How To Stretch Watercolor Paper

There may be ripples or raised places in parts of the paper but dont sweat them as they will smooth out as the paper dries. One of these methods involves you letting the paint dry overnight whereas the other method allows you to start painting immediately. Alternatively you can use a canvas stretcher to stretch out the paper.

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So youve found the perfect watercolor paper for your next project.

How to stretch watercolor paper. A board to stretch it on. However the Perfect Paper Stretcher provides a quicker and simpler alternative it offers a foolproof way to stretch your paper so it is tight-as-a-drum every time. The first step in paper stretching is soaking the paper.

Large clean tray for water. This allows the paper to expand fully. Method 1 Stretching paper to use later.

First you soak the paper then you stretch it. Stretching Watercolor Paper to Prevent Wrapping. To resolve this issue watercolor paper can be soaked and stretched so it remains completely flat when the artist begins painting.

Whichever method you choose to stretch your paper the basic approach is the same. If the paper has been over soaked the gelatine a binder used to keep the paper strong and workable with watercolor paint may have been washed away leaving the paper weak and prone to damage. The dampened paper is laid on the glued frame and pressed into the glue.

When you soak the paper it expands. How to stretch watercolor paper. They expand when wet then contract again when drying.

To stretch your board this way simple placing your watercolor paper flat against a wooden board and taping all the edges down with masking tape. The first method can be applied to any sheet whereas the immediate. The expansion and contraction is what normally causes ripples or warping in paper.

Here we will illustrate two methods of stretching that should ensure your paper does not warp. Thicker paper is more difficult to stretch and some people claim it is not necessary but the real reason I use that weight of paper is that hot pressed smooth surfaced paper is not generally available in a heavier weight than that. Stretching on a flat board.

To resolve this issue watercolor paper can be soaked and stretched so it remains completely flat when the artist begins painting. Then try to stretch the paper into place using your fingers on the paper. In the video below about how to stretch watercolor paper I use 140 Lb cold pressed watercolor paper but you can also use hot pressed paper.

When you begin a painting session. Tray should have one dimension slightly longer than the smallest dimension of your sheet. Tray should have one dimension slightly longer than the smallest dimension of your sheet.

Method 1 Stretching paper to use later. Before you prep your palette and grab your brush you may have to stretch it. Large clean tray for water.

Using gum tape to stretch watercolor paper The most common certainly in the past was to thoroughly wet your paper for about 15 minutes. Paper fibers absorb water as you paint. Stretching your watercolor paper is an important step because it keeps the paper from wrinkling when you paint.

I use 6mm 12mm thick sheets of MDF medium. Most watercolorists do so before painting especially when using a thinner variety as the process expands the fibers of the paper so it doesnt buckle or warp. You then fix the edges of the paper so that when it dries and contracts the surface is pulled tight like a drum.

Stretching is a simple process that ensures the perfect painting surface for watercolour and gouache and involves soaking the paper taping it down whilst wet and as it dries shrinking it only to the extent that the tape will allow so that it has no movement at all when further layers of water are applied. Opinions differ on this one. The point of stretching watercolor paper is to prevent your paper from rippling and warping as you paint.

Stretching paper in the above manner is the most economical way to get a flat and taut painting surface however the results can sometimes be a bit hit and miss. Below is a watercolor painting of one of my Rose Paintings displayed to show how these watercolor canvas look like. Then you can staple or glue the paper to a board.

There are two ways to stretch watercolour paper. Do NOT use Masking Tape instead of Gumstrip or Drawing Pins to Stretch Watercolour Paper. But the benefit of stretching your paper is the freedom to use as much water as you want when you want.

If you are working on heavyweight paper and do not intend to use large washes or you are using gouache or acrylic then you do not have to stretch the paper. The weight of 140 Lb works perfect. Then wet your paper with a large 2in soft brush and allow it to dry before painting directly onto the board.