Can you really hot IRON your warped watercolor paintings to flatten them?

In this video I'm going to try a watercolor hack--let's see if we can flatten a wavy warped watercolor painting by ironing it!
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[@Blick_Art]

This is a great example of a practical, in-studio solution artists can apply to their work. We wouldn't advise any non-artists watching this to try ironing anybody else's paintings, especially antique or valuable ones, and we know Emily is absolutely not suggesting that. There are lots of things that artists do in the studio that wouldn't necessarily meet the standards of museum conservation, and while some people might not be OK with that, we think as long as you're not misleading any clients or gallery owners, the artist really is the ruler of the universe when it comes to their own art. Secret techniques, fixes, and pro tips are all fair game if it results in something you're proud to display!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Yes!!! 🙌

[@NikkiA.Art.]

Hello Emily, I spritz (mist) the back of my paintings with a mist bottle of water and then I place it in between two sheets of paper then put weights on it and it straightens perfectly. Perhaps using a little mist of water on the back might help before ironing?

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I’ll have to try that! Thanks!

[@Zirnekljcilveeks]

This works very well 👍

[@MrsBarnabas]

@@EmilyOlsonArt Spraying the back and allowing the dampness to penetrate and relax the cotton fibres of the paper will definitely help. It's the same method as when you're ironing a very creased, very dry item of clothing. Oh, and it *must* be on the back! Ironing on the front is not a good idea, even through a pillow case...

[@kpogs8059]

I was going to suggest the same. The picture is beautiful Emily!

[@countryquilter2]

If my paper warps I also spritz it on the back and put it under a heavy book that I keep for the purpose. Works really well.

[@arlenemurphy804]

I iron my watercolor greeting cards with a presser cloth and steam. Face down. Yep, works perfectly. Your painting is just beautiful ❤

[@debcavan]

I also use steam on the back and then iron it dry afterwards to remove the steam.

[@kookatsoonjan]

I use a lot of blast of steam ..continually when I iron my paintings....A LOT OF STEAM...then dry iron..setting to linen/cotton....works very well for me...better than the result you got...steaming is the way to go.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@jayboehm3382]

This video was perfectly timed for me! I have been hoarding the Arches paper I received as a birthday present, waiting for something special, and just used it this past week on a landscape. I must have used too much water in my washes, because, to my shock, it warped and rolled up like a cinnamon stick. It literally pulled up the painters tape I was using to hold it to the easel. So, once finished, I used the spritzer to wet the back of the paper, put it face down in the pillow case, and used the iron on cotton+steam to flatten it. Perfect outcome!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Wahoo! Glad it worked!

[@barrygandersleeve3396]

Close to what I do, except I place the painting face down on a clean white cotton fabric on the ironing board, spray water on the back until it sheens but do not soak, place another clean white cotton piece on top and iron with an iron set to "linen", no steam. Iron until the paper is dry, then place it on a flat surface, cover with a clean, flat thing (I use a piece of plexiglass) and weight with books, boards, dumbbells, sleeping cats and let it stay for 15 or 20 hours. It should come out even flatter than what you did....

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Great insight! Thank you!

[@sofiazimmer9594]

I'm definitely going to try this! Glad you made a video testing this method! Beautiful painting, by the way!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you so much!

[@ranjanachand9306]

Hi I also spray lightly with water on the reverse side. That seems to help and doesn't affect the paint

[@JCLittle]

Lovely painting! Always iron face down, because some irons leak. I use four layers of sheets above and below the painting. I mist the top with water before steam ironing; this heat and moisture relaxes the cotton fibres. I also do bigger sizes that don’t fit on the ironing board so I got two smooth boards and put the sheets and painting between those. Heavy books and weights on top overnight and the result is so flaaaaaat 😊.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Awesome tips! Thank you so much!

[@SimplyOrganizedLLCMadison]

Thank you Emily. It's a stunning painting. The painting behind you (mountains) is also gorgeous.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you so much!

[@maryannegunter115]

I really love your channel, your watercolor paintings. Thank you for sharing your beautiful talent, and all the useful tips you share. It's very helpful to those of us that are learning.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I am so glad you are enjoying the channel! Thanks for your (always!) kind comments!

[@alisonhendry2928]

Yup totally doable! As long as it’s cotton paper. Imagine how we iron cotton clothes and the fear will decrease. Now that I stretch most of my work ( gum tape AND staples 😂) I do this less often. Using the cotton pillow case or sheets or dishcloth method I also spritz the back of the painting before I steam iron the piece face down inside the sheet like you did. I leave it inside the pillow case, but lots of heavy books on top and let it all cool and dry for several hours. Yay! I was afraid of paint coming off in the beginning, but have not experienced that yet. This is a great video. Thank you.

[@SuzetteSantori1]

You wouldn't think this would make a difference, but because the paper is still warm when you stop ironing, it will re-warp a bit. Best to have supplies ready to immediately lay out the painting on a flat surface then get something large enough such as a large art book :) (or larger, like gator board in your case) on top and then stack with heavy books over night. That will make a big difference.

[@anneke7822]

What a beautiful painting of your daughter! 😍👏

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you so much 😀

[@coletteg.4548]

Thank you sooo much for sharing this❣️ I’ve wanted to try this and was scared too . Awesome !!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Go for it!

[@shadowguard3578]

I’ve wondered about this too so I had to watch the video, thank you!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

You’re welcome!

[@l.thompson5780]

I too use moisture but I just use a steam iron on medium hot to hot.works great

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Good to know!

[@chhayasartsandcreatives2001]

Very nice information 👌👌🥰

[@lduplago]

Beautiful portrait! Nice tip too.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you so much 😀

[@Toroleco]

tnx 4 the staple tip. changed my life :)

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Great to hear!

[@judymills873]

Gorgeous painting!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thank you! 😊

[@francesfagan6978]

I've never painting a nice large painting like yours, but on my smaller paintings I use my hot air gun and it works pretty good. Thank you for all your lessons and tips.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

My pleasure!

[@sandyb4693]

I feel better that I'm not the only person who has had that experience with gummed tape. After several tries, I decided it wasn't working with my painting method and stopped using it. - I've always been a bit nervous about ironing with the heat that hot. And using a pillowcase is such a simple, yet brilliant idea. I used an old towel previously due to my fear of scorching the paper. This has given me the courage to be bolder with my ironing and I'm definitely gonna try flattening like you did with my next warped creation!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

So glad you feel encouraged to try it!

[@laurieadams2549]

I was just teaching a beginning watercolor class last night and mentioned that I also prefer to staple rather than taping when stretching. I don't iron my paper because I am concerned about the heat affecting the colors of the paint.

[@bleuvertetforetdepin7308]

great video ! i was not expecting to see you with an iron in your studio for sure ! but that was fun and informative ! the painting of Hansley is amazing . i would love a video about it , whether here or in the mastery program . i'd love to know more about how you did it .

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I'm so glad you enjoyed this! While I won't have a tutorial on the portrait, next week's video will have more info about how I planned the painting. :)

[@demsmustgo]

I lightly dampen mine and put it between smooth cloth (cotton pillowcases are good or white paper towel for smaller pieces). If it’s not too large, place heavy objects that completely cover the cover dampened piece. Works perfectly, at least on slight to moderately warped pieces.

[@debrajames4537]

Thanks for this, really useful, also thanks for telling us about watercolour blocks, I didn't know they existed.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@slateportraichu5416]

Happy New Year=)I hope it brings us a lot of joy=) Thank you for the video=)

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Same to you!

[@anne-mariesassenak9204]

Gummed tape works just fine for stretching paper if done correctly. You may want to check out Oliver Pyle's video on paper stretching, or Louise Demasi's. Oliver just uses gummed kraft tape; Louise uses tape AND staples. Personally, I use 2" gummed tape, white, and a foam painter's brush from the hardware store to wet it. In the 3 years I've been painting, I've only had my tape fail once, and that is when I used too much water to wet it and basically washed the gum off. Beautiful painting of your daughter, and of the hydrangeas behind you.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I may need to give it another chance!

[@DianaSelley]

Both recommendations are excellent videos! I too have found that my tape only fails when I've used too much water. Oliver's method of wiping the edges of the paper dry prior to applying the tape was a game changer!

[@julialord9110]

Hi Emily I’ve always ironed the back of my finished watercolour paintings … I iron on the back using a sheet or pillow case ….. and I use the steam iron ! Works for me for years lol !! X

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

That's great to hear another vote of confidence in this hack!

[@ChantelleArts]

I don't think I'm brave enough to try this, but it's fantastic to see that it actually works! Blocks are a bit pricier but completely worth it in my opinion, they're so easy to grab and use immediately 😄

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Yes! Blocks are my absolute favorite!

[@shadowguard3578]

I’m glad this worked on your beautiful painting. I don’t iron clothes but I’ve considered ironing my paintings! 😂

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Hah hah I never iron my clothes either!

[@shadowguard3578]

@@EmilyOlsonArt 🤩

[@deborahobrien255]

Thank you for this video, Emily. I've also heard that if you moisten the back of your finished painting, then lay something heavy on it overnight (i.e. til it dries) flattens out the paper. I would love to see you do a video on that.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I will make a video! All these great comments are encouraging me to make an "Ironing 2.0" video.

[@weefirebelle]

Hi Emily, I've never tried ironing watercolour paintings. I usually put it face down on a flat surface covered with a tea towel. I spray water and then use a large flat brush or have brush to evenly coat the reverse of the painting with water, I let it relax and absorb the moisture and see it properly flatten spraying lightly again if needed. I cover it with a other towel then weigh it down with a board

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Great tips! Thank you!

[@MegaNaelle777]

That's great Emily, thanks for this I was wondering myself if that would work. I see on your walls all your beautiful paintings framed as is, with no mounting board around. Aren't you concerned that the painting in direct contact with the glass could get damaged? I am doing some research on framing and it is what my understanding of it has been so far.

[@Merina1955]

I spritz the back before ironing.. works well

[@andreag313]

I smash my smaller paintings under books with bricks on them for about a day or two. It makes them a lot more flat then when I don't do this. This seems like a good idea for large scale paintings. Thanks Emily! 🙂

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Great tip! Thanks for commenting!

[@ericakauffman5786]

I get mine perfectly flat by using mid heat and high steam. I put the painting face-down in between cotton bar towels (white and large). I hover over the painting and give it a blast of steam all over and then start pressing. It does not take long and works better than stretching or expensive blocks.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thanks for your insights, Erica!

[@debbieritter1096]

I was thinking if one tried dampening the back of the painting with damp sponge, then doing that pillowcase method- something I am going to try

[@pattioneill3849]

Hi Emily, thanks for this video, you may want to mention to use a dry iron, not steam to avoid issues with the watercolor. ❤️❤️

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thanks, Patti!

[@Lyvvie]

I put a lightly dampened teatowel on the back of the painting and then iron on LOW and maybe medium, not high. After it's ironed and still warm I'll slip the work between the pages of a large book (I have an A2 Encyclopdia of the Cosmos that's perfect) between some baker's parchment so it won't stick to the book.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Great tips! Thank you so much!

[@nancyputz3037]

As some others do, I dampen the back side, place it between clean sheets of paper and then put that between 2 flat 3/4" boards. On top of the boards I have a cardboard box that is filled with sheet music and is very heavy. I just leave it over night and the paper comes out as flat as when it was before painting on it.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thanks, Nancy! Will be coming out with an "ironing 2.0" video thanks to all the helpful comments!

[@lynneamattson6043]

I use the brown masking tape 1/2 or 3/4” to tape down my paper and then if I do get the wow’s I use the misting with heavy weights on top for at least 24hrs. I have used this process for at least 10 years and my students use these method also.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I'll have to give it another try!

[@hadiboya]

Wow! I usually just wet the back side and press the painting between two straight panels. Also I put clean paper for both sides in case there would be a stain. I keep it under a weight around 5 hours or more. I do this for multiple paintings at the same time too. I am not sure this much heat is good for long term? Did you notice any fading or color change?

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I didn’t notice any fading but your method does seem a lot safer!

[@blackbearybears]

I've always thought the framers could deal with warping. Are you saying they can't? Yikes. None of my work is frame worthy yet so I've never stretched or worked on such a large piece. Stretching ... ugh. Heading off to see your "how to" for stretching paper.

[@michelleannette7994]

Hi Emily, beautiful painting! I do this method all the time, except I lightly spritz the back side with water first before ironing, and then afterwards, I lay the painting under some heavy books before framing. You can only do this method with watercolor though. I tried it with a mixed media piece, and ruined it😭

[@stephstokes7321]

I do this as well!

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Oh nooo! Just out of curiosity--what other media did you use that didn't work when ironed?

[@michelleannette7994]

I did a piece with watercolor that wasn't working out, so I kept adding to it. I added some soft pastel and colored pencil. It wasn't exactly ruined, but it definately changed the appearance of the piece. It still sold in a show, but a lot of the pastel and penil came off on the towel after ironing. I went back in and touched it up, but I never got it looking the way it did.

[@michelleannette7994]

Oh, and I never iron on high heat. I spritz the back of the paper, and iron on low. I'm afraid of scorching.

[@pagalmasala]

What the heck do you staple it on top of? I’d be afraid of tearing holes in the paper if i do that?

[@deborahobrien255]

My apologies for not commenting on you LOVELY painting. It is gorgeous. Can you also comment on 'gummed tape'? Is there a brand you recommend? Many thanks for all your videos. I truly enjoy them.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Thanks so much for that! As far as gummed tape--I'm afraid I can't comment with any kind of authority on it as I have only tried (and failed!) once! I do prefer staples.

[@ennelle2024]

Misting it first will help

[@joserenatoteixeirajoserena6755]

the koala back there is just watching🤣

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Yep, Barnaby the Koala’s just hangin’ out.

[@yunzers]

I would spritz it and iron it!

[@shhh_quiet]

A light mist to the back and solid surface would also help to flatten it better

[@Kelly1-KAM]

I always iron my warped sketchbook pages. I use a piece of printer paper between artwork and iron to avoid damage, I’ve never had any issues.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Printer paper! Good suggestion!

[@COLORDOKID]

Got to try this!! Were you using any steam?

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

No, but you def could! As long as it’s on the back. 👍

[@hollyzessin2886]

If to much spray or steam is used it does move the paint on the front side of the painting. Heat can change the color of some pigment colors as well. Use caution while doing these things. Been there tried and had a few failures and some successes.

[@sugarspiceverrier3778]

Wow the painting is gorgeous

[@_deadwait]

That cheetah painting is nice

[@karlasanford293]

Definitely mist the pillowcase while ironing.

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Great tip! Thank you!

[@judymills873]

Can you show me what gator board is?

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Here is a link on Blick: www.dickblick.com/items/gatorfoam-gatorfoam-board-16-x-23-x-12-white/

[@judymills873]

@@EmilyOlsonArt thank you

[@DieBardinAodhan]

Ever tried using steam...? If you steam iron the painting from the back, shouldn´t that work?

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I haven’t tried it, but yes! That should work!

[@chantelmcskimming6633]

CAUTION: so many irons have steam and, in my experience, they can spatter water which can wreck the precious items that are being pressed. 🙂

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Yes, caution advised for sure!

[@andi2918]

No steam, right?

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

Correct-no steam!

[@palfon4539]

Do you use steam on your iron?

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

I did not.

[@fuzzydragons]

i never iron clothes, only art 😝

[@EmilyOlsonArt]

😂

[@kerbear829]

Why dont you just iron directly on the back side of the paper????

[@rory1336]

I'm not sure what the point is in recording and posting your first tries..

[@shyfranklinstein9650]

Me *ironing my art* My husband's dress shirts "wow 🫥"