Watercolour Canvases

I have always painted watercolour on watercolour paper.  Recently however I have been experimenting with options that provide a more contemporary look than the usual ‘framed behind glass’ painting.  We all know that glass is heavy, that it reflects the light and can be easily broken.  I know that these days we can buy acrylic substitute glass which is more resilient and much lighter in weight, but this is relatively expensive and it still looks traditional.  So what are the alternatives?

Aquaboard and Clayboard

You can buy Aquaboard and Clayboard, both of which do a good job as a watercolour painting surface and they do not require glazing, (although you could frame them if you wish).  Your work on these surfaces will only need fixing with a specialised fixing spray and then varnishing and/or having a light covering of cold wax.  Personally, I think the fixative alone is sufficient as it is completely invisible.

Canvases

Another option is to try using a traditional canvas.  Although you cannot paint watercolour straight onto a canvas, even one primed with gesso, (the paint would be absorbed straight away and you wouldn’t be able to move your paint around or lift it off), you can buy something called ‘watercolour ground’, which you paint onto a canvas to prepare it for watercolours.  I must say however that I have yet to have much success with this option.

Paper canvases and panels

When all is said and done, nothing performs better than watercolour paper, which is manufactured to be resilient to lots of water and has the correct Ph balance. For me the best alternative is to cover a canvas with watercolour paper! (Although you could cover a frame without the canvas, I think a canvas or wooden panel underneath the paper provides a safer option). You simply take a piece of watercolour paper that is big enough to wrap around your primed canvas or primed board. The paper is then thoroughly wetted with clean water under a tap or in the bath and then ‘gallery wrapped’ around your base using a staple gun. Here are three photos showing you where to make the cuts on the paper in order to ensure that the corners sit neatly.

Once the paper has dried it will sit tightly across the frame.  You then paint on your paper in the usual way and finish off by fixing your painting with fixative spray.

Paper mounted boards

Another method is to glue your watercolour paper to a primed cradled panel.  (If you are mounting an already painted painting then you must make sure that you fix it first with a fixative spray before starting.)  Apply a thick, even coating of Gloss Medium to the panel and then carefully mount your paper/painting.  Allow it to dry overnight upside down on a clean piece of paper and weighed down with a heavy book.  Once dry, trim the excess paper with a craft knife and gently sand the edges for a smooth finish.  You can now paint on the paper in the usual way or if you have used a previously painted painting then your painting is now finished!

Happy painting !