WetCanvas: ArtSchool Online: Watercolors: Watercolor Painting, My Way!: Stretching Watercolor Paper

"Your cyber source for artist news and education!"
© 1998, 1999, WetCanvas!

[ Home: ArtSchool Online: Watercolors: Watercolor Painting, My Way!: Stretching Watercolor Paper ]

Watercolor Painting, My Way!: Stretching Watercolor Paper

Author: Rod Webb, Associate Editor

If you use wet into wet techniques your watercolor paper will need to be stretched.
Otherwise your paper will cockle as the wet paper stretches unevenly.

Brown gummed paper is used to hold the paper to your sketch board.
Always keep the roll in a plastic bag.

One splash of water could ruin the complete roll.

Measure out lengths required then return roll to the plastic bag before getting near any water.

Soak your watercolor paper in clear water for about 10 minutes.
Lift out and allow excess water to run off.

Lay on board and apply one strip of gummed paper.
Smooth paper with a towel or sponge.

Apply remaining gum strips and leave to dry.
Paper will pull tight.

Once stretched the whole paper will take a wet wash without buckling.

	Brown gummed paper is used to hold the paper to your sketch board. Always keep the roll in a plastic bag. One splash of water could ruin the complete roll.
	Measure out lengths required then return roll to the plastic bag before getting near any water.
	Soak your watercolor paper in clear water for about 10 minutes. Lift out and allow excess water to run off.
	Lay on board and apply one strip of gummed paper. Smooth paper with a towel or sponge.
	Apply remaining gum strips and leave to dry. Paper will pull tight. Once stretched the whole paper will take a wet wash without buckling.