Framing Watercolors without Glass: Preparing Paintings

[@artwithmycoffee]

This was a great video! I used to do watercolor but changed to oils, largely because of the framing issues of using glass. This is extremely interesting to me and is giving me the interest in watercolor again. Thank you!

[@lauriebreda7241]

Hello Brienne. I stumble upon your videos by chance because I want to frame myself without glass from now on and it is really a big help. Many thanks for your generous sharing of informations. It's a grace! 😊

[@briennembrown5938]

Wonderful! You are welcome. :)

[@basiablazewicz5218]

Thanks Brienne for Your answer how to varnish watercolour. It was very helpful for me!

[@briennembrown5938]

I am so glad this was helpful. :) Thank you!

[@lindahh798]

I am so happy to see this technique and look forward to the additional videos! Thank you!!

[@briennembrown5938]

You are so welcome! I am glad I can help.

[@albertkline1731]

Thx, I've used wax medium to seal a lot of my watercolors. Interestingly, I can mount them even after waxing the painting first. I had heard that the glue would not adhere properly if the watercolor is varnished or waxed and then 'glued' using the acrylic medium, but I have not found that to be the case. Best, Al

[@mjrewerts]

This is very interesting! I just finished my first watercolor painting on canvas but I have not done this. Is MDF board the same as gator board?

[@zeroa6]

Very useful videos! Thanks!!!

[@kathryndohring5481]

Thank you so much for sharing this!! I've been struggling with figuring out how to do this and afraid to wreck my painting. Now I have the courage to try. You are such a great teacher, and your art is amazing!! I've subscribed and going to watch all of your videos.

[@briennembrown5938]

Yay! I am glad you have the courage to try... Just experiment with old paintings. :) That is what I did. Thank you for subscribing. I appreciate that. Happy Painting! BB

[@dogwhiskers8]

Thank you Brienne. Very helpful.

[@JaredCullum]

Holy Moly. This is brilliant. I've never thought about doing this but will definitely in the future. Thanks for the great idea!

[@briennembrown5938]

You are so welcome... definitely try it and let me know how it goes!! :) I am loving framing without glass. Should have tried it years ago. ;)

[@carlaephotography7096]

I have recently purchased many antique frames and been wondering how I could incorporate them with my artwork. As many don’t have glass. This is brilliant! I can now measure the frame, then measure my next painting to fit on a board to match the frame! Thank you!

[@briennembrown5938]

You are so welcome!

[@nancyrolfe3033]

I agree with "Jared Loves to Draw"..BRILLIANT idea!! P.S. Jared is also very gifted, very humble and very kind. I've enjoyed his videos. He helped me identify questions re"metal Holbein pallete Id recently purchased..it was copy...I'm still looking for original Holbein...lol

[@briennembrown5938]

Thank you Nancy.... I can tell that Jared is very talented by looking at his channel. He has some great information and videos. I am glad I found him. ;)

[@johngilbert1861]

Ms. Brown: A watercolorist friend of mine who is also a director of plein air events suggested I look into glassless framing, as it is an easier solution to framing, esp in plein air event circumstances. I easily found your tutorial. I watched all three and was convinced you have the perfect solution. I went out the same day and purchased a gator board (4'x 8', nominal size) and the Liquitex products you recommended. Except for the gatorboard, I purchased small quantities of the Liquitex and Golden products you recommend and tried a test using a cast off watercolor. For my first test, I stuck to your instructions and have to say, I have two suggestions for you to refine your tutorial. First, plein air events are almost always held outdoors. The painting and the framing. Since there is a time constraint when checking in your frameless watercolors, I found it is best if you do your first and second layer spraying of the matte and gloss sealers in an air conditioned environment. Some artists prepare their submissions in their car, in a parking lot, in tree shade, etc. Time is essential when turning in your work. If the spraying and glueing and sealing is done outdoors, it can adversely be affected by atmospheric conditions, namely, humidity. Humidity will dramatically slow down the drying process. Second, using the Winsor Newton sprays, the matte finish and the gloss finish in the method you described, I came up with an 'orange-peel' effect. It was a bit pebbly. Any solutions for that? Thanks, and I love your tutorials.... All the best, John G.

[@briennembrown5938]

Hello John, Thank you for all the great comments and feedback. I appreciate that. I have always sprayed my paintings outdoors because you don't want to spray in an un-ventilated area. It is not healthy. I now have a fumehood in my studio and so can spray paintings in my studio. However, when I am at an event, I spray my watercolors out of my car. I usually spray a bunch at once on paper in a parking lot. You are correct that humidity can change drying times. But, I can still get them sprayed in no more than 40 min. Now, usually during competitions where you have a couple days to paint and then frame paintings. For a "Quick Draw" when I only have 2 hours... I frame the painting traditionally. I have varnished paintings before, but then I need to finish the painting in 1.5hours. Doable, but stressful. It depends on how strict they are on the 2 hour limit. Also, the gluing of the paper to the board I do before the event starts. It is a lot of prep work. That is the "Preparing Watercolor Panels" video. There is not enough time to glue paintings during a plein air event. I have not used the Winsor&Newton sprays, so I am not sure what that effect is? Do you mean that it is kind of bumpy? I don't have a solution for that. I have just tried to brush off as much dust as I can before the first spray. I realize this is difficult if doing this outside.... But, I haven't had too many problems with the sprays. The Liquitex can sometimes get dust stuck and get bumpy if I am not careful and dust the painting before starting. The Liquitex can be done inside.... I hope this helps....thank you for the tips. Happy Painting! BB

[@junesutherland810]

Brienne M Brown k

[@janettepolt2815]

thank you so much.

[@reddogquin]

I have mounted a few small paintings on panels that my husband made for me. I love the way they came out. Even though it is a bit of work I think it is easier then framing with glass. Cant wait for your next videos to see if I am doing it right😉

[@briennembrown5938]

That is awesome Kari. I am glad you have been doing it and like it. You are right, it is a bit of work. It doesn't actually save much time, maybe a little money...but more importantly for me it changes where the time is spent. The prep work is a lot, but the framing is super quick and easy.....video 3 coming soon.... By the end of April. :) Happy Painting!

[@susanlenoir6183]

Great video, I look forward to experimenting and trying this!

[@cn-123]

Very nice paintings!

[@briennembrown5938]

Thank you so much 😀

[@susansemenick4966]

I, too, varnish my watercolors and have envied how oil painters frame... but I float them in a floater frame. This has been hit or miss and I don't always like it... so I'm anxious to try your technique, thanks for this.

[@briennembrown5938]

Susan that is great that you have been varnishing your watercolors as well. I have been meeting more and more artists doing it and experimenting. I am excited by this. I have used some floater frames as well. I like it sometimes, but for framing on the road, it is so nice to frame like the oil painters do. So much easier. Still a lot of prep work, but so worth it during the event. Let me know how it goes. :)

[@AleadaA]

Great information - lovely paintings too - thank you for this information!

[@briennembrown5938]

Thank you and you are very welcome.

[@Leloreth]

if you would put your paper on a light box your could exactly mark the back of it so you have a better reference when you put the paper and the panel together.

[@briennembrown5938]

Interesting idea... That could help. Thanks. :)

[@michigandave9680]

Thank you for sharing this concept as I was not aware of it at all. I'm going to try it but I have a concern as to how much this affects the archival properties of an artwork painted on the reverse side of the paper. Subscribed.

[@briennembrown5938]

Thank you for subscribing and you are so welcome. I am continuing to experiment with all these products and new ones as well. I will be sharing my findings as I get them.... This is half the fun for me. :)

[@gordjones9227]

Thank you Brienne, great info and well explained!

[@briennembrown5938]

Thank you and you're welcome Gord. 😊

[@karenmarch2813]

Brienne!!!! KUDOS!! I love this Instructional Video #1! Looking forward to #2.

[@briennembrown5938]

Thanks so much Karen ... I am loading the second video as I am typing...hahaha!

[@paultaylor6167]

I have noticed this time through that you didn't apply weight to the assembled paper and panel while it dried. However you do remark about applying weight after doing a corner repair from the first gluing.

[@briennembrown5938]

I did apply weight to the panels while they dried...just like in the first video. But, I just didn't show it. So, yes.... I do weigh it down to dry over night.

[@paulfoote7869]

Great videos Brienne. You are organized in your delivery which is a nice change from many of the KZbin videos where the artist just wings it. A couple of suggestions: 1. If you raise your panel up with something underneath it you won't brush glue onto your work surface. 2. You can also varnish with wax and you will not get the "dust" effect. Best regards.

[@briennembrown5938]

Both great suggestions Paul. Thank you! I have used just wax before and yes, you don't get the dusting effect. But, I do like how much easier and quicker the spray varnishing is ....especially for plein air events. Thanks so much! Best Regards, Brienne

[@arleenaartvark1141]

As soon as you cover the watercolor with clear semigloss acrylic medium, does the piece become mixed media instead of watercolor? Thanks for the video!

[@simonapalosan3208]

Hi Brienne, is any reason why you apply the water-colour paint on the top of the glued board and not the other way round, i.e. water-color paint with the backside faced up and then adjust the glued board on the top of it? This way you can better centre the board relative to the white edges that are to be trimmed later. Thank you.

[@briennembrown5938]

Hi Simona... Thank you for the great question. The only reason I do is to keep the paper as clean as possible. I don't care too much if I get acrylic medium on the board, but I don't want it on the painting surface of the paper. You could totally do it that way, but just make sure you have a clean surface each time. Best, Brienne

[@pkm1122]

Thank you Brienne for this very informative video. Can I use an MDF board instead of. Gator board for mounting? It isn’t easily available here.

[@sjmac123]

I would like to know this also and can birch panels be used instead of gator board?

[@briennembrown5938]

Yes you can. It doesn't have to be gatorboard. I have mounted watercolor paintings to MDF and birch panels (but I did gesso them first. Don't know if it is needed, but that is what I did. :)

[@briennembrown5938]

Yes you can. It doesn't have to be gatorboard. I have mounted watercolor paintings to MDF and birch panels (but I did gesso them first. Don't know if it is needed, but that is what I did. :)

[@mariamaragonesjust2150]

Parece facil!!lo intentare,gracias!!☺

[@briennembrown5938]

You are so welcome. :)

[@joannasnee3871]

Great video with clear instructions.But what is gator board? Does it have any other names? It doesn't seem to exist in the UK.

[@briennembrown5938]

Thank you Jo....I do not know if gator board has another name? It has a foam core, but the outer surface is harder than foam board and does not warp. This is where I have been getting it lately....www.artsupply.com/foamcore/gatorboard.htm I hope this helps...:)

[@rebeccaganz9222]

Thanks Brienne, love your paintings and also very happy to hear about this framing method. Due to framing costs, I never have "made money" on my paintings as the cost of framing is usually my target for what's reasonable to charge for a watercolor painting. Perhaps that will change some day...

[@briennembrown5938]

You are so welcome Rebecca... I am so happy to share what I have learned so far. I of course am always still trying new things and adjusting. But that is what keeps life fun! I agree, framing can be a big cost. I think this saves a little money, I should try to find out how much a difference it is. Both methods are time consuming, but the time spent is different. I hope this is helpful and I wish you the best on your artistic and creative journey.... :) BB

[@susanritchie9456]

Thank you!

[@Fortunados1]

Thanks... From spain👍

[@larastrazdas7227]

Do you have any concern about the Gatorboard not being archival? Or, does the Gel Medium create enough of a barrier between the Gatorboard and the artwork? I’d also recommended covering the artwork with glassine before using the roller.

[@寅-m2t]

Very good idea. But how do you hang on wall without frame?

[@briennembrown5938]

I don't hang it with out a frame. After varnishing the watercolor, I frame it like an oil painting. No need for a mat. But you can get a fillet.

[@lineevans]

Hello Brienne, I absolutely loved this video and your tips. I have a question:are this gator board and this glue acid free ?

[@briennembrown5938]

Hello Line.... Thank you so much and thanks for the question. The gator board is not totally acid free. It is about the same acidity of hardboard, 6-6.5. However, one good distinction is that it does not get more acidic over time, which hardboard will. The acrylic medium is acid free and acts as a great moisture barrier and helps protect the paper. This what I have found out and have not had trouble yet.... though of course I don't know what will happen 30 years from now.... Best of luck and Happy Painting! BB

[@gtinsa]

I was thinking of maybe attaching my watercolor painting to one of those box canvases. In your opinion could I effectively adhere the painting to the canvas with that gel medium you used to attach your painting to the board?

[@briennembrown5938]

Yes you can! The acrylic medium will work as an adhesive on the box canvas as well. It is flexible when dry and this is good. There are other adhesives you could research too. But, I think this should work. However, I have not tried it personally. BB

[@susansemenick4017]

Brienne, I have been using this method for awhile but I have reoccurring problems. I glue the watercolor down with acrylic medium , then spray fixatif 4 coats, bit when I apply the varnish with a foam brush, the painting bubbles or buckles and it’s not great for framing then, I’ve tried some different things but it always happens. Do you have any suggestions?

[@lisabonacci1601]

Hi Brienne, thank you for the video, I'm just coming across this. How does this technique hold up in a humid environment, for example Florida?

[@briennembrown5938]

Hi Lisa... It does well once the adhesive has dried. I have used these panels in Florida and some of my paintings survived Hurricane Michael. I was glad to hear that. The tricky part would be getting the adhesive to dry.... but if you are in a air conditioned house I would think that would work. You might just have to try it and see. I am not sure. I wish you the best... BB

[@crystalmahurin6821]

Thank you for this video! I am planning on mounting a watercolor portrait I'm finishing to a birchwood panel. Iv'e never done this before. I used 300 lb paper, and a couple of artists have commented on it being more difficult to mount. Have you found this to be true and do you have any tips?

[@briennembrown5938]

I have mounted 300 lb paper with no troubles. I guess it might be trickier because it is harder to feel the board edges under the paper. The best advise I can give for that is to not have the boarded around your portrait too large. This way you can see and feel the edge better as you try to line the painting up to fit on the panel. Best of luck!! BB

[@jasminewu8227]

Hi Brienne, thank you so much for sharing. So we have a large painting almost 41x51, in order to frame it without glass, we glued it onto an MDF board-like material using art glue, the roller wasn’t so great and we let it dry overnight. Now it’s dried on the board but has a few long bumps and a paper crease. How can we fix it post glue? I tried to use a shower towel overlay and use a steamer on top of the towel but it’s not quite working. Thank you for any urgent help and advice you can share!!

[@briennembrown5938]

I am not totally sure... what glue did you use?

[@pattylapihuska2346]

Have you use paintings on mineral paper in this way?

[@sertov-e3k]

Спасибо!!!🔥🔥🔥

[@stevenheller2823]

So glad I found these videos! So interesting and really like the result you got. How did you get your 140lb paper to be so flat before framing? Do you stretch the paper before painting or do you just flatten/iron after you are finished? Thanks!

[@briennembrown5938]

Good question! I don't stretch my paper, but I staple and tape it when it is dry. Then before un-stappling the paper, I let it dry completely. Then the painting stays fairly flat. You don't need to stretch paper...but I like it to dry flat and photograph it this way. So, that is why I do this. You can also wet the back of a painting and put heavy things on it to dry over night. This will help flatten out a painting as well. Thanks for watching! Best, Brienne

[@ssilver1215]

How do your remove the staples and cut the paper for framing?

[@ChynaRose]

Hello! Just thought you might like to know your link to the golden gel is the incorrect product ( I bought it after watching your video). Ty for the tutorial, but just thought it might help someone in the future !

[@briennembrown5938]

Thank you....what was it you bought? I use Golden Heavy Body Gel Medium, at least that is what it says on the bottle. There are a couple that would work, I just like the heavy body because it is more like paste. Did you get something that didn't work? Thanks for the help in pointing it out... :)

[@sydneybturnerart]

Awesome! Really loving this video series so far :)

[@briennembrown5938]

Great, thanks. I am glad this is helpful. 😁

[@mmanahan58]

Hi Brienne, Thank you so much for these tutorials....very well done. I'm wondering..when cutting the gator board to go beneath your completed painting, I know it is going to be a little smaller than the painting, but it is the exact size as the opening of frame? For example, if the watercolor is going to go into a standard 11 x 14 oil frame, that is the exact size you cut the gator board, or 1/8 larger on all sides? Thank You.

[@briennembrown5938]

Hi Mary.... great to hear from you! Thank you and you are welcome. Thanks for the great question... For a 11 x 14 frame, I cut the gatorboard to 11 x14 exactly. The painting will be to that size as well. The 1/8 inch given by most framers is just a little room. Hope that helps... Happy Painting! Best, Brienne

[@mmanahan58]

@@briennembrown5938 Thank You!

[@dbosley46]

Brienne, do you find that your buyers (collectors) object to the "no glass" framing or are they okay with it? It would definitely cut down on weight for shipping. I love your work!

[@briennembrown5938]

Thank you Don! I have found that a lot of my collectors really like the no glass...but I have had some that are unsure about it because they haven't seen it before. But mostly I have not had a problem selling my varnished paintings. :)

[@patdavis5614]

I live in Mexico and it is difficult to get gator board here. What is another alternative? Thank you...

[@briennembrown5938]

Hi Pat.... If you can't get gator board, gessoed panels works too. I have used that. If the painting is too big, it will warp some though. I have also seen artists adhere paintings to aluminum panels. Sometimes used by sign painters. But, I have not tried this and if you can't get gatorboard, you might not be able to get the Aluminum. Good luck....Brienne

[@elisedesilvaart7795]

Hi Brienne, in New Zealand, gator board is very expensive. I have tried experimenting using mdf (medium density fibre board) wood paneling, which is very cheap and sturdy. A lot of oil painters paint on mdf. Do you think this would be okay to use?

[@briennembrown5938]

I have used gessoed mdf for making panels. This will work. I did find that it will warp a little though. Best thing to do is try it your self and see if you like it. :) But, yes. Should work fine.

[@elisedesilvaart7795]

Brienne M Brown I have since researched mdf a bit more and found out it is full of acid, so definitely won’t use. I’ve found a place that supplies archival foam board that is acid free, so will give that a go. I’ll keep you posted.

[@johnediterhernandez4892]

Can I use regular school glue?

[@Salihabeeb]

Is black or white foam board can be used as a replacement, I cannot find t Gator board at the website you suggested

[@briennembrown5938]

Foam board is not the same as gator board and will warp when it gets too wet. The site I mentioned in the video is now gone....of course. But here is another source for gator board: www.artsupply.com/foamcore/gatorboard.htm

[@NoJuan487]

I wish I knew this before.

[@krispaints8616]

Can you mount the paper to the board before painting?

[@briennembrown5938]

Yes, I do this with 200-300 lb paper. You can look at my other video about "Making Panels" :)

[@karennorman1216]

I was told in grad school that gator board is not archival, because it is cellulose. Eventually the paper will become discolored. Is your gator board made of something other than wood veneer?

[@briennembrown5938]

Hi Karen... you are correct that gator board is not acid free. About the same acidity as panel boards. The acrylic medium provides a a good moisture barrier, which will protect the paper from the board. I am in the middle of testing how good a moisture barrier. It is better than gesso for example which is porous. I don't have all the answers but continue to experiment and keep an open mind. I graduated in Chemistry and so I enjoy the experiments as much as the painting. :) I of course can't attest to the archival nature of this....the best way is still behind glass, which I do for most my studio paintings. But, I want to find new methods....so I try things. :) Happy Painting! BB

[@karennorman1216]

Thank you for your answer. It is fun to experiment! My suspicion is that in twenty years the artwork won’t withstand the long term effects of the gator board. But I definitely could be wrong!! The Golden Acrylic Medium may be completely impermeable!

[@yogaborealis2041]

@@briennembrown5938 It's been several years since your response to Karen regarding the concern about the archival qualities of Gatorboard. I'm curious: In the ensuing years, have you made any new discoveries regarding the efficacy of the acrylic medium? Or perhaps there is a better option than Gator board? I see some folks using archival grade manufactured wood panels (e.g. called "baltic birch panels" on Dick Blick). Thanks for your ongoing inspiration!🙂

[@arqalgemiropadilla]

❤️😍❤️❤️❤️

[@patwade1250]

Does your gatorboard have a foam core.

[@briennembrown5938]

Sorry Pat.... I just saw this message today. Yes, gatorboard has a foam core and so very light. But the coating on the outside is very hard and water proof. So, it doesn't warp.

[@m.s5570]

is gator board foam board?

[@briennembrown5938]

NO.... gator board is not the same as foam core board! gator board is made from wood pulp and does not warp. Foam core will warp when it gets wet.

[@ErinneKennedy]

cannot reach foamboardsource.com by internet. Have they gone out of business or are nolonger doing online business?

[@briennembrown5938]

It does appear they have gone out of business. Here is where I have been getting my gator board now: www.artsupply.com/foamcore/gatorboard.htm

[@dq3974]

I’m seeing that gator board is not archival. I would do this technique, but not on Gator Boards!

[@hotwheelhunter1163]

What you make boar same side paintingyou no need cut the papel you see what happen

[@briennembrown5938]

It is tricky making sure the area of the painting is on the gator board. Can't totally tell until you cut the excess paper. That is why I now make sure to have at least a 1/4" excess on each side.

[@sherryjarvis2838]

Has foam boards source gone out of businesses?

[@briennembrown5938]

Yes....apparently they have. I now get gator board from here: www.artsupply.com/foamcore/ga...

[@briennembrown5938]

Ooopps... I didn't give you the whole address. Here it is: www.artsupply.com/foamcore/gatorboard.htm

[@Briannafrancis-e9g]

Why not just use PVA glue?

[@goilo888]

foamboardsource.com is no longer active.

[@briennembrown5938]

I know... right after I posted the video they stopped carrying gatorboard.... I now get it from Artsupply.com. I get the white 3/16 inch.

[@goilo888]

@@briennembrown5938 Good to know. I have actually gallery-wrapped w/c paper around stretchers in the past, and then sprayed to protect. But I like the use of Gatorbord better.