Can You Use Watercolours in Colouring Books? In Collaboration with Paul Rubens

[@elisecharlenefineart]

If you want to use water color in a book with really thin paper, you can put down some clear water color ground. I works really well. If you continue to enjoy watercolorI would suggest you get a silver black brush. Quality brush and paper is more important than quality paint in the experience. As always I love and watch all you videos!!

[@ArtJourneyUK]

Yes, I talk about watercolour ground in the video.

[@incognitoedc]

I'm so glad you are doing this! I am a Zentangle artist and moving into fine art so far mostly with ink and graphite. But, I desire to learn more about watercolor besides the washes I use for Zentangle. Recently, it occurred to me that I might be able to use my Johanna Basford coloring books for practice.... I hate spending hours on an original drawing, only to risk ruining it due to my lack of experience with watercolor. Seemed like a good place to practice! Its amazing to me how the universe provides what I need....Your video just popped up on my feed!!!! Thank you so much!

[@ArtJourneyUK]

Ooo Good luck with your art journey! 🥰

[@deirdrelewis1454]

If you want to make your colour lighter, just add water. Tap your brush on kitchen paper or an old towel, so your paint isn’t too wet. You can lighten the colour by adding white paint but that will make it more opaque.

[@ArtJourneyUK]

Thank you! 🥰

[@ArtJourneyUK]

@@a705fay indeed! 🙂

[@Colorfully-Chaotic]

Ok, the more I watch your channel the more I realize why I just adore you! In this one it’s because you take the formality out of using art supplies in coloring books and just have fun. Now stop for a moment and really read that statement…it is humorous in and of itself! “Art supplies in coloring books” for crying out loud! Love it! 😂 I also discovered we are about the same age, I too am in Ops management for a software company, along with other similar hobbies and habits. You are such a joy and you always make me laugh! You can make a bad day good. Thank you for all you do! ❤

[@ArtJourneyUK]

@Colorfully-Chaotic Oh, what a lovely comment! Pleased to meet another Ops Manager on the IT world too - clearly we're twins! I'm defintely all about the fun. My job is serious and can be hard so my hobby has to be fun & relaxing 🥰

[@sherrydennewitz5011]

Thank You for Sharing these Paul Rubens Watercolor Paints. They are very Beautiful!😊💜

[@ArtJourneyUK]

Yes, they are lovely to use! 🥰

[@pixiesmama8807]

Great video! I ordered the paints straightaway. I love using seral transfer paper to transfer my coloring pages onto arches watercolor paper and painting them that way. But I’m going to try the watercolor ground for an easier painting 😍

[@diamondslashranch]

These paints are lovely and was so much fun watching you play with them. When my paint pans are not marked I tape the paper to the bottom of the pan.

[@ArtJourneyUK]

Ooo great idea! Thanks!

[@audreyshaw2463]

Thank you for your review of these Paul Ruben’s Watercolour Paints. They look good, and you sounded very pleased with how they worked in your books and that you are going to enjoy using them more 😊

[@ArtJourneyUK]

They came out alright didn't they! 🥰

[@leonnehaaijman4709]

And a really nice set of watercolour pencils is the Mondeluz (Koh-i-Noor). I have a set of 72 and I love them. Vivid colours, a very good selection of colours and they work very nicely in colouring books. I can also recommend the standard colouring pencil set (Koh-i-Noor Polycolor). A bit of an underrated brand, if you ask me.🙂

[@redgraphicunicorn]

I use watercolors in ALL of my coloring books... I just go for it! I always back my pages with a plastic sheet of paper in case of bleed through, but I have no fear... I actually use all sorts of mediums in all my books. I love experimenting. If something doesn't turn out - oh, well. Then I try again! Thanks for a great video.

[@ArtJourneyUK]

Yes! It's definitely fun playing. I used to love Art Journaling, always had fun playing with *everything*... I need to use my colouring books that way.

[@cassandrascott2613]

Yes I use watercolors in mine. I use spotter brushes to keep water minimal

[@wendyscolouring]

These paints look lovely, very tempting, x 👍Thanks for showing them, enjoy!

[@ArtJourneyUK]

They are nice. Enjoying them! 🥰

[@BevM7373]

I love messing about with paints. I’d never thought about using them in colouring books. You have some brilliant ideas! Thank you. x

[@ArtJourneyUK]

Me too, makes me feel proper "arty"... like I know what I'm doing! They came out so nice in the Rita Berman book! 🥰

[@PursuingHeaven]

I don't like gritty surfaces in my coloring books so I only use use Golden's Satin Glazing or Holbein or Prima Marketing Clear Gesso, or just simple white acrylic gesso thinned down a bit. I usually put on two or three layers and let it sit for 24 hrs even if I use a dryer because I want it to really set in. Ground though and most other brands of clear gesso are too gritty and damage my pencils. I use my Gansai Tambi | Kuretake, Gouache and water soluable pencils this way.

[@ArtJourneyUK]

Thanks for sharing! 🥰

[@1toshi32]

I found the best thing to use to blend your colours is to use a pure white ceramic plate or palette. I always find that the metal or plastic makes the paint bead up as you saw so you can't see what you are mixing except for the darker version of the colour. The ceramic lets you see the watered down version as well when you add water to see a lighter shade of the same paint colour. .

[@ArtJourneyUK]

Oo thanks for the tip! Appreciated 🥰

[@kimpotter3045]

I’ve used Derwent Inktense pencils in a colouring book before and they work great as minimal water is needed to activate the paints and once they dry they set so using water on the next page won’t affect them.

[@ArtJourneyUK]

Yes, they're lovely to use! 🥰

[@ChantelleArts]

This is brilliant, what gorgeous paints ☺☺

[@ArtJourneyUK]

Aren't they lovely paints!

[@junkjournalgirl]

Thanks for the inspiration. I am a bit of a newbie and was wondering about using my watercolours :)

[@bethmegansmith4642]

oh lovely paints . I just got the Cotman 46 Winsor and Newton one . lovely paints for you xxx Happy coloring xxx thanks for the test very good xxxxx I used water color in my books , but I use Golden Acrylic Satin Glazing Liquid to protect the pages. Coloring with K used it so that why I brought some

[@ArtJourneyUK]

Nice set Beth! Interesting idea using acrylic glazing liquid, that's usually used for mixing with acrylic paints to make them more translucent or glazing a finished acrylic picture. It's generally waterproof, so not sure how the watercolours would "stick" to it. I might give it a go! 🥰

[@bethmegansmith4642]

@@ArtJourneyUK 🥰

[@ArtJourneyUK]

@bethmegansmith4642 Got your IG message, take care and keep in touch on here! 🥰

[@bethmegansmith4642]

@@ArtJourneyUK thank hon xxx so kindxxx thank you 🥰

[@Victoriacolouringquest]

Love watching you play with stuff 😁 I have the pretty excellent watercolour paints and I'd love a Lily review of the two sets to see if they are worth buying, especially in colouring books. I think a lot of us have the pretty excellent

[@ArtJourneyUK]

The "pretty decent" paints 😆 Comparing them is a good idea Vickster! I shall endeavour to do that 🥰

[@Victoriacolouringquest]

😂 but we all knew what paints you were on about. And thank you xx

[@nancyloomis3046]

I almost bought this set since they are very good paints at an affordable price. So for those in the market for such, I say, go for it. I see it gets very good ratings on Amazon. For myself, I already have plenty of wcs (including a Paul Rubens set) and I recently vowed to reduce my tendency towards over-buying. So for now, I'll restrain myself. But I always love to see new products reviewed and for those who may want this set, a good review really helps to decide. Thanks!

[@AbraCassandraCrafts]

I use watercolor pencils in coloring books ^_^ works fine. lol kinda really wanna try it with gouache.......

[@ArtJourneyUK]

Give it a go, what have you got to lose? 🥰

[@nicolemitchell446]

25:00 lol, I tried to keep that flappy pallet bit on my cotman set but it was just in the way. I was so happy to see I’m not the only one that removes it. Sometimes I feel like there are unwritten rules for stuff. Like keeping the tins and boxes that high end pencils come in. Not removing the pages from coloring books. Completing every page I start. I try telling myself it ok to be a rebel and that I’m just a bad a$$ but then I’m so happy when I hear someone else does something too 😆

[@ArtJourneyUK]

Are you my twin? I have all the same rules! 🥰

[@selbarton]

In my cotman travel case , I leave the piece in the lid unless I need the bigger mixing spaces so it is stable.

[@silvers_ink]

I've always wondered what is the purpose of the velvet cloth that comes with watercolor paints. I just assumed that it was to help protect the paints or something like that but I bought a set of metallic watercolor paints(not sure what brand they are) and it came with one of those cloths but the cloth was just folded and put in the box with the paints. It wasn't wrapped around the paint tin or anything like that so I don't think it's to protect the paints. I still have no idea what those cloths are for lol!

[@ArtJourneyUK]

I have no idea either! Some say it's cloth for wiping your brush, but it seems too... posh for that. I thought it was for protecting the tin too! 😁

[@silvers_ink]

@@ArtJourneyUK Yea I had the same thoughts! I'm gonna have to look into it because now it's gonna bug me until I figure it out 😆

[@nancyloomis3046]

Great idea to cover using wcs in coloring books that may not be on watercolor paper.👍

[@hazelco8622]

My goodness, I have that 1st book, the adult mindful coloring book. While I have watercolor, I use it for chinese painting. I forgot all about those books, i used set of color markers, twistable crayons, glitter sign pens prior to owning watercolor, a combo of different brands cheap and expensive separately bought.

[@lizanicole8410]

Use a paint pen to name the half pans ❤

[@jjsmakeupobsession323]

If you use watercolor ground, won’t it make the paper better for watercolor? Daniel Smith watercolor is super pigmented, I have been building up my collection and I have 31 colors.

[@ArtJourneyUK]

The watercolour ground would make the paper act more like sized/watercolour paper (or at least cope with watery mediums better) However, I wanted to see how the paper in the colouring books coped without priming.

[@be_a_bright_sparkle3687]

I use paint in whatever colouring book I’m using. I don’t mind the buckling and the crinkle noise is a bit soothing…or annoying depending on if you’re listening or crinkling…😂😂

[@ArtJourneyUK]

Oh I agree. I used to love crinkly pages in my art journals 🥰

[@Mahoniaincolour]

Before watching the whole video (I'm really interested in how everything will go), I've used my set of Rosa watercolours (Ukrainian brand) in Beatrix Potter's book, Kerby Rosanes and Lulu Mayo. So far Rosa has been tested by many artists here on KZbin and almost all stated that these watercolours feel like something in between watercolour and gouache. What I found is that they work really good in these books except Matchstick Mouse as the paper is really thin. But there is a trick not to use too much water. If you mix the Rosa paint on a pallet it should be more like milk to cream consistency not really watery (if it makes any sense). Now I'll continue watching the video and may give one more comment =) Thanks for raising such an interesting topic))

[@ArtJourneyUK]

Ooo interesting. I must look into the Rosa watercolours, they sound interesting. Thanks for the info! 🥰

[@nicoleperron3315]

Normally when swatching watercolors you add water as you swatch to get a gradation from light to dark for each color, instead full strength for each one. It helps to show which colors are granulating and which are transparent and which are opaque and which are more staining. You should try 100 percent cotton watercolor paper not cellulose, wood pulp paper, its night and day difference how the paint acts and spreads on the right paper.

[@ArtJourneyUK]

Yes, I'm aware of that.. but I specifically wanted to try these paints in normal colouring books. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment, it's appreciated 🥰

[@nicoleperron3315]

@@ArtJourneyUK keep having fun 😊

[@SSmith-ep4gx]

Thank you for reminding me this is supposed to be fun!😂

[@ArtJourneyUK]

Haha! It is! 🥰

[@WarboysWitch]

I have an older Paul Rubin’s and I wrote the colours on the sides of the pans in case they got muddled up

[@ArtJourneyUK]

Ohh good idea!

[@vilma3502]

Oh golly, golly. I love your colouring books. They are gorgeous!!! I'm from New Zealand. How can I get 1 or 2 (or 5) of them?

[@ArtJourneyUK]

They are all available on Amazon here in the UK, not sure if that's the same over there?

[@leonnehaaijman4709]

My problem with watercolours is that I don't really want to unwrap the pans! 😂

[@ArtJourneyUK]

They're like little sweeties aren't they? 😅

[@leonnehaaijman4709]

Yes!

[@be_a_bright_sparkle3687]

I’ve given up counting how many ping off in their own direction…😂😂

[@crossstitchbutton]

Very nice love the tin, if you use your Albrecht Durer pencils activated they come out great try it. And how the fig did you manage to break three toes woman !!!!

[@ArtJourneyUK]

Ha! Thanks for being the only one to hear that and ask! Hubs moved a box loaded with books (not my books lol) onto the landing and I never noticed it as walked out the bedroom door so basically kicked it full pelt (like kicking a tree with full force). After three days the swelling was too nasty to avoid so went and had it checked out. Got open toe boot thing (it's like a Geisha shoe) which stops the weight going on your toes when you walk. I'll send you a pic on IG 😆

[@crossstitchbutton]

@@ArtJourneyUK I had to wear those boots on my feet when docs plastered up my legs after sorting out my Achilles in both legs they gave me steroids to relax them as they said it was better way to go down if it didn't work then they'd have to operate they did one at a time 😕 Lucky it worked, but those boots were hell ..

[@ArtJourneyUK]

@@crossstitchbutton Blimey! That sounds like torture!!

[@lindaverkade438]

Hi Lily! I also want to ask how your toes broken, but someone asked already now i know how..😣ouch! I love to see this! I want to use my Albrecht Dürer pencils with water but i need to learn how to do it.

[@ArtJourneyUK]

@lindaverkade438 aww thanks Linda! I appreciate that 🥰 Yes, I want to use my Albrecht Durer pencils in colouring books too. I think I will have a play!

[@SylviaCostello-lu1bu]

Ive used gouache lays more even and you use less water

[@ArtJourneyUK]

Thanks for the tip! 🥰

[@ashleywright8686]

What’s wrong with the first set of watercolor books you showed?? 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@ArtJourneyUK]

There's nothing wrong with them, they're all gorgeous books, but I have a lot more colouring books with normal paper in them (as opposed to watercolour paper specifically for watercolours) The watercolour paper books are much more expensive too and I wanted to try using my normal / cheaper books with the paints! 🥰

[@scottcullen2832]

Oh lily, I’ve just had the Medici, gansai tambi style ones thanks to @wendyscolouring, also by Paul Reuben’s I now want these to 😂😂😂😂❤️❤️

[@ArtJourneyUK]

Oops, sorry Scott! 😉🥰

[@janetstorey416]

Did you know that some of the colouring books come in artist editions too, already on watercolour paper. I've bought the Batsford books as artist editions and they are great to use even with mixed media. My OCD won't allow me to cope with buckled paper although I do use transparent size sometimes. Your video is very useful, thanks for doing this.

[@ArtJourneyUK]

Yes, three of Johanna's original books came in Artist Editions but that hasn't been the case for the last five books unfortunately. I was really surprised how little the Rita Berman book buckled, doesn't even look a bit warped now! Thanks for watching and commenting, it's appreciated 🥰

[@janetstorey416]

Forgot to mention, I do use another method if I really like an image. First I use Wild Spiders 30cm double sided sticky roll applied to the back of the image, then peel off the backing and add a sheet of sturdy paper, usually Bristol board. This makes the image strong enough for any media including multiple layers of coloured pencil, works for me. I expect you could use any generic A4 double sided sheets to stick on the backing, as long as it is not wet glue. Hope this is helpful.

[@ArtJourneyUK]

@@janetstorey416 Ooo interesting, thanks for sharing! 🥰

[@janetstorey416]

The other reason for watercolour paper or sizing, is shown in your video, the paper buckles quite badly.

[@ArtJourneyUK]

Not all of them buckled badly, just the thinner paper.

[@jeanhopman5659]

nah, it doesn't really work. There are no qualities of watercolour paint.

[@ArtJourneyUK]

Colour goes on the page, doesn't ruin the book, all good for me. I do discuss that the paper isn't sized, so wasn't expecting the kind of results you get when using watercolour paper. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment, appreciated 🥰