you stretch it, it's taut and smooth and the pigment stays where you paint it, doesn't travel off on its own. Why & how should it be done? When you soak the paper it expands. #4. This is where it is most advisable to insert the cutter, working at a very low angle, almost flat. Fill the tub with just enough water to immerse the paper so it floats, then let it soak 5-10 minutes, making sure it is totally saturated. When using a spray bottle and brush method to soak the paper, the brush must be soft like a squirrel mop or hake brush. Turn the board, the next side. For help with how to stretch watercolour paper read this earlier blog post Stretching Watercolour Paper for a Better Painting Experience. Most watercolor paper needs to be stretched before it can be used as a good painting surface and to ensure that it won’t crinkle when your paints dry. Typically lighter weight sheets are more susceptible to buckling with heavy applications of water. Sturdy board that won’t bend or warp that is just larger than your sheet – examples: Soak the sheet in a tray of clean, cold water. I would like to stretch it first and then draw on it so that I am sure i am drawing on paper that has been successfully stretched. This does not mean: you will make your paper last longer, nor does it mean you are grabbing it's little paper arms and helping it stretch. For a little background, my very first watercolor class was at a craft store. Place the sheet in the tray or dip the sheet into the bucket. What does it mean to stretch watercolor paper? In my photo you see that I have a drawing already on the paper--you can draw it first and then stretch it or stretch the paper first and then draw. Once it becomes pliable (usually 20 minutes of saturation will do it for 140lb paper), it has stretched itself out just about as far as is needed and you don't have to tug on the paper when you staple, just hold it firmly. (Not that you'll need a piece of gatorboard a little larger than the paper you want to stretch, a regular household stapler and a water source.) No stiffness whatsoever. You may have heard the term "Stretch Your Watercolor Paper". Today I am going to show you how to stretch your watercolor paper so it will stay perfectly flat when you paint on it. There are so many opinions and tutorials on how to stretch watercolor paper. To start, you will need some Gator foamboard or a good quality wood board about ½” thick. If your sheet fits completely in the tray, set it inside to be fully submerged in the water. Here's how to stretch watercolor paper. Hi Bertrand, regarding drawing after the paper is stretched and dried, yes that will work fine. After your painting is completely dry, cut away the taped edges using a ruler and an X-acto knife. I usually like to mount paper on board before I start painting as this allows me to stretch it in the process of mounting it. How you do that is keep it saturated with water, on both sides, for 15-20 minutes. Blot the paper (never rub) till it’s lost its watery shine. Once it becomes pliable (usually 20 minutes of saturation will do it for 140lb paper), it has stretched itself out just about as far as is needed and you don't have to tug on the paper when you staple, just hold it firmly. I keep turning and stapling until I've gotten all the way to the corners and everything is stapled down. How to stretch watercolor paper Whichever method you choose to stretch your paper, the basic approach is the same: first you soak the paper, then you stretch it. Watercolorists use these boards to provide a hard surface on which to mount watercolor paper before beginning a painting. You can do it either way. You may opt-out at any time. I then cut each piece in half. To hurry up the drying, some people use a paper towel roll across the surface to remove some of the moisture after the stapling is completed. I didn’t do it for a very long time, but it really may change your watercolor painting experience. 2. I stretch my paper in the easiest way possible (for me). I make sure the paper is still laying down properly and I start to work out away from the side center staples, stapling about an inch out on either side of the center staple. Gator Board Foam - The Advantage of Light Weight Watercolor Stretching Board. Watercolorists use these boards to provide a hard surface on which to mount watercolor paper before beginning a painting. I use a gatorboard to stretch my paper. Someplace in these discussions I saw somebody say that you don't soak and stretch when using gatorboard. I've just never known how to go about it. There are other methods of holding the edges firmly to the board. Cheap Joe's Art Stuff offers a variety of Watercolor Backing Boards. Enter your email below to never miss an issue! Just tape, tack or staple your watercolor paper to the board to keep it flat. Here’s a small list of items you will need to stretch paper: Watercolor paper (cut to the size you need for your project plus 1/2″ extra on each side) One stapler; Stainless steel staples (so they wouldn’t rust) One roll of paper towels ; 1/2″ thick foamboard (large enough to accommodate your paper) Note: If you … What an outstanding way to stretch watercolor paper! One method, which actually uses staples to hold the edges of the paper to the board, is the best and most reliable way of keeping your paper from buckling while painting. I also think it is important not to disturb the paper much while soaking, if nothing else but to keep from scratching or scoring the surface-nothing like finding those after you've started a painting! Square the paper on the board and make sure any air pockets under the paper are eliminated. The underlying moisture keeps the paper stuck tight against the board while you do the painting. 3. You may opt-out at any time. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. You can use a 2" wash brush, a clean sponge, or you can soak it in your tub. She suggested we may want to use gatorboard. You should do this process quickly--your paper should still be fully saturated and glistening well beyond the stapling process. I flip the paper over, and spray that side--again, brushing evenly and including the edges. Use a … Water, Gatorboard & Paper Towels After digging around for another solution, I learned that you can saturate a piece of watercolor paper, lay it on a piece of Gatorboard and then use paper towels to remove the excess water on the surface. Lily Pads on One Mile Lake has been painted on paper that had been previously mounted on board. Amazon's Choice for gator board for watercolor Canson Plein Air Watercolor Art Board Pad for Watercolor, Ink, Gouache and Acrylic, 12 x 16 Inch, Set of 10 Boards 4.7 out of 5 stars 265 But you might have a few watercolor paintings on paper, that are already done and that you would like to mount on paper. By Barbara Tibbets in Art Tutorials > Painting Tutorials I’m a watercolorist and have been painting since the mid 80’s. Some artists will tape and staple dry watercolor sheets down to the backing board to minimize buckling. Thanks for the response. The more affordable the better for me I’m mostly starting out with 10×14 sheets but would like to get a bigger board for when I move on to larger paintings. This is typically done on lighter-weight watercolor sheets to stop the paper from buckling when wet media is applied to the surface. Help! Method 2 – Stretching paper to use immediately. Once the paper is dry, I use white artist tape or beige masking tape to cover the staples and paper edges. It’s a good idea to stretch your watercolor paper before you begin the actual painting or it will tend to buckle a lot when really wet washes are applied. Hi Mychele, if what you need is the paper stretched and without buckling while you work on it, then yes this should work for you as well. If it is a simple drawing like a street scene, I'll go ahead and draw directly on the paper. 300 pound paper gets expensive, so many watercolor artists buy 140- pound paper and stretch it to a hard surface. Someplace in these discussions I saw somebody say that you don't soak and stretch when using gatorboard. The other side remains dry, causing bowing and buckling. After the paper was completely dry, I completed my painting. It is recommended for 140lb and lighter watercolor paper. During my youth I started to become seriously committed to art … My process for drawing depends upon the difficulty of the subject. Lay your sheet of watercolor paper over the board. All emails include an unsubscribe link. Fredrix® Watercolor Canvas is an authentic 100% woven cotton artist canvas with a special coating that performs similar to a cold press or rough watercolor paper, yet it provides a distinctive look that can only be achieved on canvas. Lay your sheet of watercolor paper over the board. Use artist's tape, bull dog clips or staples to secure the watercolor paper to … After a lot of experimenting with different techniques, however, I finally settled on using blue painter’s tape (like this stuff) to stretch my paper. Made in the U.S.A. When watercolor is added, the moisture causes the surface to expand slightly on the wet side. I'm either too impatient or painting in plein air or teaching demos and I just go for it. What an outstanding way to stretch watercolor paper! I then flip it over and repeat the process, flipping over multiple times. The sizing in the paper is what keeps the paint from absorbing all the way through the paper. You then fix the edges of the paper so that when it dries and contracts the surface is pulled tight like a drum. paper (even though it usually doesn't require stretching) and it still becomes limp. It will have a contour pressed on the tape. This is typically done on lighter-weight watercolor sheets to stop the paper from buckling when wet media is applied to the surface. For convenience, I’m just looking to just purchase something online, rather than making one myself. See our privacy policy. Why you should mount watercolor paper: It’s important because before you can begin painting you need to make sure your paper won’t buckle, or ripple, when you add water and paint to it.Quick announcement … Carefully drain the water and place the soaked sheet on a clean, sturdy board. 4.7 out of 5 stars 265. The following are some quick tips on how to properly use gatorboard for stretching watercolor paper: 1. The only tool needed, a t-wrench is encluded in your order. Thank you. I leave it for the whole night to dry. For example, if you’re using an 11”x15” sheet of paper, your tray should be just over 11” on one side, If you don’t have a tray, you can use a spray bottle instead. Here are three ways to stretch watercolor paper. See in the photo how wet the paper still is after the stapling is finished. I cut one piece that measures the length of the paper and one that measures the width. :) (Sorry for my little bit of humor there.) 0 0. maryalink. The "up" side should have more sizing so I try to use it but I often paint on either side of the paper. Place along all four outer edges of the paper, covering just about ¼” of the paper. Set it aside to dry or begin a loose wash if you want to take advantage of the wet paper. Fill up the tray or your bucket with cold, distilled water. Hi. So why is stretching your paper so important – well let’s be frank and honest – painting on warping paper isn’t fun nor easy. Use a spray bottle with clean water to fully soak both sides of the sheet. So, the best way to stop this from happening is to stretch your paper. When using Gatorboard, you can actually stretch paper on both sides of the board to keep the board from … Awesome! Step 1. Place it smoothly on the gatorboard and staple it around the edges every 4 … Create your painting while the sheet is still taped to the board. We do not sell your information or use it for any other purpose than to email you our quarterly Artist Newsletter. Avg. paper, it’s not so necessary to stretch it because the paper is so much heavier that buckling isn’t much of a problem. Here's how to stretch watercolor paper to ensure that warping doesn't happen. It will curl, if you use a lot of water. Replies. Sheets that are 140lb/300gsm or heavier can soak up to 8 minutes. Any and all info is much appreciated. When I removed the plastic pieces from the groves, the watercolor paper popped off the stretching board. Tips for Using Gatorboard to Stretch Watercolor Paper The following are some quick tips on how to properly use gatorboard for stretching watercolor paper: 1. But this paper is far more expensive. To resolve this issue, watercolor paper can be “soaked and stretched” so it remains completely flat when the artist begins painting. A simple watercolor stretcher by Michael Mott : A finished project. Use either in a CLEAN waterproof tub, or hold the paper under a stream of warm running … I spray the paper with water and use the brush to spread it evenly all over--especially the edges--if they don't get saturated, it will prevent the paper from stretching fully. I do this for 3 reasons--one, I don't want paint to pool around the staples. Well, there are typically 3 different ways to stretch your watercolor paper… One of the reasons I believe is that the paper is not actually stretched at all, but held at its maximum expansion … After about 20 minutes, the paper should be limp and pliable--I've even used this procedure on 300 lb. You can usually tell where the watercolor paper is under the tape. Thanks to Carol for asking this question! FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. That instructor didn’t bother to stretch paper and most of us were using watercolor … Lightly wet gummed paper tape or butcher tape with a sponge or paintbrush (do not soak or use too much water on the tape as it will wash away the adhesive). Join renowned professional portrait artist Paul McCormack as he demonstrates how to properly stretch watercolor paper, with light wood and a staple gun, in this … Stretching Watercolor Paper to Prevent Wrapping Here, we will illustrate two methods of stretching that should ensure your paper does not warp. Textures & Florals, Feb.6, 2021 Workshop, Online Workshops and Classes-grateful for what they have become, Waitlist! artist 69 Many artists soak or stretch their watercolor paper prior to painting. I'm a beginner to watercolor; My instructor told us to purchase Arches 140 cold press paper, to soak it and then stretch it using staples to hold the paper in place. If the paper fails to stretch you can reuse it by cutting it off the board and going through the soaking and stretching process again. Watercolor paper or a finished watercolor painting; A stiff brush; A spatula to help with the spreading of heavy gel (optional) A clean brayer; an X-acto knife ; You have to ways of mounting watercolor paper on board: You can do it with your white paper,let it dry and then paint afterwards.This technique has the advantage of stretching your paper at the same time you are … With side bars clamped loosen end screws next to one of the side bars. Let it dry and it will remain flat. I’ve mounted paper to foam core board and had the board buckle when the paper shrank—don’t make the mistake I did! If anyone has other steps they take or questions/suggestions, please post it! Customer Review ... Canson Plein Air Watercolor Art Board Pad for Watercolor, Ink, Gouache and Acrylic, 12 x 16 Inch, Set of 10 Boards. Carefully drain the water and place the soaked sheet on a clean, sturdy board. paper to a board when I am doing a painting. Warp resistant board perfect for photo mounting, screen printing and stretching watercolor paper. I lay my paper down on the firm board surface that will eventually hold my paper--either gatorboard or a light wood--something that will take regular staples. You can also stretch paper on something called gatorboard which is expensive, but lightweight. Once the paper is dry, it will be stretched tight on the board and will not warp when watercolor is added. If you want to keep the existing edge of the paper, you can re-wet the tape and very carefully pull it up from the paper. Just fill it with room temperature water and soak your paper. Wetting the paper under the tap. Roll 2 layers of clean paper towel over the sheet of paper and firmly press on all areas of the sheet to soak up any excess water. The kind of board you use is … However, if you plan to leave the paper on the back support permanently, I would think the varnish would work fine. Overall used is a combination/coupling of spray paint, pencil, metallic leafing pens, airbrushing, artist markers/sharpies/highlighters, colored pencils, pastels and acrylic paint (not all in one piece). *If you don’t have a tray to use, you can place the sheet directly on your clean, sturdy board. Hi. Turn the sheet back over and let it sit face up for about 15 minutes. Then soak the paper. I wet the back of the paper with a big flat brush and clean water, then I wet the front and I staple the paper to my gatorboard on four sides. Let the paper dry overnight. Remember Your Info I also used paper tape on the base foam core and whenever the stretched watercolor paper pulls as it dries, I try countering by spritzing the paper tape at the back. With both screws loosened stretch one side bar, then retighten Soak the paper until it's sopping and limp; be careful not to crease it while wet (or dry) as the sizing will be damaged and show up on your finished work as a line with too little or too much pigment. Online Watercolor Workshop - View From the Back. Before I begin the process of stretching the paper, I make a little pencil mark in the corner so I know which side is up. Sheets that are 90lb/190gsm or lighter can soak for about 3 minutes. I don't use a staple gun--a regular household stapler (opened) works fine on gatorboard or an artist wood board. Gatorfoam Board is comprised of extruded polystyrene foam bonded between two layers of wood-fiber veneer, lightweight, durable making it great for stretching watercolor paper. Now, for those already completed paintings with wrinkles. Using gummed paper tape: tape adheres very well, better than on wood panels, it does not fail to completely stick like sometimes happens on wood boards.

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