What can I use instead of plastic wrap in watercolour? And using tissue paper as a creative surface

If you are trying to cut out single use plastic, but you like using plastic wrap (cling film/Saran wrap) in your watercolours - then what is the alternative? Or perhaps you are looking for new ways of adding exciting marks to your paintings? Either way, in this film I explore baking paper, tin foil, plastic bags, cereal packets and tissue paper. As a bonus, I will show you a wonderful surface to watercolour on.
Last week, in this film: • How to use plastic wra... we used plastic wrap. It's a fabulous texture, but maybe you want an alternative.
Here's how I prepare a watercolour canvas with tissue paper: • Preparing a watercolou...
If you enjoyed this film and the experiments, please subscribe. I do a film every week late on a Sunday afternoon.
Tags: liz chaderton, plastic wrap, saran wrap, cling film, baking paper, tin foil, aluminium foil, tissue paper, plastic bag, cereal packet, how to create texture in watercolour, how to create texture in watercolor, alternatives to plastic, alternatives, experiments in watercolour, experiments in watercolor, tips, tricks, techniques, experiments, watercolour, watercolor, liz chadderton

[@jennintransit8034]

One thing I wish I'd known before starting watercolor painting is....to know about you! Your videos are very helpful and inspiring.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Well that's a lovely thing to say!! Thank you and I'm glad you are finding this helpful. If there is any topic you want covering, let me know.

[@chrissyhayes8762]

I love your channel❤

[@sharontrumble4872]

I agree… love your techniques. You are so interesting!

[@jessica271]

I have found that deflated "pillow air" bags, the kind many companies fill with air and use inside boxes to ship items, work as a good substitute for saran wrap. And they can be used over and over again.

[@LizChadertonArt]

what a great idea! That one never occurred to me!

[@rendaowe]

I actually liked the tissue paper look.

[@LizChadertonArt]

thank you 😊

[@kathytincler2446]

Thank you so much for this. I will definitely be trying that last bit!

[@LizChadertonArt]

have fun

[@debracollis6047]

Great use of household items - im just so impatient to see the results! and want to get on painting....

[@LizChadertonArt]

Go for it!

[@andreavictoriaparadiso47]

Thank you for exploring all these techniques for us. Your Swan is exquisite!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you

[@RachelFields-if4bg]

I reuse plastic containers and sandwich baggies. Thank you for sharing this video and I just Love your accent ❤

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@hilarydodds9285]

thanks for explaining how to use these pieces, very generous.

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are so welcome!

[@rhondacalabro867]

Have you ever tried a used dryer sheet? I use it to texturize buildings with. You get a bit of a grid mark. You can ball plastic wrap up and place on a wet rounded shape to get petal shapes… loved your video.

[@LizChadertonArt]

no never used a dryer sheet. Thank you

[@wayneldob]

great fun thank you!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@SophieBird07]

Great tips! I want to try all of these. I have used plastic wrap and washed it for reuse, which worked well it seemed.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Great idea!

[@ginaquinn2]

Really lovely, thank you.

[@LizChadertonArt]

My pleasure

[@susanjordan2130]

Thank you, love it.

[@LizChadertonArt]

So glad!

[@Waif4us]

I always tell my friends who want to paint but think they habe no talent, it’s more about learning the tricks of the trade! And you are proving me right! Thanks so much!

[@LizChadertonArt]

I believe anyone can learn to paint…If they want to. saying they have no talent is sometimes a nice way of saying they don’t want to.

[@schuhujin5019]

You do not have to use fresh and new plastic. Just watch out, what comes to your house and save it for later use with watercolors. There are enough wraps around something, which you can use. And I love your mantra, Liz!

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are right. My problem is I can never find the bit I saved when I need it

[@schuhujin5019]

@@LizChadertonArt And I save them and do rather occasionally use them. Would you like to have some? 😂 I fill them in an old cardboard box for tissue paper.

[@LizChadertonArt]

😂 such a kind and generous offer!!!

[@gloriam.sweatman3152]

Beautiful!!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you! 😊

[@franmcgillicuddy6948]

Loved your tissue paper watercolor. Can’t wait to try it tomorrow.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Have fun and hope it goes well

[@justinesimone5343]

Thank you for experimenting for us! How fun. All new to me. ❣️

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are so welcome!

[@susanhepburn6040]

Thank you, Liz!

[@LizChadertonArt]

My pleasure! I discover/rediscover new things while doing these!

[@kitale100]

Great ideas and lots of inspiration. Thank you so much Liz

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you found it useful!

[@susangrunbaum53]

Fabulous ideas! Thank you, Liz.

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are so welcome!

[@hsteil]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful techniques!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you. My pleasure!

[@lauraholland5315]

Plastic wrap I re wash it and use for my art. It works well as a background

[@LizChadertonArt]

great idea!

[@susancook1617]

Thank you Liz, great tutorial😊

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gutsport56]

Thank you, for the inspiration,Liz. I will try the baking paper.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Have fun!

[@kelseywood1582]

Love these alternatives to plastic wrap! Thanks!

[@LizChadertonArt]

None of them are perfect, but each has potential (apart from foil😂)

[@Emily-pm5gr]

Wow!!! Thank you, Liz for sharing all of this and absolutely love the tissue paper technique! Your videos are pure gold!

[@LizChadertonArt]

so glad you like them!

[@debbiebauer1502]

Fantastic, Liz! Can't wait to try this. Thank you!!🤩

[@LizChadertonArt]

Have fun!

[@pennyclark9079]

Simply brilliant!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you think so!

[@valeriegehling4358]

Great! Loads of lovely tips that I’ll try. Thanks

[@LizChadertonArt]

have fun

[@sandyf4776]

I really enjoy abstract painting and this opened up my creative process to new methods. Thank you so very much!

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are so welcome!

[@donnadees1971]

So great to see…love your experiments.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you like them!

[@louisepage3842]

Thanks, enjoyed your experimentation.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@simonetyson4160]

I so love your work, Liz. You really inspire me and I can’t wait to try your tips and techniques. Thankyou so much for sharing your ideas and experience.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you so much! I hope you have lots of fun

[@rendaowe]

This was so enjoyable to watch with a surprise in everyone. Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge with us. ❤️

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@meeraahuja1594]

Thank you for all the tips

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are so welcome!

[@SueKivley]

What a fun experiment. Your paintings are amazing!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you so much!

[@a.b.d.4543]

So excited to play!

[@LizChadertonArt]

yes! I really unmoved the tissue paper

[@malinamorin4296]

These are such beautiful experiments!!! Thank you for demonstrating them so clearly. I have three favorites but love all of them. The plastic wrap impression immediately struck me. I could see someone's back and arms it was just so fortuitous. The plastic bag and the cereal bag gave so much depth - at least on video. This is so inspiring. Thank you, again.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you like them!

[@marisalopezmolero4271]

I found you by chance and I am staying. Thanks for your work🪻

[@LizChadertonArt]

Welcome! Glad you like ithere

[@cathydale104]

Thanks Liz. I like to use slightly opaque pedal bin liners. Strong enough to wash and reuse.

[@LizChadertonArt]

That's a great idea! if you have the discipline to wash and reuse, it’s a good alternative.

[@coloringwithd]

This was really cool and helpful 🎉🎉🎉

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you think so!

[@oldlizzard9771]

What a delight you are. LOVED this. 💚

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you so much!

[@ancntdrgn]

You are MOST welcome!

[@jhkennedy8968]

Very inspiring, i definitely want to have a try at this!

[@LizChadertonArt]

You should!

[@eveeseki9677]

This is absolutely brilliant! Off i go to scour old boxes to retrieve tissue paper!

[@LizChadertonArt]

have fun!

[@vatiammatri2660]

Wonderful, thank you!

[@LizChadertonArt]

My pleasure!

[@wabisabi6875]

Very nice, thanks for sharing!

[@LizChadertonArt]

My pleasure!

[@sherizapara2992]

Interesting!!! Thankx for sharing...food for thought.

[@LizChadertonArt]

My pleasure!

[@cephid1]

Brilliant always looking for something different to try , the inside of a cereal packet is great for lots of things , even keeping bread fresh

[@LizChadertonArt]

I try to reuse as much as I can!

[@ritaharker8792]

Thank you, I really enjoyed this x

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@patriciaborley]

Love you Liz❤❤❤❤

[@LizChadertonArt]

thank you!

[@teresaleblanc2420]

I like the tissue paper is better . Thxs

[@LizChadertonArt]

it’s one of my favourites

[@dianecisek8268]

Liz this was enlightening! Thank you I've used plastic wrap,but the others look fun, particularly painting on the glued tissue paper. Thank you. I'm going to be looking at your other videos.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad it was helpful!

[@shades.of.lyf.21billion]

Last one was really amazing. 👌😊🌹

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you liked it

[@jennyfradgleyful]

Hi Liz, thanks so much for sharing these methods for different effects in watercolours. This is fun and I can't wait to give these tricks a try. This is perfect for kids and all ages to try to make art different and even more fun. I have subscribed today and look forward to joining you for watercolour tutorials instead of acrylics which I currently use.

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are so welcome! welcome back from acrylics - the dark side… (I am joking)

[@jilld8787]

Delightful!

[@LizChadertonArt]

glad you enjoyed it

[@KingsterLovey]

These would ALL be awesome in a Galaxy painting. Even the Tin Foil..

[@LizChadertonArt]

That’s good to know!

[@avanellehansen4525]

Great instructions and samples. The video moves along at a good pace without extra chatter. New subscriber..

[@LizChadertonArt]

thank you. Glad to hear it’s about the right pace.

[@andreandi24]

It's fantastic! Thanks and greetings from Hungary 🌷🎨🌸

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you very much!

[@allisonjames2923]

Your video is a wonderful tutorial with a nice blend of experimentation, suggestions & a quick finished piece (although would have loved to see that in a bit more detail. You’re an inspiring teacher thank you. And your work is just stunning! That swan is pure magic

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you so much Allison. It’s so hard to keep these short. I’d love to go on about everything a bit longer but I worry I’d bore you all!

[@beenadevicr]

Hi Liz I used bubble wrap and it gave a coral-like effect. Something that you can try and show us, thanks

[@LizChadertonArt]

Yes, bubble wrap gives great patterns! I included it in this film which you might like: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5KmoYaObdp3Y7M

[@susanmarcoux7005]

With the cereal box liner and baking parchment, etc...try scratching them all 1st before laying them down

[@LizChadertonArt]

scratching the side in contact with the paint? what does it do? will give it a try.

[@WhstlblwrBlastingEpsteinsILK]

It's almost like a reverse monoprint. Instead of loading the surface of the plastic/tissue paper or whatever with paint/ink/pigment then pressing the paper on it, you load the paper with your medium then press your choice of printing plate on top of the paper. I used to use glass from a picture frame, or freezer paper, I had loaded with watercolors, inks, or acrylics. I got interesting & beautiful results.

[@LizChadertonArt]

sounds fascinating!

[@valderozarieux7936]

Very interesting and helpful- thanks for sharing- I used to enjoy using plastic wrap but my conscience stopped me a while ago... inspired to try some alternatives!

[@LizChadertonArt]

I know! It’s worth trying (except the foil!)

[@teresaluna1936]

Hello Liz! Beautiful demonstration! Thanks for sharing your expertise. I will try all these, this weekend. I learned from a video to use strings of cotton fibers, acrylic yarns to absorb some of the WC. It worked fine, as I could control the area where I needed texture. I also tried cheesecloth. You probably know these ones, but I wanted to give back. Thanks again for your instructions.

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you Teresa. I have tried a couple of those. Medical gauze is similar to cheesecloth, but you can pull the fibres into interesting patterns. Nice for abstract landscapes..

[@elizabethgrant9833]

I liked the flat parchment baking paper and the cereal wrap best.

[@elizabethgrant9833]

Wow!!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Each has their uses!

[@janstroud9192]

Thank you.

[@LizChadertonArt]

You're welcome!

[@bonniecollins3741]

what fun and so beautiful. i really emjoyed watching this. i am thinking about getting into abstract painting and this is very inspirational. thank you.....

[@LizChadertonArt]

It is a wonderful way of working

[@gracebrunelle1]

i find your ideas so great! i am so glad i happen to have to have the non stick bake paper! I cover my working area w it to protect from w c stains. i am new here and excited!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Welcome and have fun!

[@marciakanter6750]

Incredibly informative! In response to painting on top of tissue paper, I have used white, textured or lacy handmade papers for marvelous painted effects.

[@LizChadertonArt]

That sounds wonderful. Is there somewhere I can see what you've done?

[@marciakanter6750]

@@LizChadertonArt I’m new to KZbin so I don’t know the ins and outs of sending images. Is there a way of texting you and including images of my paintings? Meanwhile, I’ve subscribed and hope to keep learning from you. I love your style and subject matter; totally different from me but I’m anxious to learn from you

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@marciakanter6750 sadly there is no way to share photos on KZbin. I run a Facebook group, which is a really friendly place to share work and ideas, if you would like to join facebook.com/groups/694706731930461

[@rowenawhiteford1928]

Thank you very much...I really love your tips! I re- use my plastic wrap, just rinse it off and let it dry, I think it actually works better when it' s well- loved

[@LizChadertonArt]

That is really good of you. You must boy better quality wrap than me. Mine falls to pieces if I try to reuse!

[@almafavela7498]

wow ¡¡¡¡¡ cuanto aprendi thank you saludos desde Mexico

[@LizChadertonArt]

Saludos Desdemona UK!

[@kerrynewell-wildlifeartist]

A wonderful video, thank you xXx

[@LizChadertonArt]

My pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@joycesnodgrass7068]

Thank you!

[@LizChadertonArt]

My pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it

[@gemmatait4157]

Grazie interessante fantastico !!!!

[@LizChadertonArt]

my pleasure

[@HenrikVGroth]

❤very usefull 👋🏼🏊🏻

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you think so!

[@theartisticactuary]

A shoutout here for the see through spotty crinkly paper that French sticks come in at Sainsburys.

[@LizChadertonArt]

love it! never shop at Sainsburys😂 hopefully Lidl would work.

[@dupeit007]

I'm gonna try the honeycomb paper wrappers and see how they work , Thank you for the ideas! I've tried salt, plastic wrap, tissue and wax

[@LizChadertonArt]

you are adventurous!

[@yopestevens1505]

There has to be about a hundred different types of one-use, clear plastic-wrapped items that flow thru our households within even in one week! I don't think there is reason to find alternatives, unless you are NEEDING a different texture in your painting. Good video on what not to use, though. What about your tape, do you re-use it several times? Seems an even bigger one-use waste if not...mine hangs out on my door in long strips. I use them over and over again til they just won't stick anymore, then I re-glue them into collage pieces, so no waste. Cling wrap is easy-ish enough to clean & re-use too, I'm still using the pieces I began with...just sayin'. Enjoyed the video, new and exciting subjects are hard to come by sometimes, right? Thanks :)

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are right, there are bigger fish to fry in reducing our use of plastic.

[@cathylathrop8104]

OMG! Thank you Liz for taking our art to the next level! Thinking about painting on tissue for my covers on my scratch books instead of decorative paper.! Also i didn’t know that mod podge was a PVA paint? I have been using PVA wood glue for my sketch books.

[@LizChadertonArt]

It would make great covers. If you used Dorlands Wax over them it would give good protection too.

[@cathylathrop8104]

@@LizChadertonArt didn’t think of that. Thank you so much!

[@cleomarie6444]

Great ideas, thank you! I completely agree with you on reducing the use of plastic but have found I can use plastic wrap more than once if I wash off the dried paint. It doesn't all come off but enough for reuse.

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are right. I know some people with positively ancient plastic wrap. I am very messy as a worker….

[@pameladalton2457]

Those are fantastic! Could you show us how you would use these textures in a painting?

[@LizChadertonArt]

if you look at this one it gives you ideas and you can substitute the different approaches kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnyvk4uoeKdljtk

[@pameladalton2457]

Many thanks!

[@papyloo588]

Cống hiến hơn nữa trong sự nghiệp của mình. Một lần nữa cảm ơn Đức Phúc và chương trình đã mang đến những giây phút thư giãn này. Mãi yêu!!!❤❤❤

[@LizChadertonArt]

thank you

[@jillp3761]

Coloured tissue paper on a wet or glue covered paper might be interesting if the colour would bleed off the tissue

[@LizChadertonArt]

The colour is very fugitive. so it might be a nice effect but will fade quite quickly

[@FranOnTheEdge]

I am so suprised to find that you didn't like the tin foil result. Perhaps yours wasn't great, but can I urge you to try again before giving it up? I've had some wonderful results from tin foil. But it is DIFFERENT from the cling film results.

[@LizChadertonArt]

You have motivated me to try it again - thank you x

[@cherspecialtime5266]

I am learning how to draw with different things

[@LizChadertonArt]

That's great

[@taylors726]

The swan...😍😍😍

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you. I’m rather fond of it, though I’d love it to fly off to a new home!

[@rowenawhiteford1928]

P.S Your swan is fabulous!😍

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you. I am fond of him!

[@nursen2106]

baking paper can be made smooth. wet it and squeze it out. I don't have any right now, but it does work. I guess, that is a thrid option on backing paper

[@LizChadertonArt]

I only tried dry baking paper. I will try wetting it like you suggest. thanks!

[@Amah-Lady]

Thank you for your effort. At the beginning of the video, a big painting cought my eyes, could be perfect for a background (blue green orange yellow etc...), I checked through your videos but wasn't able to find it 😥. I hope once you do a video about backgrounds. Thank you in advance for your time. Best wishes.

[@LizChadertonArt]

do you mean the big swan? I applied tissue paper to the canvas and then watercolour ground and painted on it. I have a full length course over on www.lizchadertonstudio.co.UK if you are interested (it’s the one with kingfishers) and there’s 20% off until the end of August is you use SUMMER2022 at the checkout 😊

[@daricedavis6979]

I really like this video as I'm forever experimenting and adding non-traditional materials to my art supply tool kit. I use wax paper and parchment paper for my texture experiments. It's helpful to see that tissue paper is probably too absorbent for me to use and would stick to my surface like yours did sorta. I'm wondering how pigment powders mixed with rubbing alcohol (91%) would work with tissue paper on #140 cold-pressed watercolor paper? Might I suggest scrunched up pieces of Tyvek building craft moisture barrier paper, Hijuku plastic paper (Japanese arts/I misspelled), and there is a plastic paper, Yuki that might leave interesting effects without sticking to the surface once dried.

[@LizChadertonArt]

I haven’t even heard of half the things you plan to try! I love your spirit of adventure. Good luck with the experiment!

[@williamford2223]

Many thanks Liz, very interesting experiment and the tissue paper technique at the end was great. Have you tried these techniques with different paint consistencies? or how about with additions such as granulation medium?

[@LizChadertonArt]

Hi - have used on canvas, coated with watercolour ground and then used granulation, salt etc. Not used on paper with those mediums. (Yet)

[@leynasa4140]

Magnifiques résultats !!! Peut-être un prochain tutoriel pour montrer comment exploiter ces motifs ? Merci à vous

[@LizChadertonArt]

C'est une bonne idée, je vais l'ajouter à ma liste !

[@anetajohnson8446]

Thank you for letting me know, im not the only one ready for the funny farm! What matters most, is not how you painted your plicture, but no matter how you did it, do you like it? did it turn out? or does your painting l,ook like a first grader made it! Like the ones iv seen here!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Picasso said “It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.” 😊

[@KingsterLovey]

​@@LizChadertonArt That's an awesome response..

[@bjgoels]

Very interesting....and unique! So wonderful to see some new techniques. What did you use to create the tree shapes? It wasn't a brush.

[@LizChadertonArt]

I’m afraid I can’t remember and as I am travelling it’s hard to watch to check at the moment. sorry.

[@nicky_stevenson]

I’ve just checked and she said she used ‘a scrap of watercolour paper’ to do the trees. 🙂

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@nicky_stevenson well done! I was in Australia! The edge of a piece of watercolour paper, dipped in paint is great for printing

[@bjgoels]

@@LizChadertonArt Interesting

[@bobwishart8780]

❤

[@LizChadertonArt]

😍

[@elaineg60]

Watching this as I debate which of my Xuan papers might work like your last example. I think I have at least 8 completely different kinds…7 minus my double Xuan..heck, I might try that as a base. We have a technique we do with raw (unsized, extremely absorbent; ranges from very thin to double Xuan..certainly not as thick as western WC and of course ink and heavy pigments soak through…which has possibilities of its own) Xuan. We crumple it, THEN paint, mostly in ink as it’s always “the host”, rocky, sometimes mountainous, landscapes. But…THIS…. hmmmm….I wonder what my VERY thin, delicate and sized Xuan would do… I DO know some western artists are using semi-sized mulberry Xuan for decoupage and using s relic paints on it, but…I’m not a big fan of trying to paint on the mulberry Xuan. I think they like it for the texture and very visible fibers…which can also give you a Devil of a splinter..😂 I think I’ll go see what some of my scraps of Cicada Wing and Glass Xuan might do…(the fully sized, delicate, usually used for Gongbi painting-highly detailed technique as opposed to Xieyi, or freehand, usually on raw or semi-sized). One of my tutors recently sent me some gold ink, with real gold…hmmm….accents…. Thank you for the ideas!! Oh, question..in doing this on western paper…for the paint: do you have any experience trying it with the PrimaTek paints by any chance?

[@LizChadertonArt]

sorry, no experience of PrimaTek, I’m afraid. And I’ve never used any of those papers you’ve mentioned. Sounds like you have lots of ideas and experiments to play with!

[@gloriam.sweatman3152]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@LizChadertonArt]

thank you!

[@cathleenconnellperkins804]

Love these results!! What brand & size is your lovely brush? I bought one & it was useless as it just was floppy!! Thanks in advance!!

[@LizChadertonArt]

I looked back at the film. grateful brush is ages old and the name has worn off. I know it’s a size 10 and I *think* it’s a Cotman.

[@dhall9819]

Hi Liz: Beautiful!What did you use to paint on the trees?

[@LizChadertonArt]

I honestly can’t remember. It was a long time ago. do you mean the trunks? it would have been a dark mix from whatever was lurking on my palette!