Stretching Watercolor Paper
When watercolor is added the moisture causes the surface to expand slightly on the wet side.
Stretching watercolor paper. Also the type of painting you are doing may determine whether to stretch or not. This is typically done on lighter-weight watercolor sheets to stop the paper from buckling when wet media is applied to the surface. Traditional watercolor boards consist of watercolor paper that has been glued onto a rigid board.
But the benefit of stretching your paper is the freedom to use as much water as you want when you want. The only tool needed a t-wrench is encluded in your order. By stretching your paper the cockles are greatly reduced or removed completely.
This surface will stay relatively flat as you work and the finished painting will dry perfectly flat. The system was originally invented by the British watercolor artist Ken Bromley. There are two ways to stretch watercolour paper.
Watercolor boards or panels like blocks are a convenient option if you dont want to pre-stretch your paper. Youll end up with a perfectly flat surface on which to work. I rarely stretch watercolor paper smaller than a full sheet but it is worth knowing how to do it.
The Otto Paper Stretcher is the easiest way to stretch watercolor paper without tacks or tape. If your style of painting uses very little water you will have less cockling and might get away without stretching your paper. 3 - Using a watercolor paper stretcher The final method is to use a specially designed paper stretching board.
Stretching your watercolor paper has certain aesthetic advantages. 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. So youve found the perfect watercolor paper for your next project.
In this video Steve shows the process of cutting paper off the roll soaking it in a tub and then stapling it to his new watercolor boards. The only disadvantage is that it takes some effort and dedication to do. This video reviews the goals of stretching watercolor paper the drawbacks and how to achieve even washes and flat paintings without stretchingMy bad- PDF.
If you wish to avoid stretching watercolour paper but you wish your surface to remain flat you can use heavyweight paper over 200lb or watercolour board watercolour paper laminated to board similar to mountboard. The first step in stretching watercolor paper it is to soak each sheet in a tub of cold water. The even size that is placed on the surface of watercolor paper during manufacture helps slow the absorption of the pigment when we are painting.
Stretching your watercolor paper is an important step because it keeps the paper from wrinkling when you paint. Before you prep your palette and grab your brush you may have to stretch it. Then you can staple or glue the paper to a board.
48 out of 5 stars 246. 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. Stretching paper really is quite straight forward but this is a reference for everyone much like medication notes -it is full of information about things that we may not experience.
The Otto Paper Stretcher comes in sizes to fit a full half quarter and even 18th of a full sheet of watercolor paper. This system will leave no holes in the deckle and is easy enough to use that artists of all ages will be delighted. Many artists soak or stretch their watercolor paper prior to painting.
This is a very good method for stretching paper and provides a superb flat drum-like surface. Soak your paper before stretching. MISULOVE Watercolor Paper 9x12 Inch 35 White Sheets 140lb300gsm Cold Pressed Art Sketchbook Pad for Painting Drawing Watercolor Paint and Watercolor Pencils Wet Mixed Media.
Whether or not you stretch your paper depends a lot on your skill level. Stretching on a flat board. Then wet your paper with a large 2in soft brush and allow it to dry before painting directly onto the board.
The first step in paper stretching is soaking the paper. Alternatively you can use a canvas stretcher to stretch out the paper. 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.
He called it the perfect paper stretcher. 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.
