Can you paint watercolour on canvas? | 30 tips to get you going

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Can you paint watercolour on canvas? What do you have to do differently? How do you do it?
I've come up 30 tips to get you going. This film shares some of the lessons I learnt painting with watercolour on canvas over the past few years. I'm painting an elephant with watercolour on canvas (70x70cm - 28x28 inches), but these tips apply whether you are doing portraits, landscapes or old rusty trucks...
If you enjoyed the tips here, please like and subscribe. I post at least one film a week about all the tips, tricks and techniques I wish I'd known when I started painting.
If you want a lot more information, please check out my book: Painting Watercolours on Canvas ISBN: 9781785005893. There's a flip through here: • Book flip - Painting w... and you can get it from any book seller worldwide, or Amazon.
I also have an in depth online course www.lizchadertonstudio.co.uk/.... This takes you through everything from why bother, to preparing your own canvas, to getting started and finishing...
And there's a Watercolour on Canvas group on Facebook. As it stands there are 7000 members from 18 or so countries, so if you want to join us, please do: / 463275440905151
You've got the questions and hopefully, I have a few answers. With the new watercolour grounds available from QoR, Daniel Smith and Schmincke, you can turn any canvas into a watercolour canvas. Or you can buy ready prepared ones like Yes!, Fredrix and Frisk.
See this video for how to prepare a canvas for watercolour: • How to make a watercol... or this one for how to make your own watercolour ground at home: • How to make your own D... And here is another film with lots of tips: • How do you paint water...
#lizchaderton #watercolouroncanvas #watercoloroncanvas

[@FizzyStarArt]

Your book is on my desk right now, I can highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn how to paint watercolour on canvas.

[@carybrown2019]

Absolutely agree- wonderful books

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you so much 🥰

[@LizChadertonArt]

thank you ☺️

[@valeriegehling4358]

Can’t reproduce similar paintings but, really like your various “animal & bird”, paintings. As a beginner I use watercolour pencils under my watercolour exercises. Thanks

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thanks so much 😊

[@tracylamarca575]

Liz - you are too funny! You don't need to "shut up" - I love listening to you while you paint, no matter what you are talking about! I love music, but I can listen to it anytime! Oh - and of course! - watching this gorgeous elephant come to life was really fun - I so admired this painting when you posted it previously. 🥰

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are kind! I sometimes watch my films back and shout shut up at the computer!

[@tracylamarca575]

@@LizChadertonArt 🥰

[@annepercival7814]

I,too, like listening to you Liz….very calm, very down-to-earth, and so wise

[@user-sd2jb1gg4w]

So beautiful, love all the information about a new surface for me. I have heard of canvas for watercolor but had no idea how to proceed. You have saved the need to “ reinvent the wheel”. I so appreciate people that willingly share their experiences both good and bad. Thank you so much!

[@LizChadertonArt]

It’s fun to share ideas and experience, then see what people do next

[@RikkeMyE]

1:03 I love the bragging ❤ You should be proud! Not everyone gets to have that experience 😊

[@LizChadertonArt]

😆 true!

[@jvmastro1238]

Wonderful demonstration! Thank you for sharing your process and techniques.

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are so welcome!

[@Ola-1114]

Wow what an beautiful painting.wish I could paint like that. I practice and practice, but I always seems to fail at painting 😢

[@LizChadertonArt]

I’m sure it will come together and there will be a lightbulb moment

[@Ola-1114]

@@LizChadertonArt thank you ☺️

[@_Oryslava]

Ви відкрили мені нові горизонти🎉. Щиро дякую вам❤

[@LizChadertonArt]

I’m so pleased to hear that!

[@ninakennedy5130]

Stunning elephant! I loved your choice of copper background. Thank you for another great video!

[@LizChadertonArt]

You are so welcome!

[@judywitmer7503]

Beautiful!!!!! I love the copper leaf! Do you have a video on how to do that?

[@LizChadertonArt]

this is about gold leaf: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHXSm6OKr612p80

[@janebridge1325]

Fabulous tutorial, Liz - and what a spectacular elephant painting. Absolutely inspirational, thank you! :))

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you so much Jane!

[@phylmwright]

Thank you Liz for your tutorials they are amazing. I have already learned a lot from them and will try this one later when I get better at it. I bought your book and I am putting it to good use. Really enjoying this elephant. Thanks again Liz ❤.

[@LizChadertonArt]

That’s so good to hear 😊

[@sirius_lily]

Beautiful art work!!! 🧡

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you!

[@rowenacorlett3146]

This is beautiful Liz. Do you paint it on paper first or are you experienced enough to just go ahead and paint it?

[@LizChadertonArt]

I just jump onto the canvas as it is more forgiving (though less predictable) than paper

[@jillpratt2447]

What a wonderful video! So informative! Such beautiful results! Thank you, Liz!

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@zachberry4742]

Just bought painting animals in watercolor. Thanks so much for making this book! I looked through a lot of watercolor books before I picked this one and it was easily the coolest one. ❤️

[@LizChadertonArt]

Wonderful! I hope you enjoy it

[@KathyMinervino]

Spectacular

[@LizChadertonArt]

hope they helped

[@BrazenSpirituality]

Lovely! Thank you for all this information as well.💕🖼️🎨💞

[@LizChadertonArt]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@carolpenn1155]

Liz you have excelled yourself. This is just wonderful. You are sooo clever 😇

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you so much 😀

[@artbysolar-theresa]

Did my first canvas piece today. Then saw your earlier video and bought the book. Bam you must have know I would be wanting more 😊. Looking forward to your FB channel for more tips and tricks. Thanks Liz

[@LizChadertonArt]

well that’s serendipity! Look forward to seeing your work 😊

[@kymbellerose4831]

I just did some on canvas and using plastic wrap and spraying alcohol over gives some great textures

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thanks for the tips!

[@DrJones-nh4my]

OMG you are so creative. Love your art. :)

[@LizChadertonArt]

Thank you so much 😀

[@maritimailustra]

his is amazing thank you for your tips, I will try on my onw and maybe to do a video of the process❤

[@LizChadertonArt]

ooh, tag me if you do a film. Would love to see it!

[@mjpete27]

Hullo Liz, I have used your recipe for watercolor ground and found it wonderful! If you don’t want to use homemade ground I can recommend Golden’s or Spectrafix or the Australian brand Spectrum the folks that bring you Art Spectrum soft pastels as well as grounds for watercolor and soft pastel grounds! I simply will not recommend ant DanSmith products they do make quality supplies but at elevated prices and I just don’t believe that they are worth the cost!!! Thank you for sharing another wonderful painting project with us. Have a lovely day!

[@LizChadertonArt]

I’ve heard of Spectrafix, but they don’t export to the UK. Yes DS is expensive and that’s what spurred me to find an alternative!

[@ranjanachand9306]

Great tips, have painted on canvas, small one, using watercolor grounds and using dorlands wax and a varnish spray.. Came out pretty ok.. It is fun not to worry about glass and framing 😊

[@LizChadertonArt]

I agree. I am always breaking glass…

[@carollutton3340]

Liz loved this and all your paintings. I’d like to have your thoughts on this. I have used the watercolor ground but do not like it as well as plain old gesso. Maybe it is the way I paint. It is also a lot cheaper. Is the main difference that the gesso is not rough? Can you tell me why do the ground over gesso? Love watching your channel you have inspired me no end.😊

[@LizChadertonArt]

watercolour ground is like an absorbent gesso. Because it is slightly absorbent it allows wet in wet and other watercolour effects. If you prefer gesso as a surface, the go with it!

[@CC-ho5lw]

Great vid Liz. I’m wondering how one would paint the edges of the canvas if they wanted to continue the scene on the front to wrap around?

[@LizChadertonArt]

Make sure you’ve primed the edges and then simply paint them with your design….

[@CC-ho5lw]

@@LizChadertonArt Thank you but sorry I don’t know about priming? What does one use to prime the canvas? Thanks.

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@CC-ho5lw it’s all in the film! You need three thin layers of watercolour ground

[@ssaarraajjaa]

AMAZING! How did you make those nice thin lines? Thank you ... Sara

[@LizChadertonArt]

Which ones? do you mean the ones with size for the copper leaf? A very sharp flick with a flat brush….

[@ssaarraajjaa]

@@LizChadertonArt the one that are all over and are a bit longer ... you mentioned glue in a video but I am not sure if for that. I think this is just stunning and I will try this out one day with a horse :) I watched a lot of videos so far but you are one of the most talented and straightforward mentors! Thank you!

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@ssaarraajjaa The glue I mention is gold size. It is acrylic based and never fully dries. It remains slightly tacky which means it gently grabs the delicate leaf. This is what I painted on before applying the leaf.

[@lizbrennan_art]

Thanks for the tips Liz! The elephant is stunning! I tried the cold wax finish last week but forgot to apply varnish first 😮 Will this adversely affect the painting? Thanks Liz

[@LizChadertonArt]

The varnish adds uv protection, as the wax has no uv filter. So if you haven’t used it, don’t worry!

[@lizbrennan_art]

@@LizChadertonArt thank you!

[@mell3749]

how would you add chrome pigments? like the nails that are chrome? requires a tack free top coat so what kind of medium would work do you think?

[@LizChadertonArt]

regretfully I’ve not used those pigments so I can’t advise you

[@EvgeniaEmets]

Hi Liz what a beautiful sharing - thank you so much, I have a question: if I want to roll my canvas (its a large one) can i still do the fixing you suggest - it won't crack or anything like this?

[@LizChadertonArt]

Yes you can. I would never fold, but if you roll it should be fine. Roll with the painting outermost and not too tightly. Unroll as soon as possible and let it relax in a warm environment….

[@EvgeniaEmets]

@@LizChadertonArt Thank you so much - appreciate your response!

[@bonnybouncer8219]

Do you gesso your canvas first before you put on the watercolour ground or do you paint the watercolour ground straight onto the raw canvas... thanks so much for your video's I love watching you work and I adore your paintings, you are brilliant

[@LizChadertonArt]

I know you found the answer…but in case anyone else reads this…three layers watercolour ground 😊

[@valeriegehling4358]

Forgot to ask you about using salt, I live where the water is very hard & have had great difficulty with the salt effect. I read somewhere that distilled water should be used & did get better results, is this also the case with canvas? I’m assuming in Berkshire the water is probably better quality? Would be interested in your opinion. Thanks

[@LizChadertonArt]

we have super hard water of very questionable quality! Granulation is enhanced with hard water. I have never heard of using soft or distilled water with salt and I don’t see how that would help….

[@valeriegehling4358]

@@LizChadertonArt Super tip that granulation works better with hard water. Interesting!

[@LizChadertonArt]

@@valeriegehling4358 if you like granulation you might like this kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqmZfWB5oKqNmq8

[@caroltribou3408]

Great tips as always Liz! You have my curiosity. Which did you finish with, the wax or another coat of gloss?

[@LizChadertonArt]

oh well spotted. In the end I finished it with wax. I took a couple of days to finally decide

[@swyntopia]

What would happen if you would not prepare the cancas with the watercolourground ?

[@LizChadertonArt]

The watercolour will bead up. You can scrub it first and that helps, but with no absorbency you don’t get the lovely wet in wet effects and soft edges. The ground makes it more like paper. Try it both ways and see what you prefer.

[@swyntopia]

@@LizChadertonArt Thank you very much for the quick-Information ! Hmmmmmhhhh, I consider if tensids may help, without the use of watercolour ground.... ????? ( is this english ??? ) 🙂

[@LizChadertonArt]

I don’t understand tensids@@swyntopia

[@swyntopia]

@@LizChadertonArt is surfactant better ? Or detergent ? To reduce the surface tension. I wonder that "tensid" is not in english. Ok, so I was in error. 🙂 I never heve tried ox bile, and I don´t have it. But as I think ox bile was used for watercolours. ??? Did you ever try ? That elefant is once more a pleasing painting, like your scribbled elefant, that I like to so very much. A typical lady Chaderton. Your style is recognizable. 🙂

[@LizChadertonArt]

I have never tried that, so sorry I cannot advise you@@swyntopia