How to make your own DIY watercolour ground - now paint watercolour on canvas, wood, anything!

[@shhers3317]

Wow, I knew there had to be a way! The price is outrageous, thank you for sharing!!!

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are so welcome!

[@ArtistRebeccaLS]

You have to be kidding me about it being that easy? 😱 I thought it was something that never existed before hence the high prices of it. Thank you, I will try this method soon.

[@LizChadertonArt]

It saves a lot if you paint big canvases

[@MkayKaye]

I've had watercolor ground in my amazon cart for months and months, not wanting to spend the money. But I have both these products! I'm so excited! Thank you for sharing!

[@LizChadertonArt]

hurrah!

[@margaretsalasidis7529]

You’re a star. Great tip 😊

[@LizChadertonArt]

my pleasure!

[@iknownothing-49]

It looks delicious

[@LizChadertonArt]

It works well!

[@-.-4]

Thank you, thank you, so much! Just starting in watercolor and I’m poor. 👏👏👏💕

[@LizChadertonArt]

You can do it!

[@susanwilliams1312]

Hello LIz! I'm very happy that I discovered your videos, so helpful, and I didn't actually know watercolour grounds existed! If you don't mind, I would really like to know if you would use your home-made ground for paintings that you sell? Thankyou :)

[@LizChadertonArt]

yes, all the time!

[@susanwilliams1312]

@@LizChadertonArt Oh thankyou (and for the quick reply!)! I'm lacking confidence in everything at the moment, just had to check! :D

[@LizChadertonArt]

No problem @@susanwilliams1312

[@colleenmcchesney1482]

Well I did not know that you could make your own watercolor ground. 😮❤Thanks so much for sharing this with us!

[@LizChadertonArt]

My pleasure 😊

[@catrionamcdonald6671]

This is a fabtastic tip, I’ve just watched your video painting the hares on canvas and I’m itching to have a go! Thanks so much for all that you share, you’re an incredible teacher Liz. Cat x

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful! Hope you love it as much as I do

[@fredasidaravicius232]

Agreed

[@mjpete27]

Quick and easy to do! Thank You! I have also been looking up pastel surfaces and there are a few I want to try as well! You have made a wonderful video and I am looking forward to trying it out! Thanks again!

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are so welcome! We have a watercolour on canvas group on Facebook if you do FB? When you search make sure you put the U in watercolour!!

[@dharshanaratnayake4627]

Thanks so much for sharing this. You wouldn't happen to know a recipe for DIY lifting medium, would you?

[@LizChadertonArt]

No, sorry. but you can just add a few drops of gum Arabic to your wash and it makes it easier to lift. have you tried that?I’m on the hunt for a good crackle paste and granulation medium recipe too!

[@dharshanaratnayake4627]

@@LizChadertonArt Really? I didn't know that, Thank you! I was trained in Oil and dove into transparent Watercolor much later, but I've heard how adding Gum Arabic on top of what's in the paint, prevents drying; Now that you mention it, I can see how I could control that for lifting, and other experiments process-wise. In theory, I could even use a touch of GA to mimic a bit of 'Second Painting' in watercolor. Either way, the more DIY recipes, the better, cause Watercolor's pricey!

[@susanhepburn6040]

Brilliant! This is so helpful - thank you, Liz!

[@LizChadertonArt]

So pleased it helps!

[@sweetgrassprincess]

Thank-you for sharing such a great tip.

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are so welcome!

[@lyndamayfield1913]

Thank you Liz for showing this. I’ve been buying the ready made ground but will definitely try your recipe!

[@LizChadertonArt]

let me know how you get on

[@ceec165]

Thank you for sharing. ❤

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are so welcome

[@Adventures_without_NickNamin]

Thank you…I’ll try it.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Have fun!

[@suemansi8930]

Wow - thank you Liz you've just saved me quite a few pounds and three or four days delay while I would have been waiting for watercolour ground to arrive. Have just mixed my first batch and am now about to prep a canvas. I'll post back to tell you how it's going. Thanks again!

[@LizChadertonArt]

That's great news! Did you know we have a watercolour on canvas group on facebook, if you would like to join and share your work?? facebook.com/groups/463275440905151/

[@suemansi8930]

@@LizChadertonArt thank you! Have just applied to join.

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@suemansi8930 you’re in!

[@suemansi8930]

@@LizChadertonArt I am indeed in. Still I've come back here to say your watercolour ground recipe is proving to be a winner - I've got a good half-dozen canvases prepped and a painting underway, and I really like the results. The surface is easy to work on and just as good as expensive grounds. Thank you so much. I encourage anyone to give this a go.

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@suemansi8930 oh good! Glad to hear that. Which combination of gesso and modelling paste did you use?

[@SarahAndBoston]

Wow, thanks for this! Was noticing how expensive ground is on Amazon, so this is a great method.

[@LizChadertonArt]

If you use it regularly, you will save a fortune!

[@MsYiara]

Great video Liz. Thank you very much. Very useful indeed as in Brazil there are no special products to change canvas surfaces. I will certainly try it out. 🙂

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful! I know it can be hard to find certain art supplies.

[@CAdams_Art]

And here I was, thinking you needed to add a fine paper pulp to the mix🤯 Wish I knew this when I was in school.

[@LizChadertonArt]

😁

[@rowenawhiteford1928]

Thank you for this great tip!

[@LizChadertonArt]

It was a game changer for me!

[@Soapartisan875]

Hello thank you for the recipe . If I needed a black or gold color would I add acrylic paint to the finished ground to color it ?

[@LizChadertonArt]

because the gesso already has white pigment in it, I think you will struggle to make it black not grey. Daniel Smith does a ready mix black which is so good. I would go for that. The gold…. depends how deep you want the colour. adding too much acrylic paint will alter the absorbency. You would be better off with pigment powder. Again DS does a gold and you might be better off with that.

[@esilabet]

I just love your tips and all the funky material ideas you have... and your art... Beautiful!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you so much! And nice to see another Elisabeth with an S!!!

[@helenryan7772]

Thank you. Can you use clear gesso? And I have heard you Cana also mix baking soda with gesso to make ground?

[@LizChadertonArt]

I made the ground with clear kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZjVYmSdqbaBp7c but getting clear modelling paste is tricky. Baking soda works but I do not know how it will stand up longer term, whereas the ingredients I use are archival, so that gives me confidence

[@Roxannedearartworks]

Oh wow I have both and had no idea, thank you!!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Brilliant. So easy and it works!

[@adrianabelluzzo9519]

Thank you very much Liz!!! It is not available in my country, so I am going to try your formula. Thanks for sharing. How do you later protect the watercolor painted on a support with this treatment? Thanks again for yoyr video . 🤗

[@LizChadertonArt]

I use either a spray varnish (with uv protection if possible) or cold wax medium, such as Dorlands

[@Pugs25]

Thanks. We can get DS Watercolour grounds in South Africa but it is not easy to get. This recipe will help me. Thanks.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Great. This recipe has saved me a fortune!

[@cryseldaventer8567]

Hi Liz thank you for the great video on watercolor ground. Please advise.... Can I thin the ground with just a little bit of water?

[@LizChadertonArt]

Yes you can! up to 10% I would say.

[@rt.artsudio]

Great tip, thank you!! Nice to know your based in Berkshire so am I x

[@LizChadertonArt]

Nice to meet you!

[@debbieandrews462]

Brilliant! Thanks so much. It's very expensive here and I have to get it shipped because no one in my city supplies it 🙃 Kind regards from South Africa

[@LizChadertonArt]

Exactly! That's what set me on the path of trying to find an alternative. Hope it all works for you.

[@debbieandrews462]

@@LizChadertonArt thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@darrenfromla]

Questions! Do you thin it with water when applying layers? Is the effect like cold press or hot press?

[@LizChadertonArt]

you can dilute with up to 10% water, which helps it self-level. you can sand between coats to get a vey smooth surface, but I would say cold press. QOR make a cold press ground which is incredibly rough, just to confuse matters….

[@candisstewart6481]

Thank you, I’ve never used watercolor ground!

[@LizChadertonArt]

You should! It lets you paint with watercolour on just about any surface.... I use it on canvas and wooden panels.

[@hazeljohnson4951]

Is it like 100% cotton for absorbency please? Thank you Hazel 😊

[@LizChadertonArt]

no - it is still very different from paper, which can be a shock. QoR, Daniel Smith etc say it’s like paper, but it behaves differently

[@pamelarickbeil1183]

Thank you!

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are welcome!

[@davidhallowell3457]

Excellent. I don’t want to be too cheap…but I wonder, what if I make my own modeling paste and my own gesso? Any tips or cautions about being that radically DIY? Thanks.

[@LizChadertonArt]

I don’t make my own gesso etc, but I’ve seen such strange recipes… so I can’t really advise

[@chloelafrance8054]

Thank you for the recipe! I was wondering have you ever tried it on a book?

[@LizChadertonArt]

Do you mean a book cover? if so, yes. It works on pretty much any surfaces to let it accept watercolour

[@eileenmckeown5219]

Super info but how does watercolour stay on canvas

[@LizChadertonArt]

I’m not sure what you mean? It dries on the canvas and is absorbed into the ground. You need to seal it to protect it.

[@suzettevanderwalt9262]

Thanks a million

[@LizChadertonArt]

it’s saved me a fortune over the years

[@EronCripps]

I have an already acrylic primed canvas. Can I add watercolour ground over that?Or should it be raw canvas to begin with, then cover with watercolour ground?

[@LizChadertonArt]

an acrylic primed canvas is perfect

[@ayeshayasir9054]

Hi i am a watercolor artist but try to do this method please guide me these canvas paintings are durable or long lasting...?

[@LizChadertonArt]

The watercolour ground is archival, canvas is the same as for other paintings, the wax lasts 500 years…. The paintings are durable

[@jakea1035]

Thank you.

[@LizChadertonArt]

my pleasure!

[@johnnywhite1681]

Fantastic, thank you.

[@LizChadertonArt]

My pleasure

[@hollydawsonjames1999]

great video. I can't wait to try this mix out, thank you so much. I am wanting to paint on news print and old book pages, and saw a video on painting your old paper with ground first. Could you do a video on this technique?? is there a alternative for making your own modeling paste?

[@LizChadertonArt]

book pages are interesting to work on. sometimes old paper needs nothing doing as it is cotton. The only way is to try it. You can use clear ground is you want the print to show, or white just behind the image and feather it out. I usually stick thin paper to board to give it support. I don’t know a recipe for modelling paste I’m afraid.

[@hollydawsonjames1999]

@@LizChadertonArt thank you so much for your reply. I never thought of the quality of the paper in vintage books. I love old books and saw some pretty art work done on them. Your a gift sent, if I buy any more art supplies, my husband will send me to Amazon to live lol Have a blessed day

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@hollydawsonjames1999 I sometimes hide art supplies…..

[@hollydawsonjames1999]

@@LizChadertonArt so do I lol

[@debramccormack9388]

Do you have to seal the canvas in any way after your watercolor painting is complete to protect against humidity etc.? I live in Florida which is very humid in the summer and would normally frame my watercolors under glass ; so interested in painting on canvas but want to prevent pitfalls.

[@LizChadertonArt]

It must be sealed - one splash and half your painting would wash away! You can use a spray varnish or a cold wax like Dorlands, more info here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5eUqqiPrrmZidU

[@debramccormack9388]

@@LizChadertonArt Many Thanks !

[@natashat2702]

wowthank you kindly

[@LizChadertonArt]

my pleasure!

[@shannonw6604]

Thanks so much for sharing this. How long will the mixture keep in an airtight container?

[@LizChadertonArt]

as long as it is airtight, then I have found it’s pretty much indefinite. if a skin forms, you would need to peel it off and discard, but I’ve not had that happen..

[@shulanh47]

Where to get modeling paste?

[@LizChadertonArt]

any art shop or online

[@shulanh47]

Thank you so much. I will try it definitely.

[@EvgeniaEmets]

Also sorry to ask so many questions but in case someone else is wondering: Im painting 2x2 canvas do you roughly know how much of this mix i need and the other question - is this one layer? Thank you, appreciate your response:)

[@LizChadertonArt]

three thin layers, touch dry between and 24 hour dry after…. do you mean 2 foot or two metres? really hard to give quantity. what I mean by ‘thin’ might be different from your ‘thin’

[@EvgeniaEmets]

Hi Liz another question - the modelling paste is not a transparent one from Windsor & Newton, Galeria, correct?

[@LizChadertonArt]

they only make white not transparent

[@barbaramistrik887]

Can I send you a photo of my resulting attemp at psinting on this version of ground?

[@LizChadertonArt]

of course or why not join one of my Facebook groups and share with lots of interested people? there’s www.Facebook.com/groups/watercolouroncanvas and/or www.Facebook.com/groups/watercolourstudiowithlizchaderton

[@eileenmckeown5219]

How to seal spray varnish?

[@LizChadertonArt]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5eUqqiPrrmZidU should help

[@sassbass4249]

Does it dry transparent?

[@LizChadertonArt]

no, this is white watercolour ground. funnily enough I have just bought transparent modelling paste and transparent gesso to see if it works. I will do a film about my discoveries.

[@jonisolis9645]

@@LizChadertonArt have you tried the transparent version yet?

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@jonisolis9645 yes! Let me find the link for you

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@jonisolis9645 kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZjVYmSdqbaBp7c Yes! This is the link for you!

[@DeborahChristConfirmedCovenant]

Hi Liz, I tried this and I think I must've done it wrong or used the wrong stuff. The watercolour sat on the top of the canvas, worse than when it's put on plain gesso. It went into puddles and lumps. It looked very bad. Should I try adding more modeling paste? I left it to dry for days before I used it as well and it seemed almost like the watercolor was mixing with the ground mixture. Have you any idea what I've done wrong? Thanks m 🤔

[@LizChadertonArt]

Oh no! So sorry to hear this. I’ve been using this recipe for years. What modelling paste and gesso did you use? I have recently come across one weird modelling paste from Villerejo, which never seems to harden. That’s the first time I’ve had any issues.

[@DeborahChristConfirmedCovenant]

@@LizChadertonArt Thanks for your reply Liz. I used daler rowney graduate gesso and liquitex light modeling paste

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@DeborahChristConfirmedCovenant this was based on a recipe from Liquitex originally! So you have me stumped. My gut reaction is that it must me something to do with the paste, as gessos vary but not that much. I am sorry, all i can suggest is a different heavier modelling paste, but I can’t guarantee that will work.

[@DeborahChristConfirmedCovenant]

@@LizChadertonArt It's OK, thanks for your help. I will experiment a bit and see what I can come up with 😊

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@DeborahChristConfirmedCovenant please let me know how you get on!

[@GBobFree206]

Have you ever tried the ground recipe that just calls for adding baking soda to gesso? The modeling paste isn't easy to find where I live (in SE asia) nor is it easy to order online, so I'm looking for a simpler recipe that I can make from easy to find ingredients. I did see one website suggest just adding baking soda to gesso, but I'm not sure about the expertise of the people that wrote on that website, and you seem like more of an expert so thought I'd ask you :)

[@LizChadertonArt]

I’ve tried it and it works in the short term. I don’t know about its long term stability, so I don’t use it. If the long term isn’t particularly important for you, go for it!

[@kaylaherincharles]

Hi, is it possible to sketch over water ground after I apply it to the canvas and it dries and everything?

[@LizChadertonArt]

Yes. You will find it hard to erase with a normal eraser, so keep your lines light and use a damp Magic Eraser if necessary.

[@Laxmiaq]

Thank you

[@LizChadertonArt]

You're welcome

[@thepainter3011]

Hi, can use fiber paste instead of modelling paste?

[@LizChadertonArt]

I've never used it and am not sure how absorbent it is, so I cannot advise you. As always, the best thing is to try and see what it does. Would love to know.

[@lindamiller1921]

Have you also made your own gesso and used it to make watercolor ground? I am in one of those places where there are no art supply stores anywhere near.

[@LizChadertonArt]

No, I haven't used homemade gesso. For me getting modelling paste is harder than getting gesso

[@helgaleifsdottir5191]

Could you please be so kind, to write down, for me, Liz, the recipe ? Or correct me, if I am wrong: 3 part gesso, 1 part modeling paste.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Yes, correct!

[@paintingtheskykingdom9005]

hello, i found you from your dorlands wax video and am now looking into the canvas watercolor thing (I tried in once and the lifing was not expected - but now I know!). I am curious, what are all these watercolor grounds made of, even the home made kind? They are not cotton it seems.I tried looking up galleria modelling paste but it does not say what it is made from, just what it is for. It has a different bottle though from what you showed and says it is acrylic modelling paste (still Galleria from W&N). I wonder if it is the same that you are using?

[@LizChadertonArt]

hiya, to be honest I have no idea what it’s made from. The modelling paste seems to add absorbency to the gesso, but quite how, I am not sure. Acrylic modelling paste sounds right. best thing is to mix up a small amount and try it out to see if it gives the absorbency you are after. Each manufacturer is a little different, even in the absorbency of their gessos, so a bit of alchemy is needed. Good luck!

[@paintingtheskykingdom9005]

@@LizChadertonArt thank you . i still have some daniel smith watercolor ground left for now, but at some point may try this.

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@paintingtheskykingdom9005 I use it all the time. It has saved me a fortune. To be honest, I like the DS a little bit better to work on, but not enough to outweigh the cost savings.

[@paintingtheskykingdom9005]

@@LizChadertonArt thanks

[@ginasutube]

You are delightful to listen to & learn from. I'm so happy to have found your channel. I have a few specific ideas for doing very large watercolor projects. Could you share where to buy very large canvases? Like the size you'd hang over the living room sofa & above the bed? I'm mostly seeing limited sizes that aren't very large. Hopefully it won't break the bank. 💙

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you! Which country are you in Gina? In the UK, Art Discount/Granthams is a great online place or Hobbycraft for one offs. Up to 120x100cm are easy to get. Above that, you will need to get them made which is very expensive. If you are in a different country, why not come over onto the Watercolour on Canvas group on Facebook and ask? There are people from everywhere there....facebook.com/groups/463275440905151

[@ayachahal6944]

What is gesso

[@LizChadertonArt]

gesso is the primer artists use to prepare canvas

[@lindamiller1921]

It appears that you can, just as easily make your own modeling paste. kzbin.info/www/bejne/paGoapWKp8xlna8si=nERjgeiCvNy4ycFJ I will look for a link to how to make your own gesso too.

[@LizChadertonArt]

I am selling my artwork, so while this might work for crafting I wouldn’t be comfortable using it for work where you are hoping for decades of life 😊

[@bernieanderson4962]

Great tips Liz How did you know how to make the watercolour ground ? Was it trial and error. ? It works great

[@LizChadertonArt]

I was moaning that Daniel Smith had stopped selling big jars in the UK and a fellow artist alerted me to it and the suggestion was on the Liqutex website. so I tried it and it works!

[@juniormontoyatejada1324]

why dont do a demo?? thanks...

[@LizChadertonArt]

hiya, there are demos on this channel. you might like kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5eUqqiPrrmZidU

[@geniuskatie6813]

❤❤❤

[@LizChadertonArt]

😊

[@barbaramistrik887]

Can Matt gel medium be used instead of modeling paste? I'm trying to make transparent ground.

[@LizChadertonArt]

No, gel medium is like paint without the pigment, so it won’t behave in the same way. To be fair, I haven’t tried it, so you could mix up a little and see what it does if you have it already.

[@barbaramistrik887]

@@LizChadertonArt ok mixed some, three coats , waiting 24 hours. It does have "tooth". More news once I've tried painting.

[@barbaramistrik887]

I have now painted on the matt medium substituted "ground". It was applied to hand dyed paper, which had been glued to cheap canvas board with matt gel medium. All was throughly dried.

[@nhw8906]

Thank you so much for the great video. Could you kindly share if you have a recipe for each of the modeling paste and the gesso? Also, I’m trying to learn the basics of watercolour paint plaster of Paris botanical bas relief and I’m wondering if you’ve got any such videos? Thank You 🙏🏻 ❤️👏

[@LizChadertonArt]

Hi, I do not make my own gesso and modelling paste. I want to spend time painting and decided not to make it. I know there are lots of recipes on YT, but I would be concerned about their archival nature given some of the stuff people suggest using. Also, I’m afraid I cannot help with you bas relief quest.

[@nhw8906]

@@LizChadertonArt Thank you so much for your reply. 👏

[@Pasadenahitop]

The things I’m learning in this lockdown! Wonderful. Thank you!! Does it naturally dry smooth or do you/can you get a textured surface like rough paper?

[@LizChadertonArt]

It slightly depends on the texture of the surface you are using. You can water down the first layer by 10% to get it to self level. You can also sand down between layers to get a smoother result. If you use a roller on canvas the surface is like. Not/ cold pressed surface.

[@francessmith1549]

Great video thanks. The grounds are very expensive, but I really like using watercolour on a canvas, so I'll try this. I'll even join your facebook group if you don't mind.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Just approved you on the group! Look forward to seeing your work.