Leave to dry for several hours, away from direct heat. Start with watercolor paper that is 100% cotton, not a wood fiber paper … The sizing in the paper is what keeps the paint from absorbing all the way through the paper. Well, that’s it from us today. If your sheet is 190gsm or lighter, let it soak for about three minutes. We would always recommend getting heavier papers and then stretching it out anyway, just so there’s no chance of warping at all. All you have is a bulge or a ridge somewhere on the paper, which you need to flatten out. Lay the wet paper on a clean board and gently smooth the paper with a clean sponge and remove any excess water. The reason for Cold Pressed Papers being so popular is that have a very desirable ratio of texture and absorbency. Roll out two layers of your paper towels over the sheet. However, the method we’re about to describe is risky, so proceed with extreme caution. 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 ! Take your sheet and place it flat over the board. Iron the painting until the ridges disappear and it gets flattened. I had to destroy my painting to get it off my backing board. You can even re-wet the tape and then peel it off carefully. Here is one: This is like using gum tape, but instead of taping the paper to your board, you staple it — every two inches or less. Artist experts and professionals demonstrate, teach, offer tips, techniques and art instructions on video for beginners just starting out, intermediate in training and advanced artists. The sketch paper should be larger than the painted paper. If the paper is heavier, you don’t even need to wait overnight. Tape the sheet to the board using gummed paper tape or masking tape. Learn how your comment data is processed. Place the tape along all four edges of the paper, covering about a quarter of an inch. You must be careful you do not damage the paper surface as you work however, as it effectively has no backing board. Place the painting, with the painting side facing down on an ironing board. Step 2.Place a hand towel or a washcloth) over the paper. Simply soak your paper for 5-10 minutes. 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. Allow the paper to dry. I have recently decided to start painting and as I am new to watercolors and often wondered about stretching the paper I’m working on. Cover with another sheet of sketch paper or a towel. Oh wonderful. Tape down the other sides of the sheet of watercolor paper in the same way. Instead of using a paintbrush, you can dip the tape in the water. Why and how would you do it? "keywords": ["Stretching Watercolor Paper","How To Keep Watercolor Paper From Warping","How to Stretch Warped Paper"], Despite your best efforts, it’s impossible to get the paper back to its original condition. I often use this method to stretch watercolor paper as it is simple and quick. I suppose it could … For this method, you soak your paper in a bath tub or bucket for about 10 to 15 minutes. Place the sheet in the tray or dip the sheet into the bucket. In the next morning, it will be stretched flat on the surface and will not warp while you paint on it. Cold Press vs. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Your email address will not be published. This usually happens when you have several layers of colors on a painting, or you are using a tremendous amount of water. Roll out two layers of your paper towels over the sheet. This technique is quite good as it allows you to start painting relatively quickly, and the wet paper stops any cockling (wrinkling). It also permits you to keep working on your wet-on-wet passages quite a bit longer. It allows me to get painting as soon as possible. In case your painting got warped, but the colors are still intact, then all hope is not lost yet. Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window). Note. While you are soaking the paper, remember not to touch the surface in the middle. If the tray or bucket isn’t big enough for you to dip the sheet in entirely, you could try pulling the sheet through the water multiple times. Try wearing latex gloves if you have them. Put weights on top (you can use books if you don’t have weights). On the other hand, Rough paper gives you texture and fluidity while also having such a rough grain, that it gives you maximum absorbency. This allows the paper to expand fully. Step 4. There are some problems with it however. Step 1. Step 1. If you plan on using several different shades of colors and you want to create a multi-layered, intricate piece of art, then you have no choice but to choose the right type of paper or stretch the paper prior to painting so that it doesn’t warp. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! The bare minimum paper weight you should go for is 300 gsm. We hope this guide has been useful to you. Just like the last method, use force but don’t soak up all the water. The wet paper is then placed onto a waterproof backing board after which it is taped down around the edges. Apart from texture, each paper will also have with it, a specified weight. Mist the back of the paper with water using a fine mist. However, if you wet the tape too much, you risk the glue, from the tape, getting under your watercolor paper and sticking it to the board! But even then, if the paper is thick and heavy enough, it should be able to stand up to it. I also place masking tape over the staples, this gives me as nice edge once the painting is finished and the tape is removed. Ensure there are no creases or folds. }, Use a large brush and completely we the front of the sheet with water. If you have a relatively small piece of paper, say 9×12″, then you can just use cheap clear packing tape to hold the watercolor paper down to a hard surface or board. That will affect the stretch watercolor paper texture unevenly. Use a clean sponge of paper towels to absorb excess water from the surface. If you don't want to mess with stretching the paper, try 200lb. I show you how to stretch watercolour paper in the traditional way and also another way to stretch a small piece of paper with one of my actual illustrations. If it’s larger than 190gsm but less than 300gsm, let it soak for about five minutes If your sheet is 300gsm or heavier, let it soak for up to eight minutes. A heavy paper (300lb/640gsm) must soak for 15-20 minutes, while a lightweight one (90lb/190gsm) needs only four to five minutes. Don’t worry- the paper is not totally wet, so your colors won’t get mixed up. Dampen gummed paper tape with a paintbrush. Let the sheet stay flat on the board for about 15 minutes. "@type": "ImageObject", This disparity is what causes the paper to start buckling. Secondly, if you do not wet the tape enough it will not stick to your backing board. After wetting the back, I lay the paper down onto a waterproof surface, and I begin panting straight away. I even like to stretch 300 LB pressed paper. Once you’ve finished painting, you can cut away the taped edges using a ruler and a knife. Stretching Watercolor Paper. "height": "900", "description": "Do you find your watercolor paintings warping and stretching? Soaking paper in water and then attaching it to a board continues to be the approach when someone wishes to “stretch” watercolor paper so the paper does not buckle when painting. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Step 1. 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 … Fill a large sink or bath with water and submerge the paper, rolling or folding it as necessary, but avoiding creasing it. Step 4. Step 7. } Interesting article. Whether or not you stretch your paper depends a lot on your skill level. Firstly, it dries through evaporation, however, it is also absorbed by the dry paper underneath. This is my favorite way to stretch paper – and I use it 80% of the time. The main one is that you must wait quite a few hours for the paper and tape to dry. This will stop the watercolor paper pulling off the board when it dries. When the stretch watercolor paper is completely dried, you can start painting. Remember the idea is to blot excess water, not dry out the sheet. View all posts by Joe. This provides you with a very smooth surface to work on with minimal cockling. There is no exact formula for whether or not you should stretch your paper. When a lot of water is spread on the surface of a paper, the moisture begins to cause the paper to expand slightly on the wet side. This means if you get the urge to paint, but don’t have some pre-stretched paper at hand, then you could lose your inspiration by the time the paper is ready. The experience of painting on watercolour paper that stays perfectly taut and flat is a revelation to painters who have always fought with their paper. Watercolor painting advice, techniques, and gallery. This is an excellent technique for anyone who finds their paper drying too fast. Soaking the paper for more than 10 minutes could wash away all the sizing. Primarily, you will find that every art shop has three different types of watercolor papers:-. One big advantage of this technique is that as the paper dries you can easily spray the back to keep the moisture content under control. After soaking about 5-10 minutes (depending on the weight of the paper) grasp a corner and pull the paper out of the water, supporting it while the water drips off. This can help spread out the heat more evenly and will also make for a more firm and flat surface. You might want to place a piece of aluminum foil or a thin sheet of metal in between the painting and the hand towel. Also, as the top surface has been dried, you are still able to create sharp edges or use dry-brush techniques. I haven’t used very large pieces so I’ve had lots of curling on my work. You then have to let this dry completely till the tape sticks to the board and paper, usually overnight. Artists who paint wet-on-wet with watercolors or know they'll be using lots of washes in their work often stretch their paper by taping it down to a board in preparation for painting, to avoid the paper buckling or warping when painted. If you have wanted to stretch your watercolour paper but thought it was too hard or too time-consuming this might help you see that it is pretty simple. When to Stretch Paper Whether or not to stretch your paper depends on three things: the size of the paper, the thickness of the paper, and the amount of water you plan on using when painting. The normal solution to the "problem" of cockling is to stretch the paper. ", I like the idea of wetting the back. "headline": "Stretching Watercolor Paper & How To Keep Watercolor Paper From Warping", Also, the type of painting you are doing may determine whether to stretch or not. Basically, this technique involves using a brush to thoroughly wet the back of my paper, once I have completed my initial drawing. Step 2. 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. "@type": "Organization", If you are going to your neighborhood stationery store, in all probability, all you’ll find there are Cold pressed Papers. You can also use a damp sponge. Step 8. The following steps will reveal my watercolor stretching method. So, since I like a smooth surface to paint on, I stretch my paper. Proceed to stretch the paper to your liking. I make sure my drawing is done before I wet the paper as otherwise I would have had to wait for it to dry before I could draw on it. Here, we will illustrate two methods of stretching that should ensure your paper does not warp. Step 3. "logo": { Then turn the paper over and repeat on the other side. "width": "699", 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. "publisher": { By stretching your paper, the cockles are greatly reduced or removed completely. The other side, however, remains dry. }, This happened to me once, so I stopped using the technique not long after. Place the painting image-side down on the sketch paper. "dateModified": "2019-04-16", You then lift it out and lay it onto a waterproof board after which the painting surface is dried with a clean cloth towel. ], A sturdy board which is bigger than your sheet. Keep the steam off, so that there’s no additional moisture on your painting. Stretching imposes a tension on the sheet that counteracts any lengthening of the cellulose fibers through wetting. I am a professional watercolor artist, though I also use other mediums including pen and ink. Hence, if you want to mix colors and create a multicolored shade, the Hot Pressed Paper is excellent for that purpose, but you’ll have a hard time keeping the colors in place and they might bleed into other parts of your painting along with the water. Once the surface is dry, but with the rest of the paper still very wet, you can begin painting. It’s ideally suited for heavier sheets which are pretty warp-resistant already. Lay it on your board and dry the top surface of the paper completely with a paper … What this means is that the paper is rough enough to absorb your watercolor and hold it in place, while it is also smooth enough for you to wave your brush around and mix colors. "image": { The reason to stretch is to put pressure on the paper so that it … Re: Stretching Watercolor Paper After Painting Has Been Done Stretching watercolour paper is only of use while painting. Place the painting image-side down on the sketch paper. The most common, certainly in the past, was to thoroughly wet your paper for about 15 minutes. Make sure you don’t fold the paper in this process as that may cause creases. This is an interesting technique to stretch watercolor paper. Start painting while the watercolor paper is still damp. If you know of any others, please let me know. "@type": "Article", This has the advantage over the gum tape technique that it is very quick, and you can start painting straight away. The wet paint does not soak into the paper as much as it is already quite wet. I am sure there are other systems to stretch watercolor paper, but these are the main ones I have come across. Here's how to stretch watercolor paper to ensure that warping doesn't happen. Just like the last method, use force but … Take your sheet out of the water, drain as much water from the sheet as you can and place it on a clean, sturdy board. As any watercolor painting enthusiast will have noticed many times when you apply too much water, the sheet of paper on which you were painting starts folding and turns into a wavy, creased mess. I hold the paper just above the board – position/center it and then drop it onto the board. As the water evaporates, the fibers in the paper contract, leaving the sheet of watercolor paper … 8 Easy Tips to Stretch Watercolor Paper. This method might not work that well with lightweight sheets. Press it firmly across the paper to soak up any excess water. What does it mean to stretch watercolor paper? Do not over wet. If you want to be extra safe, and if you know your painting is going to have an underpainting along with several layers on top of it, buy a paper which has a more significant weight. Very. Try using the top … "url": "https://cdn.homesthetics.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/logonew.png" Step 2. Step 3. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. I like to just tape the dry paper right down to my work table. 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. I will try it. "name": "Stretching Watercolor Paper" You can also tape the edges down with masking tape if you want to have a nice border around your finished work. I’m using140# 9×12 sheets. It can be very annoying and an immense mood killer if you see your paper warping right when you are in the thick of your painting. Step 3. You want to remove the paper when it’s soft, but not floppy. "@type": "ImageObject", Using gum tape to stretch watercolor paper The most common, certainly in the past, was to thoroughly wet your paper for about 15 minutes. Because of these two processes, the painting surface can dry quite quickly, which can be a problem for less experienced artists – or when painting is a very hot environment. That is one of my big worries! It is usually hand-made and is, of course, the most expensive of the lot. 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. All that time and effort you spent on this painting and all you have to show for it is a ripple of multicolored waves merging into a puddle of watercolors which is slowly but surely, forming a hole in the paper. Your email address will not be published. Thirdly, once your painting is finished you must cut your painting from the tape. Required fields are marked *, How To Keep Watercolor Paper From Warping. The thinner the paper, the more easily it … In a few days, the paper should be a bit less warped. By sticking down all four paper edges with Gumstrip, it restrains the paper in its expanded state. Arches, cold press paper for most of my paintings and this weight of paper or lower will buckle if it gets really wet. These can make painting difficult for some people. Keep doing this until every part of the sheet is evenly soaked. As I use Gator Board — which is made of two thin veneers of compressed wood on either side of a foam core — it is very easy to remove the staples when the painting is completed. Fill up the tray or your bucket with cold, distilled water. }, Your email address will not be published. Additional Tips On how to stretch watercolor paper. As I said depending on the weight of the paper, you don't need to stretch it. This will lead to unsightly undulations in your work and puddling and pooling of your paint. Hot Pressed Papers, on the other hand, are very smooth and have a great deal of fluidity, but they really fall short when it comes to absorbency. Lightly spritz the back of your painting with water... very lightly, just a few squirts! Step 1: All watercolor paper up to 140 LB pressed should be stretched do to buckling when water is applied. The main reason people stretch their watercolor paper, is because when it gets wet, as you paint, it expands creating cockles or wrinkles. Remember to apply a little water to the adhesive of the paper but not too much as that can ruin the glue. There are many YouTube videos which show you this technique. A flat, predictable surface that avoids puddling benefits the artist as well as the final product. "url": "https://cdn.homesthetics.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/watercolor_2407063_by_pledent_d5bz6x4-fullview.jpg" Don’t pull and stretch the paper to make it move into the correct position. The sheet starts forming ridges and wrinkles and the color begins to pool in valleys on the paper. You then pick it up and allow most of the surface water to drip down off the paper. I also enjoy playing with computers and the internet so this website is a bit of a hobby of mine.
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