Testing Out Daniel Smith Watercolour Ground. This Stuff Is AMAZING!

[@KellySaxon]

The owner of Daniel Smith has been doing Facebook Live demos of their products every week since the pandemic started, and he recently demoed this watercolor ground. He used a sponge brush to apply it, and suggested using a sponge roller to smooth it out. I just bought some and applied it some canvases I had, and found that the foam roller helps smooth out the brush strokes leaving a smooth, flat finish to paint on. He said you can apply directly to porous surfaces like wood, canvas, paper, etc. If you want to apply it glass, metal, or plastic you'll have to sand the surface a bit first. Also, it comes in various colors: Titanium white, pearlescent white, buff titanium, iridescent gold, mars black, and transparent (which is not clear). I've heard that people like to use the transparent ground in coloring books.

[@elisanishimura974]

Great review. Thank you!

[@dianethoroughman9541]

Daniel Smith also has black and transparent watercolor ground. Imagine transparent watercolor ground on wood. The grain of the wood would show through the paint.

[@PaganTaylor]

I love using the transparent ground on wood. It's beautiful how the grain comes through.

[@EnjoyDrawingwithMary]

oh wow! I like the idea of wood texture under the painting! :) tnx for the information! Marija

[@finnegan517]

I agree, with transparent ground and watercolor looks amazing ... changed my cutting board game for sure.

[@DavZell]

And black, gold, and pearlescent

[@PaganTaylor]

​@@DavZell I recently got the gold. I can't wait to try it out under a baby portrait. I'm hoping it will bring out a lovely luminescent glow with the colours.

[@serraslife77]

If you don't want the brush marks then once it dries use a bit of sand paper (lightly) and you're surface will be brush mark free!

[@EmmaLefebvre]

Oh awesome! Thank you!

[@MishaStaggs]

I also use an old debit card to spread mine. Discovered that worked well when I ran out of sandpaper.

[@serraslife77]

@@EmmaLefebvre You're welcome! 😊

[@karenkristiansen2756]

It can also be thinned slightly with water...esp handy on wtercolor paper that the sizing has failed.

[@lmrharper3586]

You are going to fall in love with the Daniel Smith paints.

[@grashi]

I thought the same thing too. IMO Daniel Smith blows away W&N. I love them!

[@loveandlife4222]

Funny you pushed the Daniel Smith away for winsor and Newton. Daniel Smith is so much better in my opinion.

[@Kyomiibrown]

@@loveandlife4222 It’s personal preference. W&N professional (NOT cotman) are much better than DS IMHO as they are truly transparent which is what I prefer, especially for portraits and botanicals. I also prefer Schmincke to DS when I want to use a more creamy paint, though I do like some DS unique colours. I experienced a lot of shrinkage when I panned my DS paints, and 2 pans shrunk and crumbled to bits which was a huge disappointment considering the cost. DS colour range is good, probably the best, but their paints are just average IMHO and their lightfast ratings are very questionable. For example, Moonglow is listed as highly lightfast - LF1 - it isn’t lightfast at all, it is extremely fugitive yet they still market it as LF!. There’s another colour listed as LF1, shadow violet, yet tests show it is definitely fugitive too, and these aren’t the only two colours they sell as LF1 when they are not. As their paint is so expensive I expect the LF ratings to be what they state and being on a budget I cannot take the risk of purchasing and using more DS paints. I’ve done a whole piece in mostly Moonglow that took hours and now it is ruined.

[@grashi]

@@loveandlife4222 well she said she wanted to use the paints she was most familiar with, which is totally understandable

[@paintingtheskykingdom9005]

@@Kyomiibrown I agree with you, the professional Winsor and Newton are so underrated. It might be because of many people starting out with the Cotman. But the professional-grade W&N is what you need to compare Daniel Smith with. Daniel Smith has lots of sparkly mixtures, etc. making it seem special to newbies (which some of those colors are cool for special techniques) but it turns out DS has been ingenious with their ingredients, there has been a lot about that lately - charging really high prices saying they are pure gemstone when a chemist found that this was not the case.

[@lisagoetsch]

I love how the little floral turned out and the larger wood piece was amazing.

[@mr.shinypikachu4351]

That big forest scene you did on the bigger piece of wood is awesome. It honestly looks like a seamless window into the outdoors since it's a wooden "frame" even though it wasn't painted on paper. The fact that you can paint it on wood with that stuff is so cool! I'll have to look into using watercolor ground in the future...

[@jengoodwyn2715]

That final painting looked like a old fashioned winter scene. I loved it!

[@davidmolloy126]

A few manufacturers make the watercolour ground and it's far from a new idea. It is in fact the modern take on the ancient art of Fresco painting but obviously much simpler. You did in fact mention that it was a bit like plaster which is what Fresco artists paint on: wet plaster! Thanks very much for another great video. X

[@craftysandyscards]

This is just superb Emma and I’m pretty sure I’ve got some of this too, its amazing and I would watch you paint until the cows came home, you are fabulous. Thank you so much and happy 3rd birthday Noah 💖

[@lunaazul5244]

That watercolor ground is amazing!! This is one of the beautiful perks of being part of the art community. I had never heard of such art material before, as I am a beginner in watercolors. When I read that in the comments on your last video it really caught my attention. I’m glad you gave it a go Emma & thank you for sharing! The art turned out beautiful 😻

[@BarBaraWhorleyCrawfordESS]

Too funny as I purchased this and wondered how to use it. Thank you. So cool.

[@SusanneNorling]

I have tried Daniel Smith and Schmincke grounds and both work fine. I usually do three layers of Watercolour ground. I have used white, black and clear ground. I have seen iridescent and gold ground aswell but never tried it myself. The Watercolour ground is not self levelling so you have to layer it smoothly. Your tries looks awesome.

[@cherylj.harris4967]

Beautiful landscape! Love the little wood cookies, too. It was good to see how it worked with Winsor Newton paint, too.

[@scmarinemom24]

I love the trees!! I might try something like this for my son for Christmas.

[@Frostyrat78]

I have used this product. I lightly sanded with a very fine sandpaper to get rid of brush marks. I painted on a white journal book and it turned out great. I plan on doing more to give as Christmas gifts.

[@eleanorratzlaff4827]

Oh, I'm excited now! I just bought some watercolour ground. Now I can't wait to try it!! Thank-you!!

[@reneebanbury7066]

I had never heard of watercolor ground. Interesting!

[@michelepatton4013]

Great tutorial! I have a bunch of wood cookies and now I’ve got some great Christmas ornament ideas 😊 can’t wait to try it out!

[@LisaYoungmpp]

Wow! Thank you for demonstrating how the ground paint works! I love the misty forest painting!

[@HeartHealingReiki]

Thanks for doing this, I was apprehensive about using this until I saw your video, thanks for the review! What a beautiful painting - all of them!! :)

[@imeldahiggins-wiffle8302]

It's beautiful....the big piece!!! I didn't think I would like the birds but they added a lot!!!

[@EnjoyDrawingwithMary]

Oh wow! this really looks great! And I would love to try it out for my watercolor illustrations! I haven't figured out on what to paint yet but it definitely looks like a great idea! thank you so much for sharing this with us! and the little landscape works turned out wonderful! many greetings! Marija 💖😍💖

[@dorothyhagler5759]

Good job, Emma! Love your tutorial and happy you tried the WC Ground! You got a great bonus with the Daniel Smith paints which are fabulous! Love your large wooden tree landscape! Be well and keep painting!

[@heather5926]

The bigger one would be a wonderful gift for Father’s Day coming up next month. Beautiful!

[@sarahmiller6183]

I love the gold ground. TFS!

[@suewilson9553]

Oh, Emma, they are just beautiful!!! I can’t wait to try the ground, I have tons of different size wood pieces from Arteza, so what a great use for them.

[@joannesarlo518]

great tutorial Emma!! who knew this product could be such a game changer for watercolors!!! thank you !!!

[@lynnash4294]

I love that you tried this! I've used Daniel Smith Water Colour Ground for a while now and although it seems to dry a bit lighter than if I paint on paper, I can counter that and just use more intense colour.

[@MarcellHobbs]

Thank you for sharing this product with me. I ordered the large jar and the tree cookies a month ago to paint Christmas ornaments and gift tags, but got COVID and wasn’t able to even start. Felling better, I am anxious to experiment.

[@abigailphoenixthepaperaddi2501]

YES!!! You tried it!!!! WOOOOOOHOOO! Next step: test it on really cheap watercolor paper... oooo, regular paper! Coloring books? Also, try looking for transparent watercolor ground... i think it would be amazing on glass, acrylic, etc.

[@Brvfan2012]

Really nice! Still learning the basics so I must conquer the paper first but I love doing projects that are different so this is in my save for later list. Thank you. Love all your videos

[@sandybee6956]

I just ordered this! So glad you did a video on it! (Pretty sure you could paint on anything and it would be beautiful!

[@dianeandbrad529]

I can’t wait for the Christmas time videos with this stuff!!! 💕💕💕 you are hiking to have such great ideas!!

[@firdyk]

Love the trees on wood. So beautiful Emma

[@christinedrake1645]

for holidays it would be fun to use some metallics !! Now I know what to do with my jar of ground. I purchased the same set ...love it

[@mycreativeescape]

Love love looooove! I have some DS Wc Ground but haven't used it yet. Thanks for the inspiration ❤️

[@shaustin22]

It’s also recommended to wet the surface first to open up the ground. Painting on aqua board is also very cool and the colours are very vibrant.

[@dariabuczynski9711]

Loved learning something new. You did a great job. Thanks

[@kimcup5000]

thank you for this! It turned out beautifully!

[@jenneke9763]

How interesting! Thanks for this introduction to this product. Your experiments turned out really well!

[@MusingsFromTheDen]

That's a very strange but cool medium! 😊 I have the Daniel Smith 238 dot card and it's taking all my will power to use up the dots before I splash out on the actual paints, I like them so much! 😂 The Luminescent watercolours are absolutely amazing on black paper. 😊

[@pattymcclung3300]

I’ve always wondered about ground...now I know!! Thank you!!

[@chrischurchley7003]

Thank you so much for this revelation! Your forest is so beautiful 🤩

[@paintingtheskykingdom9005]

So glad you found this. I have tried some in the past, but not Daniel Smith Watercolor ground. I think using two layers is going to be key as well to making it work.

[@LadywolfArtz]

Super pretty...all of them! Thank you!

[@carolbrinkman9748]

Great video. I’m going to try it. Love the trees on the wood. ❤️

[@watercolourfascination1619]

love the roses and the misty forest😍

[@maggieshontz3501]

Thanks for this new medium! 💖

[@dorotheaherron5071]

I think your did a super job...love it!

[@ginakelly11]

I wondered about the watercolor ground as well, so I appreciate the video.🙏🏼

[@josephinecassou9148]

I use watercolor ground on my wooden slices & on my ceramic discs that I paint on for Christmas. It comes in the white, gold & a beige color. The watercolor adheres really well once it’s cured.

[@GigisART]

Seal those little cookies and they would make great key chains. Love the floral one you did first. So pretty. Thank for showing us new things!

[@usharajesh1781]

How would you seal them? Thanks in advance.

[@lisahopp1112]

I agree, if we are gonna watercolor “things” we need to talk sealers. Sprays or wax. The big wood going on a wall? I would use Dorlands Wax. But I personally haven’t tried it on something as textured as a wood piece

[@crafteart9520]

Oh wow... That's great work. I appreciate your video

[@phantasm_or_wraith4211]

This stuff seems awesome! Love the video, thank you!

[@prettyblimp]

Love the plaque Emma, that pearline green ? is gorgeous, oh, and the other things too!! The wood with the picture is a beautiful blend and yep it is fabulous!! cheers!

[@paintingtheskykingdom9005]

It is perylene Green, a color that only Winsor Newton and a few other brands carry

[@prettyblimp]

@@paintingtheskykingdom9005 thank you!

[@debrabartman6749]

So beautiful!!!

[@pariah73]

Thanks for the info about watercolor ground. I have this paint set but mine didn't come with the watercolor ground but when I get them again, I'll make sure to. I think I will add it to a couple of crappy quality watercolor journals so I don't waste them :D My suggestion for the tediousness of painting pine/fir trees: use a larger flat wash or angle wash brush and you can bang them out really fast on a surface that size. Also, for that issue with excessive color shift during drying, I'd suggest using Sonnet (student) or White Knights (artist) because they really stay true to how you put them on paper even after they dry. I think they'd work great with the watercolor ground! They are great for spacescapes in particular. Qor paints are also really vibrant but very expensive. Thank you for the awesome tutorials. I always learn something new!

[@kimfilek9717]

Wow that is crazy cool

[@christinedrake4984]

I wanted a rough texture to paint something loose and rustic... I am waiting 24 hrs to dry it... love seeing the results on wood.

[@patricialong2717]

I love it, too!!!

[@AafkeVultink]

I have the ds watercolor ground. I think it feels a bit rubbery. I will try again and orderd the qor absorbent ground for my journal :P

[@veronicahodges4540]

Yes really cool job. Well done!

[@Solo3198-]

Very interesting! I think the transparent ground would be great on the wood!

[@EmmaLefebvre]

I’m curious to try it!

[@monib6819]

Yep, I've used DS transparent ground on wood: awesome!

[@loveandlife4222]

I have two different watercolor grounds but haven’t used them yet. Both are Daniel Smith. One is traditional and one is pearlescent. I bet this wood would look really good if you painted it plein air. I may have to drive up in our mountains and try it with some wood. It would be gorgeous if it was fall time and the trees were all in beautiful fall colors.

[@margohill3149]

Ground works well on cardboard too (cereal boxes, toilet paper tubes-can paint and use to hold a gift).

[@TaraSueSalusso]

They also have transparent , gold, and black. How fun to try to do something on little glass bottles. Have fun.

[@maryminatrea1286]

Love it !!!!!!

[@Sagittarius_Glow]

I had no idea what this was prior to doing a watercolor on canvas piece last year, I was told to do two to three thin layers of the watercolor ground (obviously letting it fully dry between coats). But I am definitely interested to see if the watercolor ground I have can be used on different surfaces. Didn't think about it at the time.

[@kelleygreen1338]

This is so cool! I need to try it!

[@karencoy924]

You know what would be another fun video... if you tried your florals and landscape with like the cheap Crayola kids watercolors. I would love to see if they can be used to create some of your gorgeous florals.

[@paintingtheskykingdom9005]

i think she may have done that way back when she started. I could be wrong though but I have seen someone do this a few times on youtube.

[@chloemaxwell2628]

Very nice Emma!

[@suel4269]

I bought the Pearlescent but accident but I think it would be good for snow on a Christmas card.

[@ahadddon]

So pretty!

[@lauriebulson3579]

I am really interested in this and was so impressed how you painted on the wood. It is beautiful! I am wondering how the other colors of ground would be used. For example the transparent, the mars black, the gold. It would be cool to see you paint on a wood surface with the transparent ground.

[@finnegan517]

A few examples for using colored and transparent watercolor ground: “labels” for plastic, acrylic, metal, glass bottles/tins/canisters... painting artwork on those acrylic ornaments... black ground for the drawers of those plastic organizers, so you can paint art AND label-like details... transparent for wood where you really want to still showcase the grain or design of the wood (like carved wood and wood cutting boards, like bamboo)... one of my metal archive cabinets has a side painted with gold watercolor ground with art related quotes all over it in dark gray... hope those help and spark a few more things you want to customize!

[@CMTiger62]

Absorbent watercolour ground also made by Golden. I did mine on birch 6x6 cradle board. Then, protect painting with 1. Spray fixative. 2. Archival spray varnish.

[@MlovesYT]

Wow! Txs for sharing!

[@kellyhalligan1328]

I used a foam brush when putting ground on wood-works great

[@loati94]

Would this ground work on thick paper that is not cotton or watercolor paper to make it more watercolor friendly?

[@arlenemurphy804]

I would love to try it on glass Christmas balls.

[@caroleveseaman6210]

Hi, did you try it on the glass and did it stick. I'm just wondering as I'm about to try it on oyster shells. They say to sand the surface first, but I don't know if oyster shelll will create a key. I'm about to find out when my watercolour ground arrives

[@arlenemurphy804]

@@caroleveseaman6210 no. I have not tried it. Sorry

[@caroleveseaman6210]

@@arlenemurphy804 OK thank you

[@loati94]

That set is amazing because is affordable, it gives you a split primary palette and 5 ml let you fill 2 half pans so it lasts quite a while

[@mickeykyker4837]

Fun video!

[@cynthiastandridge5230]

I love this!

[@Anna-jl1rx]

Thank you for showing this! Is the ground at all smelly or irritating for the eyes, like acrylics for example?

[@dougdawson8286]

Try applying two coats 24-48 hours apart. It needs to be”cure” without heat. I think this helps with retaining stain vibrancy.

[@artistsjanvigoyal9090]

Amazing ❤️

[@ewwwobbie]

I’m wondering if you applied it more thinly, it would not absorb the colour?

[@paintingtheskykingdom9005]

I have tried it with one layer, and it does not work as well for sure.

[@ArtBrain]

I wonder if the clear would give you more vibrancy.

[@anthonybeers]

I just wanted the essentials set and found it was cheaper on Amazon to get the essentials with the water color ground than just the water colors.

[@leonheartilly92]

I’ve been using this for months and very frustrated with the brush streaks and speckles. Can anyone recommend me a trick to do the smooth and flawless surface with the ground? It has to be as smooth as a paper surface. Thank you in advance

[@annnoyez]

I use already watercolor ground as forever. I have the brand from schmincke and Windsor and Newton.... it's just fun...

[@margohill3149]

Do you prefer to use a drying tool instead of a small hair dryer?

[@EmmaLefebvre]

For me yes. The hair dryer that I have is too powerful. It just blows the paint around. My heat tool is better for me

[@kathleenmckee9603]

Do you have to seal the wood first so the knots don't bleed through?

[@EmmaLefebvre]

I don't think so...at least I didn't. I also did a pretty thick coat

[@bethlillis5575]

I wonder if yohemu could use a small amount of Watercolor ground to "erase" a mistake then repaint over it? Thanks for a new excuse to run to the art store and try it. I love Daniel Smith color and watercolor, I look forward to your opinion on t

[@paintingtheskykingdom9005]

yes you can

[@EmmaLefebvre]

Yes! I've heard its used for that too!

[@karengould9563]

Yes it works wonderfully

[@dianeandbrad529]

I wonder if MGraham paint would stay more vibrant

[@suel4269]

I love landscapes too but pine trees make me crazy.

[@nikkihoughton9954]

That is so cool!!!!! 🤦🏻‍♀️ my Amazon basket has now grown 😭😭😂😂

[@EmmaLefebvre]

I have that problem too! Haha

[@parikanchan7868]

So it's like GESSO for watercolors

[@OnePillKillz]

That's what I am thinking, or modge podge

[@CommentReader]

so it’s basically gesso for watercolors?

[@abigailphoenixthepaperaddi2501]

Pretty much... lol. I called it Watercolor Gesso for a few months until I learned the proper name for it (oops!). Still haven't tried mine... the long wait time to cure doesn't appeal (ADD possibly? IDK... maybe just impatient lol)... but I got transparent specifically to try in adult coloring books, so I could stop/ease the stress of trying to sketch out an idea, and just focus on colors/techniques.

[@kimstewart2539]

I ordered DS watercolor ground. It is very thin. Goes on almost transparent. Not white like yours at all. I used it on some wood slices. Anyone else find it to be much thinner than what this video portrays?