Cheaper than Canvas: Stretching Watercolor Paper for Painting

[@lisah336]

It was great seeing Alex re-run.

[@artprof]

Alex is the best! - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@mrsonnon83]

It’s so nice to see Alex again. I miss his acrylic painting videos and calming voice.

[@artprof]

He should do ASMR... - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@jspohl]

I just love the texture of oil on paper - more than saving money that’s a wonderful benefit. I remember some lovely pieces by Vuillard on paper I always think of. I think some people stretched sheets in art school but I can’t remember how it went.

[@artprof]

me too! I like painting on paper more than on canvas. -Prof Lieu

[@lindyashford7744]

For larger paintings gesso on large A0 heavyweight cartridge paper works well. I used very slightly dilute liquitex gesso on paper taped or pinned vertically onto wallboard. It did not sag or buckle, and took oil and acrylic very well. For oil a second layer of gesso gave a better surface as it is easy to miss tiny areas applying white on white. This surface took a lot of layers and various mediums and oils. Today I would not work so large and would use Tela, a specialist paper made for oil but we had to make do with what we had then, and it has stood the test of time ok.

[@pagorami5253]

trying stretching some paper on stretcher bars today... so glad i get to come back to your guys' clips! it was also nice seeing alex again lol

[@kevingibbons6215]

You can do this with any heavy weight paper,.. does not need to be sized watercolor paper.

[@soomink]

Thank you so much for going over this! It's been a struggle to stretch paper in a way that doesn't damage it.

[@artprof]

You're so welcome! We love making life more convenient :) - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@kevingibbons6215]

The paper was wet, not soaked. The paper did not expand from being soaked, so when it was taped down there was nothing to be stretched. The paper buckeled because it was literally not stretched. I soak my paper for 10 minutes and staple the soaked paper down. It dries and is tight like a drum. I can them soak the paper with a wash and it does not buckle.

[@amandanorris8]

Im Definitely gonna try out stretching water color paper! Im shooketh! No idea!

[@artprof]

That's awesome! Maybe I'll do that, too... - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@raerae6422]

Love the condensed video, AP. Im not grown-up enough for canvas. I do a lot of play, experimenting and exercises, so i use cheap 300gsm/140pound watercolour paper that i coat 2-3 times with gesso. I do about 10 at a time and dont have room to tape each one down. So i just gesso without tape, let it fully dry between coats, and they come out pretty flat. The edges might curl a little but theres no rippling. Its brilliant for acrylic and mixed media and doesnt buckle. After gessoing, you can tape for a clean, white border, but just heat it with a hairdryer when you are ready to peel it off.

[@artprof]

Oh that's wonderful! I'm similar-- I like painting on cheaper surfaces or random things I find around the house, like miscellaneous wood blocks. It's a trial by fire every time when it comes to painting prep! Keeps me on my toes... - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@berolinastrassmann]

Gesso on watercolour papers destroys the sizing that allows paint to flow on cotton paper, and it also kills texture in cold pressed or rough watercolour paper. I dont see the point of using gesso for watercolour paper. Great idea on using stretcher frames, though. BTW, you can also use clear gesso (Inprefer Liquitex) to coat paper for use with soft pastels -rather than sanded paper, which is expensive.

[@artprof]

I've never used gesso on watercolor paper either-- the texture is too good to cover up! - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@BrazenSpirituality]

Thanks. I love this! I. Am entering the fall raffle. Have a great holiday!

[@helenbunch9065]

I use to use paper tape with my students but moved away from it because they would wipe back and forth and wipe the sticky off... :/. But the idea of gesso paper for acrylic i love! and Im going to reconsider...It is difficult on a public school budget to have the size options that students want to work. I am assuming that you are talking about 140 lb. watercolor paper...I also use 88lb Richeson watercolor paper (student grade) which is much smoother...I will try both!

[@artprof]

Good luck with your paper endeavors!! Let us know if it all works out, we're rooting for you :D - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@RackCrossStudio]

Keep up the good work @Art Prof: Create & Critique - What weight watercolor paper was used?

[@artprof]

I totally can't remember, but any watercolor paper that fits your needs is fine! You don't need it super thick, but I wouldn't get the thinnest weight. -Prof Lieu

[@JenniferNoelle]

Awww, I miss Alex!!

[@artprof]

We do too! - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

How could we use watercolouron gessoed paper? Is this for oils?

[@berolinastrassmann]

I assume the gesso for watercolour paper is on the back side. Otherwise it defeats the point of the expensive sizing that good watercolour papers have.🤷

[@ginismoja2459]

I've watched this video before. Is there a reason for the re-upload?

[@artprof]

The original video was 1 hour, I'm cutting it up so each technique is in it's own video, easier when people want to know 1 specific technique as opposed to scrubbing through a long video to find it. -Prof Lieu

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

Stretcher bar isnt useful ..i tried...it still warps

[@artprof]

I always struggle with stretcher bars, too. I wonder if I'm just doing it wrong? Practice makes perfect, I suppose! - Mia, Art Prof Staff