How to wet your watercolor paper. Wet the back and sometimes the front. I tell you why and how.

[@-Chunk]

Absolutely love your tutorials and advice. The best i’ve watched. Thanks so much for taking the time to make and edit these. I have never tried wetting the back of my paper - only the front and have been struggling to keep my paintings vibrant. So i will definitely try wetting the back as you recommend. Thanks again ✌️

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad you like them!

[@myrnalandersartist]

What a helpful video! You explain it all so well! Thank you for sharing your knowledge 🙏

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mingulay29]

I think you are up there if not the best watercolourist out there, It is a combination of realism and impressionism and abstraction all in one and you have become a source of inspiration.

[@JoeCartwright]

Many thanks, glad you enjoyed my video.

[@dianemcgregor6171]

For me the lesson I’ve learned here is that I need 10:34 to waterproof my board that I stick my paper on. Didn’t think of it absorbing water before until this minute!

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad to hear!

[@CarmenGauci-l4j]

I live in a hot climate and paint dries so quickly. This technique will definitely help. Thank you very much.

[@JoeCartwright]

My pleasure, glad it was of help.

[@rachelmarsh]

So useful to see you mixing the paints too. Thanks.

[@JoeCartwright]

I think it is just as important to see what is happening in the palette as on the paper. Glad you found it useful.

[@CarmenGauci-l4j]

Thank you this was very informative especially for students new to watercolours

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad it was helpful!

[@smokeyalmond6039]

Thank you very much for sharing this method and for other tutorials with valuable teaching.

[@JoeCartwright]

You are very welcome!

[@kerriefearby9542]

Thank you so much, this has been the best information I have found on something that always confused and troubled me

[@JoeCartwright]

You are so welcome!

[@embaaj]

Thank you so much. No one has explained it as well and for hot/dry climes. Thank you.

[@JoeCartwright]

You're very welcome!

[@RenateWaas]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! Very helpful! I learned to wet all the paper, but it makes so much sense to only wet the backside. I will try that next time.

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad my tutorial was helpful! Thanks for the feedback.

[@montygemma]

Thanks for this tip it's been really helpful. I'm actually a pretty sucessful oil painter but I do love watercolour but have had a lot frustration with it. I'm a slow and methodical painter, not very spontaneous so I tried this method and it really helped. I used 140 lb paper and wet it 4 times in 5 minute intervals and I got about 3 times as much working time and the results are a lot better from my first washes. Thanks.

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lynnn3365]

Thank you very much for this method tip. I live in a dry climate and this method would certainly solve the issue of the water drying too quickly. Thanks again. ;)

[@JoeCartwright]

You are welcome! Glad my video was of help.

[@evgeniyrumynskiy9141]

Thanks for such a detailed explanation! It was very helpful 🤠

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad it was helpful!

[@terrycardinaldesigns]

Your very good at explaining “why” thank you

[@JoeCartwright]

Thanks for the feedback Terry, I enjoy teaching and working out ways to explain things so people understand my message.

[@grantellis2840]

Thanks so much for this fantastic tip Joe, I've being using this method every since you told us about it in one of your free classes about a year and a half ago.

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad it was helpful Grant!

[@doreenaitken5308]

I totally agree. I love the white bits. Excellent tool.

[@JoeCartwright]

Good to hear. Thank you.

[@Andy_S.]

Спасибо! Это было полезно! Очень хорошее и ясное объяснение! Благодарю ещё раз!

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@terpfan042]

Thanks so much. It is winter here in the Appalachian Mountains and my heating source is electric baseboard, an extremely dry heat. Was almost ready to give up until Spring. Cannot wait to try this.

[@JoeCartwright]

Good luck!

[@terpfan042]

I have, indeed, tried this now and it works well for me. I usually wet the back at least four times. Should be interesting, come summer, during humid spells. I will have to adjust seasonally but this tip of wetting the back has been more useful than I could have fathomed. Thanks.

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad to hear it was helpful. @@terpfan042

[@MB-kf3yx]

Thanks for sharing your insights on how and when to wet the surfaces of your paper. Very helpful information.

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad it was helpful!

[@giorgiogrlj]

Thanks Joe for this

[@JoeCartwright]

You are very welcome.

[@terrylavis4792]

Thanks for these very handy hints, Joe! Direct, clear and very useful to know! 👏👏👏

[@JoeCartwright]

You are very welcome Terry! :-)

[@karemeruest7099]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and expertise -- I am excited to use these techniques moving forward in my watercolour adventures!

[@JoeCartwright]

You are so welcome. Have fun!

[@maryperrystone]

Thank you very much. You explained the rational so well that I can't wait to try it!

[@JoeCartwright]

You are very welcome. Have fun!

[@kimgalea6529]

Thank you good advice 😊

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad it was helpful!

[@smz5302]

Three questions, if I may... -So, there's no need to stretch the paper if we wet the back of the paper this way? -If my painting takes multiple sessions, I assume I wet the back like this at the beginning of each session? -What "waterproof board" are you using? Is that Gatorboard? Thank you.

[@JoeCartwright]

1. You are correct, no need to stretch the paper if you wet the back this way. The added benefit is that you can start painting straight away. 2. Yes, correct again. You have to be more careful with rewetting however, so you don't accidently get water on the front. 3. I used to use gator board, but now just a piece of acrylic perspex. It is heavier than gator board, but easier to keep clean.

[@smz5302]

@@JoeCartwright Fascinating. I'll have to give this a try. Thanks so much for the video and taking the time to respond to my questions.

[@JoeCartwright]

@@smz5302 You are very welcome. Good luck.

[@beverlyully7886]

I am so glad that I came across this video. Thank you. I am in the process of applying your process to my 300 GM paper. It is working well. I am excited and wondering if I can apply this to my watercolours that I have already done and have bulges it them. I believe it would work as long as I don’t let water leak onto painted side.

[@beverlyully7886]

I would love to show you some of my painting. I have been working with watercolours for a short time and have taken a few classes in abstract painting. I am really excited about them. Have worked mainly in oils for many years.

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad it was helpful. I have another couple of videos on my channel that cover how to flatten finished pantings. The main one involves using a steam iron. Here is the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHKtfY1undd9ldE

[@JoeCartwright]

Good to hear. Practice and observation are most important when painting with watercolors.

[@suel4269]

Valuable information! Thankyou! I shared with Watercolor friends .

[@JoeCartwright]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@lilianrokushima2272]

Thanks for sharing the tips, it’s really helpful. 🌹

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad it was helpful!

[@NJ-bu7zw]

I learn so much from you. Thank you very much.

[@JoeCartwright]

Happy to hear that!

[@michaelcody3829]

Thanks Joe, really appreciate your videos mate, thanks for sharing your great talent.

[@JoeCartwright]

My pleasure Michael, glad you are enjoying them.

[@DesignEcologies]

Thank you

[@JoeCartwright]

You're welcome!

[@halinateller2665]

That was such useful tutorial!

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pamelabozzi239]

Joe, this was REALLY helpful. Thanks so much.

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad it was helpful Pamela!

[@mimimelcher4248]

Where can I get a palette box like yours? Very helpful video.

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad you enjoyed it. I designed and make those palettes myself with my 3D printer and some epoxy to reduce the staining from the paints. Their price is $60 Australian plus postage. Payment is through PayPal. If you are interested please let me know your address and I can give you a price including postage.

[@jg1964]

Thanks Joe very helpful.

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ButterFly-cw7sj]

I love this Joe. Thanks a lot! ❤️🤗🤗🙏😌😌🎈

[@JoeCartwright]

You are so welcome!

[@jean-louisgateau4648]

Excellent conseils qui me seront très utiles. Merci.

[@JoeCartwright]

My pleasure, I am very happy you found it helpful. :-)

[@lesleyfox6934]

Thanks Joe I’ll try this

[@JoeCartwright]

You are very welcome Terry. Good luck with you testing.

[@robertbutler2180]

Hi Joe I have started watching your video and enjoy the way you teach as I'm a beginner for a couple of years. Just a quick question your pallet and colour you uses thank you bob

[@JoeCartwright]

Hi Bob, My palette is one I designed myself and printed on my 3D printer - apart from being a professional artist I am also a tech nerd. I will be making a video on my colours before too long.

[@robertbutler2180]

@@JoeCartwright thank you Joe for your reply, looking forward to seeing your video on colour. You are a good teacher easy to understand.

[@voliabrandaolaveneremachad7849]

Thanks!

[@JoeCartwright]

Welcome!

[@kindredspiritm]

Thank you so much for sharing your method of wetting the paper. After wetting the paper do you then tape the front to your board to create a white border?

[@JoeCartwright]

I generally don't as I might need to rewet the back if it is a complex painting. However you can if you want to - it just depends on the length of the painting and if you have to use the hair dryer between steps.

[@kindredspiritm]

@@JoeCartwright Thank you so much for replying!

[@1msfit]

I am definitely going to try this as I live in the hot dry interior of California. In the past the only thing I found to work for me was to soak my paper for stretching, staple it to my Gatorboard, and let it dry partially. Your method will allow me to start painting sooner. I take it that with this method there is no need for stretching the paper in advance. Is this correct?

[@1msfit]

I see you already answered this question below. Thanks so very much for being willing to share your experience and knowledge with all of us. It is very much appreciated.

[@JoeCartwright]

Yes, that is correct. As you wet the paper it will expand first, then it will flatten out.

[@JoeCartwright]

You are very welcome. I hope it helps you with your work.

[@jant4741]

Makes sense. Will give this a try. What exactly does the sizing do?

[@JoeCartwright]

Sizing is a glue that is placed on the surface of the paper to control how fast or slow water is absorbed by the paper. Otherwise the paper would act like plotting paper which has no sizing.

[@jant4741]

@@JoeCartwright Thank you!

[@Nesoartwork]

I have a question, how do I know if a paint is staining or not?

[@JoeCartwright]

Check the paint manufacturers website. Another way is to paint a color swatch and then after it dries see how much of the paint you can lift off with a damp brush. The more staining the paint, the less you will be able to lift.

[@solaveritas2]

Does this technique of wetting the back then also prevent the paper from buckling? I tried painting on 90g paper like you and even though it was taped down (not wet stretched) I had paint pooling in places and washes look terrible. I'm a complete beginner as you might have guessed.

[@solaveritas2]

New subscriber here , btw, I like the way you teach!

[@JoeCartwright]

Yes, by adding the right amount of water to the back you get to paint on paper that is not buckled. Though as it dries, you get to a point where it will start to buckle again. You can then carefully rewet the back once it is totally dry.

[@JoeCartwright]

Good to hear, thank you. Welcome on board!

[@solaveritas2]

@@JoeCartwright Thank you! I appreciate you took the time to respond.

[@JoeCartwright]

You are very welcome. @@solaveritas2

[@1Skymed]

Joe, thanks for this and all your excellent videos. This may seem like a stupid question, but does watercolour paper have a front and a back or are both sides sized and treated the same so it's a moot point??

[@JoeCartwright]

Hi Steve, I don't know about all watercolor papers, but Arches, which is what I use, is sized the same both front and back. You can use either side. However, I mostly use the front as that way the watermark is readable instead of looking like another language. :-)

[@1Skymed]

@@JoeCartwright Cheers Joe, appreciate the feedback.

[@trinidiana]

So if you use the blow dryer in between, you then begin the process again and reset?

[@JoeCartwright]

If you only use the blow dryer lightly to just dry just the top layer, then you many not need to begin the process again. But if you dry the whole thing, yes, will you will need to being the process again. However if you have nearly finished your painting and just need to adjust a small area, you probably don't need to wet the back at all. You have to be very careful when rewetting the back that you do not get water on the front of your painted surface.

[@bonniegarson80]

👍

[@JoeCartwright]

Glad you liked it.